Kuala Lumpur-based oneworld member, Malaysia Airlines, is growing its long-haul Airbus A350 fleet following the acquisition of a seventh A350-900.
The flag carrier tells Business Traveller Asia-Pacific: “Malaysia Airlines has acquired an additional A350-900 aircraft, growing its A350 fleet size to seven aircraft from the current six.
The aircraft bearing registration number 9M-MAH, arrived in Kuala Lumpur from Victorville, California on 12 November 2023.”
The aircraft was manufactured in 2020 and previously operated for SAS – Scandinavian Airlines.
Malaysia Airlines says: “The aircraft has undergone an exterior makeover to Malaysia Airlines livery of the national flag colours, and will maintain the existing seat configuration until the airline’s overall A350 fleet reconfiguration exercise commences in late 2025.”
This will mean that SAS’ premium economy class seating will remain on the aircraft for now. This is potentially great news for economy class passengers with oneworld status for Malaysia Airlines is expected to upgrade these passengers to these larger seats.
Malaysia Airlines’ new A350-900 will begin operations to Melbourne from December 2023 after cabin crew training and equipment familiarisation are completed.
Thereafter, this aircraft is tentatively to be deployed on the Kuala Lumpur-Doha route from April 2024 onwards, the carrier confirms.
Malaysia Airlines’ A350 fleet will also continue serving London’s Heathrow twice a day.
