Andrew Muirhead’s low carbon leather chosen for Malaysia Airlines’ flagship aircraft – The A380

Andrew Muirhead and Son Limited, part of the Scottish Leather Group, has been selected to supply the leather for a new and updated fleet of Malaysia Airlines aircraft, including the pioneering new A380 Airbus widebody double-deck – the largest commercial aircraft in the sky.

The company’s renowned high performance low carbon leather is used in all cabins of the new A380, the B737-800 and for all headrests in the A330-300 aircraft on the Malaysian national carrier’s updated fleet.  Malaysia Airlines’ new flagship aircraft, the A380 joined the fleet in July this year, on the daily London to Kuala Lumpur route, which now has two A380s in service.  The third, Scottish leather adorned Malaysia Airlines A380, will commence operations on the airline’s international network by November this year.

All aircraft carry the low carbon, lightweight, high performance leather supplied by Andrew Muirhead in Glasgow.  As the only leather manufacturer with test facilities recognised by the Civil Aviation Authority, Andrew Muirhead meets the highest technical and airworthiness standards, while maintaining the product’s unique tactile and aesthetic qualities.  As an example of the company’s exacting standards, fire retardants are impregnated into the leather early in the production process, instead of sprayed on before leaving the factory – again helping to maintain the look and feel of the natural product even for the most technical application.

Malaysia Airlines’ Airbus A380 is not only the largest commercial aircraft in the sky – offering passengers unparalleled levels of comfort in spacious surroundings – as the widebody double-deck, like the fine Scottish leather adorning its cabins, is also the most eco efficient plane in the world, burning 17% less fuel per passenger than other comparable large aircraft.

Malaysia’s A380 fleet also boasts the widest first class seats of any aircraft at 40 inches, USB ports and satellite telephones for every passenger, a gourmet ‘chef on call’ service that allows first and business class passengers to order their desired dishes before departure, Bulgari vanity case sets for first class passengers and complementary Tumi bags filled with Clarins beauty products in business class.

Andrew Muirhead Managing Director, Colin Wade, said: “We are very proud to have been selected by Malaysia’s national carrier to supply the leather for its recent fleet refurbishment and for the all-new flagship A380.  Being involved with such a pioneering new aircraft as the Airbus double-deck is a great honour, and the whole team here at Andrew Muirhead is very proud of our growing relationship with the award-winning Malaysia Airlines.”