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Malaysia Airlines fleet

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Malaysia Airlines operates a fleet of Airbus A330 and A350 as well as Boeing 737NG and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.[citation needed]

Current fleet

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As of September 2024, Malaysia Airlines operates the following aircraft:[1][2]

Malaysia Airlines fleet
Aircraft In service Orders Passengers Notes
S B E+ E Total Refs
Airbus A330-200 6 19 42 226 287 [3] To be retired from 2024 and replaced by Airbus A330-900.[citation needed]
Airbus A330-300 15 27 16 247 290 [4]
Airbus A330-900 20 28 24 245 297 Deliveries from Q4 2024 to 2028.[5]
Replacing Airbus A330-200 and Airbus A330-300.
Order with 20 options.[6]
Airbus A350-900 7 3 4 35 27 220 286 [7] One aircraft acquired from Scandinavian Airlines, to be retrofitted and unified after 2025.[8][9]
40 32 228 300 [citation needed]
Boeing 737-800 42 16 144 160 [10] To be refurbished with new Business and Economy cabins.[11]
12 162 174 [12]
Boeing 737 MAX 8 4 21 12 162 174 [13] Leased from ALC.[14]
Deliveries from November 2023 until 2026.[15][16][17]
MASkargo Fleet
Airbus A330-200F 3 Cargo [18][19]
Total 77 44
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Current aircraft types

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Airbus A330-200

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Malaysia Airlines has leased six Airbus A330-200s in 2017.[20] Due to insufficient widebody aircraft and increasing demand these aircraft are used for several high-demand medium-haul routes.[21] The aircraft are secondhand and have kept the configuration of their previous operator (Air Berlin), this being 19 Business Class seats and 268 Economy Class seats. The airline previously operated five 'older generation' A330-200s between 2003 and 2013. The aircraft are set to be retired and replaced by the Airbus A330-900.[citation needed][5]

Airbus A330-200F

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In 2010, Malaysia Airlines has placed orders for 2 Airbus A330-200F for its cargo subsidiary MASKargo.[22] An addition of 2 more frames were ordered 6 months after.[23] Previously MASKargo operated a few dedicated B747 freighters and also briefly wet leased an Airbus A300-600F.

Airbus A330-300

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Malaysia Airlines' Airbus A330-300 fleet is used to fly medium-to-long-haul routes. They are painted in the new livery and equipped with enhanced in-flight features, as part of the airline's fleet renewal programme. In 2009, the airline ordered 15 Airbus A330-300 with 10 additional purchasing options.[24] The aircraft has an improved max take-off weight, range and fuel efficiency over the previous older generation aircraft that the airline operated since 1995. The first of these new A330s arrived in 2011 with a total of 15 delivered by the end of 2013[25] In 2016, the airline refurbished the Business Class cabin of the aircraft with lie-flat seats. The aircraft previously only featured recliner seats.[26] The fleet is set to be retired and replaced by the Airbus A330-900.[27]

Airbus A330-900

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In July 2022, Malaysia Airlines was reportedly in talks for a $10 billion order of 30 either Airbus A330neo or Boeing 787 Dreamliner planes.[28] As of August 2022, it was reported that Malaysia Airlines is poised to announce a deal to acquire 20 Airbus A330neo wide-body jets.[29] In August 2022, Malaysia Airlines confirmed it would take delivery of an initial order of 20 Airbus A330neo aircraft, with purchase options for an additional 20, to gradually replace its A330-200 and A330-300 aircraft between Q3 2024 and 2028 for flights across Asia, the Pacific and the Middle East.[30][31] The deliveries are set to be split between 10 direct purchases and 10 leases from Ireland's Avolon. On 21 March 2024, Malaysia Airlines revealed the cabin of the A330neo.[citation needed]

Airbus A350-900

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Malaysia Airlines began taking delivery of six Airbus A350-900 aircraft, leased from Air Lease Corporation in 2017 to replace the ageing Boeing 777-200ER fleet, and was the first A350-900 operator to offer First Class.[32] They are configured to accommodate 4 seats in First Class, 35 seats in Business Class and 247 seats in Economy Class (286 seats in total) after MAB CEO, Peter Bellew said premium economy seats "would erode our business product and revenues".[33][32][34][35] On 12 December 2018, First Class was rebranded as Business Suite Class.[36] In 2023, Malaysia Airlines is seeking aircraft lessor to add 4 extra A350s into the fleet due to high demand and increasing capacity.[37] The airline plans to reconfigure all of its A350s Business Class and remove Business Suites in late 2025, with the seating type to match with the upcoming A330neo.[38]

Boeing 737-800

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The first order for the Boeing 737-800 was first announced at the Farnborough Air Show on 16 July 2008.[39] In February 2009, Malaysia Airlines received two leased 737-800s in advance of its aircraft.[citation needed] Boeing 737-800s currently account for the majority of aircraft under Malaysia Airlines and are primarily assigned to flights to regional Southeast Asian and domestic destinations. As of 2022, the airline has begun transferring some of its Boeing 737-800 aircraft to its subsidiary Firefly.[40]

Boeing 737 MAX

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Malaysia Airlines originally ordered the Boeing 737 MAX 8 to replace its Boeing 737-800 fleet. An order of 50 frames was made in July 2016.[41] In September 2016 the airline modified part of the order which consist of 25 Boeing 737 MAX in 2017 which now includes a Memorandum of understanding signing of 8 Boeing 787-9 in 2017 with both aircraft expected to enter in 2021. The deal lapsed a year later as nothing firm was signed past the MOU dateline. The airline then opted switch back to its original deal which now includes the ability to convert some of its orders to the Boeing 737 MAX 10[42][43] In 2019, as a result of the ongoing Boeing 737 MAX groundings, the airline has opted to suspend its orders for the aircraft temporarily.[44]

In 2022, Malaysia Airlines has reiterated that it has resumed its order for 25 Boeing 737 MAXs with 25 options with Boeing at a cost of slightly over US$2 billion. The deal retains the airlines' ability to convert some frames to Boeing 737 MAX 10.[45] In November 2023, the airline has taken delivery of the first aircraft.[46] The Boeing 737 MAX 8 would be the main workhorse for the airlines domestic and regional network for flights less than 5 hours.[47]

Fleet development plan

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The airline has hinted that it plans to order an addition of 45 new aircraft that would be delivered in 2028 onward based on its long term planning. The order consists of 35 narrowbody and 10 widebody aircraft.[48][49]

Historical fleet

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Malaysia Airlines and its predecessor companies have flown the following aircraft types in the past:[citation needed]

Malaysia Airlines historical fleet
Aircraft Total Introduced Retired Replacement Notes
Airbus A300B4 4 1979 1995 Airbus A330
1 1983 None Crashed as flight MH684.
1 1988 1989 None Short-term lease from Air France[50]
Airbus A300-600F 1 2008 2010 Airbus A330-200F Wet-leased from Air Atlanta Icelandic, and operated by MASKargo.[51]
Airbus A310 1 1990 1990 None Leased from AP Penang.[citation needed]
Airbus A330-200 5 2003 2012 None
Airbus A330-200F 1 2012 2017 None Operated by MASkargo and returned to lessor after.[citation needed]
Airbus A330-300 13 1995 2013 None
1 2000 Written-off due to chemical cargo incident[52]
Airbus A380-800 6 2012 2022 Airbus A350-900 All returned to Airbus in exchange for Airbus A330neo[53]
Boeing 707 10 1967 1980 Airbus A300
Boeing 737-100 5 1968 1972 Boeing 737 Classic Operated in Malaysia–Singapore Airlines era.
Transferred to Singapore Airlines on 1 October 1972.
Boeing 737-200 24 1972 1994 Boeing 737 Classic
1 1977 None Crashed as flight MH653.
Boeing 737-300F 2 1993 2000 None Oeprated by MASkargo.
Boeing 737-400 46 1990 2014 Boeing 737-800
Boeing 737-500 9 1992 2000 Boeing 737-800
Boeing 737-700/BBJ1 1 1999 2003 None
Boeing 737-800 15 2008 2022 None
5 Transferred to subsidiary Firefly.
Boeing 747-100 1 1982 1984 Boeing 747-200
Boeing 747-200B 6 1982 2005 Boeing 747-400
Boeing 747-200C 2 1982 1983 None
Boeing 747-200SF 9 2002 2011 Boeing 747-400F Operated by MASkargo
Boeing 747-300M 1 1986 1997 Boeing 747-400 Converted into freighter and transferred to MASkargo
Boeing 747-300SF 1 1998 2002 Boeing 747-400F Converted from 747-300M passenger aircraft
Boeing 747-400 19 1990 2012 Airbus A380-800
Boeing 777-200ER
Boeing 747-400F 2 2006 2018 None
Boeing 747-400M 2 1989 2003 Airbus A380-800
Boeing 777-200ER
Boeing 777-200ER 15 1997 2016 Airbus A330
Airbus A350-900
1 2014 None Shot down as flight MH17.
1 Crashed as flight MH370.
Bristol Britannia 9 1957 1963 Un­known Operated in Malayan Airways era
Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander 4 1965 Un­known Un­known
de Havilland Comet 7 1962 1969 Boeing 707 Operated by Malaysian Airways/Malaysia-Singapore Airlines 1965-1969
de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver Un­known 1948 Un­known Un­known Operated by MAL under Federated Air Service
de Havilland Canada DHC-6-300 Twin Otter 7 1966 2006 Un­known
Douglas DC-3 Un­known Un­known Un­known Un­known Some aircraft were taken over from Borneo Airways
MAL's DC-3 fleet upon the absorption of Borneo Airways in 1965
Douglas DC-4 Un­known 1946 Un­known Un­known Former Borneo Airways fleet
Fokker F27 Friendship 20 1958 Un­known Fokker 50
Fokker 50 12 1987 2006 None
1 1995 Crashed as flight MH2133.
Lockheed Super Constellation Un­known 1951 Un­known Un­known Malayan Airways fleet
McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10 3 1989 1991 None Leased from World Airways
McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 14 1976 1999 Boeing 777-200ER
McDonnell Douglas MD-11 6 1994 2000 Boeing 777-200ER
Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer 2 1956 Un­known Un­known Former Borneo Airways fleet
Vickers Viscount 2 1953 1963 Un­known Used by Malayan Airways from 1959 to 1963

References

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  1. ^ "Global Airline Guide 2019 (Part One)". Airliner World. October 2019: 20.
  2. ^ "Our Fleet". Malaysia Airlines.
  3. ^ "Airbus A330-200 Interior Arrangement". Malaysia Airlines. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  4. ^ "Airbus A330-300 Interior Arrangement". Malaysia Airlines. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  5. ^ a b Freed, Jamie (15 August 2022). "Malaysia Airlines signs provisional deal for 20 Airbus A330neos". Reuters. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  6. ^ "MAG expects first A330-900neo to arrive in September next year". Business Times. 2 November 2023.
  7. ^ "Airbus A350-900 Interior Arrangement". Malaysia Airlines. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  8. ^ "Malaysia Airlines Welcomes Its First A350 XWB". Malaysia Airlines (Press release). 30 November 2017. Retrieved 14 November 2020.[permanent dead link]
  9. ^ "Malaysia Airlines Welcomes Sixth A350 XWB". malaysiaairlines.com. 13 July 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  10. ^ "Boeing 737-800 Interior Arrangement". Malaysia Airlines. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  11. ^ "Malaysia Airlines reveals new Boeing 737 business class". Executive Traveller. 21 July 2022.
  12. ^ "Boeing 737-800NG Interior Arrangement". Malaysia Airlines. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  13. ^ "Boeing 737-8 Interior Arrangement". Malaysia Airlines. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  14. ^ "Air Lease Corporation Announces Delivery of First of 25 New Boeing 737-8 Aircraft to Malaysia Airlines Berhad". aviator.aero. 21 November 2023.
  15. ^ "Malaysia Airlines retires A380s, to take B737 max in 2024". Ch-Aviation. 6 May 2021.
  16. ^ "Malaysia Aviation Group reports first operating profit since 2014's reset". 18 April 2023.
  17. ^ "MAG's First Boeing 737-8 Aircraft Advances its Fleet Modernisation" (Press release). Malaysia Airlines. 20 November 2023.
  18. ^ "Cargo capacity configuration". MASKargo. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  19. ^ "MASKargo ushers new year with brand new A330-200F". Maskargo. 30 January 2012.
  20. ^ "Malaysia Airlines to lease six Airbus A330-200s". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  21. ^ "Malaysia Airlines further clarifies fleet strategy, to lease six Airbus 330-200". Archived from the original on 30 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  22. ^ "MAS orders A330-200Fs". flight global. 31 March 2010.
  23. ^ "MASkargo orders two more A330-200 freighters". aircargonews. 20 September 2010.
  24. ^ "MAS orders 25 Airbus A330-300s". 27 October 2011.
  25. ^ "Malaysia Airlines unveils new A330-300". Retrieved 15 April 2011.
  26. ^ "Malaysia Airlines' turns attention to passenger improvement with new business class seat".
  27. ^ "Malaysia Airlines to acquire 20 A330neo for widebody fleet renewal". 15 August 2022.
  28. ^ "Airbus Ahead of Boeing in $10 Billion Malaysia Order Race". Bloomberg.com. 6 July 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  29. ^ "Malaysia Airlines to acquire 20 Airbus A330neos - sources". Reuters. 13 August 2022.
  30. ^ "Malaysia Airlines to acquire 20 A330neo for widebody fleet renewal". 15 August 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  31. ^ "Malaysia Airlines upgrading Australian flights to Airbus A330neo jets". 15 August 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  32. ^ a b Amarthalingam, Sangeetha (15 May 2017). "Malaysia Airlines shelves plan for premium economy". The Edge Financial Daily. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
  33. ^ Aaron, Chong (23 May 2017). "Malaysia Airlines scraps premium economy on A350s". FlightGlobal. Retrieved 26 May 2017.
  34. ^ "Malaysia Airlines adds A350 service to London in 1Q18". Routesonline. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
  35. ^ Aaron, Chong (23 May 2017). "Malaysia Airlines scraps premium economy on A350s". FlightGlobal. Retrieved 26 May 2017.
  36. ^ Flynn, David (12 December 2018). "Malaysia Airlines rebrands first class as Business Suites". Australian Business Traveller. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  37. ^ "Malaysia Airlines seeks more narrowbody jets, sees delay on current order".
  38. ^ "Malaysia Airlines' new business class for A330neos". One Mile At a Time. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  39. ^ "Ancile". www.deagel.com. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  40. ^ "Malaysia Airlines Transfers domestic operations to firefly".
  41. ^ "Malaysia Airlines orders 50 Boeing 737 MAX jets in US$5.5b deal".
  42. ^ "Media statement by Malaysia Airlines on Boeing MoU".
  43. ^ "Malaysia Airlines' 787 deal with Boeing lapses". 26 September 2018.
  44. ^ "Malaysia Airlines suspends Boeing 737 MAX deliveries due to jet's grounding". Reuters.
  45. ^ "Malaysia Airlines to take first MAX in 3Q23, options remain".
  46. ^ "Malaysia Airlines' first B737 MAX 8 aircraft on its way to Malaysia, welcomes 7th A350-900". 14 November 2023.
  47. ^ "Malaysia Airlines to operate Boeing 737 MAX 8 to five international routes from October". 14 August 2023.
  48. ^ "Malaysia Airlines considering 45 new aircraft to support growth, says MD".
  49. ^ "Malaysia Airlines plans to order 45 additional aircraft". 10 November 2023.
  50. ^ "A300B F-BVGM at SIN in '89 taken from the West window at the viewing terrace. note the French (AF) reg". pbase.
  51. ^ "MASkargo adds first A300-600 freighter". Flight Global. 10 September 2008.
  52. ^ "Database - 9M-MKB". aviation-safety.net.
  53. ^ "Malaysia Airlines to return A380s to Airbus by 2023". ch-aviation.com. 30 September 2022.
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Media related to Malaysia Airlines fleet at Wikimedia Commons