Major Upgrade for Malaysia Airlines Aircraft

Malaysia Airlines today unveiled plans of a major programme to upgrade 32 aircraft in its fleet serving long and medium haul destinations. Representing an investment of approximately RM700 million, First and Business class cabin accommodation, and the in-flight entertainment system throughout, will be entirely revamped to introduce cutting edge style and design, providing the ultimate in contemporary global air travel.

At a ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, Dato' Ahmad Fuaad Dahlan, Senior General Manager of Sales, Distribution and Marketing, Malaysia Airlines introduced product vendors B/E Aerospace Inc., USA and Matsushita Avionics Systems Corporation who will commence cabin upgrade programmes in mid 2004.

Seventeen B747-400 aircraft and fifteen B777-200 are scheduled for refit with the first aircraft expected back in service by November 2004. First class passengers will enjoy increased cabin space, extended legroom, personalised seating pods adjustable to individual passenger height and converting to lie-flat beds, mood lighting, elegant fittings and a host of additional amenities. Business class passengers will also enjoy increased space, mini pod seats with lie-flat facility, redesigned cabins and additional extras.

Passengers throughout the aircraft will enjoy the new System 3000i Audio Visual On Demand entertainment programmes, providing DVD type picture resolution on screen, and a host of interactive in-flight services.

Speaking earlier today, Dato' Fuaad said, "The innovations unveiled this morning give new strength and energy to the already high quality products Malaysia Airlines has on offer. To innovate is to make change – to make a difference. In this case, we introduce that difference based on sound commercial logic. Malaysia Airlines is an achieving airline in the top league of the global aviation business – a position we aim to maintain and enhance. We provide the best cabin crew service in the world – as testified by our third global award for "World's Best Cabin Crew" from Skytrax UK. Today, we add to that the best in cabin accommodation and in-flight entertainment."

Mr Robert J. Khoury, President and CEO of B/E Aerospace Inc. said, "Our engineering and certification expertise, combined with a long history of providing innovative interior products, enables Malaysia Airlines to achieve a new standard of comfort and convenience in premium class service."

Matsushita President, Takashi Mizuma added, "Matsushita Avionics is very grateful that Malaysia Airlines has chosen our In-flight Entertainment Systems once again. MAS first selected a MASC system over seven years ago, back in 1996, when our System 2000E as the commercial air transport industry's leading IFE system. As we work hard to develop new systems (such as S3000i) in response to the requirements of our customers and their  passengers, it is our strong hope that over the years you will hear much more good news from Malaysia Airlines about our IFE systems."

Cabin, Seat And In-Flight Entertainment Upgrade - B747-400 and B777-200

First Class

The new specification for First Class on the B747-400 will showcase a completely new interior in Zone A, the First Class area, of the B747. The layout design is a combination of business jet interior decor and architecture, combined with a personal seat-cum-bed pod. There will only be 12 seat pods in the First Class area, giving it a very spacious and exclusive ambience. The First Class seat will be a fully horizontal flat bed in sleep position and an extremely comfortable armchair with translating ottoman, and a seat pan that  adjusts to the passenger's height in the seated position. There will be side stowage console for every seat and electrically operated windows next to the passenger. A special lighting system, adjustable to passenger mood will add to the atmosphere of the cabin. Two exquisitely styled and spacious lavatories will be a luxurious 'utility feature' of the cabin. Complementing the hardware  upgrade, MAS will create new service delivery standards catering especially to front end passengers. For example, the passenger may choose to dine for two or alone, select an individual mood of lighting in which to dine and specify the choice of service time.

Business Class

Malaysia Airlines' new Business Class seats will be the all new 'mini pod' design converting into flat beds. The seat, offering an additional 21% legroom from the current design, converts into a lie flat bed, providing the ideal working and resting place for business travelers. Each seat has a fixed privacy shell. In the recline position, the seat will transverse inside the shell, creating private personal space. Such a privacy facility also ensures no  encroachment into another passenger's personal space. The passenger will also enjoy additional seating width with the armrest translating away with the movement of the seat during recline. Each Business Class seat will be equipped with a 110V AC outlet to power notebooks.

In Flight Entertainment

Malaysia Airlines has carried out extensive studies on the entertainment needs of passengers on board and as a result Malaysia Airlines will be among the first in the world to install the latest state-of-the-art 3rd generation Matsushita entertainment system dubbed 'System 3000i'. System 3000i will offer complete  AVOD (Audio Video on Demand) throughout the aircraft -- including Economy Class. (AVOD enables the passenger to be in absolute control -- to start, pause, rewind or fast forward an entertainment programme). System 3000i delivers DVD type picture resolution on the passenger's screen and facilitates new interactive  services -- email, SMS, internet/intranet, live TV - to be progressively introduced to Malaysia Airlines' passengers. The offering of a more advanced IFE system, including Economy class is timely to cater for the more IT savvy  and younger age group of 20-35 year olds who will potentially be the future premium class passengers on board Malaysia Airlines. System 3000i is also expected to benefit Malaysia Airlines and passengers by having greater reliability and lower maintenance issues.

2 Class Conversion For B777-200

In conjunction with the cabin upgrade programme, Malaysia Airlines will reconfigure all B777-200s to a 2-class cabin. This aircraft is being utilised more frequently for medium haul routes in addition to long haul routes. This configuration will benefit the corporate travel demand sector as the current trend shows greater demand for business class on medium haul flights.

Synergistic Key Initiative

Malaysia Airlines will start to receive upgrading parts from both suppliers by the middle of 2004 and start installation in October. The investment for this major upgrade programme will cost the airline about RM700 million, with the cost spread over 4 years. The aircraft cabin, seat and IFE upgrade programme is part of the airline's expansion plan that is in synergy with other customer-oriented initiatives such as customer relationship management programme and the recently announced internet booking.