This full-service airline can zip you around Asia at budget prices

The airline: Malaysia Airlines

• Route Hong Kong to Kuala Lumpur, flight MH79
• Frequency Two return flights each day
• Aircraft Boeing 737-800
• Class Economy; seat 4D (aisle)
• Flight time Four hours (on time)

Checking in

I’m up early to catch the day’s first shuttle from an airport hotel … the things we do for cheap flights, particularly now that Jetstar Asia is no more. Check-in is surprisingly quiet for a Friday morning, and without prompting, I’m offered extra legroom as the flight isn’t full. I have a connecting flight to Singapore and my bag is tagged through without a fuss, making for an easy transit.

Loyalty scheme

Malaysia Airlines Enrich, Oneworld alliance. Its partnership with Qantas has recently expanded to include reciprocal codesharing and an increase to the points and status credits earned on some fares. The cheapest tickets still provide no rewards but all others on this route deliver at least 500 Qantas points plus 20 status credits. You can also book this flight for 23,000 Qantas points plus $HK747 ($137), one-way. Qantas Silver and above unlocks priority check-in; Gold and higher also receive lounge access and priority boarding.

Baggage

All fares include at least 20 kilograms of checked baggage; “Flex” tickets offer 35 kilograms. Qantas Gold members get a further 15 kilograms, or 20 kilograms extra for Platinum. Carry-on baggage for all passengers is seven kilograms across one main item plus one personal item (e.g. briefcase, handbag or duty-free).

The seat

This single-aisle flight uses the standard 3-3 layout. Malaysia Airlines provides a pillow and blanket, although the headrest isn’t adjustable: expected more of low-cost carriers. Legroom is excellent in the front row, but the business class curtain obstructs the aisle seats here (4C and 4D). With a row to myself, I shuffle across. Seats are a little tight at 17.5 inches wide (45 centimetres). I experience the standard seat pitch (legroom) of 30 inches (76 centimetres) on my connecting hop to Singapore and there’s room enough to move my knees. There are just two restrooms for 162 economy passengers … expect to queue.

Entertainment + tech

There’s one USB-A and one USB-C outlet per seat plus a traditional AC socket tucked below. Malaysia Airlines has traded seatback screens for streaming entertainment on these aircraft, but the hotspot doesn’t work … on either flight. Wi-Fi internet isn’t available on any Malaysia Airlines Boeing 737-800, but is offered on the carrier’s newer Boeing 737 MAX 8s. Seats behind the first row have a handy tablet holder where the TV would otherwise be.

Service

Crew are impeccably groomed and exceedingly polite. A press of the call bell for a coffee outside the main service time gets a quick response and a smile.

Food

Why go for the omelette when you can start your day with nasi lemak? It’s served with fried anchovies and peanuts in a separate sealed packet to help accommodate tastes and allergies. There’s also a strawberry yoghurt, muffin and sliced fruit – including dragon fruit. It’s one of the better meals I’ve eaten in economy.

Sustainability

By removing the TVs and replacing other cabin products with lighter-weight materials, Malaysia Airlines claims to have trimmed about 679 kilograms from each Boeing 737-800, saving about 91,029 litres of fuel per year, per aircraft – reducing emissions. Some Boeing 737-800s are also being retired in favour of more fuel-efficient Boeing 737 MAX 8s, decreasing carbon emissions by 20 per cent on comparable flights, according to the manufacturer.*

One more thing

Many Malaysia Airlines routes can now be booked as Qantas QF codeshares, delivering significantly more Qantas points and status credits than travelling on an MH code.

The price

From about $400 return from Hong Kong to Kuala Lumpur in economy class (as flown), or from about $900 return from Sydney to Hong Kong via Kuala Lumpur in economy class.**

The verdict

With Jetstar Asia gone, Malaysia Airlines offers a cost-effective way to zip across Asia if you don’t mind an easy transit via Kuala Lumpur. The added perks for regular Qantas flyers are icing on the cake, especially if you snag a fare akin to Jetstar prices for a full-service experience.

Our rating out of five

★★★★

The writer travelled at his own expense.

*For more information about air travel and sustainability, see iata.org

**Fares are based on those available for travel three months from the time of publication and subject to change.