One year ago, Malaysia Airlines secured a fleet of BMW vehicles to provide an exclusive terminal transfer service between the two terminal buildings at KLIA and the airline just announced a change of this partnership, moving to Mercedes Benz.
Due to the defective train system to the satellite terminal, the airline has been offering this service to its Enrich Platinum and Business Class passengers since January 2024 through cooperation with BMW Malaysia, which will now be swapped to Mercedes Benz and also include new Mercedes Benz vehicle owners starting March 1st.
You can access the Malaysia Airlines website here to read all about this new partnership.
While this will still require a longer-than-normal transfer time between the terminals, it’s a lot more comfortable than the packed bus parked with open doors in Malaysia’s tropical climate.
All other passengers who don’t fly MH Business Class (basically any other airline, including ANA, Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines, JAL, etc., as they all arrive at the satellite terminal) have to endure this disaster.
The previous partnership with BMW worked quite well, but ways in the terminals are still long, and this was supposed a short-term solution, not a multi-year partnership.
Here is the official Press release of Malaysia Airlines:
Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), the parent company of Malaysia Airlines, and Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) have officially announced a strategic partnership designed to redefine luxury services and elevate overall customer experience for their elite clientele. The collaboration was unveiled at an exclusive event held at Hap Seng Star Setia Alam, showcasing a shared commitment to unparalleled luxury and convenience.
Philip See, Chief Executive Officer of Loyalty & Travel Services from MAG said, “We are dedicated to enhancing travel experiences by elevating service standards. Our partnership with Mercedes-Benz Malaysia ensures Enrich members and elite passengers enjoy premium comfort. This supports our efforts to enhance in-flight and on-ground offerings, reinforcing Malaysia Airlines’ premium service. In addition, through exclusive privileges and curated engagements, we strive to elevate the Enrich experience, ensuring seamless and rewarding journeys beyond flying. We remain committed to delivering exceptional service that reflects Malaysian Hospitality.”
Amanda Zhang, CEO & President of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, said, “At Mercedes-Benz, our mission is to craft extraordinary experiences—what we call Mercedes Moments—where cutting-edge technology meets timeless elegance to make every journey unforgettable. Partnering with Malaysia Aviation Group allows us to elevate luxury travel experiences for our customers and Enrich members, setting new benchmarks in exclusivity and sophistication. Being ranked consecutively as the ‘most valuable luxury automotive brand’ in Interbrand’s Best Global Brands 2024 reflects our commitment to innovation and excellence. We are excited to embark on this journey together to redefine customer service and luxury.”
From 16 January 2025, Malaysia Airlines will feature a fleet of luxury sedans from Mercedes-Benz Malaysia for its Private Terminal Transfer Service. The fleet includes Mercedes-Benz S 580 e Plug-in Hybrid sedans and all-electric Mercedes-Benz EQS 500 4MATIC models. This 24-hour service will facilitate seamless transfers for eligible passengers between KLIA Terminal 1’s Main Terminal and the Satellite Building.
Exclusive Privileges for Unmatched Experiences
This collaboration reflects the shared commitment of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia and Malaysia Airlines to delivering exceptional experiences. Customers can look forward to privileged offerings, including invitation to exclusive curated lifestyle events, special vehicle incentives, and seamless travel services. Together, these offerings combine the strengths of both brands to create unforgettable moments.
Other benefits include:
- Malaysia Airlines’ Enrich Platinum and Gold members will enjoy specially curated #MyMercedesRewards on selected Mercedes-Benz all-electric and plug-in hybrid models, delivering an exclusive ownership experience tailored for its distinguished members. Additionally, members who purchase a new Mercedes-Benz car this year, will have the opportunity to participate in an exclusive top-tier journey to Germany, offering a unique experience into the world of Mercedes-Benz. Terms and conditions apply.
- Malaysia Airlines’ Enrich Platinum and Gold members will enjoy access to exclusive Mercedes-Benz Malaysia events delivering unparalleled luxury experiences. Likewise, Mercedes-Benz customers will have the opportunity to participate in exclusive Malaysia Airlines’ Enrich events, curated to provide extraordinary travel and lifestyle privileges that reflect the pinnacle of premium service.
- Starting 1 March 2025, customers who purchase Mercedes-Benz vehicles will enjoy year-round access to Malaysia Airlines’ Private Terminal Transfer Service, ensuring a luxurious and convenient journey when travelling on Malaysia Airlines.
By merging the innovative luxury of Mercedes-Benz with the world-class hospitality of MAG, this partnership sets a new standard for premium services in the region. Together, they are shaping the future of luxury travel.
So if you buy a new vehicle from Mercedes Benz (assuming Malaysia only) you will get unlimited transfers starting March 1, 2025. Do customers from MB Malaysia receive some kind of voucher for this service?
It’s interesting to see the partnership change, and there might be several reasons for it. Last year, airport management said the repair of the connector train would take approximately a year and be completed in early 2025. We have now reached this time, and there is no progress to be seen, which isn’t a good sign.
This makes me think that we’re talking about a much longer time frame to fix it, and BMW Malaysia didn’t expect to be in this partnership for this long.
Maybe Malaysia should sell the entire airport to China. I guarantee the problem will be fixed within three months. The train has now been broken on and off and at least partially inoperative for years. In this time frame, China builds entire airports.
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Airlines other than Malaysia Airlines, including their oneWorld alliance partners (including oneWorld Emerald members on MH), will not be able to benefit from this new service, so the bus will remain the only option.
Nowadays I make sure to take regional flights with Malaysia Airlines narrowbodies rather than Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines et al. MH’s regional flights usually arrive and depart from the main terminal building so you avoid this terminal transfer disaster.
The limousine transfer solution started on February 1, 2024 as I reported last year:
It has now run its course, and my guess is that BMW simply didn’t want to extend the contract for the partnership, with Mercedes now taking its place.
Who knows how long the incompetent management of MAHB (Malaysia Airports) is going to let this situation with the defective train continue? I feel bad for Malaysians who have to deal with this situation and the corruption that impacts every part of public service and facilities. The money that is supposed to go into the improvement of the transportation sector disappears into the pockets of politicians. Plus, remember, you’re also paying a departure tax when using the airport for both departure and arrival.
Conclusion
Malaysia Airlines premium Business Class passengers and their Enrich Platinum members will continue to benefit from the transfer service for premium passengers departing from KLIA’s satellite terminal. However, as the partnership with BMW has ended, this service will now be facilitated with Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
These MB limousines will shuttle the passengers between the main terminal departure area at gate G1 to the satellite building.
What’s interesting is a benefit that will be provided to customers who have purchased new Mercedez Benz cars in Malaysia starting 1 March 2025. If you have recently bought a Mercedes in Malaysia or plan to do so, definitely ask your dealership for this benefit in case it requires you to procure a voucher.
