KUALA LUMPUR: British Airways is returning to Kuala Lumpur this Nov 10 with daily flights from London Heathrow using its Boeing B787-9 aircraft to provide more direct connections between Malaysia and the UK.
The airline's chairman and chief executive officer Sean Doyle said the resumption of Kuala Lumpur flights and other Southeast Asia destination is part of its £7 billion (RM42 billion) modernisation plan to offer better services and fleet.
He confirmed the Southeast Asia network resumption at the announcement of British Airways' modernisation plans yesterday.
Currently, Kuala Lumpur-London Heathrow direct flights are only offered by Malaysia Airlines Bhd.
British Airways had axed Kuala Lumpur from its network in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic after resuming the direct flight in May 2015. Prior to 2015, the airline last flown to Malaysia's capital in 2001.
The flights on the B787-9 will have four-class configured with eight First Class, 42 Club Class, 39 World Traveller Plus and 127 World Traveller seats.
The return fares start from £620 (RM3,718) in economy, £1,388 (RM8,323) in premium economy and £3,200 (RM19,190) in business and £4,000 (RM23,987) in first class.
British Airways will also resume operations to Bangkok but this time from London Gatwick on a thrice weekly service using its B777-200ER aircraft.
Doyle said British Airways' modernisation plan includes new aircraft and cabins, improved customer service and operational performance, its sustainability efforts, as well as new website and mobile app, and new First Class suite and new premium airport lounges.
"We're going to take delivery of new aircraft, introduce new cabins, elevate our customer care, focus on operational performance and address our environmental impact by reducing our emissions and creating a culture of sustainability," Doyle said, as quoted by several foreign media.
Meanwhile, British High Commissioner to Malaysia, Ailsa Terry, said the resumption of British Airways direct flights between London and Kuala Lumpur reflects the growing linkages between the UK and Malaysia.
"This includes approximately £6billion in our bilateral trade and the immense growth potential when the UK completes the ratification of CPTPP later this year.
"The direct flights will also improve the connectivity much welcomed by students, professionals and holidaymakers travelling between our nations.
"I would like to thank the Government of Malaysia, British Airways and everyone involved in making this possible," she said.
In October 2023, Bloomberg reported that International Airlines Group (IAG), the owner of British Airways, was discussing with Boeing and Airbus for a potential order for at least 20 widebody airplanes to replace some of its B777.
According to ch-aviation, the British carrier has 43 B777-200ERs in its widebody fleet as well as 16 A350-900s, 12 A380-800s, 12 B787-8, 18 B787-9s and 7 B787-10s.
The airline also has 11 B787-10s and 18 B777-9s on firm orders from Boeing.
