MALAYSIA AIRLINES: Flight boost for Sydney and Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur

The skies between Australia and Kuala Lumpur are going to get a little busier. Malaysia Airlines is ramping up its flights to Sydney and Melbourne. The airline is tapping into the increasing demand between Australia and its bustling hub in Kuala Lumpur while also setting the stage for more connections to London and Paris.

If that wasn’t enough they are adding a shiny new fleet of Airbus A330neo jets to these routes, replacing the older A330s – which means more luxurious business class suites for everyone.

Here’s what’s changing in the coming months. Sydney-Kuala Lumpur and Melbourne-Kuala Lumpur already each host two daily flights. From August, these will gradually increase to three flights per day on each route, with the new services looking something like this:

Sydney

• MH250 Departs Sydney at 10:25, arrives Kuala Lumpur at 16:00
• MH251 Departs Kuala Lumpur 20:30, arrives Sydney at 05:00 +1 day.

Melbourne:

• MH146 Departs Melbourne 09:00, arrives Kuala Lumpur at 14:15
• MH147 Departs Kuala Lumpur 20:50, arrives Melbourne 07:45 +1 day

Malaysia Airlines will initially operate a few days a week before transitioning to a triple-daily frequency by the end of October 2025. By that October deadline, Malaysia Airlines promises that all flights to Melbourne will be serviced by its sleek, modern Airbus A330neo jets.

But wait, there’s more!

Brisbane Returns to the Malaysia Airlines Map

Malaysia Airlines will resume Brisbane-Kuala Lumpur flights starting November 29, with five services per week. Malaysia Airlines views Australia as the “backbone of its growth.”

Why Australia is Key to Malaysia Airlines’ Strategy

As Dersenish Aresandiran, Malaysia Airlines’ Chief Commercial Officer, points out, Australia is a massive market for the airline.

‘Australians love Malaysia,’ he says. The airline is also seeing a rise in Australian transit passengers, many of whom are looking to connect onward to destinations across Asia, Europe, and beyond. Indeed, I was one of those passengers, although my onward flights were on Oman Air.

For those who are just passing through Kuala Lumpur, there’s the Bonus Side Trip program. This offers free side trips to popular Malaysian destinations like Penang or Langkawi as part of your stopover. It’s a free add-on, with passengers only having to pay taxes. It’s a good deal if the initial price is right.

New Regional Business Class

Malaysia Airlines is also upgrading its regional business class. Think lie-flat business class suites in their imminent Boeing 737 10 fleet. This means regional routes will offer a taste of long-haul luxury. Put that in your pipes and smoke it, Airlines with that vacant middle seat you call European Business Class!

2PAXfly Takeout

In short, Malaysia Airlines is stepping up its game in the Australian market with increased flights, newer aircraft, and more perks for transit passengers.

This is a good move by the Malaysians. They have been a solid airline, with competitive airfares, but not with great hard product. Improvements to regional aircraft will help. They now need to lift their hard product game on International long-haul.

Whether you’re flying to Malaysia, passing through, or looking to connect onwards, things are getting better on Malaysian.