After much anticipation, Plane In The City, Malaysia’s first aircraft dining experience was officially launched at SKYLAND, Bukit Bintang.
The historical moment was officiated by YBhg. Dato’ Yean Yoke Heng, Deputy Secretary General (Management) of Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia, witnessed by Arvin Randahwa, Chief Executive Officer of TwoSpicy Entertainment Live Sdn. Bhd and Dato’ Koh Yaw Hui, Chief Executive Officer of Great Eastern Malaysia, the event’s main sponsor.
Selected VIPs and celebrities were then escorted to do a special walk on the wings of the aircraft, before being seated and dined to a three-course fine dining meal prepared by Chef Antoine Rodriguez, Executive Chef of Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur.
Plane In The City is also listed in the Malaysia Book of Records as the 1st Aeroplane Restaurant in Malaysia. The certificate was being given before the launch by Ms. Gillian Ooi, Director of Malaysia Book of Records to Mr. Arvin Randahwa, CEO TwoSpicy Entertainment Live Sdn. Bhd.
The first of its kind in Malaysia and endorsed by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Plane In The City is a 90-minutes experience revolving around an actual Boeing 737 aircraft, during when its ‘passengers’ will get a chance-of-a-lifetime to do things such as taking a ‘selfie’ while sticking their heads out of the Pilot’s cockpit, walking on the wings of the aircraft, enjoying a fine-dining meal serenaded by today’s hit music and many more. Located in the heart of the city at Jalan Bukit Bintang, one cannot miss the aircraft while driving past, as it stands out against the city’s many skyscrapers.
“This interactive experience is a great way for locals and tourists to treat their loved ones, friends or clients and have an unforgettable outing where the memorable moments captured will be priceless”, said Arvin Randahwa, CEO of TwoSpicy Entertainment Live who conceived the idea.
Great Eastern Malaysia’s CEO, Dato Koh Yaw Hui commented during the launch, “This is part of our customer engagement activities through Great Eastern LIVE GREAT Programme in conjunction with our 110th anniversary. The sponsorship allows us to offer an exclusive experience to our LIVE GREAT members and selected agents, thus deepening meaningful relationships with them.”
Sitting only 20 people per session to maintain exclusivity, food aboard the aircraft will be served in 3 or 4 courses (depending on package chosen) by Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur, a well-known five-star hotel, appointed based on their exciting menu and great-tasting cuisine. “Food, in our tradition, is something sacred, it’s not about the nutrients or calories. It’s about sharing, honesty and identity. Hence the philosophy of cooking has to be an intimate experience thus the idea behind the menu for dining in the plane is all about – creating an honest and intimate experience for the diners through the food” said Chef Antoine Rodriquez, Executive Chef of Le’ Meridien Kuala Lumpur.
The official paint partner, AkzoNobel – the world’s leading paints and coatings company and producer of Dulux – have supplied more than 300 litres of aerospace coatings for this exclusive project. Dulux also sponsored the paint for the walls which run along the iconic Jalan Bukit Bintang. Using Dulux Weathershield, the walls were given a face-lift and soon transformed into a mesmerising mural featuring the skyline of Kuala Lumpur.
The mural of Kuala Lumpur’s skyline painted using Dulux Weathershield
“We are truly humbled to be appointed as the exclusive paint partner for Plane in The City. This appointment continues to reinforce our efforts in improving cities and the lives of Malaysians by providing inspiration in our surrounding space. We aim to continue leveraging the impact of colours in our everyday lives, and work on more engaging and exciting projects this year,” said Indra Laban, General Manager of AkzoNobel Decorative Paints Malaysia.
Indra Laban, General Manager of AkzoNobel Decorative Paints Malaysia onboard Plane In The City
Not only that, the light fittings used around the aircraft will be using the actual taxiway lights that are used globally in airports around the world, courtesy of ADB Safegate, the leading provider of intelligent solutions that deliver superior airport performance from approach to departure, which includes airfield ground lightings and docking systems.
Ticket sales are now open and will be priced at ONLY RM199 per pax for the Economy Class, RM399 per pax for the Business Class and RM999 per pax for the First Class. Operating with two sessions every Tuesday to Thursday, and three sessions from Friday to Sunday, Plane in The City will also launched celebratory packages such as for birthdays and anniversaries. Event companies and the public may also book the aircraft as a venue for private/ corporate events fitting up to 60 pax at one time.
For further inquiries, one may visit www.planeinthecity.com.
About TwoSpicy Entertainment Live
TwoSpicy Entertainment Live, or more popularly known as 2Spicy, is an event management company that has ran some of the biggest events in Malaysia handling crowds up to 28,000 at one time, such as the We Love Asia music festivals, The Maze Challenge Asia and Dinner In The Sky Malaysia. Its vision is to be the market leader in creating unique experiences and events in Asia.
About SKYLAND
SKYLAND is Kuala Lumpur’s latest tourist attraction that currently hosts two unique dining experiences, Dinner In The Sky Malaysia and Plane in The City. Located at Jalan Bukit Bintang, SKYLAND also houses a large marquee lounge, which can be rented for private events and celebrations. Its strategic location and exciting products has given it massive Social Media buzz and there are plans to host more attractions there in the near future.
About Great Eastern Life Assurance (Malaysia) Berhad
Great Eastern Life began its operations in 1908 as a branch office of The Great Eastern Life Assurance Company Limited. The Malaysian operations were subsequently transferred to a locally incorporated public company, Great Eastern Life Assurance (Malaysia) Berhad under the Scheme of Transfer of Business. The Company was certified by The Malaysia Book of Records in 1998 as “The Oldest and Largest Life Insurer” in Malaysia.
With more than a century of experience and solid financial foundation, Great Eastern Life has RM79.6 billion in assets, over 3.0 million policies in force and a network of 19,000 agents nationwide as at 31 December 2017. To date, Great Eastern Life has 21 operational branch offices and products include life insurance plans, investment-linked plans, mortgage protection, business protection, employee benefits, medical insurance and group health benefit schemes. Great Eastern Life Assurance (Malaysia) Berhad is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Great Eastern Holdings Limited (GEH) and its ultimate holding company is Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited (OCBC).
About Great Eastern Holdings Limited
A market leader and a well-established trusted brand in Singapore and Malaysia, Great Eastern was founded in 1908 and celebrates its 110th anniversary this year. With S$84.6 billion in assets and over 4 million policyholders, it has three successful distribution channels – a tied agency force, bancassurance, and a financial advisory firm, Great Eastern Financial Advisers. The Group also operates in Indonesia and Brunei and has a presence in China as well as a representative office in Myanmar.
It was named Life Insurance Company of the Year at the Asia Insurance Industry Awards in 2011 and 2013 by Asia Insurance Review. The Great Eastern Life Assurance Company Limited and Great Eastern General Limited have been assigned the financial strength and counterparty credit ratings of “AA-” by Standard and Poor’s since 2010, one of the highest among Asian life insurance companies. Great Eastern’s asset management subsidiary, Lion Global Investors Limited, is one of the largest private sector asset management companies in Southeast Asia.
Great Eastern is a subsidiary of OCBC Bank, the longest established Singapore bank, formed in 1932 from the merger of three local banks, the oldest of which was founded in 1912. It is now the second largest financial services group in Southeast Asia by assets and one of the world’s most highly-rated banks, with an Aa1 rating from Moody’s. Recognised for its financial strength and stability, OCBC Bank is consistently ranked among the World’s Top 50 Safest Banks by Global Finance and has been named Best Managed Bank in Singapore and the Asia Pacific by The Asian Banker.
OCBC Bank’s key markets are Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Greater China. It has more than 600 branches and representative offices in 18 countries and regions. These include over 330 branches and offices in Indonesia under subsidiary Bank OCBC NISP, and more than 100 branches and offices in Hong Kong, China and Macao under OCBC Wing Hang.
About Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts
With more than 100 Hotels & Resorts worldwide and the strongest, most globally diverse portfolio in its history, the Paris-born Le Méridien brand connects the curious and creative-minded traveller to unexpected and engaging experiences within their destination. With its brand promise of “Destination Unlocked,” Le Méridien has transformed numerous guest touch points through global partnerships with creative minds such as illy, Johnny Iuzzini, GrayMalin, and Nouvelle Vague. Plans call for dynamic portfolio expansion within the next five years in some of the world’s most exciting destinations, concentrating on markets in Asia-Pacific and the Americas. For more information, please visit LeMéridien.com or follow us on social media – Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 6,000 properties in 30 leading hotel brands spanning 122 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts. The company also operates award-winning loyalty programs: Marriott Rewards®, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest®. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. Connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.
About AkzoNobel
AkzoNobel has a passion for paint. We’re experts in the proud craft of making paints and coatings, setting the standard in color and protection since 1792. Our world class portfolio of brands – including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon – is trusted by customers around the globe. Headquartered in the Netherlands, we operate in over 80 countries and employ around 35,000 talented people who are passionate about delivering the high performance products and services our customers expect. The sale of our Specialty Chemicals business is expected to be completed by the end of 2018.
For more information please visit www.akzonobel.com.
Text and images by AkzoNobel
