MAS welcomes 100th Boeing 737 aircraft

The 100th 737 aircraft of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) was given a grand welcome and traditional water salute when it touched down at the MAS Hangar in Sepang.

SEPANG: Malaysia Airlines (MAS) on Monday welcomed the arrival of its 100th Boeing 737 aircraft, celebrating more than 40 years of partnership with the aircraft manufacturer.

MAS chief executive officer Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said the new aircraft, which can fly up to six hours, departed from Seattle on Dec 19 and made three stops in Hawaii, Majuro and Guam. The journey took a total of 21 hours covering 15,000 kilometres.

"The new Boeing 737-800 is the latest of its kind, and with enhanced capability, which gives 15 per cent better fuel efficiency. "The Boeing 737 variant continues to be an amazing aircraft for our airline with its consistent reliability, unmatched economics and innovation in passenger comforts," he said in his speech.

Ahmad Jauhari said the narrow-body aircraft, which is equipped with 160 seats, also included inflight entertainment and larger overhead compartment.

The B737-800, piloted by Capt Kamarozaman Ahmad, arrived at KL International Airport at 2pm Monday and was given a traditional water canon salute as it taxied towards Hangar 5.

For the record, MAS took delivery of its first Boeing 737, a 737-200 in 1972, and has operated 737-200, 737-400, 737-500 and 737-800, as well as 737-400S and 777-200ERs.
-bernama/thestar.