JOHAN FARID KHAIRUDDIN

It was the day of my flight, a Sunday, and I was early. Not because I had nothing better to do but, I just wanted to get the most out of the much talked about MH. This happens every time when I fly Malaysia Airlines nowadays. Of course, if you have yet to be enlightened about Malaysia Airlines and their new MH campaign, let me share it with you... briefly. Post which, you would then most definitely understand why I, choose to come early.

It is a pretty well known fact that the airline code for Malaysia Airlines has always been MH but it didn't take them long to realize that it also stood for Malaysian Hospitality. Of course.. We Malaysians are proud to be known worldwide for our hospitality. It is just the way we were brought up. It is, our culture. When they started to equate MH and Malaysian Hospitality together, it now wasn’t a surprise to many on why Malaysia Airlines have been known for having the best cabin crew in the world. Bar none. I am proud to say that due to the nature of all my previous jobs, and of course current one, I am fortunate to be given various opportunities to travel particularly for business.

I must admit, I stumbled onto Malaysia Airlines by chance and not by choice. Previously, I would always go online and look for the lowest fares, thinking I was the most educated consumer on the planet however, a little more than a year ago when I was assigned Malaysia Airlines by the company’s travel agent (as they offered the flight sectors where I needed to travel at the most convenient times), I went for it.

Then as well, I had no reason to sign up for any frequent flier loyalty programme, as I would always change carriers ever so often. Boy do I wish I had learnt about Enrich (The Malaysia Airlines Frequent Flier Programme) earlier. I would have been able to afford an upgrade to first class by now! Haha.

Regardless, I am still proud to say that less than a year later after I signed up for Enrich... I am now the 2nd highest tier on their programme called Enrich Gold. If given the chance, I will most definitely share with you the perks of being an Enrich Gold member on a different blog post.

Bringing the whole article back into context, so I was early, and it was a Sunday morning in late April. I had to be in Barcelona that particular week to speak at a forum and of course, I chose to route via London as Malaysia Airlines flew there on their 747 jumbo jet! Most if not all of my sectors are always on the 777-300ERs so there was no way I was going to give up the opportunity to actually sit on the upper deck!

Oh… the experience.

From boarding the plane through our own private lane (always loved not having to smell someone else's sweat!), brushing feet in the first class cabin, to proceed onto the stairs which would lead us straight up to the upper deck... I felt so at home with the crew's warm smiles and yes, hospitality.

If you were traveling with me too, you would think that the crew were extra special to us as they might have seen me on TV or heard me on the radio, maybe even have flown with me before on other sectors or whatever, regardless, even if you were a first time flier, all Malaysia Airlines crew members are naturally gifted to make you feel right at home and treat you like the star you really are. Clearly you can tell the airline stringently pick the "in-flight ambassadors" that represent them!

Even before I get settled into my seat, a member of their cabin crew would always insist to help me with my bags (even if they were female!), now, there was NO way I was going to let a woman lift my bags.. no sirree! Although I’m thinking they’d drag another male member of the crew to assist me if I did require assistance… haha… settling into the cabin, they politely tuck my jacket away. So nice of them.

After sitting down, we get our face towels so that we are freshened up and ready for the flight. Of course we would also then be given our selection of drinks. It’s actually a Malaysian thing. Our way of saying “Welcome!”. I’m confident other airlines around the world probably copied us Malaysians. Hehe

I smile every time I sit down on their new Golden Club Class seats. You see, I’m a tall and big man. So for a 6’2 close to 250 pound man, like me to feel comfortable (in any seat as a matter of fact!), you’d think that the rest of the world population who are probably half my size would be swimming in them by now. Haha

I’m serious… The seats in Golden Club Class (Malaysia Airlines version of Business Class), is so refreshing that even other passengers who fly them, usually for the first time, would love to boast about it to their friends. Of course, the cabin crew would then by all means, assist by taking those pictures!

Using my charm, most of the time, I usually give my “Radio DJ / TV presenter” card to the leading member of the cabin crew and they gladly send it up to the cockpit and get a special invitation to meet the captain. As a local Malaysian celebrity who is also a private pilot, I am just a big fan of planes and although I fly smaller versions of it – I still enjoy all kinds of flight decks! Just to share, Malaysian Hospitality doesn’t start or end with the cabin crew but members from the flight deck as well, even to the ground handlers! They are always, ever so nice.

Once we get settled in, the cabin crew would constantly come over to check on us and to ensure that everything is OK before we take off. Check that our belts are safely fastened, but more importantly that we are comfortable. They would also then give us our amenity kits, ya know those little packs which have cool stuff inside to make our flight more comfortable. Toothbrushes, Moisturizers, Socks… its all in there baby!

Can you imagine that up to this far in the article, we have yet to take off?
So many things happen that we don’t see. But the things that we do see in flight, it’s always pleasant. I can only imagine the stress levels of the cabin crew making sure that everything is okay before they shut those doors, but you will never see them frown or look stressed – even once!

Once we take off. That’s when the real fun begins. For me, that’s when they serve the food! Hehe. I’m sorry, but to me, food is king on any flight. What better way to make the hours go by then by eating! Of course the entertainment system takes the cake as well.. what with hundreds of hours of content to choose from! It is total bliss when you are eating some great food and watching some awesome movies!

The food on all International flights in Golden Club Class is simply gastronomical! The best of the lot would still be the satay though. It’s simply their most famous dish! I’m Malaysian and of course I can have easy access to grabbing a few sticks anytime (yeah right, a few huh!) but I always would look forward to the satay in-flight, on board Malaysia Airlines!

Oh and not a lot of people know this but, if somewhere in the middle of the night (or morning for that matter), and it is not meal time but you still feel like eating something delicious and solid, you MUST try their noodles in-flight! Not only is it served fresh and hot, but the real meat in the fishballs and prawns are simply mmm… I can’t wait for my next flight now! Hehe.

When it comes to sleeping on Malaysia Airlines Business Class, nothing can beat their sleeper beds. I mean, look at the space you have to just stretch out, lie down and just crash! Just look at how spacious it is. I took a picture of the cabin on the 777 when I was on another flight. The lady and her family can just stretch out fully and there would still be room!

I usually just love to get into the 62.0" pitch and 18.5" width Golden Club Class seats to watch some TV, play a few video games and then crash. It’s just so comfortable, that you could just close your eyes and imagine you were home. With seats like this, you would never have to feel the burden of long-haul travel!
You know what I simply love doing after I take a nap? Eat again. Haha. So what I usually ask the crew to do for me, like more of a special request, is to make me some “teh tarik” when I wake up! The moment they would see me open my eyes, there comes my favorite desert (also another special request) with that specially pulled tea (a Malaysian favourite!)

I used to also think that only women would take extra long in the bathroom however, on a Malaysia Airlines flight, for those traveling in the Golden Club Class cabin, you would also see Men leaving their seats to enjoy the comforts of a true restroom in the sky. I simply enjoy going because of the space! You could fit 3 or 4 of me in those water closets and there still would be space.

With the loads of amenities also provided in the restrooms, you can always be sure that your flight would remain, comfortable. Ahh… Of course, all good things must come to an end, so after I’m all refreshed after a long-haul flight. I usually tell myself, oh no, is this it? Do I really have to get off the plane? But all is well as I’m sure it wouldn’t be too long before I board another Malaysia Airlines flight to experience true Malaysian Hospitality.

After all the honest and sincere words about my flight onboard Malaysia Airlines, it wouldn’t be right not to have some form of criticism as well therefore, I’d just say that maybe, they explore new radio DJs for their in-flight entertainment system! Heck! I know this really talented and hot-voiced sounding Malaysian Radio DJ who could really do an awesome job for a lot less cost! Hahaha… little self promo there but hey, can’t blame me for trying right? I’d do anything to be, what I believe is the world’s best airline.

I am proud to be and fly, Malaysian.