Malaysia Airlines has released exclusive photos of its first Airbus A330-900 (A330neo) during its final assembly at the famous aircraft manufacturing facility in Toulouse, France.
Anticipation for the first arrival of Malaysian Airlines’ new fleet of A330neo aircraft is building with deliveries expected to begin in the third quarter of 2024.
Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) plans to introduce 12 new aircraft in 2024 comprised of four Airbus A330neos and eight Boeing 737-8 jets.
As part of Malaysia Airlines fleet renewal program, the carrier signed agreements for 20 A330neo aircraft with Airbus, Rolls-Royce and Avolon.
Of the 20 aircraft, 10 are directly purchased from Airbus with a back- to-back sale and leaseback arrangement with Avolon, while the remaining 10 are leased directly from Avolon.
The A330neos will also feature new A330neo business class and economy class seats, as unveiled by Malaysia Airlines back in March 2024.
The Collins Aerospace Elevation business class seats feature an all-suite cabin with individual privacy doors, as well as wireless charging pods.
Malaysia Airlines plans to offer more updates on the A330neo’s journey to join the carrier throughout the year.
The new photos released by the airline show a unique perspective on how aircraft are pieced together during assembly at the Airbus facility.
“With the main fuselage sections, wings, and tail adorned with the airline’s iconic wau logo fully attached, the aircraft will undergo installation of the cockpit, engines, landing gear, electrical wiring, avionics, and fuel and hydraulic systems,” Malaysia Airlines wrote on social media on May 29, 2024.
The airline added: “The aircraft will then proceed with thorough ground checks, cabin installation and prepare for its first test flight, before making its journey home to Malaysia.”