#23 out of 94 Airlines A minimum of 10 flight-reports within the past two years is required to appear in the rankings.
216 reviews
Airline : Malaysia Airlines
Flight : MH 8453
Route : Cairo – Kuala Lumpur
Aircraft : A380
Duration : 11 Hours
Date : 19th April 2020
Hello again! This time I will be reporting a special repatriation flight report.
Egypt has imposed a partial lockdown since early of March, hence all education institution has to be closed. After a month of lockdown, finally a non-government student agency has made a step to bring Malaysian student home in corporation with Malaysia’s national flag carrier Malaysia Airlines on a special repatriation flight.
However this is not free, but with a fare reaching MYR4500 ($1080) one way per head. My flight is the second flight after a very successful and historic flight 3 weeks earlier before my flight. The first flight was operated by Airbus A330-300, but due to increasing demand Malaysia Airlines agreed to send their giant Airbus A380 that could carry almost 450 passengers, and suprisingly this flight is full!
As any other repatriation flight, this flight aimed to carry Malaysian students who wished to go home and also to bring back stranded Malaysian expats and tourists after closure of Cairo Airport for commercial flight since 18th of March.
On the day of departure, we were asked to gather at one place because our bus will take us to the airport. We were given breakfast and the bus shuttle service are all included in the price we paid.
There were 8 buses from Cairo governorate. Other buses from other governorates such as Alexandria, Mansoura and Tanta also heading to Cairo Airport that morning.
As you can see, Egyptian is so stubborn. They didn’t mind hanging out at the street and drinking chai (tea) with friends. No social/physical distancing, no mask and no care at all like there’s nothing happen at that time.
Entering Cairo Airport
Most of the buses from other governorates have arrived earlier.
A very long queue to enter the small Terminal 1’s entrance.
Lining for check-in. We were given 30 kg luggage allowance each
It was a very rare sight to see ‘Kuala Lumpur’ in Cairo Airport
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Our lovely cabin crew just arrived to the airport. They arrived in Cairo a day before today’s flight
Seat number was given randomly and I was so lucky to get window seat. This boarding pass I will keep as it is very memorable for me.
[text
]One hour before departure time, we were carried to the aircraft by bus. Look, airport authority never mind about social distancing
For record, Malaysia Airlines is the second airlines that bring Airbus A380 to Cairo. The first is Emirates Airlines which operate regular A380 service to Cairo four times weekly.
Feel so close to home right now!
Two cabin crew were waiting at the ground before the stair at two doors for temperature scanning
We were welcomed ‘Selamat Datang’ at the aircraft door and directed to our respective aisle.
What a massive wing!
Legroom is excellent for me
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Passenger announcement. Chief flight attendant welcomed us on this special flight back home and thanked us for choosing Malaysia Airlines.
This flight will take approximately 11 hours
Inflight entertainment
Lunch was served shortly after take off. Our friendly cabin crew showed a paper with chicken or beef pictures for us to make a selection. Meal prepared by Cairo airport catering. I chose beef curry with rice, together with chocolate cake, egyptian style salad, orange juice and MH’s salted peanut
I spent my time sleeping until we reached Sumatera Island where cabin light is turned on for breakfast service.
No option for breakfast, we were served cheese omellete with sausage and baked potato. Turkey ham and cheese, yoghurt, bread roll and spread. Hot drinks were also available.
Cabin crew took some pictures with other passengers. I could see they are so friendly and enjoy doing their service on this flight.
Approaching Kuala Lumpur Airport
Safely landed at 5.35 am.
Cabin crew welcomed us home and we prayed together that this Covid-19 will disappear one day and prayed we are all in good health. Together we care, together we fight Covid-19.
After arrival, we were hold in a waiting hall before released to immigration and health clearance. All by group of 15 passengers.
As if you know, KLIA has aerotrain to transfer passenger between main terminal and satellite terminal. But during this time, no aerotrain service but we were transferred by bus that carry 15 passengers in each trip.
https://static.flight-report.com/media/photos/3033/1602758765EREG/picture_20201015_113252615.jpg
Arrived at Kuala Lumpur Airport at 5.35 am and we were released to our quarantine hotel at 11 am after a long procedure of immigration, health screening, hotel arrangement, baggage reclaim, luggage sanitation, waiting for bus that will carry us to our quarantine station.
At this time, the government of Malaysia supported the cost of obligatory quarantine for those who coming back from overseas. We were escorted by police to our respective hotel. However as of July, all Malaysian from overseas have to pay half of the actual cost while foreigners must pay in full cost.
This is not the last and only repatriation flight from Egypt. If I could remember, there were around 12 repatriation flights operated by Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia X.
*Why so many flights? because Egypt is one of the largest country where Malaysian live in.
Now I have return to Egypt to continue my class. I flew with Turkish Airlines from Kuala Lumpur to Cairo via Istanbul. Economy class from Kuala Lumpur and Business class from Istanbul.
https://youtu.be/CxYu7ZwCH20
https://youtu.be/XbY-uXB3aUg
Feel free to watch my videos my YouTube channel. However this repatriation flight is not covered in my YouTube channel due to lack of video documentation.
Thank you for reading :)
Thank you Mum, Malaysia Airline, Government of Malaysia, Healthcare frontliners, Royal Malaysian Police, and Royal Malaysian Armed Force :*
10 Comments
Whoah ! To go back home aboard the superjumbo while MH uses the A380 only for special events like pilgrimage, you are very lucky. Especially when this crisis that may in the end "kill" this beautiful bird. :(
The catering is tempting. Especially the lunch.
Have safe flights. ;)
Terimah kasih for sharing.
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