Malaysia Airlines plans to introduce a new long haul business class product in late 2024, and we have the details of what it will be…
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Malaysia Airlines’ new business class for A330neos
Malaysia Airlines has 20 Airbus A330-900neos on order, which the airline will use to refresh its long haul fleet, and replace existing Airbus A330s. While these planes were first supposed to join the carrier’s fleet as of late 2023, that has now been delayed by around a year, until late 2024 (are planes ever delivered on time?!).
Head for Points has an interesting interview with Malaysia Airlines CEO Izham Ismail, and reveals some details of what we can expect on these new planes. Specifically, Malaysia’s A330neos are expected to feature a total of 297 seats, including 28 business class seats and 269 economy class seats.
In business class, Malaysia plans to introduce reverse herringbone seats with doors. Specifically, the airline has selected Collins Aerospace Super Diamond seats, so you can expect this product to be identical to British Airways’ Club Suites, as well as Etihad’s new A350 business class.
There aren’t yet any renderings of Malaysia’s new seats, though these are pretty generic, so it’s easy enough to figure out what they’ll look like. I’d consider this to compare quite favorably to Malaysia’s existing A330 business class, consisting of staggered seats.
The catch is that the A330neo’s fuselage isn’t as wide as that of the 777 or A350, so the reverse herringbone seats may feel pretty tight.
Malaysia Airlines’ planned A350 product refresh
Malaysia Airlines has six Airbus A350-900s in its fleet, which the carrier uses for its flagship route to London Heathrow (LHR), and more. Malaysia also plans to refresh its product on these planes, with the same reverse herringbone seats you’ll find on A330neos.
Malaysia currently has staggered business class seats on its A350s (similar to what you’ll find on the A330s), so this new product should represent a significant upgrade.
Malaysia’s A350s also has a row of premium business class seats at the front of the plane. These used to be marketed as first class, but were then rebranded as the Business Suite. Not surprisingly, when these planes are reconfigured, the plan is to eliminate this product.
As of now, Malaysia intends to reconfigure these jets starting in 2026. Personally I’d assume these plans remain highly subject to change, because retrofitting existing aircraft definitely becomes less of a priority if there’s any sort of an economy downturn, or anything. But those seem to be the plans as of now…
Bottom line
Malaysia Airlines will soon be refreshing its long haul fleet, with 20 new A330neos. We now know that the airline plans to introduce Collins Aerospace Super Diamond seats with doors on these aircraft, similar to what you’ll find on British Airways and Etihad.
This is an excellent business class product, so I’m looking forward to seeing all the details of Malaysia’s new seats. The airline also intends to eventually reconfigure existing A350s with these cabins, but we’ll see if those plans stick.
What do you make of Malaysia’s new A330neo business class plans?
How likely is MAS to put 10 abreast in the refreshed A350 economy, given that PAL has decided to do that?
So what? Seems like most other seats out there.
They're going to start reconfiguring in 2026?? by then top notch airlines will have moved on.
If they begin reconfigurating the seats in 2026 it means it'll be 2028 or so before they're fully rolled out. By then it'll be an outdated product.
Malaysia Airlines and Thai Airways’ continuous goal of own basically every single side twin-aisle jets available despite their historical difficult financial performance (except for the 787 for Malaysia) continues to confuse me.
When the government owns the airline, foreign relations come into play. Especially when more powerful nations can bully the smaller ones.
So to remain neutral and not be a pawn for a proxy war, they have to buy from everyone.
Malaysian Air Force flies Su-30 and F/A-18 and Thai Air Force, you'd never guessed, flies the SSJ-100!!
MH only operates Airbus wide bodies (A330 and A350), and only Boeing narrow bodies (737 and 737 Max). Its Firefly subsidiary operates ATRs.
Meanwhile TG operates just about everything from Airbus and Boeing. They operate the A320 on Thai Smile, and for widebodies they have A330, A350, A380, various types of the B777 and the B787.
I heard a rumor that all first class seats would be ACES II ejection seats, and it would be a premium option available in business and economy.
A bit disappointed in Malaysian for not implementing this.
I don't get your joke or sarcasm or (only in America) discriminatory comments.
@Eskimo, I think Larry’s comment was pretty lame too but if you think only Americans make discriminatory comments you obviously haven’t travelled much… live and well in the rest of the world, often much more flagrant!
Flight 800 passenger: "What does TWA stand for?"
Fellow Flight 800 passenger: "Trans World AARGHHH!!!1!"
@Mangiafiga
The reason why that’s not funny is that everyone knows TWA stood for “Try Walking Across”, So if you said replaced “across with aarghh” it would be elevated to Larry’s level of humor, which is still dumb!
When the front row product was marketed as F on A350 , it could be booked for F redemption. Can the Business Suite be booked as a redemption, especially on partners ? Does MH offer “buy ups “ from J to Business Suite ?
Also I think there a350s lease ended in 2027 so why they retrofit the cabins only a year before the lease ending?
Likely will be purchased out or lease extended.
Lease can be extended/renewed. So they may extend the lease or purchase the aircraft.
I flew malaysian airlines few times in the last few years..I found some of the cabin crew younger than the aircraft...The business class seats on 330 200 and 330 300 planes are old ageing uncomfortable and non functional..I prefer wider seats than economy seats in business class with storage bins n waste of space..wider seats with full flat beds makes sense for comfortable enjoyable peaceful sleep flight than the useless side storage bins n extras...
I flew malaysian airlines few times in the last few years..I found some of the cabin crew younger than the aircraft...The business class seats on 330 200 and 330 300 planes are old ageing uncomfortable and non functional..I prefer wider seats than economy seats in business class with storage bins n waste of space..wider seats with full flat beds makes sense for comfortable enjoyable peaceful sleep flight than the useless side storage bins n extras waste of space with narrow seats
Wow, so the crew were teenagers since the A330s were around that age.
Pwseth likes them young......preferably underaged.
Hopefully the elimination of Business Suite doesn’t mean the First/Emerald lounge in KUL will disappear.
To be fair, it would not be a big loss. Yes, it's a nice and quiet space but everything else is of a very average quality. The 'restaurant' dining quality is poor and the dishes are very basic. The alcohol selection is below the business-class standard. The staff are friendly and helpful but yesterday I went to the business class section for a better selection and food quality. And I saw at least 2 other...
To be fair, it would not be a big loss. Yes, it's a nice and quiet space but everything else is of a very average quality. The 'restaurant' dining quality is poor and the dishes are very basic. The alcohol selection is below the business-class standard. The staff are friendly and helpful but yesterday I went to the business class section for a better selection and food quality. And I saw at least 2 other passengers (and in total there were 4 of us over a 3-hour period) doing exactly the same.
I fly regional business class out of KUL quite frequently and I must say that the "Nasi Lemak" that they serve in their Regional Golden Lounge at KLIA is pretty darn tasty.