Review of Malaysia Airlines flight from Kuala Lumpur to Osaka in Economy

There was a 1.5hrs transit timing and thus I decided to visit the newly-renovated Plaza Premium Lounge. It was rather crowded at the time with premium passengers of Air France, KLM and JAL (and maybe more airlines?) as well as various credit-card holders (including yours-truly). However the seating was still sufficient as the airline passengers cleared after a while.

The bar was already closed at the time but the buffet area was still open. Nothing much on offer that interest me though, and most of the hot dishes were already emptied. There was also a salad bar and some canapes on offer.
A shot of part of the buffet.

I just grabbed a minestrone soup, canapes and a drink.

AF and KLM aircrafts can also be seen from the lounge.

After half hour in the lounge, I proceeded to gate C25 for the onward flight. Judging by the faces in the gatehold room, this flight would be predominantly Japanese passengers, with only a few foreign faces.

02 August 2013
Malaysia Airlines
Kuala Lumpur (KUL) - Osaka Kansai (KIX)
A330-300
9M-MTI
Economy Class
It would be my first flight on Malaysia Airlines' new A330-300 aircraft. This particular plane I would be flying on was delivered less an a year ago. Unlike SQ's A330s with Rolls-Royce engines, MH's were equipped with Pratt & Whitney engines. This would be also one of the few reports on MH's new A330-300 fleet.

Boarding has just started.

Boarding in progress. Was welcomed at the door and directed to the correct aisle.

I would be sitting at 12K, the 2nd row of economy. On each seat were a pillow, blanket and headsets.

Seat-back with touchscreen IFE monitor, handset and USB port. There was also a power outlet under the seat to be shared between every 2 seats.

Seat pitch at 32, is not overly generous, but sufficient. No legrest to restrict my legroom though. However I found the seat base a bit too short for my comfort.

Other than the inflight magazine, there was also the inflight shopping catalogue. Cabin crew also offered Japanese newspapers.

At the gate with Garuda and China Southern beside.

Select IFE was already switched on for use while on the ground.

At STD of 2345hrs when it appeared that all pax had boarded, the plane still appeared quite empty for a supposedly full flight. Then the pilot came on and announced that we were still waiting for 56 connecting passengers from another MH flight from Jakarta which was delayed. Thus we would have to wait for them, which could take up to an hour for the flight arrival and transfer of bags. I was still hoping that my seat beside would remain empty, but I guess this would not be the case later. With the delay in sight, the MH crew decided to serve us our after take-off snack while on the ground. And with the IFE switched on, we could entertain ourselves. Guess this beats waiting in the gatehold room.
MH crew preparing the refreshment service while on ground.

A huge tuna sandwich was served to us.

Orange or apple juices were also offered with the sandwich. The sandwich was delicious and filling! Unlike SQ which did away with post-takeoff refreshments on similar SIN-KIX flight, MH still retained their refreshment service. However, MH has removed other frills in economy, such as menus, hot towels and amenity kits.

Starting with a HK comedy during the refreshment service.

Also made a visit to the lavatory while on ground. The lotions and colognes were still available though. Not sure if toothbrushes were available from the crew.

Also I noticed that there were well-stocked magazine racks at the mid and aft of economy cabin. I don't remember any other airline which stocked such a huge variety of magazines in economy class (don't think SQ have such a huge selection as well). The variety is more suited for Business Class!

Grabbed 3 magazines for the flight.

The cabin was dimmed to allow passengers to rest.

After about less than an hour's wait, our connecting passengers from Jakarta arrived and boarded the plane. Again, all were Japanese passengers and the plane ended up totally full in economy. Doors armed, safety video played, and we pushed back after slightly more than an hour of delay. Flight time would be 6h30m.

Taxi to runway.

We took off from Rwy32R. Note that ATC allowed us to depart ahead of the A380! There were nice views of Putrajaya after takeoff as well.

Climbing.

Bound for Osaka. The crew came round again with more tuna sandwiches, offering to those who were late connecting from Jakarta. Drinks were also offered where I had a cup of water.

By the time I had finished my movie, we were an hour into flight. Time to sleep!

After about slightly less than 3hrs of not-so-restful sleep (it is an economy seat after all), the sun was beginning to appear round the horizon.

Cabin lights were switched on and we were somewhere between Philippines and Taiwan.

I felt that the cabin lights were switched on a tad too early as we had 2.5hrs of flying still. Also, breakfast was only served almost half hour after cabin lights were turned on.

Sun is out.

Breakfast service started from the rear of the plane, thus it was a while before I got my meal. Being one of the last to be served, I was afraid that there would not be any more choices, but fortunately both choices of main courses were still available. On offer this morning were Omelette with sausage, hashbrowns and peas or Chicken noodles with vegetables. Sadly, the famed MH nasi lemak breakfast was not offered on this sector, but guess with the passenger profile of mainly Japanese, it would not be a very popular option. I selected the chicken noodles for my choice.
New serviceware was used on this flight, unlike my previous flights on MH where disposable wares were used. This made the meal presentation much more pleasant.

On the tray were also some cut fruits, a strawberry yoghurt, a warm roll with jam and butter, a small muesli bar and packed orange juice. I also had a coffee to go with the meal. It was all very substantial, and I daresay better than what SQ serves on their overnight red-eyes to Japan.

Fruits (honeydew, rock melon, pineapple and grape) and strawberry yoghurt.

Muesli bar, butter and strawberry jam for bread roll.

Chicken in black pepper sauce, noodles and vegetables. Not too creative but still of acceptable taste. A rather large portion too I must say.

Service by the MH crew so far on this flight were still acceptable. I observed that call bells were answered and requests were attended to promptly, similar to what you would expect for crew from a premium carrier. Nothing too outstanding about them though, but guess with this being a red-eye flight, there is not much of service that can be performed. I am not a difficult passenger, and as long as the crew serving me is not rude and does not pull long faces or roll eyes at my requests, I will be more than satisfied. Also observed that there is a Japanese stewardess serving in Business Class, and probably another one at the rear of economy.
Overflying Okinawa during breakfast.

View towards the rear economy cabin.

Front economy cabin.

Duty-free sales was conducted after breakfast.

Blue skies and blue sea.

We were soon nearing Osaka. About an hour to go.

Before descend, a destination video was shown.

Descend started slightly less than 30min to arrival. Headsets were collected but the IFE system was not switched off. Speaking of IFE, the selection for the month was sufficient probably for a couple of flights, but not as extensive as the other 5-star carriers. Something which MH could improve on.
Descending.

Nearly there.

Land in sight.

On approach.

On finals into the Osaka Bay with traditional malaysian music in the background.

Landing in Osaka Kansai Rwy06R and taxi to the gate.

Parked at the gate beside an Asiana A321 and Lufthansa B744.

Thank you for flying Malaysia Airlines!

My seat for the last 7.5hrs.

Business Class, which appeared to be rather full as well.

Disembarked.

Kansai terminal. Think below is the domestic section, with all the ANA planes parked.

Immigration queue for foreigners was almost non-existent and I was through within a couple of minutes. Instead, the queue for residents was much longer as almost the entire flight were Japanese. Then it was a short wait for luggage.

International arrivals FIDS.

Kansai's arrival hall.

Caught the airport limousine to Namba OCAT, where my hotel is situated beside. It was 1,800yen return for the bus ride and took approx 45min.
Across the bridge to mainland.

Reached my hotel. As it was too early to check-in, my bags were deposited. The view from the hotel, Hotel Monterrey Grasmere Osaka, was magnificent as the lobby starts from the 22nd floor! Here the the view from the lobby.

Sunset from my hotel room.

Walked to Dotonburi and Shinsaibashi.

Nara park deers

Todaiji Temple