Malaysia Aviation Group – the owners of Malaysia Airlines, is planning a major deployment of new aircraft during the year.
The airline is planning for 12 new aircraft to join the fleet in 2024, including its first Airbus 330-900 (A330neo) which is scheduled to arrive in Q3 of 2024. The Group is looking to receive four of the new aircraft type this year, alongside eight of Boeing 737-8 aircraft to support its network growth requirements.
In total, the airline is expecting to add 20 A330neo aircraft which are scheduled to be delivered through to 2028. 10 of the aircraft are directly purchased from Airbus with a back-to-back sale and leaseback arrangement with Avolon, while the remaining 10 are leased directly from Avolon.
In terms of interiors, these will feature business class in a 1-2-1 configuration, with the Collins Aerospace Elevation Business Class seats. These are 1-2-1 layout with an all-suite cabin with individual privacy doors.
As for the rest of the cabin, the A330neo will comprise 297 seats, made up of 28 in Business Class and 269 in Economy Class, of which 24 seats come with extra legroom.
Additional features include wireless charging pods, ergonomic seat cushions, highly integrated in-flight entertainment (IFE) solutions, including Kids mode, and ample space to work, relax, and dine in ultimate comfort. The aircraft will also be fitted with Wi-Fi connectivity.
A350 retrofit
The existing long-haul aircraft in the Malaysia Airlines fleet will also be going through a refit, with six Airbus A350-900 aircraft being refitted to ensure consistent cabin standardisation, to match the Airbus A33-900neo entering service with the airline
This retrofit will commence in 2026.
In Quotes
Datuk Captain Izham Ismail, Group Managing Director of MAG, said,
“We are excited to induct the first of 20 Airbus A330neo’s in Q3 of this year, which will gradually replace our A330ceo fleet and operate to our network across Asia, Oceania, and the Middle East. This expansion is not just about increasing our inventory in numbers but also introducing the first-of-its-kind cabin class, new seats and experiences that prioritises customer safety, comfort and overall satisfaction. We will continue to channel our investments into endeavours that strategically align with the key pillars driving our customer value proposition, namely cabin comfort, in-flight dining, and service delivery of our esteemed cabin crew. We aspire to curate an overall passenger experience that not only meets premium standards but exceeds them, underpinned by our inimitable Malaysian Hospitality.”
A growing fleet
Malaysia Airlines is going to grow with its new fleet – although in a managed way, rather than with masses of aircraft,
And it’s a growing fleet – with currently 104 aircraft in the Malaysia Airlines Group – made up of Malaysia Airlines, Firefly, MASwings and MASkargo.
With a lot of possibilities of both range and destinations that the Airbus A330-900neo offers, it will be interesting where they are sent to operate services – be the ones that are flown with the A330… or beyond.
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