Malaysia Airlines is the flag carrier airline of Malaysia. Headquartered at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, the airline operates flights to destinations in Europe, Oceania, and Asia from its primary hub at Kuala Lumpur International Airport and a secondary hub at Kota Kinabalu International Airport. Previously known as Malaysian Airline System, the airline is now branded as Malaysia Airlines.
June 1937: Wearne's Air Service Inaugural Flight
Wearne's Air Service, a precursor to Malaysia Airlines, launched its first flight connecting Singapore and Penang in June 1937.
October 1937: Incorporation of Malayan Airways Limited
Malayan Airways Limited was officially incorporated in Singapore in October 1937.
1937: Registration of Malayan Airways Limited
The history of Malaysia Airlines can be traced back to 1937 when Malayan Airways Limited was officially registered as a company.
April 1947: First Charter Flight
The first charter flight of Malayan Airways Limited took place in April 1947, flying from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur.
May 1947: Commencement of Weekly Scheduled Flights
Starting in May 1947, Malayan Airways Limited began offering weekly scheduled flights from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, and Penang.
1947: Commencement of Flying Operations
In 1947, Malayan Airways Limited initiated its flying operations, with aircraft adorned with the symbol of a winged tiger.
1947: First Commercial Flight of Malayan Airways Limited
Malayan Airways Limited flew its first commercial flight in 1947, marking the beginning of a long history for the airline.
1955: Expansion of Fleet and Public Listing
By 1955, Malayan Airways expanded its fleet considerably and went public in 1957.
1957: Public Listing
Malayan Airways went public in 1957, marking a significant step in its growth.
April 1960: Expansion of Routes and Frequencies
In April 1960, Malayan Airways expanded its routes and frequencies, adding destinations like Hong Kong and cities in British Borneo.
1960: Launch of First Long-Haul International Flight
Malaysian Airways launched its first long-haul international flight to Hong Kong in 1960.
September 1963: Name Change to Malaysian Airways
With the formation of Malaysia in September 1963, Malayan Airways was renamed Malaysian Airways.
November 1963: Arrival of Fokker F27 Aircraft
Malaysian Airways received five Fokker F27 aircraft in November 1963.
1963: Renamed as Malaysian Airways
Following the formation of Malaysia in 1963, Malayan Airways Limited was renamed Malaysian Airways.
April 1965: Incorporation of Borneo Airways
Malaysian Airways incorporated Borneo Airways in April 1965, merging the brand under its parent company.
1966: Renamed as Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA)
After Singapore's separation from Malaysia in 1966, Malaysian Airways was renamed Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA).
1966: Name Change to Malaysia-Singapore Airlines
Following Singapore's separation from Malaysia, the airline was renamed to Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA) in 1966.
1966: Formation of Malaysia-Singapore Airlines and New Logo
With the formation of Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA) in 1966, a new logo featuring the initials "MSA" was introduced.
1971: Birth of Malaysian Airline System (MAS)
In 1971, MSA was split into two separate airlines, leading to the establishment of Malaysia's flag carrier, Malaysian Airline System (MAS). The name "MAS" was chosen as it means "gold" in Malay (as in "EMAS"), symbolizing quality service. In the years following, a corporate logo based on the wau bulan (moon kite) was adopted.
1971: Original Wau Bulan Orientation
The original 1971 logo of Malaysia Airlines featured the wau bulan (moon kite) facing right.
October 1972: Commencement of MAS Flights
MAS began its flight operations on October 1, 1972, inheriting domestic routes within Malaysia and international routes from that country.
1972: Split into Malaysian Airline System (MAS) and Singapore Airlines (SIA)
In 1972, MSA was split into two separate airlines: Malaysian Airline System (MAS) and Singapore Airlines (SIA).
1972: Break-up of Malaysia-Singapore Airlines
In 1972, Malaysia-Singapore Airlines ceased operations and was split into two new airlines: Malaysian Airline System (MAS) and Singapore Airlines (SIA).
1976: Expansion to European Destinations
After acquiring DC-10-30 aircraft in 1976, MAS launched flights to European cities like Amsterdam, Paris, and Frankfurt.
1980: Introduction of Airbus A300B4
MAS introduced the Airbus A300B4 into its fleet in 1980, utilizing it for Asian and domestic routes.
1982: Arrival of First Boeing 747-200
MAS received its first Boeing 747-200 in 1982, making it the airline's flagship for long-haul flights.
March 1986: Introduction of Sarong Kebaya Uniform
On March 1, 1986, Malaysia Airlines introduced the Sarong Kebaya uniform for female flight attendants. Designed by the School of Fashion at Mara Institute of Technology (later known as Mara University of Technology), the batik material featured a "kelarai" motif representing a bamboo weave pattern. Superimposed on this motif were elements of Malaysian flora, including cempaka, jasmine, and hibiscus leaves.
October 1987: Introduction of New Corporate Logo and Typestyle
On October 15, 1987, a new corporate logo designed by Dato' Johan Ariff of Johan Design Associates was introduced. It retained the wau bulan (moon kite) but with a sheared, swept-back appearance and painted in red (top) and blue (bottom). A new italicised typestyle – MALAYSIA – was also created, slanting parallel to the logo to emphasize speed and direction. The letters "M," "A," and "S" in the typestyle had red clippings to signify the initials of the airline's statutory name, Malaysian Airline System (MAS). These additions were made after former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad rejected the initial design. The incorporation of blue into the original red logo held national significance.
1987: Esteemed Traveller Program Launch
Malaysia Airlines launched its first frequent flyer program called "Esteemed Traveller" in 1987.
January 1993: Enhancement of Batik Colors
In January 1993, the colors of the batik in the Sarong Kebaya uniform were enhanced to complement the new uniform color. Male flight attendants wore grey jackets as part of their uniform.
1993: Expansion to South America
MAS expanded its reach to South America in 1993 with the addition of its first Boeing 747-400 aircraft.
1994: Flights to Mexico City
MAS briefly flew to Mexico City from 1994 to 1998, utilizing fifth freedom rights to carry passengers from Los Angeles.
1995: Fleet Expansion and Replacement
In 1995, Malaysia Airlines expanded its fleet with short-term leases of MD-11 aircraft. They also began phasing out older Boeing 737-200 and Fokker 27 planes, replacing them with newer Boeing 737-400, Boeing 737-500, and Fokker 50 aircraft. The arrival of Airbus A330-300s marked the replacement of Airbus A300B4 and DC-10-30 aircraft. Some MD-11s, DC-10s, and Boeing 747-200s were converted for cargo use by Maskargo.
1996: Record-breaking Profit
Malaysia Airlines achieved a record-breaking profit of RM333 million during the financial year 1996/1997.
1997: Asian Financial Crisis Impact
The Asian financial crisis in 1997 led to losses for Malaysia Airlines, amounting to RM260 million. This came after a record-breaking profit the previous year. The airline implemented measures to restore profitability.
1998: Substantial Losses
In the financial year 1998/1999, Malaysia Airlines experienced significant losses of RM700 million.
1998: End of Mexico City Flights
MAS discontinued its flights to Mexico City in 1998.
1999: Loss Reduction Measures
During the financial year 1999/2000, Malaysia Airlines implemented measures to cut its losses. As a result, losses were reduced from RM700 million in the previous year to RM259 million.
1999: Enrich Frequent Flyer Program Debut
In 1999, Malaysia Airlines ended its joint Asian frequent-flyer program, "Passages." Following this, the airline launched its new frequent flyer program, "Enrich".
2000: Continued Losses and Route Cuts
The financial year 2000/2001 saw Malaysia Airlines facing further losses, reaching RM417 million. To address these losses, the airline decided to cut several unprofitable routes, including Brussels, Darwin, Madrid, Munich, and Vancouver.
2001: First "World's Best Cabin Crew" Award
In 2001, Malaysia Airlines first won the "World's Best Cabin Crew" award from Skytrax, marking the beginning of their multiple wins in this category.
2001: Increasing Losses
In the financial year 2001/2002, Malaysia Airlines saw its losses deepen further, reaching RM836 million, leading to route cuts.
2002: Recovery and Record Profit
Despite the losses in the previous year, Malaysia Airlines managed to recover in 2002. It achieved its highest profit at that time, totalling RM461 million.
2004: Revenue Growth and Cost Increases
In 2004, Malaysia Airlines experienced a 10.3% increase in revenue compared to the same period in 2004. This was driven by passenger traffic growth. However, costs also increased by 28.8% due to factors such as rising fuel prices, staff costs, and aircraft maintenance.
2004: Fuel Cost Comparison
In 2004, Malaysia Airlines had a significantly lower total fuel cost compared to the RM3.5 billion recorded in 2005. This difference highlighted the impact of rising fuel prices on the airline's financial performance.
December 2005: New CEO and Operational Analysis
On December 1, 2005, Idris Jala was appointed as the new CEO of Malaysia Airlines. His task was to bring about operational and cultural changes. A key finding of the analysis of the RM1.3 billion loss was that fuel costs played a major role. Fuel costs in 2005 were RM3.5 billion, a 40.4% increase compared to 2004. This increase was attributed to both higher fuel prices and increased consumption.
2005: Period of Losses
Malaysia Airlines went through a period of financial losses in 2005, prompting the implementation of a Business Turnaround Plan (BTP) the following year.
2005: Significant Loss for Malaysia Airlines
Malaysia Airlines incurred a substantial loss of RM1.25 billion in 2005.
2005: Significant Loss and Revenue Increase
Malaysia Airlines recorded a substantial loss of RM1.3 billion in 2005. Despite this, revenue increased by 10.3% or RM826.9 million compared to the same period in 2004. This revenue growth was driven by a 10.2% increase in passenger traffic.
2005: Value of Bangunan MAS Headquarters
In 2005, The Star reported that Malaysia Airlines' permanent corporate headquarters, Bangunan MAS, a 34-story building located on Jalan Sultan Ismail, was estimated to be worth between RM300 million and RM350 million.
2005: Revenue Management and Labor Costs
In 2005, Malaysia Airlines faced challenges related to revenue management, lagging behind competitors in terms of yield. Weaknesses in pricing, sales, distribution, brand presence, and alliance base contributed to this gap. Notably, despite having one of the lowest labor costs per available seat kilometer (ASK), the ratio of ASK revenue to labor cost was much lower compared to competitors like Singapore Airlines.
July 2006: Enhanced Frequent Flyer Program Introduced
In July 2006, Malaysia Airlines introduced an enhanced frequent flyer program, still called "Enrich by Malaysia Airlines".
2006: Business Turnaround Plan
In 2006, Malaysia Airlines implemented its Business Turnaround Plan, leading to route cuts and frequency reductions. They were the first Southeast Asian airline to fly to post-apartheid South Africa and the only one to serve South America via South Africa until 2012.
2006: Introduction of Business Turnaround Plan
In 2006, Malaysia Airlines implemented the Business Turnaround Plan aimed at reviving the airline's financial performance.
2006: Business Turnaround Plan
In 2006, Malaysia Airlines initiated its Business Turnaround Plan (BTP) with guidance from the Government-linked Company Transformation Manual. This plan aimed to address the airline's financial difficulties and restore profitability.
2006: Relocation of Head Office and Sale of Bangunan MAS
In 2006, Malaysia Airlines relocated its head office from the Bangunan MAS building in Kuala Lumpur back to its former headquarters in Subang. Channel News Asia reported that the airline was compelled to sell the former headquarters building.
2007: Return to Profitability and Record Profit
The Business Turnaround Plan (BTP) proved successful as Malaysia Airlines transitioned from losses to profitability between 2006 and 2007. In 2007, the airline achieved a record profit of RM853 million (US$265 million), surpassing the target of RM300 million. This marked the end of a series of losses that began in 2005.
2007: International Branding Slogan
From the late 1990s until 2007, Malaysia Airlines utilized the slogan "Going Beyond Expectations" to establish its international brand.
2007: Rural Air Service and Subsidiary Launch
In 2007, Malaysia Airlines reclaimed the operation of the Rural Air Service (RAS) in East Malaysia, taking back the turboprop aircraft previously operated by Fly Asian Express, a subsidiary of AirAsia. The airline established its own subsidiary, MASwings, to handle the RAS. Additionally, Firefly, another subsidiary, commenced commercial operations at Subang Airport.
2007: Record Profit and Recognition for Turnaround
By the end of the turnaround program in financial year 2007, Malaysia Airlines achieved a net profit of RM851 million, a significant improvement of RM987 million compared to the RM134 million loss in 2006. This marked the highest profit in the airline's 60-year history. This achievement was recognized globally, earning Malaysia Airlines the Phoenix award from Penton Media's Air Transport World for the best airline turnaround story in 2007.
April 2008: New Regional Golden Lounge
In April 2008, Malaysia Airlines opened a new Regional Golden Lounge at Kuala Lumpur International Airport for passengers on regional flights. This brought the total number of Malaysia Airlines lounges at the airport to three.
2008: Fleet Renewal with ATR-72-500
Beginning in 2008, Malaysia Airlines started replacing its Fokker 50 fleet with ATR-72-500 aircraft. This move was part of the airline's fleet modernization efforts.
2008: New Branding Strategy and Slogan
In 2008, Malaysia Airlines shifted its branding strategy, adopting the slogan "More than just an airline code. MH is Malaysian Hospitality." This emphasized the hospitality of the cabin crew, moving away from focusing on the airline's network and cabin classes.
August 2009: New CEO and Airbus A330 Order
Following Idris Jala's move to the cabinet in August 2009, Tengku Azmil Zahruddin took over as CEO of Malaysia Airlines. In December of the same year, the airline announced the purchase of 15 new Airbus A330 aircraft, with options for 10 more. Deliveries were scheduled between 2011 and 2016. These aircraft were intended for medium-haul routes to East Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.
2010: Start of Financial Struggles
By 2010, Malaysia Airlines began facing significant financial challenges, as it had not made a profit since that year. This set the stage for ongoing financial losses in the subsequent years.
2010: Acquisition and Redevelopment of Bangunan MAS
Permodalan Nasional Berhad acquired the Bangunan MAS building from Malaysia Airlines in 2010. The new owners planned to remodel the building by incorporating a five-star hotel apartment block and upgrading the offices to Grade A++.
2010: New Standard Livery with Refreshed Wau Bulan
Starting in 2010, all new Airbus A330 and Boeing 737 aircraft for Malaysia Airlines featured a new standard livery. This livery included two strips of red and blue emanating from the bottom of the fuselage. The wau bulan (moon kite) on the tail was also refreshed, maintaining its sheared swept-back look with red and blue colors, but its tails were extended to create a twinned appearance. Notably, the airline's name on the fuselage was presented in full and entirely in blue.
August 2011: Collaboration with AirAsia
In August 2011, Malaysia Airlines agreed to a share swap collaboration with AirAsia.
September 2011: Restructuring and CEO Appointment
In September 2011, Ahmad Jauhari Yahya was appointed as the new CEO of Malaysia Airlines following a major restructuring. The restructuring was prompted by a record net loss of RM2.52 billion in the same year, attributed mainly to rising fuel costs.
2011: Financial Losses in 2011
In 2011, Malaysia Airlines experienced a significant financial loss of RM2.5 billion. This was part of a trend of consecutive losses, with the airline not making a profit since 2010. The following years continued to see substantial losses.
2011: Beginning of Large Losses
Malaysia Airlines started to experience large losses in 2011, leading to the need for a turnaround plan.
2011: Airbus A330 Deliveries Begin
Malaysia Airlines started receiving deliveries of its new Airbus A330 aircraft in 2011. These aircraft were part of a larger fleet modernization plan to improve efficiency and expand capacity.
2011: New Business Class Seats Introduced
In 2011, Malaysia Airlines introduced new Business Class seats on their new Airbus A330-300. New regional Business Class seats were also introduced on Boeing 737-800 aircraft for short to medium-haul routes.
May 2012: AirAsia Collaboration Dissolved
In May 2012, Malaysia Airlines dissolved the share swap collaboration with AirAsia due to resistance from staff.
2012: "World's Best Cabin Crew" Award
Malaysia Airlines received the "World's Best Cabin Crew" award from Skytrax in 2012. This was the eighth time they had won this award since 2001.
2012: End of South America Service
In 2012, Malaysia Airlines stopped serving South America, ending its distinction as the only Southeast Asian airline to do so via South Africa.
2012: Refresh of Corporate Logo and Introduction of Exclusive A380 Livery
In 2012, the corporate logo featuring the red and blue wau bulan was refreshed. The updated wau bulan faced right, as in the original 1971 logo, and had extended tails. Although the airline initially considered an all-blue wau bulan, it ultimately reverted to the red and blue version. The wordmark was modernized with a new typeface, and "airlines" was presented in lowercase. The airline also unveiled an exclusive livery for its Airbus A380 fleet. This livery featured an all-blue wau bulan on the tail, a blue ribbon on the fuselage and engines, and the airline's name in blue.
2012: Revenue Reduction and Expenditure Decrease
In 2012, Malaysia Airlines saw a marginal 1% reduction in revenue, reaching RM13.76 billion. The airline's reduced available seat kilometers (ASK) resulting from route rationalization played a key role in achieving a 14% decrease in expenditures.
2012: Financial Losses in 2012
In 2012, Malaysia Airlines recorded a financial loss of RM433 million. This loss was part of a series of annual losses, including RM2.5 billion in 2011 and RM1.17 billion in 2013. The airline had not achieved profitability since 2010.
February 2013: Profitability and Route Rationalization
In February 2013, Malaysia Airlines announced a net profit of RM51.4 million for the fourth quarter. This positive financial performance was primarily attributed to the successful implementation of a route rationalization program. The program resulted in an 8% reduction in available seat kilometers (ASK), contributing to cost savings.
February 2013: Joined Oneworld Alliance
On February 1, 2013, Malaysia Airlines became a member of the Oneworld alliance, adding 16 new destinations to the alliance's network. This expanded their reach to over 842 destinations in 156 countries.
2013: Financial Losses in 2013
In 2013, Malaysia Airlines reported a financial loss of RM1.17 billion. This added to the consecutive years of losses, including RM2.5 billion in 2011 and RM433 million in 2012. The airline had not made a profit since 2010, and industry analysts expected continued financial difficulties.
2013: Introduction of Slogan Focusing on Travel Companions
Since 2013, Malaysia Airlines has been using the slogan "Journeys are made by people you travel with." However, in the aftermath of the Flight 370 and Flight 17 incidents, the airline employed various slogans, including "#keepflying" and "#flyinghigh."
2013: Turnaround Plan and Restructuring
Due to significant losses, Malaysia Airlines initiated a turnaround plan in 2013, cutting unprofitable routes and undergoing internal restructuring.
2014: Older Aircraft Retirement
By the end of 2014, Malaysia Airlines retired its older generation Airbus A330 and Boeing 737-400 aircraft. This ongoing fleet modernization aimed to improve operational efficiency and passenger comfort.
2014: Further Route Suspensions
Following aircraft losses in 2014, Malaysia Airlines suspended services to various destinations, leaving London (Heathrow) as its sole European destination.
2014: Bankruptcy and Renationalization
From 2014 to 2015, Malaysia Airlines declared bankruptcy and was renationalized by the Malaysian government.
2014: Khazanah's MAS Recovery Plan
In 2014, Khazanah released the MAS Recovery Plan, which included eliminating about 6,000 jobs and reducing the route network to focus on regional destinations. Khazanah also planned to delist the airline from Malaysia's stock exchange by the end of the year and aimed to return it to profitability by late 2017.
2014: Financial Losses and Decline in Ticket Sales
In 2014, Malaysia Airlines faced significant financial challenges, losing RM443.4 million in the first quarter and RM307.04 million in the second quarter following the disappearance of Flight 370. The airline had not made a profit since 2010, and the company's stock fell significantly. CEO Ahmad Jauhari Yahya acknowledged a decline in ticket sales and mentioned the suspension of advertising campaigns. The airline warned of poor second-half earnings due to a 33% decline in average weekly bookings after the loss of Flight 17.
2014: Peter Bellew's Previous Role at Ryanair
In 2014, Peter Bellew served as a flight operations director at Ryanair before joining Malaysia Airlines. His experience at Ryanair was cited as a reason for his return to help fix pilot problems.
January 2015: Malaysia Airlines Declared Technically Bankrupt
In January 2015, Malaysia Airlines was declared technically bankrupt. This announcement came as part of the broader restructuring efforts aimed at reviving the airline.
May 2015: Creation of Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB)
In May 2015, it was announced that Malaysia Airlines would be transferred to the newly founded Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) by 1 September 2015. The rebranding of the airline was also set to commence on the same day.
July 2015: MAS Recovery Plan Implementation
In July 2015, Khazanah planned to transfer the operations, assets, and liabilities of Malaysian Airline System Berhad into a new company as part of the MAS Recovery Plan. This restructuring aimed to streamline operations and improve financial performance.
September 2015: Rebranding and Transfer to Malaysia Airlines Berhad
On 1 September 2015, Malaysia Airlines was rebranded and officially transferred to the newly established Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB). This transition included a reduction in workforce and an adjusted route network focused on Asia.
2015: Renationalization and Downsizing
The renationalization of Malaysia Airlines in 2015 involved transferring all operations to a new entity and downsizing the airline.
January 2016: Introduction of Alcohol Policy
In January 2016, Malaysia Airlines introduced a policy of not serving alcohol on flights shorter than three hours. This move, though unpopular with some travelers, was made in response to the preferences of the majority of customers.
April 2016: Resignation of CEO Christoph Mueller
In April 2016, CEO Christoph Mueller resigned from his position at Malaysia Airlines, citing personal circumstances. He initially planned to continue as CEO until September 2016 and then stay on the board as a nonexecutive director.
April 2016: New Business Class Seats for A330-300
In April 2016, Malaysia Airlines debuted new Business Class seats on their A330-300s, provided by Thompson Aero Seating. These fully lie-flat seats were configured in a 1-2-1/1-2-2 layout. The same seats were later used on their Airbus A350 fleet.
July 2016: Appointment of New CEO Peter Bellew
In July 2016, Peter Bellew was appointed as the new CEO of Malaysia Airlines, effectively shortening Christoph Mueller's tenure by two months. Bellew's appointment was part of the transition plan following Mueller's resignation.
September 2016: Transition to New CEO
In September 2016, Christoph Mueller planned to transition from his role as CEO of Malaysia Airlines and remain on the board as a nonexecutive director. However, his tenure was shortened.
October 2016: Liverpool FC Sponsorship
In October 2016, Malaysia Airlines signed a 3-year deal to become the Official Global Airline Partner of Premier League club Liverpool FC. This sponsorship included a six-minute advertisement video of Malaysia Airlines broadcast during home games at Anfield.
2016: Retro Livery on Boeing 747-400
In 2016, a Boeing 747-400 was painted with a special retro livery scheme, replicating the 1970s Malaysia Airlines System paint scheme to commemorate the airline's 40th anniversary. This followed a similar retro livery applied to a Boeing 737-800 (9M-MXA) in 2012.
2016: Completion of Airbus A330 Deliveries
By 2016, Malaysia Airlines completed the delivery of its order of 15 new Airbus A330 aircraft. This marked a significant step in modernizing its fleet and expanding its capacity for medium-haul routes.
April 2017: Implementation of Satellite Flight-Tracking System
In April 2017, Malaysia Airlines announced that its entire fleet would be tracked using a satellite flight-tracking system. This move aimed to enhance the safety and monitoring of their aircraft.
May 2017: Lounge Renovations Begin
In May 2017, Malaysia Airlines started extensive renovations of all three lounges at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
October 2017: CEO Peter Bellew's Return to Ryanair
In October 2017, Malaysia Airlines CEO Peter Bellew announced his return to Ryanair as the chief operations officer. His decision came just over a year after the former CEO Christoph Mueller left the airline. Captain Izham Ismail was appointed as the new CEO shortly after Bellew's departure.
November 2017: Arrival of Airbus A350 and A330-200
In November 2017, Malaysia Airlines received new Airbus A350 and A330-200 aircraft. The A350s were used to replace the Airbus A380 on long-haul routes, while the A330-200s were deployed on medium to long-haul routes. The A380s were instead assigned to routes to Narita and Seoul.
2017: Target for Profitability
By 2017, Khazanah aimed to have Malaysia Airlines return to profitability as part of their MAS Recovery Plan. This was a key milestone in the restructuring efforts that began in 2014.
2017: "Negaraku" livery introduced
In 2017, Malaysia Airlines introduced the "Negaraku" special paint scheme on a Boeing 737. This livery featured the Malaysian flag on the aft fuselage, symbolizing Malaysia's heritage and culture. It also modified the wau bulan logo on the tail. This livery was planned to be integrated across the entire fleet.
2017: Fleet Expansion with Airbus A350-900
In 2017, Malaysia Airlines announced the addition of four new Airbus A350-900 aircraft to their fleet. These aircraft were to be leased from Air Lease Corporation and were expected to be delivered from the end of 2017 to the middle of 2018.
February 2018: Lounge Renovations Near Completion
The renovation of Malaysia Airlines' lounges at Kuala Lumpur International Airport was nearly finished by February 2018.
March 2018: Lounge Renovations Completed
The renovations of all three Malaysia Airlines lounges at Kuala Lumpur International Airport were completed in March 2018.
March 2018: New Business Class Seats on A330-200
In March 2018, Malaysia Airlines received new Airbus A330-200 aircraft and introduced Business Class seats from the previous operator, Air Berlin. These seats, manufactured by Stelia, had a 1-2-1 layout and were used on high-demand regional routes and flights to Auckland.
2018: Continued Fleet Expansion
In 2018, Malaysia Airlines continued its fleet expansion by adding more Airbus A350-900 and Airbus A330-900 aircraft. This was part of their strategy to modernize their fleet and improve operational efficiency.
2018: Liverpool FC Sponsorship Continued
Malaysia Airlines' sponsorship deal with Liverpool FC continued through 2018.
2018: Planned Relisting of Malaysia Airlines
In 2018, Khazanah planned to relist Malaysia Airlines on the stock exchange as part of their long-term strategy to restore the airline's financial health following the MAS Recovery Plan initiated in 2014.
2018: Unveiling of New Slogan
A new slogan, "Malaysian Hospitality Begins With Us," was introduced by Malaysia Airlines in 2018.
2019: Potential Relisting of Malaysia Airlines
By 2019, Khazanah aimed to relist Malaysia Airlines on the stock exchange, hoping to capitalize on the financial recovery efforts that started with the MAS Recovery Plan in 2014.
2019: Launch of Project Amal
In 2019, Malaysia Airlines launched Project Amal, a special hajj and umrah charter service for Muslim pilgrims. The project utilized the airline's Airbus A380 fleet to facilitate these religious journeys.
2019: Liverpool FC Sponsorship Ended
Malaysia Airlines' 3-year sponsorship deal with Liverpool FC ended in 2019.
April 2020: Golden Skies Ventures' Offer and COVID-19 Impact
On 6 April 2020, Golden Skies Ventures made an offer of US$2.5 billion to take over Malaysia Airlines during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic also forced the airline to ground most of its Boeing 737 aircraft.
October 2020: Capital Needs and Retirement of Airbus A380
In October 2020, Malaysia Airlines stated it needed about RM1 billion of capital annually to sustain operations amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The airline also decided to retire and return all six of its grounded Airbus A380 aircraft to Airbus by 2023.
December 2020: Destinations as of December 2020
As of December 2020, Malaysia Airlines flew to 59 destinations across Domestic Malaysia, Southeast Asia, China, North Asia, South Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
2020: Conversion to Cargo Flights during COVID-19
From Q2 2020 to Q1 2022, Malaysia Airlines converted a majority of its passenger flights to cargo flights to support the disrupted supply chain in Asia. This strategic pivot helped the airline navigate the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021: Enrich Rebranding
In 2021, Malaysia Airlines rebranded its Enrich frequent flyer program. The rebranding focused on travel and lifestyle programs, along with increased digitization, allowing members to purchase products from various retailers.
2021: Underutilization of Credit Lines for Malaysia Airlines
During 2021 and 2022, credit lines intended to alleviate Malaysia Airlines' financial burden were underutilized.
August 2022: Airbus A330neo Order
In August 2022, Malaysia Airlines confirmed an order for 20 Airbus A330neo aircraft, with options for 20 more. These planes were intended to replace A330-200s and A330-300s on routes across Asia, the Pacific, and the Middle East. Deliveries were scheduled between Q3 2023 and 2028.
2022: Underutilization of Credit Lines for Malaysia Airlines
During 2021 and 2022, credit lines intended to alleviate Malaysia Airlines' financial burden were underutilized.
2022: Net Loss for Malaysia Airlines
In 2022, Malaysia Airlines and its subsidiaries experienced a net loss of RM344 million.
2022: Financial Improvement through Restructuring
In 2022, Malaysia Airlines improved its financial margin through restructuring efforts, including converting passenger flights to cargo flights and undertaking repatriation missions. The airline reported a net profit of RM1.15 billion in the fourth quarter, reducing its total net loss to RM344 million from RM1.65 billion the previous year.
2022: Introduction of Lighter Seats and Wireless Entertainment
In 2022, Malaysia Airlines started to introduce lighter and slimmer seats for their Boeing 737 fleet. These seats are based on the Safran z110i lineup and have USB A and C charging. The airline also replaced personal in-flight entertainment systems with wireless entertainment content streaming provided by Viasat, which passengers can access on their personal devices.
2022: Refreshed Business Class Seats for 737-800
In 2022, Malaysia Airlines unveiled refreshed Business Class seats for their Boeing 737-800 aircraft. These seats, based on Safran's Z600 series, were also slated for installation on the upcoming Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.
August 2023: Disruption in Inflight Catering Services
In August 2023, Malaysia Airlines faced issues with its primary inflight caterer, BRAHIM, at Kuala Lumpur International Airport due to contract disputes. This resulted in a halt of most hot meal services on flights from Kuala Lumpur in September. While the airline has since been gradually restoring hot meals through various caterers, most services were restored by November.
November 2023: Anticipated Full-Year Net Profit and Aircraft Renewal
In November 2023, Malaysia Airlines announced its expectation of achieving a full net profit for 2023 and reaching complete break-even. This was attributed to improved yields, a strengthened balance sheet, and consistent positive cash flow resulting from restructuring efforts and a resurgence in global travel demand. The airline also recommitted to its narrowbody and widebody aircraft renewal program.
2023: Khazanah to Retain Ownership of Malaysia Airlines
In 2023, Malaysia's sovereign wealth fund, Khazanah Nasional Berhad, decided to retain sole ownership of Malaysia Airlines due to positive cash flow. This decision followed the underutilization of credit lines intended to support the airline in 2021-2022.
2023: Boeing 737 MAX 8 Deliveries
The first of Malaysia Airlines' 25 ordered Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft is expected to arrive in Q4 2023.
2023: Refined Business Class Seats on A350
In 2023, with the addition of more A350s to their fleet, Malaysia Airlines introduced further refined Business Class seats. These Thompson Vantage XL seats were retained from the previous operator, SAS.
2023: Return of Airbus A380 to Airbus
By 2023, Malaysia Airlines planned to return all six of its grounded Airbus A380 aircraft to Airbus. This decision was made due to the ongoing challenges in operating the double-decker fleet amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
2023: Airbus A330neo Deliveries Begin
In 2023, Malaysia Airlines started receiving deliveries of their ordered Airbus A330neo aircraft.
2023: Updated "Negaraku" livery unveiled
In 2023, Malaysia Airlines revealed an updated "Negaraku" livery on their new Airbus A330-900. This updated version incorporated a songket motif on the wau bulan logo, showcasing colors from traditional Malaysian textiles. The airline also revised the font and angle of the wau bulan logo.
2023: Domestic Flight Transfer to Firefly
In 2023, Malaysia Airlines initiated the transfer of some domestic flights to its subsidiary Firefly as part of its restructuring. This multi-phase transfer focused on non-core domestic routes, while Malaysia Airlines retained major trunk routes.
2023: Lease of A350-900 aircraft
In 2023, Malaysia Airlines began leasing four additional A350-900 aircraft, with the first one joining their fleet in late 2023.
2023: Full-Year Net Profit for Malaysia Airlines
In 2023, Malaysia Airlines and its subsidiaries turned around their financial performance from a net loss in the previous year to achieve a full-year net profit.
January 2024: Fleet Size
As of January 2024, Malaysia Airlines had 72 aircraft in its fleet. This included Boeing 737-800s, Boeing 737 MAX 8s, Airbus A330-200s, Airbus A330-300s, and Airbus A350-900s. Their subsidiary, Maskargo, operated three A330-200 Freighters.
March 2024: Confirmation of Full-Year Net Profit for 2023
In March 2024, Malaysia Aviation Group confirmed that Malaysia Airlines and its subsidiaries had achieved a full net profit for the year 2023, reporting a profit after tax and interest (NIAT) of RM766 million, a significant turnaround from the net loss of RM344 million in 2022.
2024: New Business Class Seats with Collins Aerospace Elevation
In 2024, Malaysia Airlines will introduce new Business Class seats featuring Collins Aerospace Elevation seats in a reverse herringbone configuration on their new Airbus A330-900NEO aircraft. Their Airbus A350-900 aircraft will undergo cabin reconfiguration to incorporate the same seats later. These seats offer individual doors, direct aisle access, wireless charging for personal devices, and a 17-inch inflight entertainment system.
2024: Decision on Additional A330neo Orders
In Q1 2024, Malaysia Airlines is expected to decide on whether to exercise its option for an additional 20 Airbus A330neo aircraft.
2025: New Economy Class Product Unveiled
In 2025, Malaysia Airlines plans to commence a refurbishment program for their A350 fleet to introduce a new economy class product. This product is based on Recaro's CL3810 lineup and will include features such as USB-C charging and WiFi connectivity. The seats will also showcase the signature songket motif.
2025: Potential Strategic Partnership for Malaysia Airlines
Khazanah planned to reduce its stakes in Malaysia Airlines after 2025, potentially allowing the airline to seek a strategic partnership with an international operator.
2025: Business Suite Class to be Discontinued
Malaysia Airlines' Business Suite Class, formerly First Class, will be gradually phased out in 2025. This decision is driven by the airline's focus on enhancing its Business Class offerings on the upcoming A330-900 and A350-900 aircraft.
2028: Airbus A330neo Deliveries Conclude
The final deliveries of the Airbus A330neo aircraft to Malaysia Airlines are expected to be completed in 2028.