Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge Heathrow T4

Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge Heathrow T4

by | Oct 15, 2018 | Airlines, Trip Reports & Reviews, UK

First off, respect to Malaysia Airlines for having their own lounge at Heathrow T4 which is open to Oneworld status cardholders unlike Qatar which limits access to only those in business  & first class. That being said, how does it stack up?

Location

The lounge is located on the third floor with the entrance just before Pret A Manger, if you walk past Pret you’ve gone too far (like I did)

First impressions

The first impression is good with a large Malaysian themed reception area, with toilets off to the left, a baggage storage area next to the elevators and a door to first class to the right. After entering the buffet is right in front of you, then you walk through to the lounge with the bar to your right and views across the apron.

Design

The lounge is a decent size, though it does get busy before departures with plenty of natural light. However unlike my recent review of the Asiana lounge at Incheon I felt here they haven’t put any effort into zoning the lounge. Seating is arranged pretty much in rows with no thought to create some quieter corners or rest areas. This is probably partly due to lack of space and trying to fit in the maximum number of seats. However, there’s also a serious lack of power, I couldn’t spot any at any table seeing several people walk around looking lost trying to find power before they took up the work space PCs and charged their devices there.

Also it’s one of the strangest set ups for a first class area I’ve seen, with the bar literally cut in two to share half of it with the first class lounge which is separate by a glass wall. I don’t know how long this has been like this but bearing in mind the lack of quieter sections I’m surprised Malaysian hasn’t taken the decision like other airlines to merge the lounges and create one superior space. It felt like this isn’t a good or prestige solution for either first or business class passengers. I say ditch the fish bowl and merge the lounges!

Food

I was looking forward to a hot English breakfast before travelling and have to admit after taking one look at the buffet went straight over to Plaza Premium (review here). The best word to describe the buffet is “rationed”. It just didn’t look particularly inviting.

First, one of the hot warmers in the photo below had four small dishes of egg, croquette potatoes, tomato and baked beans with both the egg and beans having been left for a while and having a slight crust on top. In fairness the Malaysian options looked better, but what would be better is maybe having English options to order if the demand isn’t there. There was fruit, cheese and sandwiches and wraps also available but only one of each had been displayed. It just gave a feeling that limited food had been put out.

The rest

There’s a good children’s play area to the left of the reception desk in its own room; so perfect if you want to enjoy a drink while the children play and the rest of the lounge guests will no doubt thank you as well!

I’ve already mentioned the total lack of power options. There’s wifi as you’d expect which was fine with no problems.

Overall

In summary a decent lounge with a weird set up and shape. MH should really consider merging the two lounges which wouldn’t be hard; there’s just a glass wall separating them and creating one better space for everyone. I’d say food options were OK, but it’s going to depend what you want, I do think the presentation could be much better. However, if you do need to get work done and need power this isn’t the lounge for you. It’s totally lacking in power outlets or even anywhere private/secluded to get some work done. If you need to work then consider visiting the Plaza Premium lounge if you have access which has plenty of power and corners to work in.

Malaysia Airlines Lounge Heathrow Terminal Four

Malaysia Airlines Lounge Heathrow Terminal Four

Partition between business and first class

Partition between business and first class

Split in two bar

Split in two bar

Seating with no power

Seating with no power

Buffet Station Breakfast

Buffet Station Breakfast

Buffet Breakfast

Buffet Breakfast

Food station and seating

Food station and seating

Lounge Seating

Lounge Seating

Malaysia Airlines – A Tale of Two Lounges

Malaysia Airlines – A Tale of Two Lounges

by | Oct 8, 2018 | Airlines, Malaysia, Trip Reports & Reviews

On a recent stopover in Kuala Lumpur I had the opportunity to visit any of the OneWorld lounges at KIA so made the most of the time and checked out the two lounges you can use if leaving from the satellite terminal; the Malaysian Golden Lounge or the Cathay Pacific Lounge.

First up the Golden Lounge

Firstly the Lounge is huge, think Qatar huge, so not finding a seat won’t be an issue. It’s one long room so is nicely laid out with a large central food service station. Off to the side is a cafe set up that serves laksa and noodles.

Food
The food is difficult to describe. I visited twice in the same night thanks to a flight delay and it grew on me the second time. The first visit I had the impression the food selection was cheap mass market stuff, think tomato pasta, tubs of rice etc. But when I did a second visit I noticed they had panini cooked to order and an espresso bar. There was also a waffle station. There’s not a huge variety, think one type of waffle, a salad bar of 4-5 items and limited choice of sandwiches but for the size of the Lounge and traffic it does the job. I have to admit to being spoilt by the CX Lounge I visited in between the dual Golden Lounge visits. 7/10

Drinks
Now this is where Malaysia fails dismally. Now I get that Malaysia is a Muslim country, however they want the foreign connecting traveller so get a decent bar. The bar is off to the side as you walk in and is dark and worn. There’s a significant difference between the bar and the main lounge, I’m guessing one was renovated and the other wasn’t. There’s nothing on the shelves behind the bar or in the fridge, just a few bottles hidden below the bar and no menu. I ordered a vodka soda and not only was the soda flat but could hardly taste the vodka. I wiped the table with a napkin as it looked wet and ended up with a black tissue. Not pleasant. The drink was so bad as well as the environment I abandoned it and went to the CX Lounge for a proper drink. 2/10

Environment
The lounge itself is fine, it’s a bit cavernous but then you’re not going to have an issue finding a seat. There’s plenty of charging points as well as flight information screens. It doesn’t feel particularly intimate and more suits a quick 30 minute grab and go I think rather than somewhere to relax. 6/10

The Cathay Lounge

I have to admit I wasn’t planning on lounge hopping but after the disaster with the bar I wanted a proper gin and tonic, so decamped to the Cathay lounge to see what was on offer.

Food
The food selection was significantly better in the CX lounge. It wasn’t that there was more choices but that there was a feeling of more quality ingredients being used in the food. The MH lounge had a feeling that they were catering to the masses. CX had hot dishes such as potato dauphinoise (really good), Japanese chicken curry (excellent) as well as some delcious mini quiches and an assortment of cheese and salad. CX wins on food quality here, hands down. 8/10

Drinks
No complaints here, self serve drinks! There wasn’t much selection with just whiskey, gin, vodka, rum and a red and white wine but they were all branded spirits and free pour so you could make your own drink the way you want it. Simple but works. 9/10

Environment
In fairness to MH, CX has a much smaller lounge which is understandable at KIA. It’s also not a “refreshed” lounge like Bangkok and others with the CX change to noodle bars and wood paneling. It is however clean, comfortable and when I visited quite quiet though your mileage may vary. In fairness to MH they have a lot more passengers to accommodate in their lounge so the size and slight cavern feel is partially understandable. Given similar levels of traffic though I think most would prefer the smaller quieter lounge with less walk to food and drinks. 8/10

Summary
In summary the CX lounge definitely wins here, though the reasoning is more complex. It’s not that the MH offering is bad, but the word that sums it up is “budget”. The food quality is not as good and they are definitely catering to mass traffic. Why they have so many people needing lounge access is another issue. Then there’s the issue with the bar which is quite honestly awful. Either you’re a full service airline and want international non-muslim passengers or you don’t. Decide. There are definitely worse lounges around but if you’re expecting luxury and a more relaxed intimate experience this isn’t it. It has more of a dining hall/commissary feel than a business class lounge.

MG Golden Lounge at KIA Satellite

MG Golden Lounge at KIA Satellite

Golden Lounge Satellite Sign

Golden Lounge Satellite Sign

Walkway into Golden Lounge at KIA Satellite

Walkway into Golden Lounge at KIA Satellite

Macaroni & Tomato Pasta

Macaroni & Tomato Pasta

Fruit and Salad Bar

Fruit and Salad Bar

Roast Chicken & Rice

Roast Chicken & Rice

Waffles To Order

Waffles To Order

Main food service station in the MH Lounge

Main food service station in the MH Lounge

Noodle Bar

Noodle Bar

CX Food Service Station

CX Food Service Station

CX Hot dishes

CX Hot dishes

CX Food

CX Food

CX Desserts

CX Desserts

CX Sandwiches & Croissant

CX Sandwiches & Croissant

CX Japanese Chicken Curry & Rice

CX Japanese Chicken Curry & Rice

CX Hot Snacks - Quiche & Sesame Balls

CX Hot Snacks – Quiche & Sesame Balls

CX Salad Bar and Cheese

CX Salad Bar and Cheese

CX Self Pour Drinks

CX Self Pour Drinks

Cathay Pacific KIA Satellite Lounge

Cathay Pacific KIA Satellite Lounge

CX Work Area

CX Work Area

EVA Air Economy Quick Review Taipei to Hong Kong

EVA Air Economy Quick Review Taipei to Hong Kong

by | Aug 12, 2018 | Airlines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Trip Reports & Reviews

Here’s a quick trip report on Eva Air Economy on a new A330 equipped with Wifi. If you’re interested in wifi prices then jump straight down to the gallery and view the photo.

Eva air is a 5 star Skytrax airline and was founded in 1989. It’s the alternative to the state owned carrier China Airlines. Here’s my quick review of the pros and cons of Eva Air economy class

  • Fast check in at online check in counters. Well staffed and no queue
  • Boarded at end of process so can’t speak for the priority boarding available but boarding was well managed into zones
  • New A330 with Wifi
  • Seat comfortable. Same seat on longhaul should be comfortable and not “bum numbing” Pitch was nothing special and OK for short haul.
  • Snack good for the short haul flight. Other airlines don’t even provide a tray. Metal cutlery on one sector and special Hello Kitty tray and cutlery on their special Hello Kitty themed plane! Organic and filtered water towel included on the tray
  • Entertainment system was good but limited English new releases. Did also have European new releases though.
  • Nice cockpit display on moving map
  • At seat USB
  • Gate to gate entertainment. Loaded early so no boring taxis and waits on the ground!
  • Use your mobile device at all times!

Overall a very decent experience in economy on this short flight, you can see why they deserve the 5 star Skytrax rating.

Eva Air Check in Counters at Hong Kong

Online Check In Baggage Drop Counters at Hong Kong for Eva Air

Online Check In Baggage Drop Counters at Hong Kong for Eva Air

Seat pitch on A330 Eva Air Economy Class

Seat pitch on A330 Eva Air Economy Class

Eva Air A330 Entertainment System

Eva Air A330 Entertainment System

Economy Cabin on Eva Air A330

Economy Cabin on Eva Air A330

View of seating and legroom on Eva Air

View of seating and legroom on Eva Air

Eva Air Inflight Wifi Prices

Eva Air Inflight Wifi Prices

Hello Kitty special meal tray on A330

Hello Kitty special meal tray on A330

Anata No Warehouse.

Anata No Warehouse.

by | May 18, 2018 | Japan, Trip Reports & Reviews

Arcades are usually bright and loud, an assault on the senses with cheery music and gaudy lights. Anata no Warehouse (Your warehouse) in Kawasaki is a different breed. Step through it’s ominous doors with me.

The creators of Anata no Warehouse took great care in its construction. The outside is murky and deliberately worn, a stark contrast to its cleaner neighbors. Inside, the entrance lies on the first floor, along with parking. Step through its automated doors (parking side), and you’ll be transported to the seedy underbelly of Hong Kong’s infamous (and now extinct) Kowloon Walled City. Take the elevator or escalator up to the second floor, and be amazed at the level of detail.

There are five floors altogether. The first floor is parking and entrance/exit. The second floor is a mix of retro and modern arcade systems, including driving games, beat em ups, RPGs, and UFO catchers. This floor is the most impressive. Every inch has been made to look like Kowloon City. Dim neon signs in kanji light up the top half of the room, old posters scatter the walls, and there are even props you can take photos in, including a street food market and an apartment complex entrance. Look up, and you’ll see tattered clothing crisscross the ceiling, listen carefully and you’ll hear sounds of a long dead city. The decor alone is a reason to go. But, if you love games, you won’t be disappointed in that respect either. The place is like a tardis, it seems like you’ll never reach the end. Each floor is the same in that respect.

Once you tire of this floor, head up and check out the others. Whilst sadly the same theme isn’t carried up, each floor has its own set of features and entertainment. On the third floor, you’ll find a huge bank of medal games. The purpose of this game is to simply drop medals (you’ll find machines dotted around that allow you to change yen into medals) into a machine that continually pushes them forward. It’s oddly cathartic, but not for the impatient.

The fourth floor is all about billiards and darts. Speak to the staff at the central desk to get the equipment needed (darts, balls, cues), then take your pick. Again, it’s a big floor, you won’t spend much time waiting around.

The fifth floor is an internet cafe that serves food, but you have to be a member to use it. It can only be reached by elevator.

There’s no limit on how long you can stay. Anata no Warehouse opens at 9.00am and closes at 11.45pm, and it has free parking. You pay as you play, so be sure to take cash with you. There isn’t much in the way of food, but you will find vending machines scattered throughout for drinks. There is a restriction on age. No under 18’s are allowed. There is disabled access in the form of elevators, though if you are entering and have mobility issues, use the street side entrance as it’s level. Smoking is permitted inside, floors 3-4 get especially smoky, and ventilation is limited.

Overall, I really enjoyed Anata no Warehouse. It’s unique and has a lot of arcade games I enjoyed as a child. If you’re in Kawasaki, I recommend a visit. You can find it here.

Entrance

Neon signs

Level of detail

Apartment complex

Entrance

Second floor details

Airline review: Skymark airlines.

Airline review: Skymark airlines.

by | Apr 28, 2017 | Airlines, Trip Reports & Reviews

Skymark is a LCC (low cost carrier) serving Japan, with it’s hub airports being Tokyo, Fukuoka, Kobe, and Okinawa. They also fly to Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Nagoya, Ibaraki, and Sapporo, but how do they stack up compared to the other LCC’s? Let’s take a look.

Website.

Their website is pretty good, easy to use, and with language options including Japanese, Chinese. Korean, and English. They have a map of destinations, information on each airport they serve, as well as a simple fares search. Booking through their website directly will give you the best deal for your flight.

Booking options.

You can either book online, over the phone, through a travel agent, or at an airline counter, and payment can be made by credit card or cash. You also have the option to pay at a convenience store if you book online (payment must be made by 2200 on the day before departure or the reservation will be cancelled).

Fares.

Skymark are pretty competitive when it comes to pricing. They have a range of fares, so you can choose one that suits you. For a list of fares see their website here. Although Skymark prices are low, they aren’t as cheap as Peach and Vanilla, but if you’re looking for good service as well as a good deal, I’d take Skymark over Peach or Vanilla any day.

Customer service.

They out-perform Peach and Vanilla in this department by a large margin. Staff are always helpful, informative, and quick to assist if there’s a problem. On a recent flight to Nagoya I was warned my flight might be diverted to Tokyo Haneda due to poor weather conditions. Accommodation had been put on standby (it was a late flight), as well as transport the next day. Luckily my flight made it to Nagoya, but I was impressed at the flow of information, the professionalism of the staff, and at how quickly Skymark made alternate arrangements.

Aircraft.

They hold a fleet of 26 Boeing 737-800’s, and are recognisable by the blue and white with star logo. The aircraft is modest in size, but it’s clean, the seats are reasonably comfy, and leg room isn’t too stingy either. As all flights operate within Japan, no flight is longer than around 3 hours, but you can buy food, drinks, and gifts on board.

Conclusion.

If you find yourself needing a flight within Japan, I’d recommend looking at Skymark over Peach and Vanilla. They offer a more reliable service, better customer care, and more options with their fares.

Fukuoka

Wing shot

Skymark gate

Take off ambience.

Airline review: Peach.

Airline review: Peach.

by | Dec 23, 2016 | Airlines, Trip Reports & Reviews

Peach destination map, taken from their website.

Peach is Japan’s first (but not only) true LCC (low-cost carrier) airline, with hubs at Osaka (Kansai International), Tokyo (Narita), and Naha, but flying to 17 destinations within Asia, including Seoul. It was founded in February 2011, and took up operations in March 2012, and since then has been a popular choice for cheap flights. But what’s it like to actually fly with them? Let’s review.

Cost.

One of the most attractive things about Peach is their low-cost. Much like the LCC’s of Europe (EasyJet and Ryanair), Peach offers a “no frills” approach to getting you from A to B. This means seating is basic and you pay extra to book seats (more for emergency door seating), there’s food but you pay extra, and service isn’t as attentive as it would be with say ANA. I’ve found that the earlier you book, the cheaper it is, but they also do regular sales on flights to their popular destinations (Tokyo for example) and these can be an absolute steal. I also like that in certain places they offer added extras, such as onward travel by train (from Narita airport to central Tokyo is long and can be expensive, the discounts offered on the flight are pretty good).

Comfort.

In this instance, it really is “you get what you paid for”. Don’t expect oodles of leg room and über comfy seats, and you won’t be too disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t terrible, but if you’re used to flying high quality airlines such as ANA or JAL, this will seem like “slumming it” somewhat.

Service.

Again, it isn’t on a par with the big carriers, but it isn’t awful either. The staff are mostly still really polite and helpful, with most speaking a decent amount of English (and with some multilingual speakers). My biggest issue so far with Peach is that they aren’t too great at communicating with their passengers about delays. On a recent trip from Taipei, the flight was initially delayed about an hour, but only one announcement was made and it was hard to hear. In the end, the flight was almost three hours late, the gate was changed with no communication (thankfully only to a gate close by), and with only a further one or two scratchy announcements the entire time. Cue lots of frustrated passengers constantly hassling the staff, and you’ve got for a miserable wait.

Further information.

Peach flies to destinations in China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand, and has talked about plans for destinations in Vietnam and other parts of South-East Asia. The cheapest way to book is through their website www.flypeach.com or through price comparison site www.skyscanner.net. They offer two types of fares; “Happy Peach”, designed for budget travellers unlikely to change their travel arrangements, and “Happy Peach Plus”, for travellers who may need some flexibility in their ticket, with no time restrictions and no extra fees for changing the booking (aside from the difference in price). It also includes free seat reservation and one free checked bag (on “Happy Peach” both of these services cost extra).

In summary.

Overall, they really aren’t a bad little airline. They certainly make exploring South-East Asia that much more affordable, and if talks of further destinations are to be believed, the continent will be even more affordably accessible.

Current destination guide

Peach destination map, taken from their website.

Waiting to board

Peach departure gate at Naha airport.

Peach airbus A320

One of Peach’s 18 Airbus A320’s sits on the tarmac at Naha airport.

Wing shot

Cruising altitude somewhere over Osaka