Malaysia Airlines reveals 737 MAX business class suite
Get ready for MAX comfort with these private lie-flat suites...
By David Flynn, April 18 2025
Malaysia Airlines is sharpening its pitch for premium travellers with the launch of lie-flat regional business class suites.
Each of the Oneworld member’s new Boeing 737-10 MAX jets will be crowned by 12 flatbed suites with direct aisle access for every passenger, putting Malaysia Airlines at the leading edge of a push to bring long-haul comfort to short-haul flights.
The carrier has 12 of the 737-10 jets on order, with options for 15 more; they’ll complement the 737-8 MAX, which makes do with business class recliners, as Malaysia Airlines moves to phase out its ageing Boeing 737-800 fleet.
While not specifying a delivery date for the first 737-10, which has yet to be certified by the US Federal Aviation Administration, Malaysia Airlines plans to be flying 55 of the 737-8 and 737-10 aircraft by 2030.
Malaysia Airlines is betting big on the Boeing 737 MAX.
“With the introduction of lie-flat business class seats on our new Boeing 737-10 aircraft, we are redefining the travel experience for our guests,” says Datuk Captain Izham Ismail, Group Managing Director of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG).
“As we continue to elevate our offerings, we remain steadfast in our commitment to reimagining travel through the lens of Malaysian Hospitality, guided by our vision to be among the world’s leading airlines.”
But there’s an odd wrinkle to all of this.
Malaysia Airlines' Boeing 737-10 MAX business class.
The concept images or renders supplied by Malaysia Airlines of its new 737-10 MAX business class show the seat is the Ascent model from Adient Aerospace, which is a joint venture between Boeing and automotive seating firm Adient.
Here’s a more detailed look at Malaysia Airlines’ new 737-10 MAX business class, as issued by the airline to media.
Malaysia Airlines' Boeing 737-10 MAX business class.
As you can see when compared to one of Adient’s own images of the Ascent (below), the Malaysia Airlines seat shares all the Ascent hallmarks right down to the smartphone storage pocket, personal LED reading light, cupboard, mood lighting panel and IFE controller.
Overnight, Adient Aerospace contacted Executive Traveller to say “we are not involved in this program so these definitely will not be the seats that Malaysia Airlines takes for their 737 aircraft.”
“We did not complete those renderings and neither did any design firm we are associated with to our knowledge.”
Executive Traveller has approached Malaysia Airlines for its response and we’ll update this article when more information comes to hand.
Regardless of which particular business class seat the Malaysia Airlines 737-10 MAX business class will use, having flatbed suites on these single-aisle jets will match the broader passenger experience on the Airbus A330neo and A350s, which are seeing the rollout of new international business class suite.
It’s a goal also being pursued by Malaysia Airlines’ regional rivals Singapore Airlines, which by October 2025 will boast lie-flat beds in every plane and on every flight.
Likewise, Thai Airways earlier this month unveiled a new A321neo flatbed business class to match the customer proposition of its forthcoming business suites for the Airbus A350, Boeing 787 and Boeing 777.
Turkish Airlines - Miles & Smiles
08 Jun 2014
Total posts 267
Qantas... you seeing this? Get on with it.
05 Dec 2018
Total posts 159
Qantas prefer 737s to have Premium Economy at Business Class fares.
QFF
12 Apr 2013
Total posts 1617
Even more - they flying to NZ in B737 with "PE aka Business" and I cannot get who flying with them when Air NZ flying proper Business (albeit not on all planes) and doing so cheaper! I recently visited Auckland from Melbourne on their renter B777 and only complain would be about food - it was rather plain especially on morning flight. "PE aka Business" perfectly fine between Adelaide-Melbourne-Sydney-Brisbane (though should be marketed as PE), but even MEL-CNS IMHO should be appointed better. And anything from/to PER should bear proper Business class as well as ANY overseas flights. Just wet dreams.
05 Dec 2018
Total posts 159
Qantas meanwhile rolling out single isle premium economy dressed as business class.
07 May 2015
Total posts 75
Jeez, some people let Qantas live rent-free in their head, can't let a single article on another airline and its business class go by without using it as another excuse to criticise Qantas!
On topic, a bit strange the note in the article about Adient disputing the MH images. But not a fan of this seat design, you are facing the window and then the view is blocked by the big screen? And the aisle is behind you so the crew have to push into your space or tap you on the shoulder to get your attention?
Would much rather have a seat that is set back against the window so you can easily see out, which would also towards the aisle so you can see the crew and interact with them more easily.
QFF
12 Apr 2013
Total posts 1617
Nah, IMHO best layout can be found on QF A330, but one should seat close to window, not to aisle. And with most common design "leg away from aisle" you barely can see anything through window anyway especially during take off and landing where it is most interesting. So I cannot endorse your complain about screen blocking windows. And sitting "legs toward aisle" does not appeal to me at all.
05 Dec 2017
Total posts 23
Because it's directly applicable to the local offering, moreso given Qantas's lackluster interior for the 321s, especially if they start using then on short to medium haul international flights. Or frankly, even just Perth, given the incredible amounts Qantas and Virgin charge for J class.
But fair's fair - Virgin's offering is decidedly substandard as well. Let's hope the locals take note of their not too distant neighbours.
Note also the PTVs in economy. Sigh.
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