Big Growth: Malaysia Airlines Doubles Airbus A330-900neo Order, To 40 Jets

The A330-800neo has a range of 7,506nm, while the A330-900neo has a range of 6,550nm

Airbus has upgraded them twice, since those numbers.

A338 now offers 8,100nm
A339 now offers 7,350nm

@ ConcordeBoy -- Good catch, missed the updated numbers. Updating that now, thanks.

Malaysia's new business class looks better than DeltaOne.

MH's hard product is quite dated, this will be a good boost. Their A330s are in the weird 1-2-2 config and having narrowbody recliners hurts it a lot when SQ is operating widebodies and narrowbodies that have direct aisle access.

Overall, MH service isn't actually that bad. Having flown it recently a few times, I think they really do try their best.

I think it lacks the high level of refinement and discipline to its peers like SQ or CX in the region, but I don't dislike MH. They're definitely a beneficiary of Oneworld with their JAL joint venture as well.

Yesterday also Air Asia also ordered up to 70 A321 XLR.

It would be nice if they could experiment with bringing back some sort of a first class product on these new jets, even if it’s only just four seats in a 1-2-1 configuration on a limited number of aircraft and routes.

Alas, dare to dream…

So why would you say that they're only going to be sending them as far as the Middle East? KUL-CDG is less than 6500, so the 339 should be able to cover virtually any European destination that might interest MH (I mean, sending it to SCQ which is 7099 miles from KUL would be cutting things a bit fine, but I suspect there aren't many Malaysians wanting to do the Camino de Santiago by air).

@ Throwawayname -- That's what the airline claims. In the press release, states the following about the A330-900neo order:
"The expanded widebody fleet will enhance connectivity and drive network development across key markets in ASEAN, China, India, and Australasia – strengthening Malaysia Airlines’ position as a leading premium carrier in the Asia-Pacific region."

The additional range of A330neos is almost obsolete because they're too slow. A330s are as slow as narrowbodies and they take 30min to an hour longer on long-haul flights.
The crew expenses have increased greatly since pandemic, and the additional 30-60min flight duration of A330s offset the cost saved in fuel.
A330s are just not ideal for long-haul flights.

The 330NEO has turned out to be one of Airbus' best investments. They spent just $2 billion to develop it from the 330CEO which was their best-selling widebody and are now easily looking at 500 plus sales.

The 330NEO is fairly readily available and Airbus is pricing it well below the A350 or B787 because it is not a carbon fiber aircraft but is fully competitive with either of the new new generation widebodies on flights up to 12 hours - which is precisely where MH says it will use its 330NEOs.

That statement is open to interpretation- I read it as setting out that their strategic priority is to develop the network to the East of India and that they're not about to start massive expansion across destinations in Europe, Africa, the Americas, or even the Middle East. It doesn't necessarily mean that they have no intention of sending the A339 to CDG, LHR, Germany, or IST.

the difference is less than 20 mpn which adds about 20 minutes on a flight over 12 hours- and MH is not going to use the 339 on flights of that length.

DL switched its SEA-TPE flight from a 339 to a 359 so a direct comparison can be made.
the 359 does carry much more cargo at longer lengths which is undoubtedly why few airlines with extensive longhaul networks are going to rely solely on the 330NEO.

It is also worth noting that Airbus has a substantial advantage to Boeing in E. Asia and part of that is because of the poor US relationship with China where Airbus is expected to sell even more 330NEOs.

I have very low confidence MH can make this work. They are a corrupt organisation and the politics of doing business as a state owned business in Malaysia will prevent them from prospering.

"and the additional 30-60min flight duration of A330s offset the cost saved in fuel."

I'd love to see the math you're using to come to that conclusion.

You should know that B777 are as slow as the A330

The B787 and A350 are the only 'fast' widebody twin jet.

Unfortunately they realised that they were offering a first class cabin for senior government people on discounted fares, points redemptions, and staff travel. It's just not financially viable unless you're filling the seats with people paying full tick for the privilege.

I am surprised that MH still are not launching a premium economy product.

Most of the more successful regional asian competitors have discovered the benefits of having such a product - CX, SQ etc

It's a huge relief to see then diversify away from 737-MAX. It had become more difficult for me to fly with Malaysia in SEA as a result of my lifetime 737-MAX ban (for reasons of principle following the MCAS deceptions).

I’m booked on the new aircraft flying KUL to AKL next Feb. Looking forward to trying it after flying the A350 from LHR to KUL earlier this year, after BA postponed the route. It was a much better experience than flying BA.

Standard cruise for A330 is 0.82M; for 777 is 0.84M; and for both 787 and A350 is 0.85M.

The difference between all of them is effectively negligible. No airline is making their longhaul purchase decisions based on that, at all.