Superdeals: 40–80% off flights from Australasia to Malaysia

Direct flight routes to Malaysia

Non-stop flights are available from several major Australasian cities to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

• Sydney to Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia Airlines, 8h 25m


• Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia Airlines, 8h 15m


• Perth to Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, 5h 40m


• Auckland to Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia Airlines (seasonal), 10h 50m

Layover/stopover options

Singapore Changi (SIN) – Main hub for Singapore Airlines, typically 1.5-3 hour connections. Features free city tours for longer layovers and world-class terminal facilities including butterfly garden and movie theaters.

Jakarta (CGK) – Garuda Indonesia’s hub, average connection time 2-4 hours. More affordable options but less reliable for connections.

Bangkok (BKK) – Thai Airways hub, connections usually 2-3 hours. Excellent shopping and dining options, free city tours for 6+ hour layovers.

Time vs money

Direct flights typically command premium prices but save 4-8 hours of total travel time. Layover options through Southeast Asian hubs can reduce costs by 20-40% but require flexible scheduling.

Tips and recommendations

• Book mixed carriers for better deals – fly one leg with a full-service airline and another with a budget carrier


• Morning departures from Australia typically offer better connection times in Asian hubs


• Consider overnight layovers in Singapore or Bangkok – many airlines offer free hotel stays


• Malaysian school holidays and Chinese New Year significantly impact direct flight prices


• Multi-city tickets with 2-3 day stopovers often cost the same as regular layover flights

• Air Asia X offers the lowest fares from Gold Coast to Kuala Lumpur, with typical one-way fares starting at AUD 299. Their A330neo aircraft features upgraded Premium Flatbed seats with 60-inch pitch and direct aisle access, making it the best value premium option at around 40% less than full-service carriers.
• Flying from Perth to Kuala Lumpur via Singapore on Scoot (to Singapore) and AirAsia (onwards) often costs less than direct flights, with combined fares around AUD 450 return. The total journey time increases by only 3 hours, and you get the bonus opportunity for a Singapore stopover.
• Malaysia Airlines’ new Adelaide-Kuala Lumpur route, launched in March 2024, operates four times weekly with competitive introductory fares starting at AUD 788 return. The airline uses A330-300s featuring their latest Regional Business Class seats with 60-inch pitch and improved Economy seats with 32-inch pitch.
• For travelers from New Zealand, connecting through Melbourne or Sydney with Qantas to Malaysia Airlines offers better value than flying through Brisbane. The MEL/SYD routes feature more frequent connections and typically show fares 15-20% lower than BNE connections.
• Consider Batik Air’s Perth-Kuala Lumpur service for midweek travel, with Tuesday and Wednesday departures consistently offering the lowest fares in the market. Their A320neo aircraft features extra legroom seats (with 33-inch pitch) available for minimal surcharge, making it an excellent value option for budget-conscious travelers seeking added comfort.

1. Ignoring alternative routing options Many travelers default to flying through Singapore or Kuala Lumpur when cities like Bangkok or Jakarta can sometimes offer better deals and more convenient connections to secondary Malaysian destinations.
2. Booking during peak Malaysian festivals Flying during major celebrations like Hari Raya Aidilfitri or Chinese New Year leads to significantly higher fares and fuller flights, especially on routes to Kuching and Kota Kinabalu.
3. Not checking terminal assignments at KLIA Passengers often miss connections by assuming their flights operate from the main KLIA terminal when they might actually depart from KLIA2, which requires additional transit time.
4. Booking early morning arrivals during monsoon season Weather delays are common during the monsoon months (November to March), making tight connections risky with early morning flights that often face weather-related delays.
5. Overlooking low-cost carrier baggage rules Budget airlines like AirAsia often have stricter baggage allowances than full-service carriers, leading to expensive excess baggage charges for unprepared travelers.

Malaysia Airlines

Best for: Most direct connections between Australasia and Malaysia, with flights from 6 Australian/NZ cities (mainly Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth) to Kuala Lumpur.

As Malaysia’s flag carrier, it offers the most comprehensive network to its hub in Kuala Lumpur. Most flights feature the modern Airbus A330s with comfortable 32-inch seat pitch in Economy. Passengers consistently praise authentic Malaysian cuisine and attentive cabin crew. The airline maintains a solid 4-star Skytrax rating and offers generous 30kg baggage allowance on Economy tickets.

Singapore Airlines

Best for: Superior service quality and comfort, operating from 5 Australasian cities (primarily Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane) to Malaysia via Singapore.

While requiring a stopover in Singapore, the airline consistently ranks among world’s best carriers. Economy Class offers industry-leading 32-inch seat pitch with ergonomic design and high-quality entertainment systems. The carrier is renowned for its exceptional service standards and top-rated dining program. Connection times in Singapore are efficiently scheduled, typically under 3 hours.

AirAsia

Best for: Budget-friendly travel with flights from 4 Australasian cities (mainly Perth, Gold Coast, and Melbourne) to multiple Malaysian destinations.

This low-cost carrier offers significantly lower fares than full-service airlines. While seats are less spacious (29-30 inch pitch) and meals come at extra cost, the airline maintains good punctuality records. Hot meals can be pre-booked, and their modern A320/A330 fleet provides reliable service. The Kuala Lumpur hub offers convenient connections to other Malaysian cities.

Thai Airways

Best for: Comfortable full-service option with flights from 3 Australasian cities (Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane) to Malaysia via Bangkok.

While featuring a Bangkok stopover, Thai Airways provides excellent value for money with full-service benefits. Economy Class offers comfortable 32-inch seat pitch, complimentary Thai and Western meals, and generous baggage allowance. The airline’s ground service in Bangkok hub is efficient, though connections might be longer compared to Singapore Airlines.

Smart travelers can save significantly on trips from Australia and New Zealand to Malaysia by strategically using regional APAC carriers instead of major airlines. Here’s how to maximize savings while maintaining comfort.

Break up the journey

Rather than booking direct flights on premium carriers, consider splitting your journey into segments using regional airlines like Scoot, AirAsia, or Jetstar. This approach often reduces total costs by 30-40%.

Key money-saving routes

1. Fly budget carriers from Australian east coast cities to Bali or Singapore
2. Connect to Kuala Lumpur using AirAsia or other regional carriers
3. Consider Darwin as a departure point for shorter, cheaper routes to Malaysia

Timing matters

Book connecting flights with at least 4 hours between segments to avoid missing connections. Regional carriers rarely have interline agreements, meaning you’re responsible for making connections.

Extra savings tips

Join multiple airline rewards programs and monitor their sales cycles. AirAsia typically offers major discounts quarterly, while Scoot frequently runs flash sales. Book 3-6 months ahead for optimal pricing, especially during shoulder seasons.