ACROSS THE GUTTER: MAS, an airline like no other
Everyone remembers their first flying experience. As Leonardo da Vinci described it, “once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the Earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return”. Mine was on Malaysia Airlines from Subang Airport to Senai Airport in Johor Baru in 1984. I was 22 and had completed my first month of employment. I flew home for the weekend to see my parents. And, I flew home on a monthly basis for about a year, all because I didn’t want to spend hours travelling by bus or rail. It is my airline of choice, either travelling for leisure or for work, locally or abroad. You can call it blind loyalty, given the fact that other local and international airlines are giving many good deals in terms of fares and comfort. The national carrier gives me and many other Malaysians I know that instant homey feeling, especially if we have been away from the country too long. I know of some friends who, travelling in...