Jane Chen / Shanghai Daily news
Starting next year, upgraded Boeing 777-200 jetliners with no First Class
sections but expanded Business Class sections will travel between Shanghai and
Malaysia, a Malaysia Airlines official said yesterday.
As reported in the
Youth Daily, Huang Shengfu, general manager with Malaysia Airlines' East China
region, said the company is making adjustments to improve its fleet and
service.
Since October, the carrier has reported satisfactory business,
particularly with the Economy Class. The occupancy rate for its two daily
flights on the Shanghai-Malaysia route has remained high, at around 90
percent.
First Class business has been disappointing, however, Huang noted,
because most of the passengers on the flight are travelers and business
people. In this case, to expand the business class section is a good
strategy, he explained.
After the upgrade, the Boeing 777's First Class
section will be merged with the Business Class section bringing the seat total
to 289.
Meanwhile, 60 newly recruited serving staff will soon start service
on the five-hour flights, Huang noted. They are specially trained to serve the
Chinese passengers.