Summary
- Malaysia Airlines now offers free inflight WiFi for all passengers, regardless of sophistication or loyalty tier, providing unlimited data throughout the journey.
- The service is initially available on chosen widebody aircraft, with plans to roll it out to the narrowbody fleet.
- This move helps Malaysia Airlines compete with other carriers within the region, although some passengers may prefer to disconnect from the true world during their flight.
Malaysia Airlines has announced that as of November 1st, inflight WiFi is now freed from charge for all passengers, no matter cabin class or loyalty tier. The service will initially be available on chosen widebody aircraft in Malaysia Airlines’ fleet – six Airbus A350-900s, five A330-200s, and nine A330-300s.
The complimentary WiFi will later be rolled out across the airline’s narrowbody fleet. Data from ch-aviation shows that the majority of the oneworld member’s narrowbody fleet is made up of 42 Boeing 737-800s, with a median age of 10.9 years old. They are going to soon be joined by the 25 737 MAX 8s that the carrier has on order.
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The Chief Executive Officer of Airlines at Malaysia Aviation Group, Ahmad Luqman Mohd Azmi, celebrated the news, saying,
“We’re delighted to increase our complimentary WiFi offering to passengers across all travel class; making us one in all the primary airlines to enable such convenience. As well as, unlike previous data capping, we now offer unlimited data, allowing guests to conveniently stay connected throughout their journey – whether connecting with their family members or for work purposes throughout their journey with us.”
Previously, only business class passengers and Enrich Platinum members were entitled to free WiFi. All other passengers were required to subscribe to the airline’s pay-per-use WiFi.
Enhanced onboard offering
Along with the free WiFi for all passengers, and to coincide with World Kid’s Day on November 1st, Malaysia Airlines will probably be providing reusable Pilot Parker lunchbox sets to children aged three to eight. The carrier already offers an activity pack for kids.
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Speaking about Mayalsia Airlines’ commitment to customer support, Mohd Azmi went on to say,
Maintaining with the competition
The free onboard WiFi will help Malaysia Airlines compete with other carriers operating within the region, a lot of which already provide an identical service. That said, there are few that supply complimentary WiFi with none strings attached.
In July 2023, Singapore Airlines rolled out an identical initiative, offering freed from charge WiFi to all passengers. The difference is that those in premium economy and economy class are required to hitch KrisFlyer, the airline’s loyalty program, with a purpose to profit from the complimentary service. Non-members should buy a WiFi plan. Earlier within the yr, Emirates brought in an identical offering, whereby members of its free-to-join Skywards loyalty program could make use of free WiFi.
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The news of free onboard WiFi will little question be welcomed by many, and can allow Malaysia Airlines to maintain up with the competition. That said, the concept of WiFi onboard generally is a divisive subject, particularly for those passengers who enjoy having the ability to disconnect from the true world, no less than for a number of hours.
What do you think that of Malaysia Airlines’ free WiFi service for all passengers? Do you want having WiFi onboard? Share your thoughts by commenting below.