Kate Taylor/Business Insider
Malaysian Airlines is struggling to survive.
- Malaysia Airlines is bleeding money, as it struggles to compete with low-cost airlines and recover from a disastrous 2014 when one flight was shot down and another disappeared.
- I recently flew on two Malaysia Airlines flights, one international and one domestic.
- While they weren't the perfect flight experiences, Malaysia Airlines' battle to compete with both budget and full-service rivals means that you get a great deal when booking a flight in Southeast Asia.
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Malaysia Airlines has been fighting a battle on many fronts for years.
The Malaysian state-owned airline has struggled to recover since 2014, when one fight was shot down, killing 2798 people and another disappeared, carrying 238 passengers and crew members. The rise of budget airlines such as VietJet and AirAsia have further cut into the airline's business. It is bleeding money, losing roughly $1 billion Malaysian ringgit annually ($237 million) in recent years.
"The airline is sinking faster than the Titanic and the life raft is only the size of a dinghy," a Malaysian Reserve op-ed stated in late 2019.
I recently flew on two Malaysia Airlines flights in three days, flying from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and then a domestic flight from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi.
I was impressed on both flights by the quality of service compared to budget airlines and the price compared to non-budget options. Malaysia Airlines might be stuck in an uncomfortable position, but its struggle to win over customers means passengers are benefiting.