Malaysia Airlines Unveils Refreshed New Look A380-800 Aircraft

By Zakaria Abdul Wahab SUBANG (Selangor, Malaysia), March 9 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Airlines (MAS) today unveiled the new look Airbus A380-800, the carrier's flagship aircraft, which it will take delivery in June. Unlike the previous old blue and red stripes, the body paint of the double-deck A380 aircraft will now have three blue colour variant stripes, with intermittent silver lining in the mid-section of the white body. The national airline's iconic Kelantan "wau" or kite logo on the tail fin is retained but in blue, and carries the "Malaysia Airlines" wordings on the sides of the plane. However, the new look would not affect the existing fleet, unless decided otherwise by the MAS management, said airline officials during a news briefing on Thursday. They said MAS would use the new aircraft for commercial flights on July 1 beginning with the thrice weekly Kuala Lumpur-London sector. The second A380 will be introduced on this route from end-August to offer double daily operations while the third will be used for the Kuala Lumpur-Sydney flights. Meanwhile, Malaysia Airlines' Group Chief Executive Officer Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said the airline was the first to introduce the A380 into service "using a uniquely refreshed look and feel, instead of the regular corporate identity", to showcase its latest premium offering in products and services. "This will be our flagship aircraft to launch our exciting new level of comfort, luxury and convenience in long-haul travel," he said in a statement. Malaysia Airlines, which ordered six of the A380s, is the eighth carrier in the world to get the aircraft after a long wait. The A380 has a capacity of 494 seats in a three-class configuration comprising eight first-class seats and 350 economy-class seats on the main deck, together with 66 business-class seats and 70 economy class seats on the upper deck. The aircraft will be operated by an 18-member cabin crew. Many of the facilities on board, such as in-flight entertainment, will be upgraded with more movies on demand while more songs and television channels would be added. Luxurious seat pitch, full flat bed seats, USB port and satellite telephone facility and in-seat laptop charging facilities would also be fitted in the A380. Passengers too will be treated to a fine selection of Malaysian and international cuisines with lighter and healthier-concept meals. For the first time, the "Chef-on-Call" facility, currently available to first class passengers, would extended to business class passengers onboard the A380. "This is the identity that will move us from traditional classic to premium contemporary in our efforts to position Malaysia Airlines as a preferred premium carrier," added Ahmad Jauhari. -- BERNAMA