Malaysia Airlines will receive its first A330neo later this year. The airline is currently in the midst of its fleet modernisation plan, replacing the older A330s and B737s.
A330neos and B737MAXs
Malaysia Airlines will take delivery of 12 new aircraft this year – 4 Airbus A330neos and Boeing B737MAXs. The first A330neo will arrive in 3rd quarter of 2024.
In August 2022, Malaysia Airlines signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoU) with Airbus, Rolls-Royce and Avolon for the acquisition of 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.
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.
said Datuk Captain Izham Ismail, Group Managing Director of MAG (Malaysia Airlines Group).
Stay up to date: Sign up for my newsletter to never miss latest Aviation and Travel news.
Malaysia Airlines’ A330neo will feature 28 lie-flat Business Class seats and 269 standard Economy Class seats, of which 24 will be extra-legroom seats. The Kuala Lumpur-based airline is introducing Collins Aerospace Elevation Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration featuring an all-suite cabin with individual privacy doors.
The seat covers will feature the signature songket motif, a homage to Malaysia’s cultural heritage seamlessly infused with a modern touch, creating a harmonious blend of tradition and contemporary style. With the introduction of these new seats, Malaysia Airlines is poised to become the flagship carrier in the world to feature the Elevation seats on the A330neo aircraft.
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. Passengers will have access to Wi-Fi onboard these aircraft.
To further strengthen its fleet modernisation programme, the Group will also be retrofitting six of its A350-900s beginning 2026 to ensure consistent cabin standardisation. MAG currently owns a fleet size of 104 through its subsidiaries Malaysia Airlines, Firefly, MASwings and MASkargo.
Featured image by Malaysia Airlines
What do you think of Malaysia Airlines getting A330neos? Let me know in the comments section below.
Follow IH Aviation and Travel on Social Media on Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.