Malaysia Airlines brings cheer with successful A380 joyride and route proving flight

Malaysia Airlines’ first Airbus A380 aircraft took to the skies on Tuesday from Malaysia on its maiden journey from KL International Airport (KLIA) for a route proving and joyride flight under the command of Capt Norshid Ali and two technical crew members, supported by a team of 21 cabin crew members.

There was an air of festivity during the pre-departure moments at the KLIA boarding gate C17 specifically designed for A380 operations. Passengers were hosted to a pre-boarding reception and entertained with an array special events to commemorate this historic event. Winners of Malaysia Airlines’ Big Flight competition gave a special performance about their win, and a magician joined the fun with his amusing antics.

Passengers were also invited to participate in a short quiz where winners received special prizes from the airline. Some passengers took the opportunity to sign up for the airline’s Loyalty program Enrich and got themselves rewarded with a bonus of 2000 points even before travelling on Malaysia Airlines. Many others took the opportunity to capture themselves on Polaroid photographs with cabin crew members of Malaysia Airlines, given away with compliments by the national airline.

The latest pride of Malaysia, propelling the nation into the league of A380 operators, departed KLIA at 12.34 with a total of 454 passengers comprising invited guests from the government and private sectors, Malaysia Airlines’ Big Flight contest winners, members of the media and staff of Malaysia Airlines. Among others on board were former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammed, members of the Malaysia Airlines’ Board led by its Chairman Tan Sri Md Nor Yusof, Encik Ahmad Jauhari Yahya, the Group CEO of the national airline, bloggers and social media writers who specialise in aviation related topics.

While the invited guests were cherishing the exclusive A380 cabin features and enjoying the in-flight hospitality of Malaysia Airlines’ award-winning cabin crew, several teams of Malaysia Airlines staff performed vital route proving tests on this super jumbo during the flight. These tests were important to meet the requirements of the statutory and certifying authorities for the aircraft’s readiness to operate commercial flights.

Among the tests conducted were handling a medical emergency on board and aircraft take-off again soon after first flight landing.

Meanwhile the festivity continued on board with a surprise birthday celebration for three lucky passengers, from an advertising agency, the media and a blogger who was the guest of Malaysia Airlines’ Commercial division.  The winners of the quiz held during the pre-departure festivity at the holding lounge were picked during the joyride and they received their prizes after the flight landed.

The flight landed safely in KLIA at 4.02pm and all passengers were given a certificate of appreciation for their participation in the route proving and joyride flight together with a goodie bag Malaysia Airlines’ A380 collaterals.