Sydney, Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo

Boarding had already started by the time I arrived at Gate 154.  The Business Class lane was wide open and I was upstairs and on board a couple minutes later.

Qantas A380 Business Class is a far cry from First Class on the main deck of this plane.  It is also a far cry from Business Class on the 789 or most good airlines.   Ugly and dated 2-2-2 seating.  And after a couple of hours, quite uncomfortable.  Add in an indifferent crew and this was a long, long flight.

One of the advantages of a window seat is the storage compartments.  Small price to pay for having to hop over your seatmate later on to go to the lav.

Tonight's menu with the usual Great Barrier Reef cover.

The pre-order Breakfast menu.  

The Qantas amenity kit.  Pretty pathetic although rather fitting for a garbage Business Class product.

Let's check out the IFE...

Apparently Qantas is the internet word for "we've never heard of Wifi mate".  It's 2019 and it's a 15 hour flight for effsake.  But if I'm really desperate supposedly I can message someone on the ground for $1.90 a message.  LOL.

Or even chat with another passenger.  Wow, the guy that thought up this one is probably CEO now. 

Speaking of IFE... so I was watching Red Sparrow for what seems like the 10th time while waiting for service to begin, when the Purser came by to inform me that, so sorry, but they were going to have to reboot because some people were having trouble with their screen.  Not me mind you, but others.  OK, well thank you for the 10 minute break.

And then pretzels/almond mix.

Meal service for non-Express started around 75 minutes after wheels up.   Note to Qantas:  Meal service without a tray works great for 1-2-1 seat but not for a window seat in this 2-2-2 seating since the FA can't reach the A tray table without an effort which this group had no interest in doing.  So we get the flight attendant passing each item after item to me in A for me to place.  I wasn't hungry but took one for the team and the photo op.  Qantas doesn't print a wine list for Business so it's hard to tell what the optons were.  I went with the Pinot Grigio which was the only white.  It was served warm at room temperature.  Well done again Qantas... and please close my shades as it will be morning in Sydney when we arrive.  

Yeah, that looks about as appetizing as AA domestic salad.

I pre-ordered the Spicey pulled pork ciabatta.

Which was actually pretty good, at the least the few bites that I had.

I made my own bed and got six hours of on and off reasonably good airplane sleep.   With some 6 hours to go, I carefully made my way over me sleeping seatmate and explored the cabin.  Interesting crew seats.

And then the front part of the upper deck.

The Qantas Business Class snack offering.  Pretty pathetic compared to what American offers.

Then there was a completely empty Business Class lounge area, which looked far more comfortable than my dopey 11A.   With no one else there, I decided to relocate and squatted for a good 5 hours.  Much better than sitting in that Business Class seat.  Even better when I discovered the IFE controls and power outlets hidden away in the little cubbies.

I watched Bohemian Rhapsody and The Meg, both for the 2nd time. 

After 3 or 4 hours, a flight attendant stopped by and asked if I'd like anything.   I requested the taste smoky bacon, egg and herb tart, although initially she had no idea that it was on the menu.  

It was quite tasty.

More IFE with some dude doing his exercise routine.

Back in my 11A, on approach on a beautiful summer morning in Sydney.

Mercifully, this 15 hour ordeal on one of the worst airlines in the free world was finally over.  Qantas A380 Business Class would be my last choice on this route when AA, VA and DL all offer 1-2-1 seating.  Even United is better despite their 2-2-2 Dreamliner seating.  At least it is a comfortable 2-2-2 and they have Wifi and far better IFE.  

Malaysia Airlines Sydney to Kuala Lumpur

While the LAX-SYD flight was free, I had to figure out how to get home.  Rather than another boring SYD-LAX nonstop, I decided to take the scenic route home with using AA miles for Malaysia First Class from Sydney to Tokyo via Kuala Lumpur on their A359 and A380.  My only other experience on MH was when Mrs. SFO777 and I flew Malaysia's A380 First Class from KL to London a few years ago.   Malaysia has had issue of late, between losing two planes a few years ago to an apparent revolving CEO door and confusing and at times rather strange directions.  Like despite have First Class cabins on many plane, MH announced in December that they were eliminating "First Class" and replacing it with "Business Suites".  No idea what the rationale is but for all intents and purposes and based on my experience today, it is still First Class just with a different name.    Malaysia's beautiful A359 at the gate in Sydney.

Yo Qantas, another airline with Wifi... unlike you.

Malaysia's First Class on the A359 is a single row 4 seat cabin.    Not the most luxurious First Class cabin, with pretty bland and boring decor.

Since I was the only First Class passenger today, I had no problem taking pics.

And the Business Class cabin, starting at Row 2.

Since the A350 is not as wide as other long range twin engine planes, the suites are as spacious as other First Class suites.  More like Business Class Plus.

My god, who picked the color scheme on this one?

Today's menu...

Considering Malaysia has great and unique cuisine, I was surprised to see a mostly Western menu.   

On the other hand, the wine list was quite respectable.

The Malaysia First Class amenity kit...

... meh.

IFE was pretty good with a reasonable selection of movies, from Hollywood and Asia.

Good storage space throughout the suite.

We pushed back on time but then returned to the gate to resolve a minor technical issue and then headed back out 45 minutes later.

On our way to KL.

Right after take-off, my personal flight attendant, Elyana closed the curtains to wall off the cabin from the masses in Business and Economy.  And as the only passenger in First, it was pretty much a private experience.

Elyana was well intentioned but her service lacked some of the typical refinements of more experienced cabin crew.   My satay starter was excellent but she neglected to bring my champagne until after I was done.

And then she brought both the Champagne and Shiraz at the same time.  LOL.

Both were excellent.

I had asked for the caviar first and then the seared tuna after.   I'm guessing that it got lost in translation, as she and presumably Purser Aaron decided to serve both at once.  It was an impressive display of food, so much so that Elyana decided to take a picture of it as well, after she saw me take one.

The tuna was

While the caviar was OK, the tuna was bland and pretty much tasteless. 

For my main, I made the mistake of going with the Braised Brisket of Beef.  Lots of fat although the sauce was good and made the brisket palatable.   Overall pretty disappointing. 

Next up was the cheese plate, which was quite good.  With a couple more glasses of the wonderful St. Hallatt 2013 Old Block Shiraz.

And finally, delicious Hokey Pokey ice cream.

While Elyana made my bed, I headed to the lav to change.

Reasonable comfy bed and I was able to sleep for nearly 4 hours.

And a smooth touchdown at KUL after nearly 8 hours.   

Overall quite a pleasant flight.  Service was well intentioned but just a little unpolished compared to the flawless service on my connecting flight to Tokyo.     

At around T-55, I headed out for the walk to Gate C37.

And the security check.

With a complete absence of gate lice, boarding was orderly as the Gate Agent asked for "Business Suites" passengers to board first.  None of the handicapped-wheel chair brigade-families with small kids or those needing extra time-BS like back in America.

I've always liked the suites and decor on the A380.  Nice big comfy suites and seats.  And flawless service tonight from a wonderful crew.

My 1K.

This A380 is showing its age with some chips and bruises here and there.  

And a pretty dated IFE controller although not a bad as Qantas.   Looks like the cleaners haven't visited this one for a while.

Tonight's menu which assumes that everyone has eaten and just wants to sleep.

At around departure time, the captain announced a delay as one of the doors was not showing as closed.  For the next 45 minutes, as many as seven MH techs were on board to troubleshoot, walking back and forth between the door and the cockpit.

As the delay dragged on, our wonderful First Class flight attendant decided to serve satay at the gate.  

Naturally, as soon as she delivered the satay, the captain announced the problem has been fixed and we would be pushing back in a couple of minutes.   The satay?  No worries, our FA didn't bother or rush us to finish.

This satay was better than the earlier one and the sauce a lot thicker and richer.

Since it was not midnight to my body, I was hungry and requested the delicious Nasi Lemak from the Breakfast menu.  With another glass of the lovely Taittenger Comtes.

I went to the lav while my bed was made.   And slept for a solid 4 hours.

Some breakfast pastries to take the edge off.

And arriving at the gate, ready to deplane.

I really enjoyed this flight despite the short flight time.  Exceptional and flawless service from a crew that takes pride in their jobs.   This was truly First Class service and I have no idea why MH has chosen the confusing route of renaming it to Business Suites.

The lines for both Priority security and susbequent passport control were pretty short and I was into the main T1 departures concourse in short order.   The massive queue for the United Club, with an appropriate massive POS bringing up the rear.

The one positive about United is the close in location of the club and gates.  Other than that, can't think of many other positives.

At the far end of the concourse, one level up, is the ANA Suite Lounge, their First Class Lounge.

There is really nothing special about this lounge but there are some good views and comfy seating options.