The nightmare started when we wished to fly to Karachi from Kuala Lumpur and chose Malaysian Airlines for it. Business class, for those wondering. On a showery morning of August 2009, to begin at the beginning, when we arrived at the Terminal 2 of Kuala Lumpur International Airport, there was no separate Check-in or counter for Business Class passengers on this particular flight. Unethical to say the least, because one does pay extra in hopes of convenience and comfort just to be jolted in a queue.
Then, what happens with most tourists, or so I am assuming to make myself feel better, happened. My baggage exceeded the weight limit on account of all the shopping I had done. Not willing to leave any of it behind, I was more than happy to pay the fee.
The counter graciously gave me a RM 500/- receipt to be paid at a different counter, but failed to guide me to said counter. I had half a mind to pay it at the airport in Karachi, or even New York, I mean, who was going to stop me, but chose against it for various, practical reasons. After looking around and searching for it like my life depended on it, I was finally able to find it and pay the fee and get my boarding pass. I headed straight for Malaysian Airlines, looking for the Golden Lounge Satellite or any sign that could direct me to it, in this part of the airport that isn’t the clearest when it comes to signage or directions, so much so that I believe I will need to discuss this in another post altogether. There was an hour or so wait until we started boarding the aircraft. Again, no separate protocols or gates were offered for the business class passengers.
At the entrance, as I was finishing up drinking water from a water bottle I was about to discard, a security woman haphazardly grabbed it out of my hand and started screaming about the rule of no liquids inside the cabin, one I was already familiar with. The unacceptable behavior could only be overlooked when I reminded myself how the whole nightmare started, and how I will never repeat the same mistake again.
At the entrance of the aircraft, a security guard was placed to weigh the hand-luggage, yet again, which felt like a joke, even more so since everyone had to assemble in a common line, yet AGAIN. The tumultuous process ended and we finally were allowed inside the plane. The lack of pods in business class was magnified by the awkward positioning of the seats. Already impossible to eat comfortably at, the seats could not be adjusted once the tables were out. Half of the items on the menu they were already out of stock, which defeats the purpose of having a menu, and adds to the frustration of being served whatever they wished to serve in the first place.
Attempting to make it better and find a silver lining, I tried to take a couple of pictures and was immediately approached by an elderly cabin crew member who threatened to downgrade me, from the service I most obviously paid undeservingly for.
After an hour of meal service, my father asked for some drinking water. Not once, not twice, but thrice, at intervals of 15 and 40 minutes. In vain, of course, since they ignored the request and never ended up serving it.
My father, displeased to say the least, informed a member of the cabin crew that he was going to write a complaint about it. Upon which she indicated at her name on her badge, without any remorse. I wondered about economy class, then. If this was the business class, I wondered if the economy were seated on the wings of the plane or just hanging by on the wheels of the plane.
We filed a complaint upon reaching Karachi and are waiting to hear on it any day now, since 12 years have passed. I am just glad I wasn’t a victim of their manhandling, like countless other angry customers have stated on websites like Trip Advisor.
We did learn that they suspended their Kuala Lumpur to Karachi route, to which I say good riddance! If you are a survivor of the horrors of Malaysian Airlines too, I feel for you. Come let’s talk in the comments.
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