MALAYSIA Airlines will complete the upgrade of business and economy cabins by the end of the year.
Business seats have been given a greater pitch, individual video screens have been enlarged and service improved. Economy has also been refurbished to give more comfort and one of the biggest pitch among major carriers. Almost 90% of Malaysia’s fleet has been upgraded this year.
On UK routes, Boeing 747-400s operating the twice-daily Heathrow flight to Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur are almost all upgraded. The thrice-weekly Manchester-Kuala Lumpur using new B777s already has the new seating.
In business, pitch is 50 inches, television screens are 10.4 inches and catering has been improved. In economy, pitch is 34 inches and seats have video screens.
Malaysia’s sales manager UK southern region Anton Grossmann said plans were also being drawn up to enhance the airline’s first-class cabin. Malaysia’s main rivals from the UK to Kuala Lumpur – British Airways and Qantas – both offer bed products to first-class customers.
Other enhancements planned for premium customers include a new, larger, lounge at Heathrow’s Terminal Three and inflight video-on-demand. The lounge, split into business and first areas, will include quiet areas for working and water features. It opens in May. The video option is currently being trialled on the carrier’s B777s.
Grossman said Malaysia was looking to increase the Manchester service as loads have been high since the launch in the summer. Malaysia carries 50,000 passengers from the UK each year, with a sizable number using the airline to connect on to Australia routes at Kuala Lumpur.