Malaysia airlines to Australia?

[MojoJojo71]

Planning a trip to visit family in Brisbane in July. Has anyone flown with them? Last time we went we flew with Emirates but this time they are prohibitively expensive . I don’t know whether to take a chance with Malaysia Airlines or stretch my budget a extra couple of hundred pounds and go with Qatar instead who seem to have a better reputation. I’m travelling with 9 yo DD if that makes any difference to whether you would recommend.

Any advice?

[SunnyKlara]

Malaysia Airlines are one of my favourites. Always pick them over British Airways when I'm flying to Singapore/Malaysia (used to work out there lots).

The food is some of the best airline food I have had and they always gave a snack box at the beginning (in addition to loads throughout the flight) that would keep me going for a few days after the flight itself. Haven't used them since 2019 though

[mrsrobin]

I haven't flown with them for a while but last time I did they were excellent. Maybe someone who has flown more recently on Malaysian will be along shortly....

[MojoJojo71]

Thanks, that sounds positive

[raeray]

Yes what on Earth has happened to emirates prices! They're ridiculous at the moment I agree.
I've never flown Malaysian I'm afraid so can't comment there but planning an Australian trip (finally!) myself and considering other airlines.
I've flown etihad before and was impressed also Singapore airlines and would recommend both and found similar standards to emirates. Although they're all slightly different of course.
My friend flew Qatar with her 20 month old and said staff were amazing with the little one. Know your daughter is a bit older but just mean they're hopefully very child friendly

[Jellifer]

I’ve flown Malaysian a few times and they are perfectly fine. Don’t think Qatar is worth the extra expense personally

[SaffyWall]

My experience with Malaysian Airlines has always been good. I would happily use them again.

[MojoJojo71]

Sounds like I might be better saving my money. I’ve just discovered I can get an NHS discount with Malaysian too so the difference would actually be about £380 more to fly with Qatar.

[HamsterTrumpet]

Haven’t flown with them for a few years (haven’t been anywhere they fly recently) but always had a decent experience with Malaysian Airlines and I’d definitely go with then again.

[TeaMeBasil]

Last time we flew with them, they were good, no problems at all.

[mrsrobin]

I wouldn't spend that extra to fly with Qatar - they are not worth that extra to me. I also like Singapore but would be happy to try Malaysian again for sure.

[ItsRainingTacos]

Their food is 😋 and the seats slightly more spacious than BA.

[DaisyTheUnicorn]

I loved flying with Singapore - we are hoping to do "one last family trip" back to Australia and trying to save but I would really like to fly Singapore again. I love stopping at Changi and having a day there too...

Realistically for 4 of us we need to go with whichever works out cheaper.

[HundredMilesAnHour]

I'd pay the extra to go with Qatar. There's a reason why they were voted 2021 Airline of the Year, as well as being Skytrax 5 star rated compared to Malaysian's 4 star.

I've flown both. Qatar is significantly better.

[Rua13]

I've flown with Malaysian a few times and they are perfectly fine.The last time I flew with them was a week after MH370 went down.
Generally I fly Qatar as they use my nearest airport and they are great but there is no need to pay extra.Save the money for your holidays.

[Iflyaway]

I've flown with Malaysia and found them excellent.

As good as Singapore Airlines but without the printed out menu lol.

[showmethegin]

I flew London to Sydney with Malaysian on an A380. They were excellent

[BlueSpottedGiraffe]

I've flown Malaysian to Perth twice and both times it was great, by far the best airline food I have had.

The second time we went our flight from KL to Perth had to turn around after an hour due to a safety issue (nothing serious and could have happened on any flight) but they wanted to turn back as a precaution, the customer service during this was brilliant. They explained exactly what the issue was so as not to panic people and handed out vouchers for us to spend in KL airport in the meantime. We hadn't even got to the front of the queue at burger king before there was an announcement to say another plane had been sorted and we needed to be at the gate in the next 15 minutes!

[Inthestillofthenight]

Are Malaysian and Qatar -you only choices (apart from EK) if its in economy they are much of a muchness but MH tend to have older planes and the IFE is not up to much but if its to get you from A to B they are fine. But always book direct with the airline no 3rd parties

Have a look on skyscanner for any alternatives if you have not already!

[TomAllenWife]

I would base my decision on aircraft too
It can make a big difference to how you feel on arrival

[Zazdar]

I have flown with Malaysian to Australia and they were very good.

[nzborn]

I must be the only one here who wouldn't travel with them again.

[HundredMilesAnHour]

@nzborn

I must be the only one here who wouldn't travel with them again.

I'm with you @nzborn. I wasn't a fan. Old planes, old IFE. I used to fly with work so didn't have a choice. When using my own money I flew Qatar or Emirates or Qantas or BA or Eva Air or Singapore or Cathay. Pretty much everyone other than Malaysian actually.

[MojoJojo71]

@TomAllenWife all 4 of the Malaysia airlines flights are on an Airbus 330 or 350 whereas Qatar are 3 x Boeing 777 and 1 x Airbus 380. Last time I flew with Emirates it was 777 for the shorter leg and airbus for the longest one (not sure which model but it was huge!) and I’m sure the airbus was more comfortable and a lot quieter

[Mummysgirl12]

I flew with them to Sydney just after the crash. Absolutely no problems, brilliant service and food was great

[MojoJojo71]

@HundredMilesAnHour unfortunately lots of the other airlines are just too expensive. I’d be looking at about £3k just for the 2 of us. Cathay Pacific prices are reasonable and would have been my first choice but at the moment UK citizens are unable to travel to Hong Kong, not even just to transit through the airport.