MalaysiaAirlines Check-in
Malaysia has lots of ways for the web savvy to check-in. Online check-in and mobile check-in (via flymas.mobi - your boarding pass is sent to your mobile phone and is scanned at security checkpoints and at the boarding gate) is available between 48 hours and 90 minutes before departure. iPad kiosk (receive a boarding pass on your mobile through a link via SMS and email) and on Facebook with MHbuddy (on all flights in Malaysia, several flights from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur).
FastCheck self-service kiosks are at Kuala Lumpur, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu airports. Check-in between 48 hours and 40 minutes before departure for domestic flights and between 48 hours and one hour for international flights.
Old-fashioned check-in, at the airport, is available too - two hours before departure for international flights, one hour for domestic flights.
MalaysiaAirlines baggage allowance
Cabin baggage: Economy Class – one piece weighing up to 5kg. First Class/Business Class passengers – two pieces each a maximum of 5kg.
Checked baggage: A "weight" system is in place for flights to all destinations except to (and from) the Americas. Economy-Class flyers may stow 20kg, Business Class (Golden Club) 30kg and First Class 40kg. Under the "piece" system (flights to and from the Americas) travellers may check two pieces of baggage. Economy travellers - 23kg, First and Business Class 32kg.
Excess rates: If you're travelling within West Malaysia (Peninsular Malaysia) or East Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak) the cost is MYR 10 per kg. On flights between West Malaysia and East Malaysia, the excess charge is MYR 15 per kg.
For international flights, the charge is a little more complicated. Under the "weight" system, the charge is 1.5 per cent of the highest normal direct one-way Economy Class (in the local currency) for each kg.
Under the Piece System (flights to/from the Americas) Economy Class travellers stowing luggage that weighs between 23 and 32kg are charged $25 (US or Canadian) per piece for the first two pieces.
MalaysiaAirlines legroom
Economy Class - 86.3cm (34in). Angled lie-flat seats in Business Class and First Class.
Pre-arranged seating
Select seats during online check-in. Alternatively, preferred seats may be purchased during booking.
Passenger change details
The cheapest tickets are the most restricted. Changing the ticket via Manage My Booking is possible for flights departing from Malaysia.
Child fares
There's a small discount (about 20 per cent) for children (aged 2 to 11). Infant fares are 10 per cent of the adult fare.
Senior fares
There's no discount for older travellers.
Pets
Animals are transported in the hold. Reservations should be made in advance with a Malaysia Airlines Reservations Agency.
Carrying musical instruments
Musical instruments are transported as checked baggage.
In-flight service
The Select In-flight Entertainment system offers movies, TV, multi-player games and music. Flyers rate the in-flight food as good with a decent selection of drinks.
Air miles
There are two frequent-flyer programs: Grads and Enrich. Grads is a frequent-flyer program with benefits designed for students. Frequent flyers earn Enrich Miles with Malaysia and other airlines such as Air France, Alitalia, All Nippon Airways, Delta and KLM.
Airline food link
See the types of meals that other travellers have enjoyed on their Malaysia Airlines flights at airlinemeals.net.
In-flight magazine
Going Places is available on board and as an iPad app.
Airline alliances
Malaysia Airlines will join the oneworld alliance in late 2012.
Airline overview
With recent awards that include World’s Best Economy Class and Staff Service Excellence for Asia (Skytrax UK 2010), World’s Leading Airline to Asia, Asia’s Leading Airline and Asia’s Leading Business Class Airline (World Travel Awards 2010) Malaysia Airlines is the flyer's favourite.
Malaysia's flag carrier flies from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth to its base at Kuala Lumpur International and, from there, to dozens of destinations in Asia, Europe and the Americas. Kota Kinabalu is its hub in East Malaysia.
Subsidiary airlines are Firefly and MASwings and there are plans to establish a new premium carrier targeting short-haul routes to South Asia and China in the second half of 2012.