MALAYSIA AIRLINES---OUR GOLDEN AIRLINE

KEE@FSWMAG.COM
MALAYSIA AIRLINES HAS BEEN AROUND FOR SO LONG MANY TAKE IT FOR GRANTED.


But do you know MAS (that's 'Gold' in Bahasa Malaysia!) has been winning accolades and awards for over the past decade without it making too much of a song and dance!

So I think it is high time I remind Malaysians of our 'Golden Airline' and its many achievements!

MALAYSIA AIRLINES – Asia’s Golden Airline

Malaysia Airlines or MAS is indeed the gold standard of the Malaysian flying industry. It is both by chance and design Malaysia Airlines’ abbreviated name is MAS which also happens to mean ‘gold’ in Bahasa Malaysia!

Malaysia Airlines’ predecessor was Malayan Airways Limited (MAL), incorporated on 12 October 1937. It started operations on 2 April 1947 as the national airline of the then  Malaya and soon turned into an international airline in less than a decade. After several name changes from 1963 to 1965, it was introduced as Malaysian Airline Limited and subsequently renamed Malaysian Airline System or in short, Malaysia Airlines.

The national airline of Malaysia has a strong presence in Southeast Asia, North Asia, China, South Asia and on the Kangaroo Route between Europe and Australasia. It also operates transpacific flights between Kuala Lumpur and Los Angeles via Tokyo.

It has embarked on a fleet renewal programme with a firm order of 45 B737-800 and 15 Airbus A330-300 aircraft. The gradual delivery of the new B737-800 that commenced in 2010 and the A330-300 since 2011 continues throughout 2012 and 2013 with all older generation B737-400 and A330 aircraft to be phased out gradually. It also has an option for a further 10 B737 aircraft and another 10 Airbus A330-300 aircraft.

In addition four of the six A380 it ordered joined the fleet in 2012 to enable double daily Kuala Lumpur – London – Kuala Lumpur flights effective 24 November 2012 while the remaining two will join by first quarter next year to replace the existing Boeing 747-400.

Going by current plans, Malaysia Airlines will have reduced its fleet age to 5.6 years by the end of 2013.

The national flag carrier of Malaysia has built a strong brand identity in the aviation industry for superior service and flight safety. It holds an impressive record of service and best practices excellence, receiving more than 100 awards in the last 10 years from international bodies such as the UK based independent research consultancy firm, Skytrax.

This year, Malaysia Airlines marked the entry of its first A380 into the airline’s fleet by having its 5-Star Airline status renewed by Skytrax. The recognition comes at a time of great change within the national airline of Malaysia as it embarks upon a series of improvements to repositioning it as a premium carrier.

The introduction of its latest 5-Star product standards on the newly delivered A380 marks the beginning of a thorough process to the momentum of 5-Star quality service delivery across all areas of the airline.



First Class in Malaysia Airlines is beyond compare! 


No one does Business Class as well as our very own Malaysia Airlines

Sweet, luxurious slumber in Business Class is the height of luxury


This includes the introduction of Business Class flat-beds in its widebody aircraft that will position the carrier on par or even better than other 5-star full service operators. The airline is firmly committed to ensure implementation of this convenience that reinforces its 5-star quality product and services, commencing with its flagship A380 fleet as well the replacements for its aging B777. 

Economy Class customers are not overlooked with new generation seats and next generation Inflight Entertainment systems being fitted onto these wide body aircraft as well as the Boeing 737-800s.

At its home base in KL International Airport, Malaysia Airlines’ First and Business class hospitality facilities in its flagship Satellite Golden Lounge have been totally refitted to deliver a true 5-Star Lounge experience with many new and exciting amenities and services offered to customers.

Cabin staff service has long been a strong point for Malaysia Airlines, this underlined by the success in being named the World's Best Cabin Staff at the 2012 World Airline Awards.

It is almost customary for Malaysia Airlines to win major awards year in, year out!

This award has become familiar to Malaysia Airlines over the last decade, having been a winner in most years since 2001. The recent award serves as a due recognition of all the hard work provided by its cabin staff in delivering 5-Star quality levels.

Today, Malaysia Airlines flies around 37,000 passengers daily to some 80 destinations worldwide.

Malaysia Airlines was unanimously elected a member designate of oneworld alliance by the alliance’s Chief Executives at the International Air Transport Association’s 2011 World Air Transport Summit in Singapore. The formal alliance membership agreement will be completed soon with Australia’s Qantas as sponsor for Malaysia Airlines’ entry.

Once these formalities are firmed up, Malaysia Airlines will start flying as part of the oneworld alliance from 1 February 2013. The prospect of being able to offer improved global coverage and connectivity through an expanded network of great airlines to Malaysia Airlines’ guests is indeed very exciting. Malaysia Airlines’ customers, in particular members of Enrich loyalty programme, will benefit from increased rewards and recognition whilst enjoying more seamless air travel options

The full membership in the alliance will improve the airline’s brand awareness amongst the alliance members’ customers and enhance load factors through additional partner traffic. These in turn will drive the hub connectivity to facilitate Malaysia Airlines global reach through oneworld’s network of some 800 destinations in 150 countries.

This membership will be among the significant catalysts that will complement the airline’s efforts to win back customers and become a profitable preferred premium carrier as outlined in its Business Plan.

Malaysia Airlines has two airline subsidiaries--- Firefly and MASwings.

Firefly started operations in April 2007 and has its head office at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, Subang. It offers affordable fares, premium in-flight services and the convenience of city airports within 4 countries – Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore.  Known for its exemplary hospitality, the carrier operates a fleet of 12 ATR 72-500 and the cabin is configured to 72 seats with 2-abreast plush leather seating that brings comfort to the fore.

MASwings, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines is a community airline operating in the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak since 1 October 2007.  It primarily caters to the air travel needs in these two states by providing affordable fares, convenient schedules and connections. It has also ventured beyond the shores of East Malaysia by expanding its flight operations into the BIMP-EAGA region.

As a subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines, MASwings takes advantage of its link with Malaysia Airlines to provide Sabah and Sarawak with greater air connectivity to the global network of Malaysia’s national carrier. MASwings currently operates a fleet of 10 ATR 72-500 and 4 Twin Otters.

Economy Class is comfortable and pleasant

Dining and wining in Business Class is a culinary feast

And so to bed in Business Class---sweet dreams are guaranteed!

Dining in First Class is synonymous with a meal in a 5-star restaurant!