Malaysia Airlines changes bag rules, set to join oneworld in Q4

Malaysia Airlines says its plans to join the oneworld airline alliance are firmly on track, with MAS spokesman Ismadi Yusuff confirming to Australian Business Traveller that the airline "will join oneworld in Q4."

MAS also highlighted that its flights have been added to the oneworld round-the-world fare and that it is adding codeshare partnerships with oneworld members Cathay Pacific and Royal Jordanian.

Malaysia Airlines ended its relationship with Virgin Australia at the end of March.

We've yet to hear news about Malaysia Airlines' plans for a closer partnership with Qantas, the airline sponsoring MAS into the oneworld alliance.

Speaking to Australian Business Traveller last July, Qantas' Head of Airline Loyalty Stephanie Tully said "Qantas is sponsoring Malaysian into oneworld so we will probably be the first airline to have the agreement with them, but there is still quite a bit of work to be done."

Carry-on rules brought into line with oneworld policies

Malaysia Airlines' cabin baggage rules changed, effective immediately as of 15 May 2012, to synchronise what you're allowed to bring on board with other oneworld airlines' policies.

All cabin bags must fit into a 56cm x 36cm x 23cm limit, but first and business class passengers get two bags of up to 7kg each, while economy travellers get only one 7kg bag.

That's on top of "either a notebook/laptop or briefcase or a binocular bag." Yes, a binocular bag. Did we miss the memo that they're back in fashion?

In addition to that, you can also bring a "small handbag" and a walking stick.

All in all, if you're flying business, that means you can bring up to four items with you: two 7kg carry-on bags, a small handbag and a briefcase or laptop bag (or your trusty pair of binoculars).

Passengers travelling with infants under two years "may also bring one bag containing baby food and nappies weighing up to 5kg, a carry cot and a fully collapsible baby stroller."

(Of course, those infants still won't be allowed in first class or on the upper deck's economy section of its new Airbus A380s thanks to MAS' declaration of these areas as kid-free zones.)

John Walton

Aviation journalist and travel columnist John took his first long-haul flight when he was eight weeks old and hasn't looked back since. Well, except when facing rearwards in business class.