Malaysia Airlines will soon welcome the Airbus A330-900 (A330neo) to its fleet as its first aircraft is on track to be delivered in Q3 2024. The airlines’ first A330neo is currently in its final assembly process at the Airbus final assembly line in Toulouse, France.
As announced in August 2022, Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) is acquiring a total of 20 new A330neo as part of its fleet modernisation exercise. A total of three A330neos are expected to be delivered this year and it will gradually replace the Group’s existing A330 fleet. The remaining aircraft will be delivered in stages until 2026.
The first aircraft already has its painted tail attached which features the flag carrier’s iconic Wau design. Following the completion of the main fuselage sections such as the wings and tails, the next phase involves installation of the cockpit, engines, landing gears, electrical wiring, avionics, fuel and hydraulic systems.
The aircraft will then undergo a series of ground checks prior to the installation of the cabin interior. This is followed by preparation of the first flight and the delivery process to fly the A330neo to its home in Malaysia.
Interestingly, the A330neo has several Made in Malaysia components which include avionics instruments such as displays, and communications equipment, metallic structural parts, and engine cowling structures.
Malaysia Airlines’ A330-900 will feature an all-new cabin layout based on Airbus’ Airspace design. The new aircraft can accommodate a total of 297 passengers with 28 in Business and 269 in Economy Class (inclusive of 24 seats with extra legroom).
The Business Class cabin will utilise Collins Aerospace Elevation Business Class seats which features individual privacy doors as well as wireless charging pods for all passengers.
Meanwhile, the Economy Class cabin is equipped with Recaro CL3810 seats which will feature an ergonomic design and enhanced support coupled with coat hooks, cup holder and ample stowage for added cabin comfort and practicality. The CL3810 seats are said to be 15% lighter than its predecessor which contributes to significant fuel savings while optimising cabin performance.
The inaugural A330neo flight for Malaysia Airlines is scheduled for Melbourne and the date will be announced later. Malaysia Airlines will gradually deploy the A330neo to operate on its existing network throughout Asia, Oceania and the Middle East.
The A330neo with its improved Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines and new aerodynamic wing design is set to improve MAG’s operation efficiency while reducing fuel consumption and emissions by up to 25%. Airbus added that the A330neo is also the first aircraft family to be certified by EASA to ICAO’s new CO2 standards ahead of the 2028 deadline. The A330-900 is capable of flying up to 7,200nm or 13,334 km non-stop and it is already able to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
Commenting on the progress, Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) Managing Director Datuk Captain Izham Ismail said, “We look forward to welcoming the first A330neo into our fleet, marking a significant milestone in our modernisation strategy. This addition not only strengthens our core product offering but also enhances our capabilities for future growth, aligning with our goal of expanding our widebody fleet to 50 aircraft by 2033.
He added, “By setting new standards in cabin comfort and customer experience, we reaffirm our position as a premium carrier and our unwavering commitment to continuous improvement, innovation and customer-centricity; all deeply rooted in our Malaysian Hospitality. This strategic focus is imperative as we embark on our journey to position Malaysia Airlines among the Top 10 global airlines and Top 5 in Asia Pacific by 2030.”
At the moment, MAG has a fleet of 104 aircraft across Malaysia Airlines, Firefly, MASwings and MASKargo. For its widebody fleet, it currently operates 7x A350-900, 6x A330-200 and 15x A330-300.