Malaysia Airlines to cut First Class from Shanghai services

Airline Industry Information, Nov 30, 2004

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

Malaysia Airlines is to cut its First Class cabin from its Shanghai route when its upgraded Boeing 777-200 aircraft takes over the route in 2005.

The airline said that it will expand its Business Class section on the route after recording disappointing figures for the First Class service to Shanghai despite a 90% occupancy rate on the two daily flights on the route. A spokesperson for the airline's East China region said that the change is part of the company's fleet and service improvement programme.

First Class seats will be merged into the Business Class cabin during the overhaul of the 777 aircraft, creating a 289-seat capacity. Malaysia Airlines said that 60 new staff would also be joining the service that are specifically trained to serve Chinese passengers.

((Comments on this story may be sent to aii.feedback@m2.com))