British Airways really made a mistake pulling out of KUL. Now Msia-UK traffic is almost monopolised by MAS. There are so many malaysians living, studying and working here in the UK! KLM is making quite a killing with the code-share with MAS. There has been constatnt rumour about it joining one of the alliances. Certainly it won't be Star cos both Singapore and Thai are member airlines. I wouldn't mind seeing them in Skyteam with KLM.

Malaysia Airlines: Going beyond expectations

As for Air Asia, I hope they spread their wings as soon as they can. There is increasing competition with regional airlines such as Valuair. Subang as a LCC airport could work, but that would mean less connectivity for Sepang. Flew with them on KL-JB and KL-Penang. Easily comparable to easyjet and ryanair. Next flights for me, Jakarta and Bangkok!

Air Asia: Now everyone can fly

oh wow

British Airways shouldn't bother coming back to KL. Their service are substandard.
I like the idea of KLM serving more KUL-Europe route though.Some of the pretty and blond Dutch stewardess look ravishing in their blue uniforms.

Malaysian Airlines flight attendants are also stunningly beautiful in their Kebayas.As for Air Asia girls...never mind.

Yeah, KLM is a good airline and I just love hanging around Schiphol airport. My only complaint is that KLM has yet to instal PTVs for their AMS-KUL flight (me so spoiled by MAS lah ) Otherwise, their service is quite good for a European carrier. They've been taken over by Air France and have code-share with Northwest. So it'll be interesting to see how the possible entry of Malaysian Airlines into Skyteam play out. I used to fly the KLM partner Northwest from KL to Seattle via Japan. They do provide good service but nowhere near as good as the Asian carriers.

Tried to get seats on MAS to fly home for the summer hols, but they are all fully booked!! Tried to fly out from Manchester and London, and tried getting the flights that transit in Langkawi/Penang but still couldn't get seats. Singapore Airlines was also fully booked. Was thinking of using Thai when I found a great offer by Lufthansa. Have to transit at Frankfurt and Bangkok, but never mind lah... what to do?


Same here, I think most of us like the kebaya. When I was about 11, there was this time when this gorgeous kakak stewardess leaned over me to close the window shutters. I could have sworn she was rubbing her thighs against me some more. So perverted and hamsap, yet so intoxicating!! The guys uniform though, is such a boring shade of green.

What's wrong with the Air Asia uniform? I think the merah menyala makes it look really garang in a nice way.

..........Really wish I was flying with MAS. Feels like you're home the moment you board the plane.. .

Hey Malaccan you're Bumiputra? I'm part Bumiputra.

Eh, I thought you're a Vietnamese, aren't you NQSH? Bumiputera means sons of the soil so basically anyone who can claim to have roots in the region is considered one in Malaysia. I have Malaysian friends whose grandparents were from Thailand and they are considered bumiputera. The Cham refugees who got refuge in Malaysia are also termed bumiputera. This despite the fact that some Chinese and Indian Malaysians have been in the country for much longer. Not fair. Or does the term bumiputera have different meaning in vietnamese?

Anyway, I managed to glean some information about the origin of Malaysian Airlines. When it was first founded, it was known as Malayan Airways.

When Malaysia was founded, the name changed to Malaysian Airlines. The name was changed to Malaysia-Singapore Airlines when Singapore left the federation. At the same time, the sarong kebaya uniform was introduced by Pierre Balman.


Soon after the airline separated into two entities, Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines. Malaysia Airlines got the rights for all the domestic routes to provide links to Sabah and Sarawak while Singapore got the international route rights in return for the planes that the had. They also got rights to the original sarong kebaya which they use to this day. (You would notice that apart from the colous, the Malaysian kebaya uniform differs in that they have a V-shaped neckline compared to the original's rounded neckline.)


The Malaysian negotiators weren't very clever, were they. Heheh. Anyway, Malaysia Airlines continued to concentrate on domestic routes to provide social service to the states while Singapore being an island-state was free to build its reputation internationally (read=Singapore Girl). But recently Malaysia Airlines has started to win accolades of its own, yeay!! As for me, my first choice of airline would always be Malaysia Airlines, but failing that it is Singapore all the way for me.

Malaysia Airlines has work to do to catch up with SIA and Cathay, namely their 1st class/business class cabins. They need new IFE and new cabins. No flat beds hurts their ratings. The Economy section tho, I believe, is an INcredible Value for money. Classic MAS service coupled with the Best seat pitch in the class at 36". Can't beat it

Give MAS some time, and it'll be consistently among the top 5 airlines in the World.

I'm keenly watching AirAsia's moves at this time. Seeing how they manueveur around ValuAir, TigerAir and Nok Air....interesting business

Was it in the news today or yesterday that said MAS and Air Asia are planning to work together in the domestic flights? I agree that it's MAS' first and business class facilities that drag down its overall rating. It's good that they're being refurbished just now. On the other hand, the economy class is among the best there is at the moment.


A retro MH flight schedule from the 70s. Yeah baby yeah!

Air Asia is trying to penetrate the Thai market, although Thai Airways is still holding firm. Thai airways has to deal with other Thai competition, and now there is Air Asia. There are so much airlines sprouting up right now.

When is the new Suvarnabumi airport opening? I will miss Don Muang. It reminds me of a busier KL Subang airport. When Subang closed, many users complained that Sepang was way too far from KL but we're getting used to it by now. KUL's dilemma is that we're stuck between two strong airline hubs ie BKK and SIN. Just have to make the best of both worlds I suppose.

There sure is plenty of low-cost carriers around, but I think that tis is a good development. It'll do wonders for regional tourism. Just taking the UK as an example, many folks fly to other European capitals for short weeekend stints as if they're going to the local beach or hotel. National boundaries don't mean much anymore.

It'll be interesting times for our region during our lifetime guys.

Not sure when it will be ready, but it is THREE-months behind schedule.

Here is an updated panorama:

Awesome photo! It's gonna be real busy when it's operational. We don't get as much traffic in KUL. Read in the news today that Air Asia just started the Bangkok-Penang flights today. There were always a lot of Thai tourists in Penang whenever I go there, as well as whites. Quite a few of the mat salleh (farang)hehe, came from Thailand and were doing visa runs. We have KL-Phuket and now Bangkok-Penang. I'm waiting for Bali next.


AirAsia Begins Bangkok-Penang Service Wednesday

PENANG, June 16 (Bernama) -- Thai AirAsia has commenced services between Penang and Bangkok, with its inaugural flight from Bangkok landing at Bayan Lepas International Airport here at 12.50pm, Wednesday.

The new Penang-Bangkok flight with 120 passengers on board, was Thai AirAsia's first international route out of the island, and will be operated as a daily non-stop flight to Bangkok with tickets priced from RM89.99 or Baht 900 one way.

Thai AirAsia chief executive officer Tassapon Bijleveld said the launch of the service followed the delivery of a fourth Boeing 737-300 for Thai AirAsia's operations.

He said the daily flight would depart at 10am from Bangkok to arrive in Penang at 12.40pm, while the flight from Penang would leave at 1.25pm and arrive in Bangkok at 2.05pm with a total flying time of about 1 hour 40 minutes.

"With the new expansion, Thai AirAsia now flies to eight destinations within Thailand and to six international destinations -- Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Johor, Singapore and Macau (on July 5) from its hub at Bangkok International Airport," he told reporters, here Wednesday.

He arrived with the first load of passengers from Bangkok and was welcomed by State Tourism Development and Environment Committee Chairman Teng Chang Yeow and AirAsia group chief executive officer Tony Fernandez.

Tassapon said Thai AirAsia commenced operations from its hub in February and Penang would be the sixth international destination operated by the airline.

"We are thrilled to fly to Penang as it is a cultural destination with deep links to Thailand. We expect our low fares will strengthen tourism and economic flow between Malaysia and Thailand," he said.

Meanwhile, Teng said with AirAsia's new flights and low fares, Penang would become more accessible to Thais and other tourists travelling via Bangkok.

He said accessibility and connectivity was essential for Penang to improve on its tourist arrival figures in the long run and make tourism a very high-revenue earning industry.

-- BERNAMA

Any news about Air Asia flying to Siem Reap or Phnom Penh?

Not at the moment. Only Malaysia Airlines fly to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. I hope Angkor Wat and the surrounding areas won't be too flooded by tourists. That is a very, very beautiful palce you have there. It's really lame that ppl would want to steal its heritage by looting it. I don't think it's so much the local's folks as it is the buyers. They should know better.

Anyway, I read in the Khmer thread that Firts Cambodia Airlines is increasing its capacity to KL. Cambodia will be a very popular destination among Malaysians. We have much natural beauty just like other ASEAN countries, but no ancient monuments like Cambodia.

I have to say Malaysia Airline is the best.
Dont use AirAsia, because it is sucks. Yes it is cheap, but the service is sucks.
I always use Malaysia Airline everywhere I go.

Hehe, Your opinion is always so strong! I've flown Air Asia several times KL-JB and KL-Penang. They are just as good as Ryanair and Easyjet. You can't compare Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia, one is a low cost carrier, the other a national airlines. It's like apples and oranges.

Do you realize that AirAsia aircraft is too old and always feel unsafe when you fly it? I have that feeling when I fly AirAsia. I only fly once with AirAsia.

I think it is common practise for LCCs to lease planes from other companies. Most LCC models in Europe started out that way too. So they might be older than the ones that national airlines use. But air Asia is buying new planes soon too.

The planes that Air Asia used for the three trips that I took were 737. Feels much smaller if you're used to 747. BTW, does MH use 777 or 747 to Australia? Probably is 747 right? BTW,there is a rumour over airliners.net that British Airways is planning a return to KUL by May 2005.

Malaysia Airline use 777 or 747 to Sydney and Melbourne I think. (From KL)
For direct flight from Kch to Perth, they still using Airbus which is boring. No personal TV, no game etc...

Bummer. That's really not nice in a long flight. It's funny how no one used to complain in the past when PTVs weren't around yet, but now it is considered an essential facility. KLM too doesn't have PTVs in economy class. That's why I always try to get a MAS-operated flight if its a MAS-KLM codeshare operation.

Yeah, but it save the air ticket, I dont have to pay another ticket to KL again to transfer to Perth. Anyway, Kuching to Perth only take 4 hours and 45 minutes, not that bad...

God bless Air Asia. I visited a friend's Mon kampung in Nakhon Pathom during the summer hols. Flew KL-Bangkok for just RM300! I wanted to visit Borobudur and Prambanan on the KL-Surabaya flight but flights were full on the dates I wanted. They've also started KL-Bali flights.

As for Malaysia Airlines, they won Best Cabin Staff again for the third year running. You go girls!! Really need to change the guys' uniforms though.

I love the new MAS advertisement!! The set is in the park where there r many kinds of ppl there, it's unique.
I flew KLM last year n it was very boring without the PTV...I've never flown MAS....Is it better than SIA?? I flew SIA a lot...

I have been boycotting SIA

Why??

It's a Singaporean airline.

Hmmm... as for me, I fly SQ whenever I can't get tickets for MH. My dad actually flew home on SIA last week cos MAS was full. I like spending time in Singapore visiting my cousins, and in fact, of them is actually a flight steward Many Malaysians working with SIA. SIA pay better than MAS. I hope to fly the A380 Singapore-London when it comes out in a few years time. It is a shame though that Singapore is making it very difficult for Air Asia to operate KL-Singapore flights though.



I hear you nama_user. KLM is a good airline but if you're used to Asian airlines, European ones tend to feel not as friendly. Why don't you fly the Malaysian Airlines operated KLM flights? KLM ticket but MAS flight.



Garuda and MAS are doing a lot of code-share nowadays, esp on the Amsterdam route.

An update... at the Skytrax Best Cabin Staff award ceremony!

Air Asia has made a firm order of 40 Airbus A320 with an option of another 40 jets.

^^They need these planes for their expansion plans

AirAsia to fly to Xiamen from Bangkok
BY VANITA NADARAJ

XIAMEN: Malaysia’s budget carrier AirAsia will begin daily flights to this Chinese city next month through its Thai sister company, making it the first no-frills airline in Asia to enter China.

The Bangkok-Xiamen route, starting April 25, is the first in a string of new destinations.

Flights to seven cities in southern China – Guangzhou, Naning, Kunming, Wuhan, Chengdu, Chongqing and Hankou - and four Asean countries – the Philippines, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam – are due to take off by September.

“These flights may take off from Kota Kinabalu and Penang as well, not just from Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok,” said AirAsia group CEO Tony Fernandes.

“Coming to China is a huge step. Another major step will be to India – but not right now,” he said, adding that Thai AirAsia was offering 8,888 seats at a special launch fare of 388 yuan (RM178) or 1,899 baht for one way.

These fares, which exclude airport tax and fees, are valid from April 25 to Oct 29, he told a press conference after a ceremony to announce the airline’s entry into China, here yesterday.

Fernandes said the company had secured most of the aircraft required for its new routes.

On the company’s inroads into China, he said: “The market is right, the airport (Xiamen) is right, Thai AirAsia is strong.”



Flights to the Phillipines, Laos, Cambodia AND Vietnam?! All countries I haven't been to before. What with all the other LCCs around, soon travelling within ASEAN will be as cheap and hassle-free as travelling within the EU. Also can't wait to try out the new Bangkok airport.

I have 'funny' experience with Malaysia Air...... we had guests from Malaysia and Singapore few weeks ago...... they want to change their flight time. I went to travel agent asked them to change the time....... It was saturday....... travel agent only open till 1 PM.... I went there when they already close....... the worst thing......they CANT help me change the time!!!! they suggest me to call Malaysia Air representative in Jakarta, I did call....but no one pick the phone. Thanks GOD my boss gave me Malaysia air call center....... he said if Jakarta doesnt work...... Call Malaysia!!!!

So I dialed the number........ and I choose Malay language....... coz I thought it would be easier to understand "bahasa serumpun".... but I was WRONG....... the girl on the phone called me "CIK" and I called her "BU"........ lolz......... I keep saying "what???" coz I didnt get what her point....... then she spoke in English.......and I understand what she meant!!!!!!! She gave me code (She said ...nomor penunjuk)...... and hold me to International flight. Then.......mission complete!!!!!

If you are from Riau or Deli Melayu you won't having difficulties to understand and talk to Malay in peninsular.

[quote=Nusantara,Mar 20 2005, 01:15 PM]
If you are from Riau or Deli Melayu you won't having difficulties to understand and talk to Malay in peninsular.

[/quote]

[/quote]

nope..I'm not from Riau....... , I guess she talked too fast....

I always fly with MAS for business travels. Nothing could beat the heartwarming smile of MAS stewardess gals 'Selamat pagi, Encik / Good morning, Sir' while boarding MAS in early morning flights.

I frequentyly travel wit AirAsia too, usually for personal trips. AirAsia can be likened to .... errr, an excellent express bus services .... it feels like it.

But hey, in terms of services, nothing can beat MAS!

Hopefully, with the increase of AirAsia fleet's sizes, their services will get better too.

Malaysia Airlines Cargo unit is also big by world standards. They will have a total of 12 Boeing 747 cargo planes.

2 2 Good one Jupiterz. How was our 'bahasa serumpun' different from the one you're used to? I take it the ibu on the other sounded strange with all the -e's sounding vowels instead of the -a's. I refused to speak English when I was in Bali even though speaking a more standardised form of bahasa was slightly awkward. I kept calling all the women there kak, for kakak and the men bang, for abang. That never failed to bring out a smile.

Air Asia was even offered the Kota Kinabalu -Darwin route recently. lol

yeah Mallacan,.... its different, I did understand when she talked about flight time... and it seem she got my point too.... but when she talked about the code number...... there I started confuse.......

u know... when I was in university there were 2 students from Malaysia, they are siblings and studying in medical faculty. They seem didnt have trouble speaking bahasa Indonesia..... but they look lil confuse if we talk in local language.......

^^Cerita kamu memang kelakar betul lah Jupiterz! Malaysians and Indonesian.. many similar cultures, and yet separated by a separate language maybe?

Moral of the story is, use standard bahasa when speaking to other nationalities. God knows I have enuff difficulty understanding the local Bruneian slang, and worse still my cousins from Singapura are absolutely clueless when they hear Msians from kedah/kelantan or terengganu speak their local dialects!

On another note, while it's great that AirAsia is venturing further abroad ie Oz, I feel they should also strengthen their position in the region, thus the partnerships with Thai AirAsia and Indonesian AWAIR are great! Really looking forward to flying with them to the Philippines, Cambodia and Vietnam in the near future.

As for MAS, please, join an alliance already!! It'll be either OneWorld or SkyTeam as Star already has Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways.

Wow, when i go to Malaysia, i want this exact same plane to take me anywhere.

that's convinient for people going to Pampanga and Ilocos region. for Manilenos like me or others, route straight to Manila and the NAIA is still much comfortable.

i hate MAS stewardess these days..they are not so very nice to the ladies..

they were rough and not so smiley anymore like they used to be..everytime i fly back home they dont seem to be very friendly to any of the girls flying with me..but to the drunken boys..well..they enjoy teasing each and every one of them..

im hating this so much..

Thats appalling

but I'm not surprised. Most of the good looking and pleasant ones have married the rich men they meet in the first class; leaving the ugly ones who are not as pleasant.

^^Ouch, IM Sorry to hear abt your experience yana, it's true though isn't it that the stewardesses would naturally have a bias for the male passengers. Maybe you can get better treatement from the stewards if there are any. There are always more female flight attendants than there are male ones. And the ones who are there, some of them are quite gay! MAS flight attendants are paid pittance compared to what SIA pays, that's why you find that about 40% of SIA flight attendants are Malaysians.

Dunno why la, this year again MAS is in the red, and yet AirAsia manages to remain in the black. Both are affected by the increase in oil prices.

Malaysia Airlines are burdened with national obligations like serving the unprofitable rural destinations in Sabah and Sarawak.

They also have to send pilgrims to Jeddah at unprofitable rates and their jets return to Malaysia empty. Then they have to fly back to Jeddah with no passengers on board just to bring those pilgrims back.

These social obligations are something other airlines don't have to deal with.

Hot off the press!

The new MAS 777 'Freedom od Space' special livery plane had gone for a flight test today. Looking good! The colour scheme is nice, though I would have prefered if they'd used a darker shade of blue. Blue for the 777 and red for the 747. Sweet!
Photos taken from aeromalaysia.com



Things I can't wait for:
1. AirAsia to serve the Cambodia/Vietnam, especially from the new Bangkok airport.
2. MAS A380 to serve KUL-AMS, so far it's the only airline to send the Airbus380 to Amsterdam.