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Starting next year, upgraded Boeing 777-200 jetliners with no First Class sections but expanded Business Class sections will travel between Shanghai and Malaysia, a Malaysia Airlines official said yesterday.

As reported in the Youth Daily, Huang Shengfu, general manager with Malaysia Airlines' East China region, said the company is making adjustments to improve its fleet and service.

Since October, the carrier has reported satisfactory business, particularly with the Economy Class. The occupancy rate for its two daily flights on the Shanghai-Malaysia route has remained high, at around 90 percent.

First Class business has been disappointing, however, Huang noted, because most of the passengers on the flight are travelers and business people. In this case, to expand the business class section is a good strategy, he explained.

After the upgrade, the Boeing 777's First Class section will be merged with the Business Class section bringing the seat total to 289.

Meanwhile, 60 newly recruited serving staff will soon start service on the five-hour flights, Huang noted. They are specially trained to serve the Chinese passengers.