Malaysia Airlines recently rolled out its first aircraft decorated in the livery of the oneworld alliance – which the flag carrier of Malaysia joined at midnight on 31 January 2013 in one of the most significant steps in its 40-year history.

The aircraft in its new-look design was unveiled at a special ceremony at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport by Malaysia Airlines’ Group Chief Executive Ahmad Jauhari Yahya accompanied by visiting counterparts from oneworld and its other member airlines, including New York-based oneworld CEO Bruce Ashby and, from Sydney, Qantas Group Chief Executive Alan Joyce.  Qantas has supported Malaysia Airlines through its alliance joining programme as its oneworld sponsor.

oneworld requires all member airlines to decorate a number of their aircraft in its standard alliance livery as part of oneworld’s promotional activities.   The first Malaysia Airlines aircraft decorated with this design is one of its 10 latest Airbus A330-300s.  The special alliance livery features “oneworld” in 6 ft (2 metre) high blue letters along a white fuselage and the airline’s standard tailfin, serving as a massive flying billboard to highlight that Malaysia Airlines has started offering oneworld services and benefits.

Another two aircraft in its fleet will be decorated in this alliance livery in the coming months. The rest of its 88-strong fleet will retain the standard Malaysia Airlines livery – but with a 30 cm diameter oneworld logo placed on the fuselage by the main passenger entry door.  

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