Due to work commitments, I had postponed my earlier planned trip to Tokyo during the sakura season to early May, also to make use of the long weekend Labour Day long weekend. While during some research, I also found out that May is the season of the Shibazakura, a pink moss type of plant, and it is a must view during this period, especially the Fuji Shibazakura festival. Having experienced the sakura season before, this would be something new for us. Also, with the Japanese Yen's value having dropped considerably, visiting Japan has actually became cheaper now!
Flights to Tokyo were booked on a mix of MH and SQ, with one-way up on MH Economy (MH offering the cheapest one-way fare which is even lower than AirAsia X), with the return being on a redemption SQ Business Class ticket.
Fast forward to 30th Apr, we proceeded in the evening to Changi to check-in for the flight. I had performed online check-in earlier and both the SIN-KUL and KUL-NRT sectors seemed pretty full. In the end, both sectors were totally sold out in both Business and Economy!
Check in at the bag-drop counters 1.5hr prior to departure, which had no queues compared to the regular lines.
Boarding passes for both sectors were issued.
After doing some duty-free shopping and grabbing a bite, we headed to F52 where our plane was already being prepared for departure.
30 April 2015
Malaysia Airlines
MH 610
Singapore (SIN) - Kuala Lumpur (KUL)
B737-800
9M-MLO
Economy Class
Boarding was soon called and it was performed in a very orderly manner. Only caught a quick glimpse of the plane during boarding.
Welcomed at the door with newspapers available on a trolley. Passed through Business Class which was totally full into the Economy cabin. 9M-MLO is fitted with the BSI interior.
Economy seats.
Settled into our seats. IFE screens were showing a welcome message.
Seat pitch, at 30, is just barely better than budget airlines.
Seat pocket contents. The inflight magazine was of the April edition on this flight. Guess all will be changed overnight.
View from the window.
Boarding still in progress. Flight ended up totally full but cabin crew were quick and efficient in settling everyone down.
Inflight entertainment options were already available for use on the ground.
Doors were closed right on schedule and we pushed back. Flight time was announced as 1hr, but the actually flight only took a mere 34min from takeoff to landing.
Safety video was played.
Instead of the usual Rwy02C, we taxied across the Southern Cross bridge to Rwy02L for departure.
Took off from Rwy02L for the short hop to Kuala Lumpur.
I switched to the flight map on the IFE screen as the flight is too short to watch any programmes.
Seat belt signs switched off and service started.
Progress of the flight.
The usual MH short-haul inflight service started with distribution of packets of salted peanuts.
Followed by a choice of mango or apple juices served from trays.
Service is very efficient and being a full flight, the crew really did their best to attend to all requests, with the most absurd being a few passengers requesting for blankets halfway through the 30min flight while the crew was conducting the refreshment service.
Very soon, we started our descent and cabin was prepared for landing.
Cabin lights were dimmed for landing and the signature blue BSI cabin lights were illuminated.
Approaching Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
And landing on Rwy32L, 15min ahead of schedule.
Parked at the Main Terminal Building.
Thank you for flying Malaysia Airlines.
Economy seats.
Business cabin.
