Massive overhaul for Malaysia Airlines' IFE systems

Malaysia Airlines passengers will soon experience a new level of comfort, luxury and convenience when the airline's newly reconfigured Boeing 777-200 and the retrofitted 747-200 aircraft begin operations.

The first reconfigured Boeing 777-200 aircraft will begin operations in December, flying the Kuala Lumpur-Tokyo, Zurich and Sydney sectors. The first retrofitted Boeing B747-400 aircraft will be deployed on the Kuala Lumpur-London-Kuala Lumpur route in February 2005.

The national carrier of Malaysia is spending more than RM700 million to upgrade the cabin of its fleet of 17 Boeing B777-200 and 19 Boeing B747-400. B/E Aerospace Inc., USA and Matsushita Avionics Systems Corporation began work on the two fleets in mid 2004.

Malaysia Airlines Managing Director, Dato’ Ahmad Fuaad Dahlan, said, “We are focused in ensuring we continue to innovate and introduce new services for the benefit of our customers. The investment in the latest technology, futuristic style and innovative design in cabin comfort is to ensure that our passengers continue to experience an exciting new level of comfort, luxury and convenience that keeps Going Beyond Expectations.”

On the resultant impact to the business performance he added, “These initiatives will boost our appeal to the business travelling market and consequently enhance our premium revenues. In addition, the installation of the Matsushita System 3000 (all-digital system that provides movies, music and interactive games on demand) in all classes, including Economy, will increase our appeal to the mass travelling market and help improve our load factors. This IFE upgrade is specially to cater to the more IT savvy and young passengers in the 20-35 year age group who will be potential premium class passengers of Malaysia Airlines in the near future Consequently, we are optimistic that these initiatives will result in improvements in our overall yield”.

For the B777-200 aircraft, the reconfiguration involves converting the three classes (First, Business, and Economy) to just two classes – Business and Economy. There will be 42 Business Class seats and 247 Economy Class seats.

The Boeing 747-400 will still have three classes (First, Business, and Economy) but fewer seats to enhance passenger comfort. It will have a configuration of 12 First, 41 Business and 306 Economy class seats.

Front-end passengers can enjoy better seat comfort with 80-inch seat pitch and flat bed facility in the First Class of the B747-400 aircraft, and a 58-inch seat pitch with angled flat beds in the Business Class of both the B747-400 and B777-200 aircraft.

The new First Class on the B747-400 will showcase a completely new interior in Zone A of the First Class area. The centerpiece of the new First Class cabin is the electrically operated seat with articulating arms linked to recline a full flat bed, extendable leg rest, footrest surface and adjustable lumbar with massage feature, electrically operated headrest, a large dining table with a buddy seat and a privacy shell with no encroachment into the passengers personal space.

The Business Class seats in both aircraft types will also take on a new dimension. The seat will be an angled lie-flat seat with additional legroom built into the design. Other features include adjustable lumbar and headrest, privacy shell and a large meal tray. At recline position, the seat will transverse inside the fixed shell, allowing for more personal space and privacy. In addition to the privacy shell, a sliding divider will provide additional level of privacy to travelers while sleeping or working.

Malaysia Airlines is also offering the latest and most advanced inflight entertainment (IFE) system to all passengers of its newly reconfigured Boeing 777-200 and retrofitted 747-400. This means all passengers, regardless of class, will have more than 350 entertainment options, including 40 movies, 60 short features and 200 CD titles on demand, all accessible via personal digital touch screens. They can start and stop their movie or music choices whenever they wish and also have access to 45 video games and 10 interactive multiplayer games as well as SMS and e-mail facilities.

Work on the remaining B777-200 and B747-400 will be completed by 30 September 2006 and 31 July 2006 respectively.

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