EXCLUSIVE | Malaysia Airlines could begin flying its new Airbus A350s to Asia by the middle of 2018 as the airline grows lukewarm on a second European route for the next-gen jetliners.
Speaking at a media briefing in Sydney, airline CEO Peter Bellew confirmed to Australian Business Traveller that he expects to take delivery of the first two A350s in November 2017 and swing them onto the Kuala Lumpur-London route in mid-January 2018 as flights MH3/MH4.
The second of the airline’s double-daily London flights – MH1/MH2 – would switch across to the A350s in March 2018.
Read more: Malaysia Airlines' London Airbus A350 flights start January 2018
The question then becomes what to do with the final pair of Malaysia Airline’s six-strong A350 fleet, which Bellew says will be delivered by the end of June 2018.
“We’re still evaluating what we do with the last two” Bellew told Australian Business Traveller, admitting that previous plans to expand to Paris, Amsterdam or Frankfurt are now looking less likely.
“Doing another direct service to Europe doesn't work very well due to the very low fares being offered by Gulf carriers, but we’re still working on it."
"If we can form a joint venture with another airline it might make sense, because it's the ideal way to get another European destination" he added. "The only way I can see it succeeding would be to work closely with another carrier."
“If not, we’ll use them for something like services to Shanghai and Tokyo,” Bellew revealed. “We’re still evaluating Auckland, but we took a major hit on yield with Emirates and Qatar (flying to Auckland)."
Either way, Bellew expects to make a decision of the airline's final Airbus A350 routes within the next two months, saying "we’ll have it locked in and on sale by the end of September."
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Feb 2017
Total posts 25
So he does a media briefing from Sydney with no relevance/news for AU travelers?? Hmmpfff...
31 Mar 2016
Total posts 619
@victort:
19 Feb 2016
Total posts 7
Yeah pity they don't see Brisbane back on the cards. It would be good to get some more competition back here for South East Asia flights.
Also beefing Sydney and Melbourne back up to triple daily again.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2561
We did ask Peter Bellew about Malaysia Airlines returning to Brisbane but he could offer nothing firmer than "we'd like to" and "maybe second half of 2018 or first half of 2019, because we don't currently have the aircraft", which really isn't meaty enough for a story.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Apr 2012
Total posts 319
Isn't the A350 a medium to long haul aircraft? What routes in Asia would this suit? isnt most of the big Asian destinations a regional hop away fro. Malaysia?
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2561
The cities being considered are in the article.
31 Mar 2016
Total posts 619
@highflyer:
THAI / STAR ALLIANCE
20 May 2011
Total posts 13
I flew in Cathay Pacific's new A350 from Hong Kong to Bangkok, earlier this year. I was in a Cathay A330 from Shanghai to Hong Kong a few hours prior. In all honesty, I could not tell the difference between the planes. Both flights were business class as well. Typical Airbus, with no headroom when I stand up. I did ask the crew to confirm the plane type. :-)
British Airways - Executive Club
07 Sep 2012
Total posts 47
There is a marked difference between the A330 and the A350. The latter being so much smoother, quieter and newer !
THAI / STAR ALLIANCE
20 May 2011
Total posts 13
I know the A350 is newer, but, it didn't impress me. Prefer a Boeing B777. At least with them, I can stand up, and, never hit my head on the overhead bins.
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1215
A350 is much quieter than a 777 and noticably more modern inside. Without noise cancelling headphones, a 777 is uncomfortably noisy.
THAI / STAR ALLIANCE
20 May 2011
Total posts 13
I have done enough trips in Thai's B777-200 and B777-300, I prefer the head room on the B777. Also have Bose Noise cancelling head phones , so, no issues.
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