PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Airlines customers now have a new outlet to reach the airlines - through an employee advocates' blog.

According to MAS managing director Datuk Seri Idris Jala, the blog (malaysiaairlinesblog.com) was aimed at providing customers with a better understanding of the organisation's changing work culture.

"Employees can now communicate with customers directly and vice-versa, without going through conventional medium (such as senior management)," said Idris, who launched the one-of-a-kind blog at the MAS Academy yesterday.

Named Living Malaysian Hospitality - Eating, Breathing Sleeping MH, the blog is divided into four sections namely Sneak Peek, From Our Guests, Corporate Speak and Psst!

Customers can read inspiring stories of the airlines' transformation under Sneak Peek, such as the post by engineer Sharul Hezry Isahak who along with his three colleagues created a management system called E-Promis that helped save the company RM70 mil.

Customers can also write about their experiences with the airlines' service under From Our Guests.

Travel tales and tips can be found under Psst! while corporate announcements are to be found under Corporate Speak.

Idris said that the blog would provide an avenue to bring its 19,000 employees together.

"The idea is to share stories constructively. We want to hear from the customers, whether good or bad.

"Our bloggers will be on hand to respond to postings. Our employees are our best advocates and this blog captures the essence of how they are the ones driving the transformation," said Idris, adding that there were 30 bloggers at present.

To a question, he said the blog would not be on real time, as it took 24 hours before content was published.

"This is to maintain a certain control over the blog," said Idris, adding that MAS was expecting a 60% increase of its online business by 2012.