Bangkok Suvarnabhumi

I took a taxi from the Plaza Athenée Hotel to the airport, which was more convenient and not even much slower than the airport express. I wanted to experience the lounges in Bangkok and therefore arrived earlier than necessary at the airport than it was necessary for my 11:05 departure. With 70 minutes till boarding time, I had more than enough time.

The check-in counters of Malaysia Airlines were already open and there was a dedicated line for Business Class passengers, which I used. I showed my passport and handed over my BA Executive Silver Card and the agent retrieved the booking from her system. She confirmed that my luggage should only be checked to Kuala Lumpur as she handed me the boarding pass and the receipt for the luggage pointing out, that it was only checked to KUL and also notified me that I was not checked in for the flight to Taipei tomorrow. Malaysia Airlines uses the Thai Airways lounges and I received an invitation to one of their lounges. I also received an invitation for fast track in Bangkok as well as in Kuala Lumpur and walked over to the security checkpoint for premium passengers, which was also used by APEC members and crews.

Security and Immigration was not very busy, and I passed it in only a couple of minutes. I decided to pass on the Thai Airways Lounge this time and proceeded towards the E / F / G concourse where all oneworld airlines depart and therefore all lounges are located.

I had not enough time to visit all lounges and therefore decided to begin with the BA Terrace Lounge. I was welcomed at the entrance and not problems to gain access. I was shown directions and invited to use whatever I needed, however it was pointed out, that my flight would not be called in the lounge and I had to watch the screens by myself.

British Airways Terrace Lounge

The lounge was not very busy and I had no difficulties to find a seat at a corner of the lounge right at the window overlooking the concourse. There lounge was divided in different areas which were separated by wooden walls and all areas were also on different levels. The buffet was one end of the lounge. There were cold and hot items on offer such as a soup (warm), salad items, sandwiches and wraps, fresh fruit and yoghurt among other things. There were different wines and as far as I remember even Champagne on offer in the lounge. The lounge also offered showers and toilets within the lounge and the international newspaper selection was also quite good and I used to opportunity to pick up the UK edition of the recent Business Traveller UK Magazine. After approximately 35 minutes I decided to leave the lounge, which now was much busier than at the time I entered it and I went to the Cathay Pacific Lounge next door.

I was welcomed at the lounge and granted access after the details of my frequent flyer card and my ticket number was written down by the lounge attendant.

Cathay Pacific Lounge
(Some Pictures from a previous visit)

Lounge has been renovated / refurbished after visit

The Cathay Pacific Lounge consisted of two parts, one parts opposite the buffet area and another part further to the right which also offered cubicles with computers / workstations. The area in front of the buffet is more open plan and hosts also the white marble table unique for the Cathay Pacific Lounges. The buffet was a bit uninspired; there was especially no fresh cooked soup available, only instant soups to which you need to add hot water. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage was offered. The lounge also does not offer toilets and shower facilities; you have to leave the lounge. The lounge was also quite busy and I decided to cut my time there short and instead pay a quick visit to the Thai Airways Royal Orchid Lounge which is used by MH.

The lounge close to my gate E 6 was quite busy as well and I decided to stretch my leg and walk a bit through the terminal and then to my gate.

I arrived at the gate approximately ten minutes ahead of scheduled boarding time. At the entrance to the boarding area, my ID was checked and I was allowed to enter the waiting area. One of the advantages of arriving there early was that I was able to get a first glimpse on the plane waiting to bring us to Kuala Lumpur. Our Boeing 737-8H6 (WL) joined the fleet of Malaysia Airlines on October 11, 2012 and was equipped with 2 CFM56-7B26 engines by CFMI. The plane is leased by BBAM, the former Babcock & Brown Aircraft Management. The senior executives of BBAM acquired the business from the US - Australian finance company Babcock & Brown in April 2010, following the decision of Babcock & Brown to complete an orderly wind-down of its operations as the company was effected by the credit crunch. In December 2012, Onex Corporation completed its acquisition of a 50% interest in BBAM.

It was equipped with 16 seats in Business Class and 144 seats in Economy Class. Malaysia Airlines has currently 55 Boeing 737 Next Generation in its fleet.

Boarding started in time and first all passengers travelling in Business Class and families were allowed to board the plane. I was among the first passenger to board the plane and went down the hot and humid aero-bridge to the waiting aircraft.

07 May 2014
BKK – KUL
[Bangkok Suvarnabhumi – Kuala Lumpur International]
MH 785; Boeing 737-800 (9M-MLP)
Gate E 6
11:05 – 14:15 [effective 11:03 – 14:14]
Business Class
Seat 03 F

At the entrance to the plane I was welcomed by two flight attendants and walked to my seat in row 3. I had a window seat and stored my laptop, writing utensils and camera in the seat pocket while the carry on went to the overhead bin.

Headphones, blanket and pillow were placed on the seat and the printed menu was also already placed in the seat pocket. So I could familiarize with the menu as I had noticed on my inbound flight that the segment in this menu was for another flight (MH789). Malaysia Airlines varies the food on its flight according to the time of the day and therefore also prints individual menus, which is a nice detail. Well, you would not even get a printed menu on flights of this duration within Europe or the US.

Pre Departure Drink

Guava Juice

A flight attendant offered to hang my jacket along with those of my seat neighbour in the closet in the rear of the plane. Pre-departure drinks were offered, among those orange juice, guava juice and water. I am sure, champagne would have been available if I had asked, but I decided to go with the guava juice instead. Later the flight attendant passed the cabin and collected the glasses from the pre-departure drink service.

The plane was full in all classes and the flight attendants requested the passengers in Economy Class to place smaller items under the seat in front, something I do no hear that often on flights within Asia. But then, there are mostly wide bodies used and this smaller 737 had not that much space in the overhead bin than a wide body.

We were pushed back a few minutes ahead of time and during push back the safety video was shown on the screen. We taxied to runway 01L, which is the shorter of the two runways with only 3810 meters. At 11:21 the captain powered the two engines and we climbed into the sky above Bangkok and flew towards the Gulf of Siam.

While we were climbing, I skipped through the menu of this flight (click on icon - opens new window)

Round about ten minutes after we had left Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport the seat belt sign was extinguished and the crew went to their stations and first of all closed the curtain between Business and Economy Class. Later our meal order and beverage orders were taken and while the drink was prepared in the front galley a hot towel was offered by another flight attendant.

Two flight attendants were serving Business Class Passengers and one of them was serving the passengers while the other one was doing the work in the galley and also brought every now and then beverages to their colleagues serving Economy Class.

Main Course

Prawn Cocktail
with pineapple and fresh lettuce

Tricolour Penne Pasta Tossed
With tomato concasse with prawn carbonara and parmesan cheese

Mocha Gateau

I had decided not to drink alcohol on this flight and therefore not to have a glass of wine but asked for a ginger ale instead. It was delivered with a small packet of assorted nuts ahead of the main meal service. It seems that some crews of Malaysia Airlines do the service slightly different, even on flights of the same time. Half an hour in flight the first meals were served. They were served individually row by row, so it took a little bit until I was served, which was of course not a problem. I had asked for the Tricolour Penne Pasta with prawn carbonara. They were served on a tray together with the appetizer (prawn cocktail) and the dessert (Mocha gateau). Rolls and garlic bread were also offered by the flight attendant and I asked for garlic bread. A refill of my ginger ale was also offered.

The food was good, the pasta were cooked “al dente” and tasted quite good. In so far, I could not complain of the quality of the food on this flight.

The flight time passed quickly and 30 minutes after the meals were served all trays were collected by the flight attendants who had passed through the cabin frequently.

As we began our descend into KLIA, the captain came over the speaker and announced the remaining flight time with approximately 20 to 25 minutes and gave us an update of the weather situation in KLIA. It was currently fine weather and we could expect a smooth ride with occasionally some minor turbulence during approach, but KL was expecting heavy thunderstorm in the later afternoon early evening.

We passed the airport and the Sepang race track in the air before we made a U turn. We touched down at 14:07 and taxied to our gate at the main terminal where we arrived at 14:14. I was able to disembark quickly and headed to the main immigration hall, where the fast lane counters had only a short line. After five minutes I had passed it and after another short wait at the belt, my priority labelled suitcase appeared. I had used the waiting time to already purchase a round trip ticket for the KLIA Express train.

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