Summary
- Malaysia Airlines has partnered with Manchester United, offering fans unforgettable experiences through a global collaboration.
- The airline’s vast route network connects 577 million Manchester United fans worldwide to over 900 destinations.
- Malaysia Airlines plans to provide special events and unique experiences, hinting at potential direct flights to Manchester in the future.
In a grand launch ceremony today, Malaysia Airlines announced its global partnership with English soccer team Manchester United. The collaboration will see the Malaysian flag carrier become the club’s official commercial airline in a multi-year partnership.
From the soccer pitch to the world
Today, at the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Fair, a major industry trade fair in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Airlines unveiled its latest major venture: a partnership with world-renowned Manchester United Football Club.
Photo: Nicole Kylie | Simple Flying
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Malaysia Aviation Group (parent company of Malaysia Airlines) Group Managing Director Datuk Captain Izham Ismail said:
“We are delighted to announce this exciting partnership with Manchester United, a club synonymous with excellence and sporting passion around the world. This collaboration brings together two global icons and will create unforgettable experiences for our fans and customers.”
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The partnership was unveiled in the presence of two former Manchester United star players and ambassadors, Patrice Evra and Wes Brown, who flew to Kuala Lumpur to attend the event. Also present was Manchester United’s CEO of Alliances and Partnerships, Victoria Timpson, who added:
“We are very pleased to welcome Malaysia Airlines to our family of partners and look forward to sharing with our global fans its trusted, welcoming, and hospitable service.”
Malaysia Airlines was formerly the official airline partner of rival football club Liverpool for three years, from 2016 to 2019.
Huge market potential for Malaysia Airlines
Malaysia Airline’s current route network, through partnerships with its fellow oneworld alliance airlines, connects passengers to more than 900 destinations around the world. This reaches out to 577 million Manchester United fans – more than half of its 1.1 billion fanbase.
While Malaysia Airlines does not currently operate direct flights from its home base of Kuala Lumpur to Manchester, UK, its partner airline, Qatar Airways, does. Speaking at the press conference, Datuk Captain Izham revealed that the airline is open to considering future direct flights to the club’s home city.
Photo: Nicole Kylie | Simple Flying
Additionally, the airline’s newly launched MHrail product – which provides passengers with onward rail connections that can be booked together with flights – will offer access to Manchester United’s Old Trafford base via London and then rail.
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Malaysia Airlines is set to be Manchester United’s official airline for an undisclosed number of years. Although fans will not be seeing the airline’s logo on their favorite players’ jerseys, the partnership paves the way for a number of collaborative projects to enhance the customer experience.
