Air Malta Zurich-Malta Review

Paul‘s Flight Report
Flight: KM491
ZRH - MLA / Airbus A320
Flight Time: 2 hours
Business Class

General Impression: 🐑🐑🐑🌿

Before the Flight :
Check-in Process: 🐑🐑🐑
Security Control : 🐑🐑🐑
Lounge: 🐑🐑🐑
Information: 🐑🐑🐑
Boarding @ Gate: 🐑🐑
Staff @ these points: 🐑🐑
Boarding in Cabin: 🐑🐑🐑🐑
Welcome Drinks: 🐑 no welcome drink
Punctuality: 🐑🐑🐑, 4min delay
During the Flight :
Food presentation: 🐑🐑🐑🐑
Food quality: 🐑🐑🐑🐑
Drinks: 🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑
Service Procedure: 🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑
Amenity Kit: N/A shorthaul
Entertainment System: 🐑
Seat Quality: 🐑🐑🐑🐑
Legroom: 🐑🐑🐑🐑
Lavatories: 🐑🐑🐑🐑
Cleanliness: 🐑🐑🐑🐑
General Atmosphere: 🐑🐑🐑🐑
Announcement Pilots: 🐑🐑🐑
Announcement Cabin: 🐑🐑
Cabin Crew: 🐑🐑🐑
After the Flight :
De-Boarding: 🐑🐑
Baggage Delivery: N/A, no bags checked
—-
🐑 = bad, a lot of work needs to be done
🐑🐑 = poor, you will be busy with corrections
🐑🐑🐑 = good & normal, nothing special
🐑🐑🐑🐑 = high level, but the icing on the cake is missing
🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑 = topnotch, leave me here!
🌿= Half a Point/sheep
—-
On the Ground:
We checked in on the the web the day before and because there are no more bi covid measures for traveling to Malta the boarding passes were sent right away. The only covid requirement to enter Malta is you need to proof that you are vaccinated and have to complete a passenger locator form (PLF) for arrival.
As we are traveling for a weekend get away we had no bags to be checked in.
The Security Check was good. As we flew with Air Malta we passed the security checkpoint in Terminal 2. There was a short queue and we had to wait around 5 minutes to get through. It was the late afternoon rush hour and only 2 lanes for business and priority customers were open.
Staff was very friendly and efficient.
Air Malta is using the newly opened Marhaba Lounge in Zurich which used to be the former Dnata Skyview Lounge. The lounge is rather small but brand new. Unfortunately it gives you a very crowded feeling.
Choice of drinks was good whilst food was on the bad side. There were two different mini sandwiches, 3 mini bowls of salad, and some cold cuts. The display was broken and had only 1 sliding door.
Staff at the gate was super hectic, stressed and didn't care about the customers. Boarding started 35 minutes prior to departure.
Priority boarding was conducted but the gate was a mess. The agents had to check the proof of vaccination of every passenger. Also in front of the self boarding device was an agent and like this there was one big crowd in front of the gate and noone knew where to go.
At the aircraft door we were greeted by the senior cabin crew member and another crew member.
No crew in the cabin.

It is really sad that no welcome drink was given. I don't need anything fency but at least some water would be nice.

Inflight:
The seats are very comfortable and ok. The regular European Business Class with a 3/3 seating configuration where the middle seats remains empty. The good thing is that Air Malta has a little table on the middle seat where you can put your drinks. A massive big plus compared to other airlines can be fount in the first row. Usually I hate row number 1 because you can't stretch your legs under a front seat. Air Malta had the awesome idea of sort of a cut out for row 1 where you can stretch your legs and have some extra legroom.

After take off, the crew distributed the menu cards.

Shortly after a cold meal was served on a full size tray.
The tray looked simply amazing and the food was super delicious and fresh.
The dinner consisted of a plate with grilled vegetables, some tomatoes and mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, bresaola and salmon, some delicious trilogy of bread, fresh fruits, a dessert and condiments.
The crew asked for the drinks with the dinner and served them in style. Alcohol bottles were served with a napkin tie, no glass or bottle was served without a doiley.
The cabin crew was friendly and helpful and performed the service with care and class.
There was unfortunately not a lot of interaction with the passengers and after the service they weren't seen anymore for the rest of the flight. (more than an hour) I credit this to the COVID situation.
The Air Malta Airbus 320 is equipped with an inflight entertainment system which consists of screens above every third seat row.
Also Air Maltas Blockbuster is called "the map" which was shown throughout the entire flight.
No WiFi available on this flight.

Deboarding was rather a mess and in addition it was by bus. I do hate if busses are used and filled up like the sardines.

All in all a good flight with Air Malta. It definitely wasn't the worst business class flight we have had but there is also some space to improve.
I would rechoose them and I am looking forward to our return flight to see if they offer a consistent service.
Notes:
- Paul the Sheep does not get any benefits from the Hotels/Airlines etc.
- Paul will always pay for the services in order to be able to rate freely and truly about the experiences.
-If you are interested in more details, please send me a private message and I will be happy to share.