For the following phase of my journey to Japan through Mongolia, I flew MIAT Mongolian Airways’ Boeing 737 MAX 8 enterprise class on the 2hr40min flight from Ulaanbaatar to Seoul Incheon. MIAT has a small Boeing 737 fleet, and I lucked out that I ended up on the provider’s solely 737 MAX 8, that includes essentially the most fashionable interiors.
Whereas my MIAT Boeing 787-9 enterprise class flight from Frankfurt was slightly underwhelming, I assumed MIAT’s quick haul product was a lot better, by comparability. The cabin had stunning finishes, snug seats, and the smooth product was almost equivalent to what I had on the lengthy haul flight. I’d fly MIAT once more on the 737 MAX in a heartbeat.
How I booked my MIAT Mongolian Airways enterprise class ticket
I booked my MIAT Mongolian Airways enterprise class ticket utilizing money. Happily the airline has enticing fares in enterprise class, no matter whether or not you propose to journey to Mongolia, or simply wish to join there. I booked the next for $1,113.40 one-way, which I’d contemplate to be an ideal deal:
1/27 OM138 Frankfurt to Ulaanbaatar departing 2:30PM arriving 5:40AM (+1 day)
1/28 OM301 Ulaanbaatar to Seoul departing 7:45AM arriving 12:05PM
Sadly there are not any sensible methods to redeem miles on MIAT Mongolian Airways. Which will change finally, because the airline has expressed curiosity in changing into a oneworld Join member, as a part of its aspirations of flying to the USA.
MIAT Mongolian Airways enterprise class lounge & boarding
Within the earlier installment, I reviewed MIAT Mongolian Airways’ Blue Sky Lounge, which is the provider’s hub lounge in Ulaanbaatar. It’s a pleasant sufficient lounge, although a bit odd.
My flight to Seoul Incheon was departing from gate three, only a few steps from the lounge. Boarding was scheduled to begin at 7AM, 45 minutes earlier than departure, although ended up beginning at 7:15AM as an alternative. Enterprise class passengers have been invited to board first, and I used to be the one passenger in that line.
MIAT Mongolian Airways 737 enterprise class cabin & seats
MIAT Mongolian Airways’ Boeing 737 MAX 8 cabin is attractive, with cool seat patterns and a few inventive bulkheads (in contrast to the Boeing 787-9).
Earlier than even speaking about enterprise class, I additionally took a fast peek into the financial system cabin, which seemed positive.
Enterprise class on this jet consists of 12 seats, unfold throughout three rows in a 2-2 configuration.
Consider this as nearly being like home top notch inside the USA, besides with higher legroom and footrests (and private televisions, which is some extent of differentiation in comparison with some airways).
I assigned myself seat 3F, the window seat on the proper facet within the final row. The seat subsequent to me remained open, so I had fairly a little bit of area to myself.
So far as seat options go, the tray desk extends from the middle armrest, and could be folded over in half.
The middle console has an leisure controller, although there’s not a lot want to make use of this, for the reason that leisure monitor can also be touchscreen.
Shops are situated beneath the middle console, and there’s the selection of each AC and USB-A charging.
Every seat additionally has just a little bar that may be lowered to behave as a footrest, which I are inclined to suppose is an underrated characteristic (given how straightforward and low-cost that is to put in, in comparison with another facilities).
The plane has a contemporary overhead console, as you’d count on on a 737 MAX 8, with studying lights and particular person air nozzles.
All-in-all, I assumed this was a beautiful enterprise class cabin, among the many higher non-flat mattress ones that I’ve seen on a slim physique.
MIAT Mongolian Airways enterprise class facilities
The facilities on this quick haul flight have been fairly much like the facilities on the lengthy haul flight, in order that’s fairly spectacular. After boarding, pre-departure drinks have been served, with the selection of glowing wine or orange juice. Positive, it would’ve been 7AM, however you recognize what I ordered. Very similar to on the lengthy haul flight, MIAT served Kupferberg Sekt on this flight, which retails for a couple of {dollars}.
There have been additionally a pillow and blanket ready at every seat.
Noise canceling headphones have been distributed by one of many flight attendants throughout the boarding course of.
Amenity kits have been additionally handed out. This equipment was a bit extra primary than the one on the lengthy haul flight, and contained eyeshades, slippers, and earplugs.
I’d contemplate these to be fairly respectable facilities for a brief haul flight!
MIAT Mongolian Airways 737 enterprise class leisure
MIAT Mongolian Airways’ Boeing 737 enterprise class leisure system is unusual, very similar to on the 787. There’s seat again leisure, which is a characteristic that’s good to see.
Nonetheless, the entire motion pictures and TV exhibits are in Mongolian, so that you received’t discover any English choices right here.
I appreciated that this technique additionally had a map characteristic, and it was a extra fashionable and customizable system than on the 787, as you would choose your most well-liked view.
On high of that, MIAT presents streaming leisure, with motion pictures and TV exhibits in English. This was a modest choice, with 5 new launch motion pictures, 18 traditional motion pictures, 4 comedy exhibits, six documentary exhibits, and 5 children exhibits.
MIAT Mongolian Airways 737 departure from Ulaanbaatar
Boarding was fairly environment friendly, and wrapped up at 7:40AM, at which level the primary cabin door was instantly closed. I used to be stunned the cabin of the plane wasn’t chilly throughout boarding, given the detrimental temperatures exterior.
Initially seven of the 12 enterprise class seats have been occupied, however then one individual appeared to get some kind of a family and friends improve. After which that man invited another person to come back sit subsequent to him. So in the long run, 9 of the 12 seats have been taken, although the 2 upgrades simply acquired the usual financial system meals.
We pushed again simply a few minutes after the door closed, and at that time a security video was screened. As soon as we began our engines, we had a really fast taxi to runway 11, the place we’d be departing from.
At round 7:50AM we received to the runway, and have been instantly cleared for takeoff — there was no have to deice, so the entire course of was very fast. Our climb out was probably essentially the most magical aviation second that I’ve ever had. The solar was simply beginning to rise, and the views have been breathtaking. Critically, you’d suppose that you simply’re in Antarctica!
The seatbelt signal was turned off round 10 minutes after takeoff.
MIAT Mongolian Airways enterprise class meal service
Service was fairly fast to get began after takeoff, with one flight attendant being devoted to the enterprise class cabin. Round 25 minutes after takeoff, heat towels have been distributed.
After that, passengers have been provided tablecloths and drinks. I ordered one other glass of glowing wine, although I’m unsure why, precisely.
Round an hour after takeoff, a cart was rolled down the aisle with the meals. Since I used to be seated within the final row, just one possibility was out there, which was a salmon dish. I consider the opposite possibility was an omelet with some fruit, which appears extra becoming for an early morning flight. Then once more, my physique had no clue what time it was, so this labored simply as effectively for me.
This was a reasonably substantial meal. It consisted of a salad with some smoked rooster, parmesan cheese, cherry tomatoes, and croutons. Then the primary course had salmon, potatoes au gratin, brussels sprouts, and carrots. Whereas not the very best airplane meal I’ve had, it wasn’t unhealthy both.
As soon as trays have been cleared, the flight attendant got here round with espresso or tea. I ordered a cup of espresso.
Lastly, dessert was served, which was a blueberry cheesecake.
In comparison with what I used to be provided on my lengthy haul flight, I used to be really fairly impressed by this meal. It appears that evidently MIAT doesn’t differentiate a lot between quick haul and lengthy haul flights in the case of catering that’s provided.
MIAT Mongolian Airways 737 enterprise class toilet
The MIAT Mongolian Airways Boeing 737 MAX has a bathroom on the entrance of the cabin by the cockpit, reserved solely for enterprise class passengers. Sadly that is a kind of terrible 737 MAX toilets — not solely is the rest room tiny, however the sink is nearly unusably small, and it’s laborious to clean your arms with out water splashing in all places.
MIAT Mongolian Airways enterprise class service
The flight attendant working enterprise class on this flight was far more attentive, partaking, and heat, than the flight attendants that have been working the flight from Frankfurt. This flight attendant was pleasant, had an eye fixed for element, and continuously checked on passengers.
Curiously towards the tip of the flight I used to be introduced with a survey concerning the meal service. It’s all the time a bit awkward to fill these out after which hand them again to the crew, after they presumably examine all of your responses.
MIAT Mongolian Airways 737 arrival in Seoul Incheon
I don’t suppose I’ve ever had a flight the place my eyes have been glued out the window fairly like this one. The views over Mongolia, and specifically over the Gobi Desert, have been spectacular. Heck, I’d take this flight once more only for the views. Under is only a small sampling of a number of the views…
At round 11:20AM, the seatbelt signal was turned on, as we had began our descent. We had fairly the squiggly routing between Ulaanbaatar and Seoul Incheon. As you possibly can see, the turns are principally in Chinese language airspace.
Does anybody particularly know why these sorts of paths are so frequent in China? I do know planes use “tracks” in some areas (like throughout the Atlantic), however is that what’s occurring right here, is that this for plane spacing, or what?
Whereas it was a stunning, clear morning in Mongolia, the circumstances weren’t fairly nearly as good close to Seoul Incheon, the place it was overcast.
We ended up touching down on runway 34L at Seoul Incheon at 11:40AM.
From there we had a slightly lengthy 15 minute taxi to our arrival gate, the place we pulled in at 11:55AM.
Backside line
I discovered MIAT Mongolian Airways’ Boeing 737 MAX 8 enterprise class product to be nice. The cabin was fashionable and spacious, there have been a stable variety of facilities for such a brief flight, the meals was respectable sufficient, and the service was pleasant. The spotlight of this flight, although, was the unbelievable views. Departing Ulaanbaatar at dawn in winter is nothing in need of a magical expertise.
What’s your tackle MIAT Mongolian Airways’ 737 enterprise class?
