Jump to content

Malaysia Airlines

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 121.164.240.76 (talk) at 07:00, 5 July 2014 (→‎Fleet). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Malaysian Airline System
Sistem Penerbangan Malaysia
IATA ICAO Callsign
MH MAS MALAYSIAN
Founded1 May 1946; 78 years ago (1946-05-01) (as Malayan Airways)
Commenced operations1 October 1972; 51 years ago (1972-10-01)
HubsKuala Lumpur International Airport
Kota Kinabalu International Airport
Secondary hubsKuching International Airport
Frequent-flyer program
AllianceOneworld[1]
Subsidiaries
Fleet size110
Destinations61 exl. code-share and subsidiaries`
Parent companyPenerbangan Malaysia Berhad (Government Holding Company)
HeadquartersSultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport
Subang, Selangor, Malaysia
Key peopleAhmad Jauhari Yahya (Managing Director)
Mohd. Rashdan Mohd. Yusof (Resign)[2]
RevenueDecrease MYR 58.68 billion (2012)[3]
Net incomeIncrease MYR -8.2 billion (2012)[3]
Websitewww.malaysiaairlines.com

Malaysian Airline System (MAS; Malay: Sistem Penerbangan Malaysia) is the flag carrier airline of Malaysia. Malaysia Airlines (MAS) operates flights from its home base, Kuala Lumpur International Airport and with a secondary hub in Kota Kinabalu and Kuching. The airline has its headquarters on the grounds of Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang, Selangor, in Greater Kuala Lumpur. It is a member of the Oneworld airline alliance.

Malaysia Airlines operates flights in Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Asia, Middle East and on the Kangaroo Route between Europe and Australasia.

Apart from the airline, the group also includes aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO),[4] and aircraft handling. Malaysia Airlines has two airline subsidiaries: Firefly and MASwings. Firefly operates scheduled flights from its two home bases Penang International Airport and Subang International Airport. The airline focuses on tertiary cities. MASwings focuses on inter-Borneo flights. Malaysia Airlines has a freighter fleet operated by MASkargo, which manages freighter flights and aircraft cargo-hold capacity for all Malaysia Airlines' passenger flights. MASCharter is another subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines, operating charter flights using Malaysia Airlines' aircraft. After recovering from past losses, Malaysia Airlines is keen on merger and acquisition (M&A) activities: particularly airlines in the Asia Pacific region.[5]

History

In 1987, Malaysia Airlines commenced operations after the airline changed its name from Malaysian Airline System. In 1947, the airline began as Malayan Airways, being renamed Malaysian Airways after Malaysia gained independence. After that, it changed its name once more to Malaysia-Singapore Airlines and thereafter ceased its operation. It was then divided into Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines.

An Airspeed Consul, the first aircraft type operated by Malayan Airways.

Malay aviation history

Scheduled air passenger and mail services in Malaya commenced in 1937 when Wearne's Air Service (WAS) commenced operating services between Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Penang. Wearne's Air Service was started by two Australian brothers, Theodore and Charles Wearnes.[6] The service commenced as a thrice weekly flight between Singapore and Penang The first flight, using an 8-seater de Havilland DH.89A Dragon Rapide took place on 28 June 1937[7] This inaugural flight departed Singapore from the then brand-new Kallang Airport which had just opened earlier in the same month on 12 June[8] Later a second D.H.89A enabled the expansion to daily services as well as the addition of Ipoh as a destination. The WAS services ceased with the onset of the World War II Japanese occupation of Malaya and Singapore.

Beginnings

An MSA Boeing 707 at Zürich-Kloten Airport. (1972)

An initiative[9] by the Alfred Holt's Liverpool-based Ocean Steamship Company, in partnership with the Straits Steamship Company[10] and Imperial Airways, resulted in the incorporation in Singapore on 12 October 1937, Malayan Airways Limited (MAL). But the first paying passengers could be welcomed on board only some 10 years later. After the war, MAL was restructured to include just the partnership of Straits Steamship and Ocean Steamship. The airline's first flight was a charter flight from the British Straits Settlement of Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, on 2 April 1947, using an Airspeed Consul twin-engined aircraft.[11] This inaugural flight on the "Raja Udang",[12] with only five passengers, departed Singapore's Kallang Airport and was bound for Kuala Lumpur's Sungai Besi Airport. Weekly scheduled flights quickly followed from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Penang from 1 May 1947 with the same aircraft type.[13] The airline continued to expand during the rest of the 1940s and 1950s, as other British Commonwealth airlines (such as BOAC and Qantas Empire Airways) provided technical assistance, as well as assistance in joining IATA. By 1955, Malayan Airways' fleet had grown to include a large number of Douglas DC-3s, and went public in 1957. Other aircraft operated in the first two decades included the Douglas DC-4 Skymaster, the Vickers Viscount, the Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation, the Bristol Britannia, the de Havilland Comet 4 and the Fokker F27. Over the next few years, the airline expanded rapidly, boosted by post-war air travel demand when flying became more than a privilege for the rich and famous. By 12 April 1960, the airline was operating Douglas DC-3s, Super Constellations and Viscounts on new routes from Singapore to Hong Kong, and from Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok via Penang. Flights were also introduced from Singapore to cities in the Borneo Territories, including Brunei, Jesselton (now Kota Kinabalu), Kuching, Sandakan and Sibu.

In 2001, the airline became a pierce rolfing-run stock corporation. With the delivery of an 84-seat Bristol Britannia in 1960, the airline launched its first long-haul international flight, to Hong Kong. When Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak formed the Federation of Malaysia in 1963, the airline's name was changed, from "Malayan Airways" to "Malaysian Airways" (though still abbreviated to MAL). MAL also took over Borneo Airways. In 1966, following Singapore's separation from the federation, the airline's name was changed again, to Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA). The next year saw a rapid expansion in the airline's fleet and routes, including the purchase of MSA's first Boeing aircraft: the Boeing 707s, as well as completion of a new high-rise headquarters in Singapore. Boeing 737s were added to the fleet soon afterward.

Incorporation

Boeing 737-200 of MAS at Brunei International Airport in 1987.

The differing needs of the two shareholders, however, led to the break-up of the airline just 6 years later. The Singapore government preferred to develop the airline's international routes, while the Malaysian government had no choice but to develop the domestic network first before going regional and eventually international. MSA ceased operations in 1972, with its assets split between two new airlines; Malaysian Airline System (MAS), and Singapore Airlines.

With the Singapore government determined to develop Singapore Airlines' international routes, it took the entire fleet of seven Boeing 707s and five Boeing 737s, which would allow it to continue servicing its regional and long-haul international routes. Since most of MSA's international routes were flown out of Singapore, the majority of international routes were in the hands of Singapore Airlines. In addition, MSA's headquarters, which was located in Singapore, became the headquarters of that airline.

The initials MSA were well regarded as an airline icon, and both carriers tried to use them. Malaysian went for MAS by just transposing the last two letters and choosing the name Malaysian Airline System, while Singapore originally proposed the name Mercury Singapore Airlines to keep the MSA initials, but changed its mind and went for SIA instead. Acronyms for airline names later became less fashionable, and both carriers then moved on to their descriptive names.

Expansion

Revenue Passenger-Kilometers, in millions
Year Traffic
1975 1633
1979 2825
1981 4290
1990 11909
1995 22558
2000 37939
Source: Air Transport World
Malaysia Airlines DC-10-30, a backbone for the medium-long haul expansion of the airline from 1976 to March 2000.

Malaysian Airline System took all domestic routes within Malaysia and international routes out of that country, as well as the remaining fleet of Fokker F27's. It began flights on 1 October 1972 and soon expanded, including introducing flights from Kuala Lumpur to London.

In that year MAS operated flights to more than 34 regional destinations and six international services. In 1976, after receiving its DC-10-30 aircraft, MAS scheduled flights reached Europe, with initial flights from Kuala Lumpur to Amsterdam, Paris and Frankfurt.

An economic boom in Malaysia during the 1980s spurred growth at Malaysia Airlines. By the end of the decade MAS was flying to 47 overseas destinations, including eight European destinations, seven Oceania destinations, and United States destinations of Los Angeles and Honolulu. In 1993 Malaysia Airlines reached South America when the airline received its Boeing 747 aircraft. MAS became the first airline in Southeast Asia to serve South America via its flights to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Malaysia Airlines also flew to Mexico City between 1994 and 1998 with fifth-freedom rights to carry passengers between Mexico City and Los Angeles, en route to Kuala Lumpur.

First period of unprofitability

Prior to the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997, the airline suffered losses of as much as RM 260 million after earning a record-breaking RM319 million profit in the financial year 1996/1997. The airline then introduced measures to bring its P&L back into the black. For the financial year 1999/2000, the airline cut its losses from RM700 million in the year 1998/1999 to RM259 million. However, the airline plunged into further losses in the following year, amounting to RM417 million in FY2000/2001 and RM836 million in FY2001/2002. With these losses, the airline cut many unprofitable routes, such as Brussels, Darwin, Honolulu, Madrid, Munich and Vancouver.

The airline recovered from its losses in the year 2002/2003. It achieved its then-highest profit in the year 2003/2004, totaling RM461 million.

Second period of unprofitability

Regional services flown by Fokker F50s, such as this one, were once operated at a substantial loss.

In the year 2005, Malaysia Airlines reported a loss of RM1.3 billion. Revenue for the financial period was up by 10.3% or RM826.9 million, compared to the same period for 2004, driven by a 10.2% growth in passenger traffic. International passenger revenue increased by RM457.6 million or 8.4%, to RM5.9 billion, while cargo revenue decreased by RM64.1 million or 4.2%, to RM1.5 billion. Costs increased by 28.8% or RM2.3 billion, amounting to a total of RM 10.3 billion, primarily due to escalating fuel prices. Other cost increases included staff costs, handling and landing fees, aircraft maintenance and overhaul charges, Widespread Assets Unbundling (WAU) charges and leases.[14]

The Government of Malaysia appointed Idris Jala as the new CEO on 1 December 2005, to execute changes in operations and corporate culture. Several weaknesses in airline operations were identified as the causes of the RM1.3 billion loss. These included esclating fuel prices, increased maintenance and repair costs, staff costs, low yield per available seat kilometre ("ASK") via poor yield management and an inefficient route network. Under the leadership of Idris Jala, Malaysia Airlines launched its Business Turnaround Plan in 2006, developed using the Government-linked company (GLC) Transformation Manual as a guide.

The most substantial factor in the losses was fuel costs. For the period, the total fuel cost was RM3.5 billion, representing a 40.4% increase compared to the same period in 2004. Total fuel cost increases comprised RM977.8 million due to higher fuel prices and another RM157.6[14] million due to additional consumption. In the third quarter, fuel costs were RM1.26 billion, compared to the RM1.01 billion in the corresponding period in 2004, resulting in a 24.6% increase or RM249.3 million.[14]

Another factor for the losses was poor revenue management. MAS substantially lagged its peers on yield. Some of this gap was due to differences in traffic mix,[15] with less business traffic to and from Malaysia than to and from Singapore, but much of it was due to weaknesses in pricing and revenue management, sales and distribution, brand presence in foreign markets, and alliance base. Malaysia Airlines has one of the lowest labour costs per ASK at USD0.41, compared to other airlines such as Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines at USD0.59 and USD0.60[15] respectively. However, despite low labour costs, the ratio of ASK revenue to this cost was, at 2.8, much lower than Singapore Airlines, where the ratio is 5.0, and slightly higher than Thai Airways[15]

There are other factors listed in the Business Turnaround Plan of Malaysia Airlines, all leading to the net loss of RM1.3 billion in the year 2005.

Recovery from unprofitability

Under the various initiatives, launched together with the Business Turnaround Plan, Malaysia Airlines switched from losses to profitability between FY2006 and FY2007. When the Business Turnaround Plan came to an end, the airline posted a record profit of 851 million Ringgit (265 million dollars) in 2007, ending a series of losses since 2005. The result exceeded the target of RM300 Million by 184%.[16]

Route rationalising was one of the major contributors to the airline's return to profitability. Malaysia Airlines pared its domestic routes from 114 to 22, and also cancelled virtually all unprofitable international routes (such as Kuala Lumpur-Manchester, that required a 140% load factor to break even). Apart from that, Malaysia Airlines also rescheduled all of its flight timings and changed its operations model from point to point services to hub and spoke services.

Additionally, the airline started Project Omega and Project Alpha to improve the company's network and revenue management. Emphasis has been placed on six areas: pricing, revenue management, network scheduling, opening storefronts, low season strategy and distribution management.

Malaysia Airlines has been involved in discussions for new aircraft purchases, using its cash surplus of 5.3 billion Ringgit to eventually purchase 55 narrow-body aircraft and 55 wide-body aircraft.[17]

Despite these achievements, critics continue to deride the carrier for lagging behind its competitors in the region. This notion is not helped by the fact Malaysia Airlines has not made substantial investments in customer service, especially compared to Thai Airways or Singapore Airlines.

On 22 December 2009, Malaysia Airlines announced the purchase of 15 new Airbus A330 aircraft, with options for another 10. Expected to be delivered between 2011 and 2016, they are intended to operate on medium-haul routes to eastern Asia, Australia, and the Middle East. The airline's plans are to run Airbus A380 planes, which will be introduced into service in 2012, on long-haul routes, A330s on medium-haul routes, and Boeing 737 aircraft on short-haul routes. Under this plan, it is unclear where Boeing wide-bodies currently in the fleet would fall.[18]

Third unprofitability

In 2011, Malaysia Airlines recorded a stunning net loss of RM2.52 billion due to rising fuel costs and mismanagement which was the largest in its company history. The company ceased operations to Surabaya, Karachi, Dubai, Dammam and Johannesburg in January, and ceased flights to Cape Town, Buenos Aires as well as Rome in February.

Business Turnaround Plan

On 28 February 2013, Ahmad Jauhari Yahya, the group Chief Executive Officer, reported a net profit of RM51.4mil for the fourth quarter, reversing the net loss of RM1.3bil a year earlier. MAS' improved financial performance last year was mainly attributable to its route rationalization programme, which saw an overall 6% reduction in available seat kilometre (ASK). This was matched by a marginal 2% reduction in revenue to RM13.76bil in 2012 and seat factor holding at 74.7%. The reduced ASK also helped MAS register a corresponding 13% decrease in expenditure.[19]

Corporate information

Malaysia Airlines is listed on the stock exchange of Bursa Malaysia under the name Malaysian Airline System Berhad. The airline suffered high losses over the years due to poor management and fuel price increases. As a result of financial restructuring (Widespread Asset Unbundling)[14] in 2002, led by BinaFikir, Penerbangan Malaysia Berhad became its parent company, incorporated in 2002, in exchange for assuming the airline's long-term liabilities. On the operational side, the Government of Malaysia appointed Idris Jala as the new CEO on 1 December 2005, to execute changes in operations and corporate culture. Under his leadership, Malaysia Airlines unveiled its Business Turnaround Plan (BTP) in February, 2006, which identified low yield, an inefficient network and low productivity (overstaffing). The airline headquarters building in downtown Kuala Lumpur was sold.[citation needed] The new corporate headquarters is now at the MAS Complex on the grounds of Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang, Selangor.[20]

Boeing 747-400 9M-MPD of Malaysia Airlines in the special "Hibiscus" livery, taking off at Heathrow Airport.

Following the Widespread Asset Unbundling (WAU) restructuring of Malaysia Airlines, Malaysian Government investment arm and holding company, Khazanah Nasional's subsidiary, Penerbangan Malaysia Berhad[21] is the majority shareholder with a 52.0% stake.[21] After Penerbangan Malaysia Berhad, the second-largest shareholder is Khazanah Nasional, which holds 17.33% of the shares. Minority shareholders include Employees Provident Fund Board (10.72%), Amanah Raya Nominees (Tempatan) Sdn Bhd (5.69%), State Financial Secretary Sarawak (2.71%), foreign shareholders (5.13%)[21] and Warisan Harta Sabah (2.4%). It has 19,546 employees (as of March, 2007).[22] The Malaysian government reported that the government's holding company, Khazanah Nasional is keen on selling shares of Malaysia Airlines to remain globally competitive in an industry which is fast-consolidating.[5]

Head office

The airline has its headquarters and registered office on the third floor of Administration Building A at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang, Selangor, in Greater Kuala Lumpur.[23] The head office is located near Terminal 3 of the airport.[24]

Previously the airline headquarters were on the third floor of the MAS Administrative Complex at Subang Airport,[25][26] in Subang.[24] Prior to the construction of the Kuala Lumpur MAS headquarters, the airline rented space in the UMBC headquarters.[27] The airline had a permanent corporate headquarters in the Bangunan MAS,[28] a 34-36 story[24][27] building it owned along Jalan Sultan Ismail,[27] in the Golden Triangle.[24] The airline occupied 20 stories in the building.[24] The building was built for RM88mil. In 2005 The Star said that the building was "reported to be worth between RM300mil and RM350mil".[27] At one time before 2005 the airline chairperson, Raja Tun Mohar, made an oral promise to Tun Abdul Razak of the Government of Malaysia that the airline would not sell its headquarters.[27] The airline had 600 employees in the building.[24]

In 2006,[24] the airline moved its head office from the Kuala Lumpur building to the former headquarters in Subang,[24] in order to reduce inefficiencies and generate cash.[29] Channel News Asia stated that the airline had been "forced" to sell the former headquarters.[30] Idris Jala, the managing director, said that the sale could net RM3bil. In the event it did not, the airline would try to rent out the floors it occupied. The first phase was scheduled to occur from January to March of that year, with the chairperson, executive director, managing director, company secretary, corporate communication officer, and finance communication officer moving to the Subang facility. In June 2006, Phase II was planned as a move for the distribution, marketing, and sales divisions of the company, to Administration Block Three.[24]

Around 2007 Permodalan Nasional Bhd purchased Bangunan MAS from the airline. The new owners planned to remodel the building, by installing a five star hotel apartment block and upgrade the offices to Grade A++.[31]

The airline planned to relocate its headquarters from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport to Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, Selangor in Greater Kuala Lumpur in February 2012.[32]

Subsidiaries

Malaysia Airlines has diversified into related industries and sectors, including aircraft ground handling, aircraft leasing, aviation engineering, air catering, and tour operator operations. It has also restructured itself by spinning-off operational units as fully owned subsidiaries, to maintain its core business as a passenger airline. Malaysia Airlines has over 20 subsidiaries, with 13 of them fully owned by Malaysia Airlines.[33]

Some of the subsidiaries include:

Company Type Principal activities Incorporated in Group's Equity Shareholding
Malaysia Airlines Cargo Sdn. Bhd Subsidiary Cargo Malaysia 100%
GE Engine Services Malaysia Joint Venture Engine Overhaul Malaysia 30%
MASwings Sdn. Bhd. Subsidiary Airline Malaysia 100%
Firefly Sdn. Bhd. Subsidiary Airline Malaysia 100%
MAS Aerotechnologies Sdn Bhd Subsidiary MRO Malaysia 100%
MAS Golden Holidays Sdn Bhd Subsidiary Tour operator Malaysia 100%
Malaysian Aerospace Engineering Sdn Bhd Subsidiary Engineering Malaysia 100%
MAS Academy Sdn Bhd Subsidiary Flight school Malaysia 100%
Abacus Distribution Systems (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd Subsidiary Computer reservation system Malaysia 80%
Taj Madras Air Catering Limited Associate Catering India 20%
MAS Catering (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd Subsidiary Catering Malaysia 60%
LSG Sky Chefs Associate Holding company Malaysia 30%

Financial highlights

Malaysia Airlines experienced its worst loss in FY2005, with RM1.25 billion losses. Since then, the Business Turnaround Plan was introduced to revive the airline, in the year 2006. At the end of the airline's turnaround program, in financial year 2007, Malaysia Airlines gained RM851 million net profit: a swing of RM987 million compared to RM134 million in losses in FY2006, marking the national carrier’s highest-ever profit in its 60-year history. The achievement was recognised as the world’s best airline-turnaround story in 2007, with Malaysia Airlines being awarded the Phoenix award by Penton Media's Air Transport World: the leading monthly magazine covering the global airline industry.[34]

Malaysia Airlines Financial Highlights.[35]
Year ended/(Quarter Ended) Revenue
(RM '000)
Expenditure
(RM '000)
Profit/(Loss)
after Tax (RM '000)
Shareholders
Fund (RM '000)
EPS after tax
(cents)
31 December 2002 8,864,385 8,872,391 Increase336,531 2,562,841 Increase38.7
31 December 2003 8,780,820 8,591,157 Increase461,143 3,023,984 Decrease36.8
31 December 2004 11,364,309 11,046,764 Decrease326,07 3,318,732 Decrease26.0
31 December 2005 9,181,338 10,434,634 Decrease(1,251,603) 2,009,857 Decrease(100.20)
31 December 2006 13,489,549 13,841,607 Decrease(133,737) 1,873,452 Decrease(10.90)
31 December 2007 15,288,640 14,460,299 Increase852,743 3,934,893 Increase58.05
31 December 2008 15,503,714 15,259,027 Decrease245,697 4,186,000 Decrease14.62
31 December 2009 12,782,086 12,288,980 Increase493,106 747,596 Increase28.64
31 December 2010 12,978,396 13,409,127 Decrease237,346 3,395,266 Decrease7.2
31 December 2011 13,653,894 16,197,154 Decrease(2,521,325) 1,093,198 Decrease(75.5)
31 December 2012 13,286,612 14,117,447 Increase(430,738) 2,123,144 Increase(12.9)

Branding

From the late 1990s up to 2007, Malaysia Airlines used the Going Beyond Expectations slogan to brand itself internationally. With the rollout of the Business Transformation Plan in 2008,[36] the CEO of Malaysia Airlines rejected the idea of using MH's network or certain other features as its new branding strategy.[37] Instead, the new branding strategy slogan is MH is Malaysian Hospitality, to emphasise the hospitality of its cabin crew instead of the airline's network and cabin classes.

Corporate image

Malaysia Airlines introduced the Sarong Kebaya design on 1 March 1986[38] for female flight attendants. It was designed by the School of Fashion at Mara Institute of Technology (Malay: Institut Teknologi Mara) and later known as Mara University of Technology (Malay: Universiti Teknologi Mara). The batik material depicts the kelarai motif, which is a bamboo weave pattern. It appears in the background in subdued hues of the basic uniform colour. Superimposed on the kelarai motif is a mixture of Malaysian flora, such as the cempaka, jasmine and the leaves of the hibiscus. The geometric Sarawakian motif is used for the lapels of the baju, edges of sleeves and the sarong. On 1 January 1993, the colours of the batik were enhanced to complement the colour of the new uniform. The male flight attendants wear grey colour jackets.[39] The stewardess' Batik uniforms are similar to those of the Singapore Airlines' Singapore Girls, however the shape of the collar is slightly different.

Malaysia Airlines cabin staff
Malaysia Airlines regional cabin staff, the airline received the "World Best Cabin Crew" award by Skytrax in 2011.
Colour Code of female flight attendants
  • Red Sarong Kebaya with yellow flowers with red background are for the Inflight Supervisors
  • Sarong Kebaya with pink flowers are for Chief Stewardesses, Leading Stewardesses and Flight Stewardesses (see difference from the name tag)
  • Sarong Kebaya with magenta flowers are for the ground frontliners
Colour Code of male flight attendants
  • Grey Coloured Jackets with light grey vest and light blue shirts

The history of the airline started in 1937, when Malayan Airways Limited was registered as a company. Flying operations started in 1947, with the aircraft bearing the symbol of a winged tiger. In 1963, the airline was renamed Malaysian Airways Limited, when the Federation of Malaysia was formed. Subsequently, Borneo Airways Limited was absorbed by Malaysian Airways Limited. In 1965, with the political separation of Singapore from Malaysia, there was continued participation by the governments of Malaysia and Singapore in the airline. In 1967, the company changed its name to Malaysia-Singapore Airline Limited (MSA), which was the joint national air carrier for both countries, and a new logo was introduced.

In 1971, Malaysia-Singapore Airline Limited was separated into two airlines, each with its own policies and objectives, leading to the birth of Malaysia's flag carrier, Malaysian Airline System (MAS), on 3 April 1971. The name was chosen because, in abbreviated form, MAS (as in EMAS) in Malay means gold, to symbolise quality service.

A Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-200ER taking off from Zurich Airport

A new corporate logo designed by Dato' Johan Ariff was introduced on 15 October 1987, retaining the essence of the moon kite, with a sheared swept-back look.[40] Along with the new corporate logo, a new type style - MALAYSIA, was created. It is italicised to slant parallel with the logo to accentuate speed as well as direction. Within this corporate typestyle, the letters MAS bear red clippings to denote the initials of the statutory name of the airline, Malaysian Airline System (MAS), and were added after the original design was rejected by former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir. The introduction of blue to the original red logo has national significance. The red and blue divides equally in the middle to denote equilibrium.

On 8 March 2012, Malaysia Airlines unveiled another rebrand, with a new logo and livery. The red from the previous logo has been replaced entirely by blue colour tones. The kite now faces from left to right, as it did in the original 1971 logo, its tails have been extended and is now entirely in gradient tones from grey to blue. The wordmark has also been modernised, with a new typeface and the word "airlines" is now presented in lowercase.[41]

Alliance

In August 2011, Malaysia Airlines agreed to form an alliance with AirAsia through a share swap.

On 1 February 2013, the airline joined the Oneworld airline alliance, whose members include American Airlines, British Airways, Qantas, Cathay Pacific, and Japan Airlines.[42]

MHbuddy social networking service

In 2011 Malaysia Airlines introduced a social seating plan that allows passengers to pick seatmates before their flight. The plan lets passengers share their social network profiles and photos with other passengers on the same flight. [43]

Destinations

A Malaysia Airlines Boeing 737-800 at the KLIA main terminal, with the aircraft denoting with the current livery.

Before the introduction of the Business Turnaround Plan, Malaysia Airlines operated 118 domestic routes within Malaysia and 114 international routes across six continents.[15] Malaysia Airlines now flies to 87 destinations across six continents from its primary hub in Kuala Lumpur. It has a particularly strong presence in the Southeast Asia region, which, together with its subsidiary MASWings and Firefly, connects Kuala Lumpur to the most destinations in Borneo Island. Apart from that, the airline has a key role in the Kangaroo Route, on which the airline provides onward connecting flights from main European gateways to major Australian and New Zealand gateways via Kuala Lumpur International Airport, within 5 hours. Malaysia Airlines also operates transpacific flights from Kuala Lumpur to Los Angeles International Airport via Tokyo (previously operated via Taipei) which had ended on 30 April 2014 to focus its services in Asia. Transatlantic flight from Kuala Lumpur to Newark Liberty International Airport via Stockholm-Arlanda Airport (Newark flights had previously also been routed via Dubai International Airport) were ended in October 2009 due to poor passenger loads.

Under the Business Turnaround Plan, numerous routes were axed and frequencies reduced. As of September 2007, Malaysia Airlines flies to 88 destinations. In cooperation with code-share partner airlines, the airline serves more than one hundred destinations worldwide. It was the first airline in Southeast Asia to fly to South Africa, following the demise of apartheid, and the only airline in Southeast Asia that served South America via South Africa until 2012. In 2006, it suspended its routes to Manchester, Vienna, Fukuoka, Chengdu, Nagoya, Xi'an, Cairo, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Zürich under its Business Turnaround Plan.

Malaysia Airlines also owns its own charter flight division. Malaysia Airlines' charter flights have flown to destinations around the world, such as Guilin, which was previously one of Malaysia Airlines' scheduled destinations, and Christmas Island. Malaysia Airlines has also been the official airline for the Manchester United Asian Tour[44] It also has a substantial Hajj operation.

Malaysia Airlines applied for approval to launch 3 weekly Kota Kinabalu – Tokyo Haneda service with Boeing 737-800, effective 15 November 2010. After receiving regulatory approval, Malaysia Airlines adjusted its Tokyo operations. All Kuala Lumpur – Tokyo traffic departed and arrived in Narita, and Kota Kinabalu – Tokyo traffic operated from/to Haneda. The airline ended operations at Tokyo Haneda Airport on 1 February 2012.[45]

In 2012, it suspended services to Cape Town, Dubai (serviced resumed in August 2013), Johannesburg, Buenos Aires, Rome, Dammam, Karachi and Surabaya due to unprofitability.[32][46] In addition, the airline also suspended 4 destination: Tokyo, Osaka, Perth and Seoul from Kota Kinabalu. The airline has also reinstated some of Kota Kinabalu's previous routes such as Perth, Osaka and Tokyo operations were shifted to Narita which began on 28 October 2013 (the airline previously operated flights from Kota Kinablau to Haneda). Introduction for Kota Kinabalu to Shanghai-Pudong have also begun, thus effectively reviving Kota Kinabalu status as a hub.

A380 Milestones

A Malaysia Airlines Airbus A380-841, during a special flight in Farnborough Airshow.

In 2003, Malaysia Airlines’ parent company, Penerbangan Malaysia Berhad, signed a Contract with Airbus to purchase six Airbus A380-800 aircraft.

On 7 June 2011, the first A380 for Malaysia Airlines entered into final assembly phase at the Airbus Final Assembly Line in Toulouse, France. On 20 October, the A380 makes its maiden test flight from Toulouse to Hamburg upon completion of the final assembly & system tests.

Malaysia Airlines first A380 to arrive in Kuala Lumpur on 19 June 2012. Malaysia Airlines A380 inaugural flight from Kuala Lumpur to London on 1 July 2012.

Malaysia Airlines introduced double daily Airbus A380 flights on the London route on 24 November 2012, Paris route is effective daily from 1 March 2013 and Hong Kong route on 1 May 2013.

Codeshare agreements

Malaysia Airlines has codeshare agreements with the following airlines:[citation needed]

Fleet

File:Malaysia Airlines A388.jpg
A Malaysia Airlines Airbus A380, the flagship type of the airline.
Malaysia Airlines Airbus A330-300, used primarily for the medium-long haul routes.
A Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-200ER, mainly deployed for the medium and long haul operations.
Malaysia Airlines Boeing 737-800, the regional workhorse fleet.

As of June 2014, Malaysia Airlines operates the following aircraft:[52][53][54]

Malaysia Airlines Fleet
Aircraft In Service Orders/
Options
Passengers Notes
F C Y Total
Airbus A330-300 15 0 36 247 283 All with New Product Features consistent with
Airbus A380 and Boeing 737-800(MX),(MS)
Airbus A380-800 6 8 66 420 494[55]
Boeing 737-800 15 0 16 150 166 Leased (ML)(FF)
41 14/10 0 16 144 160
Boeing 747-400 1 12 41 306 359 One Aircraft was reactivated with 2005 old interiors installed. To be used as a temporary backup/relief aircraft when the A380s undergo schedule wingfix.
Boeing 777-200ER 14 0 35 247 282
MAS Cargo Fleet
Airbus A330-200F 4
N/A
Boeing 747-400F 2
N/A
Total 110 11/20

Services

Malaysia Airlines operates a fleet of aircraft with two-cabin and three-cabin configurations. The 777-200 fleet has a two-cabin configuration, with Golden Club Class and Economy Class. The Airbus A380 fleet has a three-cabin configuration, also including First Class. The Airbus A330-300, Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 737-400 aircraft have a two-cabin configuration.

Airport lounge

Malaysia Airlines' Golden Lounge

The Golden Lounge is the airport lounge for Malaysia Airlines First Class, Golden Club Class passengers and Enrich Platinum and Enrich Gold, eligible Oneworld and code-share partner members. The clubs all have open bars and food catering. There are 14 lounges throughout the world, and qualified passengers have full reciprocal privileges at lounges operated by selected partners. The lounge offers various services such as business centres, food catering, slumber rooms and child-care centres.[56]

Lounges are maintained at the following airports:

In April 2008, the airline launched its new Regional Golden Lounge at the KL International Airport (KLIA) for regional-bound first and business class passengers.

With this new lounge, Malaysia Airlines at Kuala Lumpur International Airport now has three lounges: the Satellite Lounge, Domestic Lounge and the Regional Lounge.

Cabin

All of Malaysia Airlines' aircraft have an Economy and a Business Class section. First Class is only present on Airbus A380 aircraft. Babies are banned from first class.[57]

First Class

First Class is offered only on the Airbus A380 on routes to Hong Kong International Airport, London Heathrow and Paris Charles de Gaulle. Malaysia Airlines offers the widest First Class seats in the sky on its A380 aircraft; the A380 features eight semi-enclosed suites with a 23-inch flat screen television.

Business Class

Business Class (previously known as Golden Club Class) is available on all of Malaysia Airlines' fleet. The newer business class, introduced in 2005, can only be found on Boeing 777-200, which has 35 seats.

In 2011, Malaysia Airlines introduced the new business class seats on their brand new Airbus A330-300. While newer regional business class seats were also introduced on the Boeing 737-800 to be used on short-medium haul routes such as Kota Kinabalu, Taipei and Manila.[58] Seats made by Recaro within the Business Class cabin of new A330-300 are configured in pairs (2-2-2) layout, fitted with in-seat power and USB port, as well as new Select 3000i on a 15.4 inches touch screen panel, while the Boeing 737-800 are fitted in pairs (2-2) inclusive of the new Select 3000i and have recline ability. The first Airbus A330-300 carrying the new Regional Business Class was assigned to Kuala Lumpur - Brisbane sector on 20 April 2011.[59]

Economy Class

Economy Class is available on all of Malaysia Airlines' fleet. Seats feature a pitch of 33-34 inches and width of 17-17.25 inches, with footrests (except on 737-400s) on the older aircraft while the newer fleets such as the Airbus A380, Airbus A330-300 and Boeing 737-800 feature seat pitch of 30-32 inches and width of 17-17.5 inches. On the Boeing 777-200, it has a 6.5" personal TV located behind each seat, and a footrest located below the seat in front, the leased 737-800 has no personal TV but overhead TV's located in the aisles of the plane and feature a seat pitch of 29-30 inches. The new A330-300 as well as the new 737-800 all have the new Select 3000i. The Boeing 737-400 has a standard Economy seat. In 2010, Economy Class was voted the World's Best Economy Class at the 2010 World Airline Awards by Skytrax.[60]

'Baby ban' and 'Child-free zone'

Malaysia Airlines has attracted both criticism and praise for its controversial decision to prohibit children from travelling in certain classes or cabins of its aircraft.

Infants are not permitted in first class on MAS Airbus A380 due to MAS' decision not to install bassinets in the cabin.[61] Malaysia Airlines Managing Director and CEO Tengku Azmil explained the policy in a Twitter post, saying the airline received complaints from first class passengers that they "spend money on 1st class and can't sleep due to crying infants". [citation needed]

MAS subsequently claimed that an upgrade of the first class cabin to fit new seats and an ottoman (which doubles as a visitor seat) meant "there was no facility for positioning bassinets in the First Class of the 747s."[62] However, Azmil later said it was possible for MAS to fit bassinets to the first class sections of its 747-400s "but many people complain about it." [citation needed]

Malaysia Airlines has also stated that children under the age of 12 may not travel in the 70-seat upper deck economy section of the A380. "The economy seats on upper level will be allocated for business travellers. Passengers accompanying children under 12 years old age will be excluded from booking these seats."[63]

MAS says the decision "is to showcase the economy class zone in the main deck, enhanced and designated as a family and children friendly inflight zone. From the perspective of customers travelling with their families, the economy class family-friendly convenience would be a warm welcome. The main deck has more facilities such as toilets (8 for economy configuration of 350 seats) and the dual aerobridge airport facility supporting this deck will also mean a speedier/faster embarkation and disembarkation for this group of passengers."[64]

In-flight entertainment

Select is the in-flight entertainment system of Malaysia Airlines. There are three types of Select: Select 3000i, Select 3000i Portable Media Player and Select Mainscreen. However, the Boeing 737-400 does not have Select Mainscreen or either version of Select 3000i, and does not offer audio video on demand.

Select 3000i
All Malaysia Airlines Airbus A380, Airbus A330-300(NEW), Boeing 737-800 and 777-200ER aircraft are equipped with an Inflight entertainment system, Select 3000i with audio and video in 14 languages. A touch-screen personal TV is available on board Airbus A380, Airbus A330-300(NEW), Boeing 737-800 and First Class and Business Class on Boeing 777-200ER aircraft.
New deliveries of Airbus A330-300(NEW) and Boeing 737-800 (MX,MS) aircraft would carry touch-screen based Select 3000i.
Select 3000i Portable Media Player
Select 3000i Portable Media Player
The Select 3000i Portable Media Player is provided to Malaysia Airlines' Business Class passengers on selected regional and semi-long-haul Boeing 737-800 (ML) aircraft on North and South Asia routes. It allows passengers a choice of movies, TV shows and sports.[65]
Select Mainscreen
Used in Economy Class on Boeing 737-800 (ML) regional and semi-long-haul aircraft which features 15-inch dropdown retractable LCD screens are installed at every 4th seat row in the economy class zone of the aircraft.

Malaysia Airlines' inflight magazine is named 'Going Places' and is available both on board, and as a freely downloadable application for Apple's iPad.[66]

Frequent-flyer programs

Malaysia Airlines has two frequent-flyer programs: Grads for Students by Malaysia Airlines (Grads) and Enrich by Malaysia Airlines (Enrich). Grads is a frequent-flyer program with benefits designed for students. Enrich by Malaysia Airlines is a frequent flyer program for frequent travellers that comprises a variety of airlines, banks, credit-card issuers, hotels and retailers around the world.

Enrich by Malaysia Airlines

On 30 September 1987, Malaysian Airline System introduced the Esteemed Traveller frequent-flyer program. In the early 1990s, Malaysia Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Thai Airways International and Singapore Airlines launched their joint Asian frequent-flyer program: Passages. The joint program was officially dissolved in 1999, and the Enrich frequent-flyer program made its debut after the split from Passages.

Enhanced Enrich
On 12 July 2006, Malaysia Airlines introduced its enhanced Enrich frequent-flyer program. The program is now known as Enrich by Malaysia Airlines (Enrich).
Member
Benefits and Tiers[67]
There are four levels of Enrich memberships - Blue, Silver (oneworld Ruby), Gold (oneworld Sapphire) and Platinum (oneworld Emerald). Each offers various privileges including priority check-in, priority standby and extra baggage allowance, amongst others. Miles can be accrued on qualifying Malaysia Airlines services, as well through partners, including airlines, hotels, car rental agencies and credit-card companies. Miles accrued by members allow for redemption for free travel, free upgrades and other complimentary services.
Now that Malaysia Airlines is a member of the oneworld alliance, your Elite tier membership will have the corresponding oneworld status, which allows you to take advantage of all the oneworld top tier privileges.Enrich members can look forward to greater rewards and privileges:[68]
  • Earn and redeem Enrich Miles whenever you fly with oneworld member airlines and their affiliates
  • Earn Elite Miles on all oneworld member airlines and their affiliates for your tier status qualification
  • Redeem multi-carrier flights via oneworld member airlines and their affiliates
Partners
Members of Enrich are able to accrue miles on qualifying flights through Malaysia Airlines and Enrich airline partners:[69]

Non-airline partners[70][71] include:

Grads

Grads for Students
Grads Program has been discontinued effective 31 March 2014. However, existing GRADS members, would continue to enjoy GRADS privileges until 31 December 2014.[72]

Accidents and incidents

There have been 6 accidents involving passenger fatalities on Malaysia Airlines, with a total of 134 confirmed fatalities:

  • 15 September 1995 - Malaysia Airlines Flight 2133, a Fokker 50 registered 9M-MGH touched down too far along the runway at Tawau Airport, Sabah and crashed in a shantytown during the subsequent go-around. Of the 49 passengers and 4 crew on board, 32 passengers and 2 crew were killed. The probable cause was poor handling of the aircraft by the pilot.[74]
  • 15 March 2000 - Malaysia Airlines Flight 85, an Airbus A330-300 registered 9M-MKB was damaged by a chemical called oxalyl chloride, which leaked from canisters during unloading after its arrival at Kuala Lumpur from Beijing; causing damage to the fuselage. The five-year-old Airbus was sufficiently damaged to be written-off.[75]
  • 1 August 2005 - a Boeing 777-200ER registered 9M-MRG operating Malaysia Airlines Flight 124 departed Perth for Kuala Lumpur. Climbing through 38,000 feet a faulty accelerometer caused the aircraft's Air Data Inertial Reference Unit (ADIRU) to command changes of altitude. The flight crew overrode the ADIRU and manually returned to land the aircraft at Perth. The subsequent investigation led the US Federal Aviation Administration to issue emergency airworthiness directive 2005-18-51 on the fly-by-wire software.[76]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Malaysia Airlines to Join Oneworld in February". Malaysiandigest.com. 30 October 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  2. ^ 69. Ahmad Jauhari Yahya appointed MAS managing director The Edge Malaysia. Retrieved 14 September 2011
  3. ^ a b "Malaysia Airlines Annual Report 2012" (PDF). Malaysia Airlines. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
  4. ^ "Qantas Signs Joint Venture MOU with MAS Aerospace Engineering". Qantas Press Room. 19 December 2007.
  5. ^ a b "Government keen to sell stake in Malaysia Airlines, says CEO". The Associate Press. 18 February 2008.
  6. ^ "The Founders" (PDF). Wearnes (WBL Corporation). Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  7. ^ "Mail takes flight". SPM Singapore. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  8. ^ "Flight into fantasy". ALPAS Singapore. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
  9. ^ "Malaysia Airlines - Our Story". Malaysia Airlines. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
  10. ^ "Straits Steamship Company". National Library Singapore. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  11. ^ "Telekom Malaysia and Malaysia Airlines Synergise Business Relationship". Telekom Malaysia Berhad. Archived from the original on 12 October 2007. Retrieved 3 September 2007.
  12. ^ "Flight Into Fantasy". Airline Pilots Association Singapore. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  13. ^ "The Creation of Singapore Airlines". Singapore Airlines. Retrieved 1 July 2007.[dead link]
  14. ^ a b c d "Malaysia Airlines reports end of year losses" (PDF). Malaysia Airlines. Retrieved 23 March 2008. [dead link]
  15. ^ a b c d "Malaysia Airlines Business Turnaround Plan" (PDF). Malaysia Airlines. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
  16. ^ "Malaysia Airlines back in the black with record profit". Channel News Asia. Retrieved 23 March 2008.
  17. ^ "Malaysian Airline returns to profit in 2007, exceeds financial targets". Forbes. 25 February 2008. Archived from the original on 29 September 2008. Retrieved 23 March 2008. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help) [dead link]
  18. ^ MAS orders 15 A330s
  19. ^ Kok, Cecilia (1 March 2013). "MAS swings back to black, reports net profit of RM51.4mil for Q4". The Star (Malaysia). Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  20. ^ "Employment fraud: Phishing alert." (Archive) Malaysia Airlines. Retrieved on 20 September 2012. "Head of Recruitment, Human Capital Division 2nd Floor, Admin Building 4 MAS Complex B Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport 47200 Subang Selangor Darul Ehsan"
  21. ^ a b c "Malaysia Airlines stakeholders". Malaysia Airlines. Archived from the original on 8 April 2008. Retrieved 23 March 2008.
  22. ^ "Malaysia Airlines stakeholders". PMB. Retrieved 23 March 2008.
  23. ^ "Annual Report 2011." (Archive) Malaysia Airlines. p. 2. Retrieved on 31 October 2012. "Registered Office 3rd Floor, Administration Building 1 MAS Complex A Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah AIrport 47200 Subang Selangor Darul Ehsan Malaysia"
  24. ^ a b c d e f g h i Krishnamoorthy, M. "MAS-sive move." The Star. Saturday 7 January 2006. Retrieved on 31 October 2012.
  25. ^ "World Airline Directory." Flight International. 30 March 1985. p. 94. "3rd Floor, Administrative Building, MAS Complex, Subang International Airport, Subang, Selangor, Malaysia. MA 37614."
  26. ^ "World Airline Directory." Flight International. 29 March 1986. p. 100. "3rd Floor, Administrative Building, MAS Complex, Subang International Airport, Subang, Selangor, Malaysia"
  27. ^ a b c d e "MAS promised not to sell headquarters." The Star. Sunday 25 December 2005.
  28. ^ "Directory: World airlines." Flight Global. 30 March-5 April 2004. 30 March-5 April 2004. p. 37. "33rd Floor, Bangunan MAS, Jalan Sultan Islmail, Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory, 50250, Malaysia"
  29. ^ "The MAS Way: Business Turnaround Plan." (Archive) Malaysia Airlines. 27 February 2006. p. 44. Retrieved on 31 October 2012. We have moved our head office to Subang. The reason for this move is not only to generate cash (through the disposal of the KL head office), but also to achieve greater efficiencies in terms of reduced travelling between offices to attend meetings and reduced building maintenance and other support costs. Clearly, this also helps to unleash talents and promote greater teamwork."
  30. ^ "Malaysia Airlines boosted after sweeping reforms." Channel News Asia. 7 March 2010. Retrieved on 31 October 2012.
  31. ^ "Bangunan MAS to be upgraded." The Star. Thursday 21 October 2010. Retrieved on 31 October 2012.
  32. ^ a b Sidhu, B.K. "MAS to axe unprofitable routes." The Star. Thursday 10 November 2011. Retrieved on 31 October 2012.
  33. ^ "Malaysia Airlines Subsidiaries". Malaysia Airlines. Retrieved 23 March 2008.[dead link]
  34. ^ Bernama Malaysia. "Malaysia Airlines Gets ATW's Phoenix Award". BennyLabamba.com. Retrieved 29 January 2008.
  35. ^ "2012Malaysia Airlines Annual Report" (PDF). Malaysia Airlines. Retrieved 31 December 2012.[dead link]
  36. ^ "Malaysia Airlines Business Transformation Plan: Project Mosaic". Malaysia Airlines. Retrieved 28 March 2008.[dead link]
  37. ^ "Welcome 'home' - to an aeroplane". The Star. 24 February 2008.
  38. ^ "Golden assets". The Star. 18 December 2007.
  39. ^ "Airline makes better use of its MH code". The Star. 1 February 2008.
  40. ^ Johan Design Associates
  41. ^ Posted by Simon (9 March 2012). "The Branding Source: New logo: Malaysia Airlines". Brandingsource.blogspot.com. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  42. ^ "Malaysia Airlines to join oneworld in February". 29 October 2012.
  43. ^ "Most Popular E-mail Newsletter". USA Today. 27 February 2012.
  44. ^ "Manchester United to raise money for UNICEF during the 2005 Asia Tour". Unicef. 2005.
  45. ^ "MAS to suspend 4 more Sabah routes - Latest - New Straits Times". Nst.com.my. 22 December 2011. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  46. ^ The Malaysian Insider – Wed, 14 Dec 2011 (14 December 2011). "MAS to drop eight routes in 2012 - Yahoo! News Malaysia". My.news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 17 February 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  47. ^ "Malaysia Airlines joins the oneworld alliance American and Malaysia Airlines sign new codeshare". Eturbonews.com. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  48. ^ "Malaysia Airlines & Bangkok Airways Begin Code Sharing". Bernama. 27 March 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  49. ^ "It's Time for Africa" (Press release). Malaysia Airlines. 27 December 2013. Archived from the original on 31 December 2013.
  50. ^ Hashim, Firdaus (6 March 2014). "MAS resumes codeshare with Garuda". Flightglobal. Singapore. Archived from the original on 8 March 2014.
  51. ^ http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=88124
  52. ^ Malaysia Airlines Fleet ch-aviation.ch
  53. ^ "Fleet (Malaysia Airlines - Fleet)". Malaysia Airlines.
  54. ^ 6 March 2014. "Malaysia Airlines Fleet in Planespotters.net". planespotters.net. Retrieved 6 March 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  55. ^ Malaysia Airlines unveils A380 Configuration FlightGlobal 8 March 2012
  56. ^ "Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge". Malaysia Airlines. Retrieved 29 March 2008.[dead link]
  57. ^ "MH Experience - Fleet - Airbus A380". Malaysia Airlines. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  58. ^ "Malaysia Airlines unveils new A330-300". Business Traveller.com. 15 April 2011.
  59. ^ "Malaysia Airlines Launch New A330-300 to Brisbane with Business Class". SkyClub.com. 26 April 2011.
  60. ^ "Malaysia Airlines wins award for the World's Best Economy Class at the 2010 World Airline Awards". Skytrax. Retrieved 20 October 2010.
  61. ^ "Malaysia Airlines defends controversial 'baby ban' in First Class - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller". Ausbt.com.au. 7 July 2011. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  62. ^ "Malaysia Airlines Defends Controversial Ban on Babies in First Class". Christianpost.com. 29 June 2011. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  63. ^ "Malaysia Airlines declares kid-free zone on new MAS Airbus A380 - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller". Ausbt.com.au. 13 April 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  64. ^ "Enhanced Family and Children-Friendly Inflight Zone on Our New A380 Economy Main Cabin". Facebook. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  65. ^ Malaysia Airlines Successfully Launches e.Digital's Portable 8" eVUTM IFE System and Services
  66. ^ iPad Inflight Magazines. Retrieved 2011-09-07.
  67. ^ About Enrich on www.malaysiaairlines.com
  68. ^ http://www.malaysiaairlines.com/hq/en/enrich/about-oneworld.html
  69. ^ Enrich - Earn Enrich Miles - Partner Airlines | Malaysia Airlines
  70. ^ Enrich Partner Hotels on www.malaysiaairlines.com
  71. ^ Other Enrich Partners on www.malaysiaairlines.com
  72. ^ http://www.malaysiaairlines.com/hq/en/enrich/grads/faqs.html
  73. ^ "Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
  74. ^ "Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
  75. ^ "Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
  76. ^ Incident 20050801-1 Aviation Safety Network, accessed 14 October 2008
  77. ^ "Airliner with 239 on board missing over Asia". Malaysia Sun. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
  78. ^ "MH370 Flight Incident" (Press release). Malaysia Airlines.
  79. ^ http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-26716572"Families told missing plane lost". BBC News. 24 March 2014. Retrieved 24 March 2014.