SEPANG: Malaysia Airlines Bhd is set to operate the first of its newly-refurbished Boeing 737-800 NG (new generation) aircraft to domestic and Asean destinations by end-July this year.
The national carrier's group chief marketing and customer experience officer Lau Yin May said the balance of 38 aircraft of the same model was being progressively refurbished and was slated to be fully completed by quarter two 2023.
"We're thrilled to roll out the newly refreshed B737-800 NG, which will deliver future travel experiences through innovative features to highly customisable in-flight entertainment while staying true to our roots by incorporating Malaysian elements in the overall interior cabin design," she said at the unveiling of the refreshed B737-800 NG here today.
The refurbishment saw the aircraft with a new and premium cabin experience with unique features including new seats, innovative in-flight entertainment – Mhstudio and refurbished interior.
Lau said the cabin refurbishment had begun in 2021 as a response to the feedback and suggestions received through customer surveys and various focus group sessions done in 2020.
"We want to better understand the needs of our customers. This demonstrates Malaysia Airlines' commitment to adapt to changing consumer needs and in improving overall customer experience in the post pandemic area," she said.
The new features of the B737-800 NG fleet will reduce Malaysia Airlines' carbon footprint from the reduction of the weight of each aircraft.
"We're very clear that we're premium. We're one of the airlines in the world committing ourselves to sustainability," Lau said, adding that the refurbishment would reduce the cost of weight by eight per cent per passenger.
Malaysia Airlines has a total of 39 B737-800 NG, each ranging from seven to 10 years old.
The newly-refurbished aircraft comes with a new configuration of cabin seats.
It offers 12 business class seats and 162 economy class seats with a 2-2 and 3-3 seat configuration, respectively.
The premium cabin environment features a bright and refreshing colour scheme that is unique to Malaysia Airlines' identity.
There is an infusion of the iconic Malaysian and the airline's batik motif included throughout the cabin from the upholstery to the curtains.