FLYING HIGH WITH MALAYSIA AIRLINES TO LONDON

My last visit to London was in 2010 as part of a fashion related project but coincidentally, the airline partner happened to be Malaysia Airlines. So when I was assigned to cover the pop-up Asian Art Festival exhibition at Dorsett Shepherd’s Bush London, I was told we would be flying with Malaysia Airlines (MAB) too.

 

When the day of departure dawned, I couldn't believe #todayishere! Imagine how ecstatic we felt when we were given the rare privilege of enjoying some pre-flight pampering in the MAB Platinum Golden Lounge in the satellite building at KLIA. Of course, being avid shutterbugs, we embarked on a ‘shooting’ spree the minute we set foot in the plush haven.

 

 

During the whirlwind tour, the differences between the Platinum Lounge and Golden Lounge were explained to us. It was indeed an eye-opening experience for us plebs who fly economy so we revelled in the VIP treatment accorded to us prior to boarding our flight to London.

I was impressed by the large collection of artworks displayed inside the lounge which lent vibrant bursts of colour to the posh and somewhat ‘serious’ ambiance. The artists featured consists of a mixture of local and international.

Passengers whiling their time away here can enjoy the full works: complimentary meals (for lunch the menu includes a selection by celebrity British chef Gary Rhodes), plenty of cushy furnishing to rest, relax or read, baby care area, slumberette, children’s playroom, smoking lounge, shower and phone charging station.

 

For the busy business travellers, workstations with Wifi connectivity are available too. A boardroom set-up as well as a mini library of reading materials should prove useful when necessary.  

While Golden Lounge guests can help themselves to a mini buffet spread, the Platinum Lounge VVIPs have the privilege of ordering hot breakfasts. The options are in addition to the Continental selection of baked items with fruits, cereals and juices laid out.

Flying on the A380 – the world's largest passenger airliner - was a first for me so I was overjoyed at the novel experience. This wide body, double-decker of a plane even has bunk beds tucked away in a discreet section for the airline crew to rest and a convertible area towards the back for passengers who wish to pray.

 

Much to our relief, the 13+ hour flight was smooth and comfy as we managed to get some lengthy bouts of shut-eye. It goes without saying that the meals, snacks and In-flight entertainment helped to ease the journey tremendously.

 

On both legs of our KUL-London-KUL passage, the MAB crews were most personable in taking care of us and the plane-loads of passengers. Even the ground staff who worked at the airports displayed similar courtesy so such encounters made our travels all the more pleasant and memorable. Thank you, Malaysia Airlines for living up the MH acronym => Malaysian Hospitality.

For flight information and bookings with Malaysia Airlines, please visit: http://www.malaysiaairlines.com

Coming up! The adventures of Pilot Parker in London with Visit Britain.

LET'S GO LABUAN WITH MAB'S PILOT PARKER

 

Meet Pilot Parker, the cutie mascot for Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) who popped out of a surprise gift box given to me and my blogger friends recently. We were invited on a familiarisation visit to the Federal Territory of Labuan by Dorsett Hotels & Resorts so all of us were eagerly looking forward to the staycation.

Thanks to the generosity of MAB, our group were accorded the rare privilege to experience the hospitable comfort of MAB's Golden Lounge in the Domestic departure area at KL International Airport prior to our morning flight.

As you can see, the spacious lounge was cosily furnished with comfy armchairs and also dining tables for MAB travellers to relax in. Its warm ambient lighting and floor-to-ceiling picture windows put us at ease the minute we set foot in there.

From the lounge, we could look out to the fleet of MAB planes which traverse the world. Just the sight of the red & blue livery and wau insignia are enough to make us Malaysians feel proud. Coupled with the charming crew on board to look after us, MAB would remain most Malaysians including moi preferred airline when ever they travel.

Yes, MAB has gone through some turbulent times recently but all the more reason us Malaysians should come out in full force to support MAB and the people working for the company. #Keepflying #MalaysiaAirlines! 

One of the perks available in the Golden Lounge is complimentary meals which are served piping hot. Of course, nasi lemak with sambal sotong and chicken rendang is inevitably on the menu but healthier, lighter options of yoghurt with cereal, fresh fruits and Danish pastries are served too.

Once on board, the flight from KL to Labuan took about 2.5 hours. Things were pretty smooth after take-off and Pilot Parker popped up to inspect our snack boxes come meal time. Ah, he is truly a Malaysian at heart when it comes to food!

After scoffing my sandwich and cookie, I settled down to enjoy the in-flight entertainment and magazine available while Pilot Parker made himself comfy in my bag. All too soon it was time to touch down in Labuan.

After a heartwarming welcome with some song and dance thrown in by the Dorsett Grand Labuan team, Pilot Parker joined us again for drinks at the Lobby Lounge for drinks and afternoon tea.

The overview of our Labuan staycation will be featured in upcoming blogposts so keep your eyes peeled for it. Let's just say Pilot Parker and me thoroughly enjoyed every minute of our weekend in Labuan...eating, drinking, hiking and doing loads of fun stuff with our amiable hosts from Dorsett Grand Labuan.

Just look at Pilot Parker tucked up in bed with a welcome platter of macarons and chocs! Now you know the kind of hospitality to expect when you fly MAB and stay at Dorsett Grand Labuan.

 

Btw, Labuan is a duty-free island so remember to make the most of it when you visit. Great buys include chocolates and giggle juice if you're into that. The stash lugged home by Pilot Parker should be a good indication of how sweet the deal is!

Special deals are always available from MAB. Check out its current Year End Super Specials now! Let's #keepflying #MalaysiaAirlines #todayishere http://www.malaysiaairlines.com/my/en.html

AIRASIA FREE SEATS!

Yes, I'm eyeing those AirAsia Free Seats! It would be a dream come true to experience Vivid Sydney with AirAsia X...that much-talked about art, music & creative ideas festival Down Under. That’s why I want to participate with AirAsia Free Seats contest...it'd save my hard-earned MYR budgeted for flights so I'd have more pocket money to spend ;))

Vivid Sydney is my absolute Must-Do Festival for 2016. Why? Because Creativity is the juice of every writer’s life. If I win those AirAsia Free Seats, I'd fly to Sydney to experience the wondrous multi-sensorial components of Vivid Sydney. It would be a dream come true to see and admire first-hand the illuminating light sculptures and arty installations created for the event.

Since music is the food of love, I’d love to soak up the tempo and rhythm of Vivid Sydney – literally feeding my heart and soul with the many lively, world-class performances lined up. After all, life's a stage so I want to be swept up by the exhilarating celebration of live performing talents. 

Of course, I would get into the thick of all the action where Vivid Ideas thrive. I know creative minds, innovators and like-minded community of people from around the world converge at Vivid Sydney to share, exchange and inspire one another like birds of a feather flocking together. I want to win those AirAsia Free Seats to make my participation a reality!