Malaysia Airlines closes Kuala Lumpur lounges for upgrades

By Chris C., May 11 2017

UPDATE | Malaysia Airlines is temporarily closing two of its home hub lounges in Kuala Lumpur as it completes extensive refurbishment works to breathe new life into the spaces.

MAS' regional Golden Lounge in KLIA's Main Terminal is up first – primarily used by passengers on shorter international flights such as to Singapore – closing its doors from May 12 until August 15 2017, with eligible passengers instead directed to the airport's Satellite Terminal for lounge access.

There, business class guests and Oneworld Sapphire/Emerald frequent flyers (including Qantas Gold and Platinum cardholders) can choose to visit either Malaysia Airlines' international Golden Lounge (open 24 hours) or the Malaysia Airport CIP Lounge near gates 31-37 (open 6am-10am and then 6pm-10pm).

AusBT review: Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge, KLIA Satellite Terminal

Under Oneworld's lounge access rules, a third option is also available in the Cathay Pacific First and Business Class Lounge: again found in the Satellite Terminal, which is accessible from the Main Terminal via Aerotrain.

Malaysia Airlines' domestic Golden Lounge will also be shuttered from June 2 until August 15 2017, but as these passengers cannot access the airport's international departures area where the other lounges are located, a temporary lounge space will be created at gate B3.

There, lounge-eligible travellers will find light refreshments available along with dedicated seating, wireless Internet, newspapers, magazines and flight information screens.

Toilets, showers and prayer rooms won't be offered within this temporary space, although the nearest restrooms can be found just outside the gate area, with the closest prayer room aside the Malaysia Airlines Gate A transfer desk.

Refurbishments to these lounges were originally due for completion by "late 2016", being approximately eight months behind schedule.

PREVIOUS | Qantas partner Malaysia Airlines will reinvigorate its business class and first class airport lounges in Kuala Lumpur and at London’s Heathrow Airport over the coming year with an all-new design and premium amenities for business and high-end leisure travellers.

Central to the Golden Lounge upgrades are new demonstration kitchens, where chefs will whip up Malaysian and international gourmet dishes while interacting with guests and customising meals to their personal tastes.

Joining that is a “bistro service” in the business lounges and a revamped fine dining experience in the Kuala Lumpur first class lounge, with all locations also receiving faster wireless Internet and additional universal power sockets, allowing visitors to easily recharge their devices without an adaptor.

Adopting a design created by internationally-renowned firm Duoz – the same company behind the Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur and the Marriott Sydney Harbour at Circular Quay – guests will notice patches of greenery for a touch of colour throughout.

“Delivering a holistic experience for our guests which starts from the lounge lies at the heart of the redesign,” said Malaysia Airlines’ CCO Paul Simmons.

“We want the space to encapsulate the richness of travel with the airline, a luxurious contemporary Malaysian style that our guests will be able to experience when they enter any Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge around the world,” Simmons added.

Malaysia Airlines’ regional and domestic lounges at Kuala Lumpur will be first with the new design and amenities by late 2016, followed by the international business and first class lounges in the KLIA Satellite terminal and also the airline’s London Heathrow lounge in mid-2017.

The carrier’s ambitious lounge overhaul follows the debut of all-new business class seats on Malaysia Airlines’ Airbus A330 flights between Australia and Kuala Lumpur, with the fully-flat seats fitted to all MH A330s by late September this year.

Reviewed: MAS' new Airbus A330 business class, Kuala Lumpur-Sydney

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