Man oh man, this airberlin saga keeps getting more interesting. Airberlin used to have a fleet of 17 Airbus A330 aircraft, all of which were leased. With airberlin going out of business, those planes are being returned to the leasing companies. The good news is that it won't be long before they find new homes…
Continue reading: Malaysia Airlines Will Lease 6 Former Airberlin A330s
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Yeah, likely going to see this plane on KUL - HKG, PVG and some other destinations in China and SE Asia that regularly see the 737.
Wondering if they'll refit the interior with their new longhaul J product or just keep what Air Berlin had, which, didn't seem that bad.
If this a more fuel efficient plane and they are leasing them for a price close to what they paid for the 737 it could be a smart move
How does it work with leased planes and the interior? Since airlines like airberlin installed their own product it would be interesting to know who owns the seats in a leased plane and how is it handled when the plane will be returned etc. Maybe you can post some insights on that @lucky?
Ben, The 737-800's are currently used for Mumbai (double daily) and Delhi as well as Shanghai and Hing Kong so the A330s will help boost capacity on these routes. It is these mainline trunk routes that Peter Bellew needs the A330s for. These routes were downguaged when the B777s left the fleet.
"Given what attractive business class fares Malaysia Airlines typically has, I look forward to flying these planes around Asia!"
MH undoubtedly hopes the new aircraft will allow them to discount their premium fares LESS....so don't get your hopes up. 🙂
I think if they got those A332s, the most likely destinations are medium-hull Asian-pacific destinations, incl XMN, PVG, CAN, HKG, PER, etc.
I had a good discussion with one of my friend who works for Malaysia Airlines yesterday, just hours after this was announced. What many of us didn't know is that these is that, Peter Bellew and the Malaysia government have signed up new routes to China and they have seen increased in demand than what they could supply (hence AirAsia is taking some of their pie share) on certain routes. Hence, the 6 planes from AirBerlin is serving some of the China-run routes as well as certain Indian-run routes as well.
Until the airline officially announces it (or an insider mole leaks), we can only truly speculate.
One of the route that we know for sure that MH wants to bring back is KUL-BNE. It used to fly daily and during the restructuring it cuts BNE out completely, a route they have monopoly of. So BNE has gone from daily direct flight to nothing.
Currently, Malindo has tested the water with a 737 with stopover in DPS, and its proven to be a profitable route as Malindo is planning direct BNE-KUL using A330.
MH has seen the opportunity and wants to come back to BNE but they don't have spare plane at the moment. 737 just can't quite make KUL-BNE so they were looking to get more widebodies. This could explain why they are leading more A330.
https://www.ausbt.com.au/malaysia-airlines-plans-return-to-brisbane-more-flights-to-perth
Was this a decision made by the Malaysia Airlines CEO? Or some member of senior management freelancing under the auspices of the Malaysian government, with the CEO completely out of the loop?
I live in HKG and have eschewed MH since they changed to the 737 for the flights that suit my work schedule (I think the morning flight ex-HKG is on the A330). So, if the later flight is on a widebody again, I'd book with them.
I want to see a Penang Shanghai direct route. Why shouldn't there be a marked for this, with so many Chinese tourists coming to Penang?
Is this flight within the range for 737's?
@Nick
It technically should, because the route is 3,640km. But the question is if the Chinese tourists will want to fly a 5h route with a 737.
http://www.gcmap.com/mapui?P=PEN-PVG&MS=wls&DU=km&SG=0.785&SU=mach
@WP well now Shanghai serves KUL 2x daily with a 737 and once with an A330. On top of that you have a truly horrible flight from China Eastern/Shanghai Airlines with a 737. Chances to have this distance on a narrow body are high now and you will still have to transit in KUL. So have it direct on a 737 would be still better.
Being regional carrier is actually a mistake. MAS could not compete with AirAsia as most travelers for short haul destinations would prefer low cost carrier over premium. MAS had done that with that ‘meal box’, remember? they realised they did make money but cutting cost but in the same time they are losing customers.
Just booked a KUL-DPS flight for Jan 2019 and seems the Business Class. 6 Rows 1 - 2 -1 are to remain as Air Berlin configured.
Shame I was looking forward to a 4k Throne.