Malaysia Airlines urged to ban in-flight alcohol

A consumer group has urged Malaysia Airlines to ban alcohol from all domestic and international flights.

The Rural Malaysia Consumer and Ecology Association (Rural Malaysia) released a statement calling on the national airline to “take a brave and principled step”.

Secretary-General M.S. Anuar Mahmod insisted it isn’t a religious issue but about “social responsibility, flight safety, public health and national identity.”

The group wants Malaysian Airlines to follow the likes of Saudi Arabian Airlines, Kuwait Airways, EgyptAir, Iran Air and Royal Brunei Airways - all from countries where alcohol is heavily restricted or banned outright.

But tourism industry leaders are warning that banning alcohol could impact not only the airline’s bottom line but Malaysia’s international image, too, news hub Travel Mole reported.

It would negatively impact the country’s reputation as a tolerant nation, they say.

Sri Ganesh Michiel, president of the Malaysian Tourism Federation, says the availability of alcohol on board is simply what global travellers expect. It doesn’t mean the airline is being culturally insensitive.

It will put the airline at a competitive disadvantage, tourism stakeholders say.

“Malaysia is known as a moderate tourism country. We emphasise values like tolerance, acceptance, and inclusiveness," said Nigel Wong, president of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents.

"That’s what makes Malaysia so appealing as a tourism destination.”

Cheap air fares and a stopover: be quick

International air fares remain stubbornly high, so it is worth looking out for bargains and being flexible with your travel plans.

A stopover in Kuala Lumpur en route to your final destination might be an appealing proposition. 

   
Malaysia Airlines today launched a Holiday Special sale with reduced fares to more than 50 destinations on sale now.

Return fares start from $699 and the sales runs until Monday, February 26.

Fares are available for travel from most Australian capital cities between February and November 2024, including return flights from $1049 from Sydney to Tokyo, and $1519 from Perth to London in economy class.

Malaysia Airlines currently operates 45 weekly flights from Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne, and Sydney, along with eight weekly flights from Auckland.

Return flights to India start from $669 from Perth, $739 from Adelaide and $759 from Melbourne and Sydney.

These prices come as Malaysia Airlines recently announced it is ramping up connectivity from its Kuala Lumpur hub to India, where it will be operating 71 flights weekly to nine key cities from April 2.

Travellers flying with Malaysia Airlines via Kuala Lumpur to onward destinations can also take the opportunity to experience its Bonus Side Trip program, which offers the convenience of having a stopover in Malaysia to explore the cultural gems at minimal cost.

“With more flights than ever on offer to key ASEAN markets, we’re thrilled to be bringing Australians closer to the destinations they love as the gateway to Asia and beyond," says Chief Commercial Officer from Malaysia Aviation Group, Dersenish Aresandiran.

"Our competitive fares, increased connectivity and premium perks promise a seamless, unparalleled travel experience to Malaysia and beyond onboard Malaysian hospitality.”

Malaysia Airlines’ economy flex fares come with a cabin baggage allowance of 7kg, 35kg of checked baggage, access to standard seat selection, ability to rebook or change tickets with no fee and complimentary meals.

Business class fares come with a check-in baggage allowance of 40kg, two cabin baggage allowances of 7kg each, free seat selection, complimentary meals, priority check-in, boarding and baggage, and access to the airline’s lounges.

For more information see www.malaysiaairlines.com/au

When flying brings out the worst in people

People being arseholes in the air is nothing new.

From drunk idiots on their way back from Bali to this week's dickhead who was charged after a Malaysia Airlines flight was forced to turn back to Sydney when he allegedly made bomb threats to people on board.

The pilot decided to turn the plane around while it was over north-west NSW after the passenger allegedly began yelling, making references to Islam and gesturing at a backpack worn on his chest.

Flyers had to spend three hours on the tarmac before the combined might of the Australian Federal Police and the New South Wales Police decided it was safe to come on board and arrest the man.

But the problems with many flying fwits are often less frightening but still annoying.

There are the dim bulbs who smile benignly while their offspring repeatedly kick the back of the seat in front of them. There are the morons who bring half their bodyweight on board as "hand luggage".

And now there is a debate about passengers who want to let light into the cabin while others are trying to sleep. It is a big talking point, apparently, among viewers of that paragon of intelligent discussion TikTok.

Apparently the kind and generous folk from Generation Z believe it’s acceptable to pull their window shutter up and let light stream in when other people are trying to snooze.

On TikTok, a post from a US flyer criticised a passenger for keeping the window shade open, saying it was selfish.

A number of younger travellers then showed their caring, sharing nature by posting messages including “if you want to sleep, stay one more night in the hotel”, and “I paid for it, I will absolutely leave it open”.

They are among us.

Malaysia Airlines resumes flights to Australia

Malaysia Airlines has begun to reinstate its flights from Kuala Lumpur to Australia.

It said in a statement this week that with the full reopening of Australia’s borders for eligible tourists from March 3, the airline will be reinstating connectivity to Perth with twice weekly flights and five times weekly flights to Sydney.

Starting in April, frequency to Perth will be increased to five times weekly and seven times weekly to Sydney, it added.

Malaysia Airlines paused flights to Australia in 2020 amid the Covid-19 crisis.

The airline is the flag carrier of Malaysia and a member of the Oneworld alliance. 

The company headquarters are located at Kuala Lumpur International Airport and is owned by the Malaysian government's sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional. 

Malaysia Airlines traces its history ack to Malayan Airways Limited, which was founded in Singapore in the 1930s and flew its first commercial flight in 1947.

It was then renamed as Malaysian Airways after the formation of the Malaysia in 1963 and was also formerly known as MAS (Malaysia Airline System).