Boeing Offers 777X To Malaysia Airlines

Malaysia Airlines is currently renewing its fleet, and the 777X could be one of the subsequent possible additions as Boeing weighs up an offer.

According to fresh comments made by the global president of the American planemaker to Business Times, aircraft such as the 777X could be part of the Malaysia Airlines portfolio in the future.

Malaysia Airlines isn’t stopping there. Hot off the back of a purchase for the 737 MAX to elevate its single-aisle fleet, it is now evaluating the requirement for more wide bodies to capture demand in future decades.

Boeing, a long-time supporter of Malaysia Airlines and an integral part of its day-to-day flying for decades, feels it is positioned nicely to offer its next-generation products to act as solutions.

However, it won’t be just Boeing’s contract; Malaysia Airlines has already committed heavily to the next-generation widebody aircraft, Airbus, with the A330neo and A350 featured.

With the retirement of the Airbus A380, Malaysia Airlines has a gap in the market for a potential generation of high-capacity twin-engine aircraft, and Boeing feels it may be able to offer a plane such as the 777X.

While there’s only so much Boeing can do to promote its aircraft, and the decision will ultimately rest on Malaysia Airlines, they feel there are advantages to taking on a plane such as the 777X or even something like the 787.

Analysts, however, may argue that unless opting for the high-capacity 787-10, the other associated variants may be too closely related to the A330neo and, ultimately, overcomplicate the fleet moving forward, with simplification not occurring.

Therefore, it remains vital for Malaysia Airlines to evaluate all available options, even down to what delivery slots are currently available, when building the crucial fleet composition moving forward.

The 737 MAX order signing ceremony confirmed a current program to evaluate all available options. Adding aircraft such as the A330neo could be an option, but the company must look ahead in future years.

If an aircraft like the 777X is to be the desired winner, it’ll have to slot neatly into Malaysia Airlines’ future route portfolio. Therefore, great importance also has to be made on understanding what that route network will look like in 2040 and beyond based on data.

Is The 777X The Right Option?

Ultimately, Boeing is putting forward its 777X as a prospective option for future widebody orders to elevate capacity and meet emerging demand in the coming decades.

However, some onlookers feel that if the airline requires a more high-capacity solution, there’s a variant in waiting that would be perfect and enable fleet commonality to be achieved, the A350-1000.

Malaysia Airlines is already committed to the A350-900 with the plane flying frequently; however, the -1000 model is considered the high-capacity variant in the family that remains asbent from the order book but could serve a purpose.

Others comment that Malaysia Airlines returning to the 777 series after the fatal incidents throughout the 2010s would be a bold decision.

Ultimately, the airline has much to consider if it feels that a high-capacity alternative is required for future flying to major capital cities. The 777X will likely be evaluated against the A350-1000.

This evaluation will lead to a fierce sales campaign, with the two respective planemakers competing to secure the contract.

With the A330neo and A350 already operational, Malaysia Airlines may believe being modest is best depending on their long-term strategy and stick with these fleet types, deepening their commitment and ensuring fleet simplification is present.