Malaysia Airlines to Launch Direct Kuala Lumpur–Brisbane Flights
Malaysia Airlines has announced it will commence direct nonstop flights between its Kuala Lumpur hub and Brisbane Airport on November 29, 2025, marking a new chapter in connectivity between Malaysia and Queensland. The five-times-weekly service is the result of a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding signed with Brisbane Airport and Tourism and Events Queensland, designed to strengthen tourism, trade and people-to-people ties over the next three years.
The agreement, formalised during a signing ceremony on April 19, 2025, and unveiled publicly on April 23, underscores a shared commitment to economic growth and cultural exchange. As part of its post-pandemic recovery and growth strategy, Malaysia Airlines will deploy its fuel-efficient Airbus A330neo on the 4,600-kilometre (2,860-mile) route, offering travellers premium service and the carrier’s signature Malaysian hospitality. The extended air rights negotiated by the Malaysian and Australian governments last November raised the annual seat cap from 36,000 to 50,000, enabling the new Brisbane launch alongside a planned increase to three daily Kuala Lumpur–Sydney flights starting October 2025.
Dersenish Aresandiran, Chief Commercial Officer of Malaysia Aviation Group, said the Brisbane link would provide passengers with more direct options and seamless connections to Asia and Europe via Kuala Lumpur. He added that the collaboration with Brisbane Airport and Tourism and Events Queensland would leverage each partner’s insights to drive demand and ensure the new service’s sustainability. Malaysia Airlines has steadily expanded its network in 2025, announcing 15 new destinations so far, including recent enhancements to its Kuala Lumpur–Sydney operation.
Brisbane Airport’s Senior Vice President of Aviation Business Development, Anthony Cicuttini, welcomed the return of Malaysia Airlines to the Queensland capital, noting that the new route restores Brisbane’s pre-pandemic tally of 33 direct international destinations. He highlighted the value of the Kuala Lumpur hub for Australian travellers seeking onward flights to Asia and beyond, and expected the partnership to boost both passenger traffic and freight volumes across the airport’s network.
Tourism and Events Queensland CEO Craig Davidson said the service would open Queensland’s iconic attractions—from the Great Barrier Reef to the Gold Coast—to Malaysian and other Asian visitors. He described Malaysia as a key market and predicted that the direct flights would enhance visitor numbers, extend stays and deepen cultural exchange. Queensland’s tourism sector has been actively pursuing new aviation links to support its ambitious growth targets.
Malaysia Airlines’ Brisbane service will depart Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with return flights timed to facilitate convenient connections for both business and leisure travellers. As part of the three-year MoU, the partners will collaborate on marketing campaigns, joint promotions and data-driven route development to maximise load factors. The airline’s decision to use the A330neo reflects its commitment to operational efficiency and lower emissions.
The new Brisbane flights follow closely on Malaysia Airlines’ decision to boost its Sydney operation to three daily Airbus A330neo rotations, creating more than 630,000 seats annually on that route—the highest capacity offered from any Australian gateway. Together, these developments reinforce Malaysia Airlines’ strategy to recapture market share in the Australian market and position Kuala Lumpur as a leading pivot between Asia, Australia and Europe. With strong bilateral support and a clear roadmap, the Kuala Lumpur–Brisbane service is poised to deliver lasting benefits to travellers, airlines and tourism stakeholders across both countries.
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