SEPANG: Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) is evaluating its need for more Airbus A350 aircraft after receiving its seventh wide-body in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 12 for its subsidiary, Malaysia Airlines Bhd.
MAG group managing director Datuk Captain Izham Ismail said the group would end 2023 with seven A350s in its wide-body category fleet.
"We're still evaluating whether we need more A350s. We'll make that decision maybe (in) early quarter one (2024)," he told Business Times on the sideline after announcing the reinstatement of Malaysia Airlines' full in-flight service offerings here today.
Izham also said the Premium Economy cabin in its seventh A350 aircraft will be offered as Economy Comfort.
"Economy Comfort will be sold as ancillary with extra legroom and the seat is slightly wider and more reclined," he added.
The five year-old seventh A350 with registration number 9M-MAH was previously flown by Scandinavian Airline.
The aircraft had 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.
The configuration seating includes 40 Business Class seats, 32 Premium Economy seats and 228 Economy seats.
MAG said the seventh A350 will begin operations in December this year by flying from Kuala Lumpur to Melbourne. The group added that from April 2024 onwards, the aircraft will be used on the Kuala Lumpur-Doha sector.