Malaysia Airlines: we won’t ‘unbundle’ business class
The KL-based airline says it would rather give more to passengers, rather than take things away.
By David Flynn, November 27 2023
Malaysia Airlines has no plans join the likes of Emirates, Qatar Airways, Finnair and Air France/KLM by introducing lower-cost ‘unbundled business class’ fares which strip out perks such as checked luggage, lounge access and a full serve of frequent flyer points.
In fact, it’s even brought back the 10kg checked baggage allowance on its entry-level Economy Lite fare.
The Oneworld member’s Business Basic fare will continue to offer 40kg of checked baggage, free free seat selection, a free one-time change or rebooking and lounge access, says Malaysia Airlines Chief Commercial Officer Dersenish Aresandiran.
“What we want to do in the premium sector is actually improve the offering, to give you something better,” Aresandiran told Executive Traveller on the sidelines of the launch of the airline’s first Boeing 737 MAX jet.
He cites Malaysia Airlines’ recent move to offer free inflight WiFi to all passengers as one example of giving travellers more, rather than less.
Yet Aresandiran has seen unbundling up close during the recent years he worked with Qatar Airways as Vice-President of Sales for the Asia region, with Qatar’s Business Lite fares controversially removing airport lounge access and free advance seat selection.
Malaysia Airlines exec Dersenish Aresandiran wants to give more to passengers, rather than take things away.
Pulling out core parts of the business class experience makes it harder to differentiate fares, Aresandiran argues.
“If you unbundle and say ‘I'll give you no WiFi, no baggage, no lounge’, maybe that’s also similar to somebody who’s buying a high economy fare, so how you actually differentiate that?”
“So we go out with an all-complimentary offer. We've got baggage, we've got meals and the lounge and other flexibility that starts off from the lowest fair already.”
Also read: Malaysia Airlines A330 business class review
Malaysia Airlines’ approach to inflight Internet also bucks a trend, in this case the need for passengers to be members of the airline’s loyalty program and have their membership number entered into their booking.
“Most airlines enable WiFi (only) for frequent flyer members,” Aresandiran says, while also citing restrictions such as messaging only or being limited to a few hundred megabytes of data.
“We are probably one of the few in the world right now that offers WiFi to everybody, in business and economy as well.”
“If you go on other carriers, you're limited to X amount of usage either by size or by time, and our speeds are amazing as well.“
Also review: Malaysia Airlines WiFi review
The author travelled to Kuala Lumpur as a guest of Malaysia Airlines.
08 Feb 2018
Total posts 161
Hallelujah!
24 Oct 2018
Total posts 2
As someone who sees the bills, I want the lowest fares for my staff that fills our minimum requirements (J, 20 kg luggage, Lounge if not already gold.) Unbundling is great.
05 Mar 2015
Total posts 413
I have to agree, I don't have a problem with the concept of unbundled business class provided the unbundled fares are quite a bit lower than the standard ones. Plus when frequent flyer status still gives you the same benefits such as checked luggage, lounge access and free seat selection, then a decent saving makes sense for me.
Jetstar Airways - Qantas Frequent Flyer
03 Jul 2018
Total posts 49
Not if the unbundled fare is still more than a Malaysian air fare though.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Jun 2017
Total posts 52
Good job Malaysia Airlines. Totally agree with this philosophy of not dropping services to force passengers to cough up for a higher tier. Part of the Business Class travel experience is the little extras of lounge, extra luggage and seat selection. Take this away and as far as I am concerned, it’s not proper Business Class.
I am a big fan of Malaysia Airlines, love travelling with them!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
12 Jun 2016
Total posts 46
At last an airline that recognises the value of passengers who want value for money.
Other airlines please take note., especially some One World members!
Etihad - Etihad Guest
21 Jul 2019
Total posts 166
Thank you to Malaysia Airlines. This isn't rocket science, yet Malaysia Airlines seems to 'get it' - unlike her bigger, swankier competitors. We don't like services and amenities stripped away from our business class ticket (a la Finnair and others). We need airlines to believe in, and respect the integrity of their own product, and thereby give us a reason to spend our hard-earned $$$$ with them. I've said it twice before and I'll say it again: when full-service carriers start down the slippery slope of low-cost carriers, there is no stopping...NO. STOPPING.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Sep 2017
Total posts 163
I hope they can sustain this attitude. It’s refreshing that at least some airlines are not trying to squeeze out every iota of comfort or benefit.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Apr 2012
Total posts 317
If only OneWorld partner points aren't devalued so much, it would be quite appealing to fly them to/from Aus and transit.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
04 Jun 2019
Total posts 1
Bravo to Malaysia Airlines, I flew BC with them this year and was impressed. They are on the up , whereas some carriers are treating their business passengers with contempt by shrinking the product for the same price or more, this is why I don't buy Cadbury chocolate any more
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