Baggage Allowance Malyasia Airlines

[andydivebum]

We are planning to go to Kota Kinabalu with Malaysia Airlines this year. Anyone got any experience or comments on baggage allowance with dive gear on this air line?

[samui13]

we flew with them last year and didnt have any trouble. we were, as usual well over the weight limit.

[Whale Shark]

Yeah, I don't think they have a policy for extra weight for divers. But, usually quite good about the extra weight.

[Marc T]

I flew with them 2 years ago on a dive trip to Thailand, excellent service with a smile even in cattle class.
There was a group of us from my dive club traveling, and I think as divers we got a generous 30 Kg hold allowance each at no extra cost.
From memory I think the package was booked through Dive Worldwide.
HTH

Marc

[Scuttler]

I flew with them to KL last year. Never again.
The seats were the narrowest I've ever been on (I fly two to three times a month) and like sitting on a plank.

The customer service was laughable. Lots of smiles but no substance. I virtually had to wrestle a drink out of them! When I finally managed to get to sleep they woke me up to put my seat upright so that they could serve breakfast! (Which was awful).

Finally to add insult to injury they tried to bump me off my return to London by claiming I was booked on a BA flight out of Singapore (which I wish I had been) even though I had the paper ticket in my hand showing me returning to KL on Malaysia Airlines. In the end I had to phone the head office in London to get them to reinstate my booking because the check in clerk and customer service desk refused to admit they'd ar$ed up.

The baggage allowance I can't imagine they will worry about because they're not that concerned about safety (allowing passengers to get stuff out of the overhead lockers as we were coming in to land).

I have to say the reputation they had earned didn't show during my trip so I won't be flying them again if I can avoid it.

[Chris R]

I've just flown back from the Philippines, via Kota Kinabalu with Malaysian Airlines and despite the 30k limit agreed, one of our party got charged £140 for the 8kgs she was over..hand luggage wasn't weighed though........put the weight in you hand luggage or pockets, maybe. I had 34kg but wasn't charged. Guess it just depends on the check in staff, argh!! Service on the flights, even in cattle class was good though.
HTH
Chris

[andydivebum]

Thanks for all the comments. It seems Malaysia Airlines are not much different to anyone else. We have been to quite a few places. We normally check in as soon as it opens and have never had a problem, carrying up to 30k, and camera equipment. The company I booked the flights with asked the airline about extra for divers, and they seem to want dive gear packed in a separate bag, and to be given the dimensions, which is not convenient . Spoke to the company we are going with today, and they said they've not had any reports of anyone having particular problems. So I think we'll stick with checking in early.

[tamahaac]

Hi, they're about the only airline on that route (apart from BA) that will allow you another 10 kgs (per diver) free of charge. But they'll require proof of qualifications. We were asked to scan and email through, to which they'll confirm the extra weight allowance on your tickets.
This was the reason why we used them for Thailand (Phuket) this March. The downside was the fact we had to fly to Kuala Lumpur first and then take an interconnectioning flight back, but it was worth it.
All the best with your plans.
Brian

Originally Posted by andydivebum

We are planning to go to Kota Kinabalu with Malaysia Airlines this year. Anyone got any experience or comments on baggage allowance with dive gear on this air line?

[RickW]

you can get to Kota Kinabalu with Singapore Airlines and one of their codeshares

Worked out cheaper for me (flew 2 weeks ago) - got 30kg guaranteed there and back no extra charge and you get to fly out on the new A380

Enjoy your time out there

[samui13]

how did you manage that with SA. we fly out in 3 weeks time and have been told that they do not give any allowances for divers. they have quoted me £54 per kilo for every kilo over 20kg. if you have anything in writing from SA i would appreciate it if you could scan and email me it, so i can have a good old barny with them at check in.