Flight test: Malaysia Airlines economy class

Spot on.

The Golden Lounge in Kuala Lumpur for Gold and Platinum Enrich cardholders.

Ageing but clean and orderly. The multicoloured seats match the attendant's lovely batik uniforms.

A glossy but largely unexciting in-flight magazine. The on-demand entertainment system fares better with 50 movies, 100 TV shows and 70 games. New-release movies bravely include ., a documentary on the US food industry. Just don't watch it during dinner.

Seats are harder than on other Boeing planes but reclining only seven degrees means you are less likely to get squashed by the seat in front. Each seat has a moveable headrest and footrest and a small personal TV screen. No comfort packs on this night flight (earplugs, eye mitt) is a hindrance to those wishing to sleep.

Spritely staff are efficient, obliging and quick to respond to requests. Always smiling and ready with drinks (water, beer, juice or wine and spirits on request), it's no wonder the airline won Skytrax's best cabin staff for 2009 — its sixth in the past 10 years.

A choice between tasty Malay-style chicken curry or marbled beef with vegetables for dinner. A light breakfast including a mini muesli bar, chocolate muffin and plenty of coffee make Tullamarine's long customs queues easier to deal with.

Malaysia Airlines flies from Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur 14 times a week and Sydney to Kuala Lumpur 12 times a week.

malaysiaairlines.com.

Tested by Leisa Tyler