Malaysia Airlines' stylised moon kite logo is an appropriate emblem for an airline that combines all the attributes of elegance, performance and the same attention to detail which goes into fashioning the perfect kite.

Travelling across the globe as I frequently do, I am grateful for small mercies on an aircraft-a comfortable seat, courteous flight attendants and perhaps an engrossing in flight movie to alleviate the tedium of a long flight. If the food is palatable, that's an added bonus.

Most international airlines provide these essentials, but Malaysia Airlines strides ahead of most commercial passenger carriers. For a start, the airline has earned a reputation for legendary hospitality and service, and I was privileged to experience this first hand on a recent trip to Malaysia and Australia when I travelled Economy Class on my outward bound trip and Golden Club Class on my return sector.

Regardless of where I sat, however, the flight attendants were unfailingly friendly, warm and cheerful. And it wasn't just me who was singled out for personal attention; I noticed how solicitous the crew were when it came to looking after the needs of older people, physically challenged travellers and families with small children in tow.

When I travelled Golden Club Class, there was an extra special touch: my cabin hostess welcomed me aboard by name, settled me into my seat, and not only remembered my favourite cocktail when replenishing my pre-dinner drink, but also took note of my menu preferences when she came by to offer a second helping.

Not surprisingly, the Malaysia Airline's cabin staff have won top billing for three consecutive years in passenger surveys carried out by the U.K. based Skytrax Research Services. They are also proud winners of the 2001 Quality Award for Best Cabin Staff Services for First Class passengers.

And that's not all. To while away the hours on a long haul flight, Malaysia Airlines' B777-200 and B747-400 aircraft are equipped with personal video screens, located in front of each seat for the convenience of every passenger on board.

So, rather than being force-fed a pre-selected movie on a blurred monitor suspended in mid-aisle, I had the option of choosing my own entertainment from a wide range of films(these include American, Hindi or Chinese movies), news, commentary, comedy and sports channels. Between breakfast and lunch, I played in-flight Trivia and toyed with an electronic crossword, while across the aisle from me a 9-year old was engrossed in a Nintendo game on his monitor.

Just before dropping off to sleep, it was pleasant to listen to the classical music channel (one of 19 channels ranging from jazz, to country music and Hindi pop tunes) on my headphones.

The added plus in the Golden Club and First Class sections is that business passengers have the facility of plugging in their laptops or using a telephone conveniently installed in front of each seat. An on-board Business Centre is equipped with a satellite phone and a fax machine, had I needed to use them. I opted instead to browse through "Going Places" - Malaysia Airlines' glossy in-flight magazine, and catch up with the headlines in the Los Angeles Times newspaper. Even though we were airborne for the better part of ten hours, the time sped by as fast as the scudding clouds outside my window.

On a long flight, nothing is worse than squirming around trying to find a comfortable sleeping position on an aircraft where the recliner in front of you intrudes half-way across your lap. Not a problem on Malaysia Airlines. Even in Economy Class I was able to stretch my legs out in front of me without risking a fractured knee cap, and could grab a much needed forty winks by tilting my seat back at a restful 125 degree angle. A month later, on my return flight in Golden Club Class I sank into slumber with my feet up on an extended foot-rest, and a seat which reclined into an almost horizontal position. Bliss!

Apart from cramped seating, what's the next most frequent grouse by airline travellers?

It is meals that taste like last week's leftovers: mushy peas, slabs of steak that require a hacksaw to dissect and omelettes which lie on the compartment of a Styrofoam tray like deflated rubber balloons.

Welcome to Malaysia Airlines' offerings of Chicken Rendang cooked in coconut milk, chilli and spices, accompanied by fluffy steamed rice. Or, grilled filet of blue cod, with Pesto sauce. How about that chilled mango juice! Or Chocolate Ganache with crème Anglaise. Economy Class travellers are invited to a four course meal with two choices of the main entrée-accompanied by wine, beer or beverage of choice. Golden Club and First Class passengers are offered a selection of choice wines, spirits and liqueurs and pampered with specially prepared gourmet cuisine, served on settings of fine Irish linen, silver cutlery and delicate bone china embossed with the airline's logo.

My last trip on Malaysia Airlines (and it's been my pleasure to enjoy their service more than once) covered several sectors, both international and domestic-but whether travelling on a Boeing 777 or doing a short hop on a Fokker 50, their unparalleled standards of hospitality and efficiency never varied or flagged.

From Kuala Lumpur, I went on to Sydney, Australia-and this sector was perhaps the most captivating of all, as it was Christmas Eve, and the cabin crew were merrily dispensing drinks and dinner, while wearing Santa Claus caps and the widest of grins! Although roast turkey wasn't on the menu, the spirit of goodwill and festive cheer was infectious.

Homeward bound from Sydney, via Kuala Lumpur, three weeks later, and booked on Golden Club Class, I felt like royalty on a spree.

The Golden Club Lounge at Kuala Lumpur airport is nothing short of superb. I lolled on deep leather couches, browsed through a selection of the latest international magazines and newspapers, nibbled on an enormous spread of hors d'oeuvres: smoked fish fillets, dim-sum selections, steaming soups, a variety of cheeses, rice and noodle entrees-and pastries and chocolate bon-bons guaranteed to melt the heart, but not, alas, one's calorie intake.

Malaysians treasure their age-old traditions of craftsmanship. At the same time, they also pride themselves on being at the forefront of technical and electronic innovation. Malaysia Airlines and its moon-kite symbol, honours both ideals with graciousness and style.

About the photos:
Top: The Moon Kite (Wau Bulan) of Malaysia
Eve 2003.
Bottom: The author aboard Malaysian Airlines Flight 123 for Sydney, Australia, Christmas

If you go:

Malaysia Airlines links Vancouver to Kuala Lumpur via Los Angeles. The airline's international network includes services to all the major capitals of the world. Domestic flights fan out to serve cities and towns across Malaysian Borneo and Peninsula Malaysia. For further information contact your travel agent, or visit their web site at www.malaysiaairlines.com.my/

Margaret Deefholts is a Canadian author and freelance travel writer/photographer.