Flying on the inaugural Boeing’s 7500th 737 with Malindo Air
I was super excited when Malindo Air dropped me an e-mail inviting me for their inaugural media flight from KL to Kuching. Double excited when my blog buddy and BFF, LadjJava was invited as well. This inaugural flight was unique as we were on board Boeing’s 7500th 737! The first 737 was was delivered to Lufthansa in 1967. This new 737 is fitted with the new Boeing Sky Interior that brings in the new modern designed interior similar to the Boeing 787 with LED lighting, larger pivoting overhead bins and a greater feeling of spaciousness.
7500th Boeing 737 (9M-LNF).
The flight was even more unique as there were only 50 invited guests and media (13 being bloggers) and the rest were paying passengers. It was great seeing all the people (some who had no idea) enjoying the experience.
For your information, Malindo Air is a joint venture airline between Lion Air of Indonesia and the National Aerospace and Defense Industries (NADI) of Malaysia and the airline name takes after the two countries in the partnership (Malaysia & Indonesia). Hence the name Malindo Air. Malindo Air currently flies to Kuching and Kota Kinabalu.
The flight was awesome. Seated in the Economy Class, I got to enjoy the in-flight entertainment. Something that I didn’t get on board Air Asia during my Hong Kong trip last month. One thing missing is the earphones, though. I normally carry earphones but lately I have been travelling without one because the earphones’ jack on my laptop is not working. Perhaps earphones is something that will be provided for free soon.
Personal TV for everyone. Yay!
There’s also USB Port. (Soon, there will be Internet connection, something that we social media freaks are looking forward to! )
Views from my window seat.
Other than that, Economy Class passenger enjoys up to 15kg free hold luggage, light snacks (sandwich and mineral water) and plush leather seats with 32″ seat pitch. Comparison to other airlines: AirAsia’s 29″, AirAsia X 32″ and MAS 34″. (*Thanks to Sedunia Travel for the comparison info.)
As for Business Class, service comes with 45 inches legroom, delicious meals and 30kg free bag allowance, allowing passenger to travel in absolute comfort.
The flight to Kuching took about one and a half hour and when it was time to descent, I was about to sleep (haha!) but anyway the touch down was very smooth and guess what? We had a water cannon salute upon arrival!
Some had no clue that it was water cannon and thought it was raining!
All the invited guests and media were escorted to Media Room, VIP Terminal, Kuching International Airport for a press conference and welcoming ceremony. We were welcomed by YBhg Dato’ Rashid Khan (Chief Executive Officer of Sarawak Tourism Board). Also present during the conference was Mr Chandran Rama Muthy (Chief Executive Officer of Malindo Air) and YB Datuk Amar Haji Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Abang Haji Openg (Honorable Minister of Housing and Minister of Tourism Sarawak).
During the press conference, Chief Executive Officer Chandran Rama Muthy said that Malindo Air’s next destination is Miri and India in June. It also aims for direct flights from Borneo to China and Hong Kong by early 2014. On expansion plans, he said right now the idea is to make Malaysia a transit hub for tourists coming in with Lion Air and also from the Malindo Air network.
Malindo Air is expected to have 12 units of Boeing 737-900ER aircraft by year-end.
I am happy to be part of the inaugural flight as it was much more than just a flight. As a budget traveller, paying low fares but still benefiting from in-flight services without hidden extra costs is something that I look for.
Thank you Malindo Air for being not just low cost!
Summary
Who? Malindo Air – Not Just Low Cost
What? Currently fly to Kuching (4X daily) and Kota Kinabalu (3X daily)
How much? RM78 to Kuching and RM108 (Promo price until 15 May 2013. Online booking)
Photo: Malindo Air.
30 Comments
LadyJava
Wooottt Kuching was great and even greater was to spend time with you Ems..we had a ball right?
LadyJava
i am drafting as I am reading this.. and ya.. we all thought it was rain at first..haha.. so cute right.. cannon shower.. eh it is ok if i take some pictures from you? I was seated aisle so didnt manage to take any picture upon arrival in Kuching
LadyJava
Wonderful review as always dearie.. :).. and thank you Malindo Air for the invite!
emila
Yeah we had a great time! OK, will e-mail you some pictures. Kejap ya.
emila
Thanks dear! Thanks Malindo Air!
Earnic
Wow! Bestnya dapat invitation!
penaberkala
your seat was 9D right?
I spotted you in my photo kak 🙂
Unsunghero
Salam Emila…insyaAllah balik raya tahun ini nak cuba Malindo Air sebab hari tu banding harga Airasia, MAS dengan Malindo ni memang Malindo Air lagi murah. harap perkhidmatan juga bagus.
emila
Tak ingat nombor. I think so kot. Nak tengok gambar 🙂
emila
Salam UH. Memang murah dari keda-duanya. Lepas ni senang dan murah saya nak ke Kuching atau KK 🙂
emila
Best!
Unsunghero
…terima kasih Malindo Air 🙂
hemy
mmg best jadi part of the first timer yg try something..
Syuq
Seronoknya jadi K.Em, dapat banyak peluang mencuba. Saya sendiri tak pernah ke Sabah dan Sarawak… jadi ini memang berita baik!!
Jean Soo
wow, best nya! got the be among the first to try out malindo air. I’ve heard about it but didn’t know what it is call. Now i know where to look for flight other than airasia. 🙂
emila
Yes Jean, you know now where to look 🙂
emila
Alhamdulillah dapat peluang mencuba. Saya jarang ke sana sebabnya tambang mahal. Sekarang dah ada tambang murah, bolehlah ke sana musim cuti sekolah.
emila
Hemy, memang best. Hopefully ada lagi jemputan inaugural flight hehe
TH
Wow it’s fun right
Hamdan
Waaah! Bestlah kalau dapat jemputan camni… 🙂
Insyirah
I did not know there are TV’s in airplanes!
Insyirah
I like the view! |{^-^}|
TH
this fun experience unforgetable :D, you have pictures of hotel room you stayed?
hunny kitty
macam menarik but dah book ngan AA lak nak terbang ke KK ….
TH
I did check oht their kuching price but they are sold out for the dates. hmm… school holidays.. I mean
Insyirah
Yay! Airplanes!
emila
Because they are so cheap. Hehe, try next school holiday.
Diana Diane Teo
I also being invited too for this media trip but I rejected cause I am in KK. If only they sponsor me flying from KK to KL, probably we can meet up. Hahaha..Perhaps next time.
Yukino Hinata
bila la nk try malindo ni. hari tu dia cancel flight. hmmmmm. bila dia nk invite sy naik kapal terbang free jgk >_<
imaisha
One of my good friends is currently a stewardess for Malindo Air 🙂
so, mesti nak naik juga Malindo Air ni before the end of this year.. >.<