Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) today has unveiled a refresh to its Boeing 737-800 NG (New Generation) fleet. The aircrafts now feature reworked interiors which the airlines describes as “a progressive step towards the future, with a fresh and premium cabin ambience.”
As before, MAB’ refreshed B737-800 NG retains the standard three-by-three and two-by-two layouts for Economy and Business classes respectively. However, the latter are now offered in a total of only 12 seats instead of 16.
Fitted together with the plane’s all-white cabin are new Safran-designed leather seats that are decorated in the airline’s signature blue colour, along with Batik-inspired motifs. Of course, you can expect a more premium version of these reclining seats for the Business class. MAB says all seats are lighter and leaner than before, thus allowing for more legroom in both cabin classes.
The most apparent change from this refresh is the removal of the in-flight entertainment (IFE) screens. As the airline itself puts it, “In-flight entertainment has now transitioned, from seatback to your hand. That’s right, the all-new seats are lighter and leaner because the seatback IFE has moved to become a part of what you’re already bringing into the cabin: Your personal devices.”
To accommodate this, equipped on each seat are personal device holders for tablets or smartphones, along with AC, USB-A and USB-C power outlets to ensure that they are fully charged throughout the journey. In addition, MAB is now offering its IFE services (movies, podcasts, music, books, games, and in-flight purchases) wirelessly via its MHstudio interface that is accessible through smart devices while in-flight.
The airline explains that the change is in line with its “eco-friendly flying” goal, as the new and lighter interior has reduced the weight of the Boeing B737-800 NG by around 679 kg. This in turn enables it, as claimed by MAB, to reduce fuel consumption by approximately 91,000 litres per year.
The first of the new Boeing 737-800 NG refresh is set to enter operations by the end of July this year for flights that cover domestic and ASEAN locations. Malaysia Airlines adds that the balance of 38 aircraft of the same model are currently being progressively refurbished and are slated to be fully completed by the second quarter of 2023.
