Malaysia Airlines Airbus A330-300 Economy (Seoul-Kuala Lumpur-Perth)

If you’re looking to redeem Qantas Points for an Asian getaway, Malaysia Airlines Airbus A330 Economy might be one of your main options. The airline’s network links Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide to Kuala Lumpur and beyond (sorry, Brisbane – MH is set to return in March 2025).

Fees and charges aren’t too bad when booking a reward seat, which adds to the appeal. On the way back from Seoul (Incheon) to Perth, I redeem Qantas Points for an Economy reward seat on Malaysia Airlines going via Kuala Lumpur. Alongside 37,800 Qantas Points, there’s only KRW 80,900 (just under A$90) to pay.

Check-in, lounge and boarding

As a Qantas Platinum frequent flyer, my first stop is the Business Class counter for a swift check-in. But I also observe the Economy lines for this review and they aren’t very long either – at least for today. Reward seats offer 20 kg of checked baggage in Economy before any status perks are applied.

Lounge access isn’t included for Economy passengers by default, so it’s not part of this flight rating. In case you’re interested, anyone with Qantas Gold or higher (oneworld Sapphire or Emerald) will receive an invitation to the Korean Airlines lounge. I’m a big fan of the airy ambience, clean design, and delicious food on offer.

Over at the gate, boarding is an orderly affair with Business Class, elite status members and Economy Flex passengers hopping on first. The rest of the plane boards by zone, avoiding a messy crush at the gate.

Check-in at Seoul Incheon Airport is well-signed.

Thanks to my Qantas status, I’m off to the KAL Lounge.

This is one of KAL’s many lounges at Incheon.

The lounge is well-appointed and offers sweeping views.

One of the hot chicken dishes looks very well-cooked.

Getting ready to head to Kuala Lumpur next.

Malaysia Airlines Airbus A330-300 Economy seating

For my first flight, I choose the bulkhead seat 11H, which is free to select during online check-in if available. The legroom here isn’t too bad, but I still prefer a standard seat where I can store my bags and stretch my legs out more.

Malaysia Airlines offers an industry-standard 32″ (81.3 cm) seat pitch in Economy, which is a tick from me. Another positive is the spacious 2-4-2 seating layout, which is great for both couples and larger groups.

Each of the 263 Economy seats has a last-gen Panasonic eX2 touchscreen paired with an in-seat remote. This model suffers from a lower-resolution screen and a clunkier interface than current fit-outs, but it gets the job done. Pleasingly, AC power and USB outlets are present and shared between seats. Everyone also gets a pillow and blanket.

One of the bulkhead seats in Row 11.

Legroom isn’t bad, but I prefer a non-bulkhead seat to stretch out.

If you like old-school controls, go for the remote.

Economy seats have a headrest and inflight screen.

There are USB and AC plugs in Economy.

MH67 Seoul-Kuala Lumpur flight experience

Soon after takeoff, it’s time for lunch with an appetiser, main course, and dessert. Once I hear that beef rendang is on the menu, I know that’s just what I need. Indeed, this Malaysian dry curry is one of the best Economy meals I’ve ever eaten. It’s a flavour bomb of spices and creamy coconut milk, alongside perfectly cooked rice.

On the side is a pack of kimchi, a shrimp salad and a slab of cheesecake. All-in-all, it’s an excellent effort from the catering team in Seoul. If only Economy food could always be this good.

Impressed with Malaysia Airlines’ Economy catering.

Tender, flavoursome chunks of beef in this tasty rendang.

The appetiser and dessert is filling as well.

We’re offered a light snack before landing.

You can buy more snacks for under A$3.

Drinks remain complimentary, including a small range of wine, beers and soft drinks. One aspect of cost-cutting is that Malaysia Airlines charges for snacks in between the meal service. Prices aren’t unreasonable – they range from MYR 5 (A$1.70) for a chocolate bar to MYR 9 (AU$3) for a tube of Pringles.

Before landing, the cabin crew hand out a sandwich and a cup of water as part of the included service. The sandwich isn’t anything special, though I suppose it’s better than nothing to finish off this 6.5 hr journey.

At the bulkhead, the screen folds out.

Want to watch TV? Only select episodes are available, rather than full seasons.

Onboard Wi-Fi is now free and unlimited for everyone.

The inflight magazine is always a good read.

Work keeps me occupied for most of this flight. Since November 2023, Malaysia Airlines now offers free, unlimited Wi-Fi for all passengers, even in Economy Class. When I travelled, there was still a fee (I paid US$25 for 200 MB of data), so I’m glad to see that the airline has made a noticeable improvement since then.

Transfer at KLIA

Transferring to another Malaysia Airlines international flight at KLIA is relatively easy, as long as both flights use the satellite terminal. Otherwise, you need to transfer to the other terminal by bus while the Aerotrain is down, adding another layer of complexity.

Luckily, my next flight to Perth is nearby, so I cosy up at the Malaysia Airlines Platinum Lounge with a glass of Duval-Leroy Champagne and a delicious three-course meal at the lounge restaurant.

(Another reminder that lounge access is not part of the Economy ticket and has no bearing on the score, but if you have oneworld Emerald-equivalent status, be sure to spend some time in the Platinum Lounge!)

Champagne is a highlight in the Platinum Lounge.

For mains, I order the grilled Angus steak.

Ready to head back to Perth.

MH127 Kuala Lumpur-Perth flight experience

Malaysia Airlines has two rows of extra-legroom seats with a 36″ (91.44 cm) pitch on the Airbus A330-300s. These aren’t free to select, even for a oneworld Emerald passenger during online check-in, so I stumped up MYR 255 (A$85) to try them out in the name of research. Row 9 has a bulkhead in front, while Row 10 backs onto the galley while still offering full recline.

The price is a tad on the steep side, especially for a 5.5-hour flight, but sitting in Row 10 is a great experience. As no one can choose a seat here for free, there are only two other passengers sharing this serene space on an otherwise busy flight. The extra ~10 cm of legroom also makes a world of difference.

Rows 9 and 10 offer extra legroom for a fee.

The extra 10 cm of space is very noticeable.

Economy seats have 6″ of recline.

This mini-cabin stays quite empty for the flight.

Service here is much more relaxed, and we’re also looked after by the inflight supervisor after she finishes her rounds in Business Class. Out of Kuala Lumpur, passengers can pre-order their main meal choice. This flight has a beef lasagna or a nasi lemak with shrimp sambal, served with a smoked salmon salad and a slice of cake.

This time, I go for the Western option. The lasagna isn’t a particularly refined dish, but the layers of gooey cheese, pasta and mince hit the spot. I’m glad there’s some steamed broccoli on the side – every cheat dish needs its token vegetables!

I’m not going home hungry with this hearty lasagna.

I spend most of this flight watching movies.

So close, yet so far to Business Class!

I’m off work by now, so for the rest of the flight, I recline back guilt-free and watch the horror/thriller flick, Nocebo. Like Malaysia Airlines’ inflight entertainment catalogue, the film is middling.

Our verdict

Malaysia Airlines Airbus A330-300 Economy is still a competitive product. It offers a checked baggage allowance, ample legroom, shared charging and USB ports, free Wi-Fi, and pillows and blankets onboard. On both flights, the inflight catering is a strong hit. For me, that’s all the makings of a full-service carrier.

Of course, a few small elements make it a four-star experience rather than five. The inflight entertainment has an average catalogue paired with an outdated screen, while mid-flight snacks come at a nominal extra charge. Neither is a deal-breaker.

But if you’re willing to overlook these flaws, Malaysia Airlines Airbus A330 Economy is a comfortable way to travel through Asia, especially with Qantas Points. The airline is also soon welcoming brand-new Airbus A330neos with 13.3″ 4K entertainment screens in Economy, so the experience is only going to get better.

Photography by Brandon Loo, who travelled at Point Hacks’ expense.