Malaysia Airlines’ first Airbus A380 entered commercial service yesterday on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to London.
The new double-decker aircraft arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on Thursday following a flight from the Airbus factory in France, where it was painted with a special livery. Following a series of celebrations and ceremonies, the A380 finally took off from KLIA on Sunday 1 July, bound for London’s Heathrow airport.
Speaking at the ceremony to welcome the A380 to KLIA, MAS’ Managing Director Ahmad Jauhari Yahya commented; “The A380 in our fleet signals the start of a new level of product and experience for our guests. It is also part of our aggressive fleet renewal initiative where we are striving to bring down the average age of aircraft which will result in significant cost reductions as well. For the rest of 2012, we will take delivery of more B737-800, Airbus A330-300 and three A380 aircraft.”
In conjunction with the A380 arrival, Malaysia’s Minister of Transport Kong Cho Ha also opened the new MAS Golden Lounge at the KLIA Satellite Building. The upgraded 4,020m? Golden Lounge now seats 390 passengers in two zones – business class and first class – and features showers, a restaurant and sports bar.
The first MAS A380 will serve the KL-London route three times a week, departing KLIA on Tuesdays, Fridays, Sundays, and returning from Heathrow the following day. Following the arrival of the airline’s second A380 in August, MAS will offer a daily A380 service on the route. Further superjumbos are expected to fly to Sydney.
In total, MAS has ordered six A380s, which will be configured in a three-class layout with 494 seats.
