First Post Covid Flight with MAS Business Class

MH3 LHR-KUL July 8, 2020

When I first set sight on the seat I admit to be underwhelmed after walking past (what I now know to be) one row of Business Suite but mostly was disappointed by the lack of screens (I had imagined a modified self-contained pod). But as I sat down and familiarise myself and started the massage chair, I begin to feel both amazing fortune of enjoying such luxury and sadness that why I or every one of my family haven’t or probably won’t be doing it every time!

Took a while to realise that business section do away with the center hanging baggage hold, accentuating the vast high ceiling, givng a spacious feeling (if you sit near the back)

Economy was full on this MH3 A350! Mostly students going home for summer holidays. The girl behind my original seat 7A wore Imperial College Business School. Although no screen, there is no one within 2 meters. That’s mainly because it is only half full. Friends tell stories of being upgraded but I’m relieved MAS didn’t fill up the business class this time. 

Even before take off. The smell of something delicious already fills the nostrils and who can resist taking the masks off for a nice mixed chicken and beef satay? The chicken is so tender reminds me of the same when I first flew SIA business in 2003 but back then the seat was just a normal wider seat. I changed to 3A as my satay kept sliding towards me and they didn’t even try to fix the tilted tray. What’s interesting is every business class space is unique. 

There was no menu. The main course is cod (itself quite disappointing but the mash and fennel are wonderful). The smoke salmon is as good as I can remember. Fat juicy chunks and not too salty. The silky oaked Chardonnay is nice and rounded. As the mask come off and I tucked into the main course, I soon forgotten all about Covid or why I am bestowed this privilege. 

A realisation hit. Whatever they serve you it’ll never be worth £2000 or £3000 (they could certainly do better). The reason it’s that much more is the lost of revenue caused by the amount of space I have taken up which I reckon is at least 3 economy class seats worth. Where my young sons normally sit, tended by myself, I get a personal cupboard instead where I can fill with books and bobs and a sturdy static side table. It feels like a mini office with massages and dining tended instead by one or sometimes two extra smiley air stewards. There’s even enough room to rotate my large meal tray. Imagine the sin penalty/excess I must pay...

It’s a humbling experience. 

At check-in, it didn’t feel full at all. In fact I had said it was half full at best. But check in at the business class counter is understandably quick. From then on to boarding everyone is treated the same, no special lanes or red carpets. Not even lounges as Covid has taken care of that and in fact MAS wasn’t even supposed to be in Terminal 2 (every sign has SIA lounge but not MAS). I told T4 is temporary closed.

The provided headphone is very light and has good noise rejection without ANC. I watched two movies with it and felt only marginal pressure discomfort. During the second movie, I popped my usual half Dormicum and put on my eye cover and my own Sony XM2 and took out my own feather pillow that compress well from my hand luggage (occupy exactly 1/4 room). It’s time to try my first ever flat bed experience! Ok I didn’t have it fully flat as I find it weird when it’s a firm seat. 

Massage chair and a mirror

I closed the window shade behind me (the one you kind share with the dude behind) as he’d called asleep with both opened. Luckily when I woke the Sky was dark outside. But as the bed reclined the back panel blocks out most of the light anyway. 

Strange breakfast:
spicy chicken and croissant with jam

Found that this is the first fully commercial flight since the lockdown. Previous weekly flights were special converted economy only for repatriation. The air steward I chatted with hasn’t flown for 4 months but luckily MAS has kept paying all employees.

I don't normally move around the plane and even less reason to with Coronavirus fear and Business Class luxury. Didn't finish the "breaskfast" (dinner for UK body clock) and regret it as it was to be the last meal until I was picked up at the airport some 9 hours later!

Registration followed immediately by swab test

On arrival, I feel a bit like a cattle just following the person in front, moving from one waiting area to the next. First entering personal and home address into the MySejahtera app and have forms printed and straight for quick antigen (not PCR) swab test through the nostrils and given a wrist band and to the waiting area to pay RM 60 for Malaysian. 

MySejahtera app to be logged in and entered daily. On 13th day arrange another swab test at the nearest station and take result to District Health Office for removal of wrist band.

Less than an hour later, all cleared. Admittedly this is supposedly the less accurate RTK-Ag antigen test that detects virus protein as opposed to the more labour intensive PCR nucleic acid to detect virus gene.

Arrival at KLIA, just as well I packed my own booze!