In business class on the world's rarest plane: flight review on the A330/800 Kuwait Airways (2024)

The genesis of this ticket stems from the need to fly to Kuwait City for Experience Kuwait Airways' First Class., what turned out to be the worst first class in the world (at least in my experience). To fly to the Middle East I had decided to try ITA Airways' A321neo., but the destination was cancelled even before making the maiden flight.

Specifications

Aircraft:

A330/800

Class:

Business

Treat:

MXP - KWI

Price:

880€

Book

So I ended up trying what it is, absolutely, World's rarest passenger aircraft in production, namely the A330/800neo the perfect cherry to complete my itinerary of "firsts."

In Airport

Arriving at Malpensa, I went to the check-in counters, I had bought an economy ticket on the ITA Airways website., the two companies have a code-share agreement, I was hoping to accumulate even a handful of Volare points, but there is no agreement at the frequent flyer level and therefore no points.

Asked to upgrade, the one-way business class ticket cost over €1,800, I was offered the class change at 362€ and I didn't let it pass me by.

Along with the ticket, I was also given an invitation to the Premium Lounge, this time was also a first for me in the former Alitalia house, now renamed the Gae Aulenti Lounge.

The premium lounge has, perhaps, only the fact that it is less crowded than the Montale, and a dash more quality in its food offerings. Otherwise, it is not worth paying the exorbitant fee required to access it.

As is my habit, I went to the gate enormously early, one of the positives of MXP is the ability to take nice pictures of the movements on the runway from the gates, something that is virtually impossible at some airports.

On board

Cabin setup is a popular setup, the seat is the Collins Super Diamond, the same seat found aboard so many carriers such as ITA's A350, but also on Aeromexico or British Airways.

Here, however, very little customization, and especially some solutions made this Kuwait Airways cabin less pleasant than others. For example, compared to almost all carriers, overhead hat racks were retained above the center rows, making the environment less airy.

Rudeness dwells everywhere

As soon as I sat down, a young passenger traveling with her family took the seat next to mine and, as if she were on the couch at home, placed her feet on top of the coffee table. It took a couple of passes by the crew before, politely one of them asked her to please take them off.

Among the passengers I "hate," in my list, I put several types On board this plane were the people without headphones. People who don't mind if the whole cabin has to listen to their games, movies, or music. In this case, the crew did not say anything to the hecklers or even make an announcement where they invite them to keep their devices on silent mode.

The Armchair

Each airline configures aircraft interiors to its liking, we talk about colors, finishes, and most importantly each customization has a cost, both in terms of money and weight. For example, not having the center overhead bins in the business cabin is an optional extra that lightens the plane but which Airbus charges companies handsomely for.

The seat, as mentioned, is the same everywhere, but it is the details that make the difference. For example here there is a cockpit missing, sure we are on an A330 not a 777 or A350, but even on Aeromexico's Dreamliners there are, whereas here they are missing.

The passenger space is there, the 1-2-1 layout is modern and superior to what many other carriers offer in this area of the world. Of course the fact that the route from Milan to Kuwait City is operated with the newest aircraft and the most modern cabins is fortunate, but from Rome for example you fly on an old style A320.

As always, window-side passengers travel facing outward, while the middle seats are tilted toward the center of the plane. The fact that they are all in the same direction ensures maximum comfort and legroom.

In terms of depth in bed mode, the space is plenty, great for those who are +1.90m.

The coffee table is large, comfortable and does not bounce, convenient so work on the PC or eat. It also slides back and allows you to get up even if you are eating lunch without having to clear the table.

Recognizing this chair is so easy, it is the only one that is controlled with the screen placed in the seat structure in this position.

As is the case on ITA's A350s, there is no cabinet installed in the seat structure, but a simple magazine rack, where I stored my iPad.

Half a grade up instead for the presence of the air vents.

IFE

I couldn't get the wi-fi to work, but I must have been unlucky myself because judging by the many notifications a passenger was getting (using vibration no...) the problem was mine.

Non-4K screen, or if not, non-4K content. There are a lot of movies and other content, and most importantly there are two nice cameras showing what's going on outside the airplane.

There are films aplenty, but there is no possibility of finding movies in Italian or other languages than Arabic and English. Had I traveled with my daughter, she would have struggled to find something to look at, and since the IFE contents are identical throughout the plane, only the screen size changes this is not the best.

The headphones provided I used them just for a few minutes, just to see how they behaved, and I could say without infamy or praise.

I used my Bluetooth adapter and used my headphones. Very convenient is the presence of the power strip and the two USB and USBc sockets in the cockpit. The rest of the equipment is the controller, which doubles as a second screen, and the reading light.

Service

The disappointment was definitely on the service. Okay it is a flight of just under 5 hours, so it is easily done in echo, in fact in the case my advice is to do it in echo. There is nothing. Instead, a pillow and the comforter, because here the air vents are there and unlike the rest of the world they are all open and shooting cold air.

A water bottle is hidden in the armrest along with the headphones and nothing else. There is no amenity kit, no welcome drink, no hot towel. The only exception is the traditional date with Arabic coffee, which I don't like but is a tradition in these companies to welcome.

Very little interaction with the crew. No "welcome aboard" purser came to introduce himself, no one made contact with me or other passengers. Only within minutes of landing did the cabin manager come by and ask how the flight had gone and I pointed out what I wrote here.

Food & Beverage

I had imagined that all the catering was prepared in Kuwait, and it is. And you can feel it when lunch is served. No peanuts or snacks post takeoff, obviously no alcohol on board.

I remind you Kuwait Airlines is a fellow alcohol free. Not only is there no need for alcohol on board, But it is forbidden to embark any kind of alcoholic beverage. That means nothing in carry-on luggage, nothing in the hold, and not even anything from duty free. These are the rules, and it is right to abide by them to avoid having problems.

Tray service, very un-premium. As there is no alcohol and no substitutes such as zero beers or "rose" wine or the like. I jumped on a Pepsi that is not even served the can, but to the glass resulting in the need to request "free refill" and disturb the crew.

Appetizer with two pieces of meat, passed off as roast beef, and then nice cart service with a choice of three options. Chicken, lamb or fish.

Here I brought it on myself and got, probably, the worst dish. Beet rice with shrimp. The kind of stuff that makes you regret the bags of four-top stir-fry. Compared to how I ate on board Saudia or Royal Jordanian. is definitely the worst cuisine of all the MO companies I have tasted.

Visa to enter Kuwait

One of the nicest things about the trip was getting to a remote parking area and taking the bus to get to the terminal, I was able to take a couple of really nice pictures.

Visiting Kuwait requires a visa. You can apply via the web or do it directly at the immigration office as soon as you disembark. The time you save by doing your homework is only a few minutes, since you then have to take photos and fingerprints anyway.

Chaffeur to destination

Business class and above passengers can enjoy the chauffeur service on arrival and departure, I of course used it. It can be booked through the app or directly at the airport, although the difference with EK can be seen so much!!!

In conclusion

In this flight I was interested in flying in the rarest plane in the world. The A330/800 is in danger of going down in history for being Airbus' lowest-selling model with only 7, seven, examples produced. Flying there once in a lifetime was a once in a lifetime thing to do, and doing it from Milan, in business class at this rate was an excellent opportunity.

Would I recommend it? Obviously NO, here ITA's A321neo with the whole made-in-Italy package could have really rocked, but things turned out differently.

The verdict

The plane and the seat are great, but in addition to the hardware you need the software, and everything is missing here. I'm not talking about alcohol, but service, human contact, pampering for the passenger. Nothing. I definitely recommend in economy if the price is really affordable.

5.5

Service

5

IFE

6

F&B

4

Cabin and Armchair

7

Pro

• The chair

Against

• Catering
• Service