National carrier Malaysia Airlines (MAS) is upgrading its cabin baggage policy and golden lounge waiting room facilities to
cater for the anticipated increase in business class passengers.

Golden lounge manager Mohd Husaini Ariffin said the improvement included major renovation at the lounge, from May 9 to June 18, with the addition of new features such as sports bar, kids room and games room.

"The improvement is part of the airline's preparation to receive its first Airbus A380, which will contribute a higher number of business class passengers, as well as its entry into the oneworld alliance by year-end," he told reporters during a media tour here today.

Among the requirements of oneworld alliance was the sharing of golden lounges between its members as well as check-in counters and expanded services such as more facilities at the waiting room and bigger cabin baggage capacity per passenger.

Mohd Husaini said after the renovation, the seat capacity for business class in the golden lounge would increase to 320 passengers from 230 currently while that for first class would reduce to 50 passengers from 90 at present.

During the renovation, he said the airlines would place the business and first class customers in three alternative lounges.

The lounges are regional lounge at the main terminal for first class guests and China Airlines lounge and Malaysia Airport CIP lounge at mezzanine floor, satellite building for first class and business class guests.

Meanwhile, airport operation division executive vice president Hayati Ali said the revision of the cabin baggage policy, streamlined for customers in all class effective May 15, were in line with industry best practices, apart from complying with the oneworld alliance requirements.

Under the new policy, baggage weight for customers in the economy and business class was raised to seven kilogrammes per baggage from five kilogrammes per baggage previously.

The airline had also reviewed the exempted items that can be brought inside the cabin apart from cabin baggage such as stroller, which was previously only allowed for passengers with infant but was now permitted to toddlers as well.

With the new policy, she said the airline would enforce a stringent cabin baggage allowance to avoid congestion in the cabin baggage space as well as to give customers more comfort during flights. -- Bernama