Malaysia Airlines to reconfigure nine Airbus A330-300

In line with its business strategy to increase capacity at key growth areas, Malaysia Airlines is to reconfigure its fleet of nine Airbus A330-300 aircraft to a two-class seating arrangement. This will mean:

First Class and Economy Class on the Kuala Lumpur/Singapore vv route 

and

Business and Economy Class on regional/medium haul routes

Reconfiguration of the Airbus aircraft, offering a 27% increase in the number of higher-class seats from a current 32 to 44, will begin next month, as and when each aircraft undergoes standard engineering maintenance.

The first reconfigured aircraft will commence service in November 2003, with reconfiguration for the remaining eight Airbus A330-300 aircraft being completed by end January 2004. Beginning February 2004, all nine Airbus A330-300 aircraft will operate on a two-class configuration.

Following reconfiguration, all Airbus A330-300 aircraft will provide 250 economy class seats and 44 seats in the higher class. The 44 seats will be offered as First Class accommodation on the Kuala Lumpur/Singapore vv route and as Business Class on regional and medium haul routes.

The new layout will enable passengers travelling in premier class to enjoy not only increased legroom, but an improved seat pitch of 45” instead of the current 40”.

As part of the reconfiguration introduction plan, Malaysia Airlines has commenced selling a 2-class configuration (44 First and 250 Economy Class seats) on the Kuala Lumpur/Singapore vv route using Airbus A330-300 aircraft on August 1st 2003.

Beginning 26 October 2003, Malaysia Airlines will offer 44 Business and 250 Economy Class seats on all its A330-300 flights operating regional and medium haul routes. Existing seats in the First Class zone will be offered as Business Class seats and seat allocation will be on a first-come-first-served basis, until reconfiguration of all nine aircraft is completed in February 2004.