Review of Myanmar National Airlines flight Yangon → Mandalay in Economy

28 December 2017
Myanmar National Airlines
UB 2
Yangon (RGN) - Mandalay (MDL)
B737-800
XY-ALG
Economy Class
Flight Time: 51M


Aircraft being refuelled during the transit stop.




While the front cabin was being cleaned, the kind crew members offered as Mandalay-bound pax at the rear cups of water.




Interestingly, while initially we were attached to the aerobridge, we were disconnected and pushed back slightly, all the time while the aircraft was being cleaned and aircraft doors opened. Apparently it was to allow the boarding of Yangon-originating passengers who would be bussed from the domestic terminal and board via stairs.

MH arriving from KUL.




Domestic passengers started boarding. The flight ended up nearly full on the short domestic sector. Quite a lucrative route for the airline, considering the airfare between RGN-MDL is almost similar to SIN-MDL.




As per previous sector, refreshing towels were distributed after boarding was completed. The crew pictured was, I must say, very dedicated, caring and kind, with sincere smiles to all. During boarding, she was observed patiently assisting two seperate elderly passengers to their seats towards the rear of the aircraft, and ensuring that they were comfortably seated. Seldom do we find such genuine service, care and concern shown by cabin crew onboard.




Pushed back slightly behind schedule due to the long boarding process of the domestic passengers.




Burmese safety video with chinese subtitles was played.






This was followed by the English version as we started our taxi.










Lining up on the runway.




Departure from Yangon Rwy21 for the short flight to Mandalay.






Climbing out of Yangon.










Above the dense cloud cover, which remained so for most of the flight till we were approaching Mandalay.






Flight map on the streaming IFE. We were at 32000ft.






Refreshment service immediately started and the crew rushed down the aisle to distribute snack boxes.




Each passenger was given a snack box containing pastry items and a cup for hot beverages. The cake provided was delicious! For some reason, the snack boxes were all labeled "Premium Economy".






Cruising




After the snack boxes were distributed, crew came down the aisle with the drink carts, offering a range of soft drinks, water and coffee/tea. I had a tea. Service by this set of rather junior crew was efficient and very friendly as compared to the previous sector.






Clouds cleared when we were nearing Mandalay.




Descending into Mandalay.








Spot the runway while we were turning for finals.




Landing in Mandalay Intl Airport Rwy17 and taxied to the gate.












Disembarking.




View of the aircraft after disembarking. A China Eastern B738 was spotted departing for Kunming.






Both SIN and RGN originated passengers disembarked into the same terminal area. At immigration, there were signages for SIN-originated pax to proceed to the immigration counters while RGN domestic pax can exit through a separate hallway (not sure if boarding passes/documents were checked). However both domestic and international flights uses the same baggage belts.




The arrival hall.