Superdeals: 40–80% off flights from North America to Malaysia

Direct flight routes to Malaysia

Currently there are no non-stop flights operating between North America and Malaysia. All routes require at least one connection.

Layover/stopover options

• Tokyo (NRT/HND): Japan Airlines and ANA provide connections with typical layover times of 2-4 hours. Modern facilities and efficient transfers between terminals. Express train to city center for longer layovers.


• Hong Kong (HKG): Cathay Pacific’s main hub offers connections to Malaysia with average layover times of 3-5 hours. World-class shopping and dining options. Free city tours for layovers over 6 hours.


• Seoul (ICN): Korean Air and Asiana Airlines operate with typical connections of 2-4 hours. Excellent transit hotel facilities and cultural experience zones within the airport.


• Taipei (TPE): EVA Air and China Airlines provide reliable connections with 2-3 hour average layover times. Known for efficient immigration and security processes.


• Dubai (DXB): Emirates offers extensive connectivity with typical layovers of 3-6 hours. Massive duty-free shopping area and multiple lounges for transit passengers.

Time vs money

Flights with longer layovers or multiple stops typically offer lower fares but increase total journey time significantly. Single-stopover flights through major Asian hubs generally provide the best balance between cost and travel time.

Tips and recommendations

• Book connections through East Asian hubs during winter to minimize weather-related delays.


• Consider overnight layovers in Singapore or Bangkok to break up the journey and explore additional cities.


• Layovers shorter than 2 hours in major Asian hubs are risky due to frequent delays on trans-Pacific routes.


• Flights connecting through Tokyo or Seoul often offer better value during peak seasons.


• Many airlines offer free stopover programs in their hub cities, effectively giving you an extra destination.

• EVA Air via Taipei offers some of the lowest fares from West Coast cities to Kuala Lumpur, with prices typically 15-20% below market average. Their Premium Economy product features 38-inch pitch seats on Boeing 787s, significantly more comfortable than standard economy. The 2-3-2 configuration in Premium Economy makes it ideal for couples traveling together.
• Flying Japan Airlines via Tokyo-Narita provides excellent value with their unique Sky Wider economy seats offering 33-34 inch pitch and 18.5-inch width. Their partnership with Malaysia Airlines enables smooth connections to secondary Malaysian cities like Penang and Kota Kinabalu. Fares from Chicago and Dallas are particularly competitive, often matching Chinese carriers.
• Singapore Airlines operates from six North American gateways with one-stop service to Kuala Lumpur via Singapore, featuring notably short 35-minute connection times. Their economy class offers 32-inch pitch with enhanced legroom seats available for purchase, while their current promotion includes free stopovers in Singapore.
• Consider Korean Air’s new service from Toronto connecting through Seoul-Incheon, featuring attractive mid-week fares up to 25% below market average. Their A330-300 aircraft to Kuala Lumpur offers better overhead bin space and wider seats than competing carriers. Seoul’s efficient airport layout means connection times under 90 minutes.
• For travelers from Western Canada, All Nippon Airways provides excellent value through their Vancouver-Tokyo-Kuala Lumpur routing. Their economy class features 34-inch pitch on Boeing 787s from Vancouver, with connection times in Tokyo optimized for minimal layovers. ANA’s partnership with Air Asia enables convenient connections to Malaysian beach destinations at competitive rates.

1. Ignoring alternative routing options Many travelers fixate on flying through LAX or SFO to Kuala Lumpur (KUL), overlooking often cheaper and more convenient connections through Tokyo (NRT/HND), Seoul (ICN), or Taipei (TPE).
2. Booking separate tickets to budget hubs Purchasing separate tickets to reach Singapore (SIN) or Bangkok (BKK) before flying to Malaysia might seem cheaper, but it risks missed connections, baggage transfer issues, and potential visa complications.
3. Flying during peak monsoon season Booking flights between November and February (Malaysia’s heaviest rainfall period) often leads to weather delays, higher prices, and increased chances of flight disruptions.
4. Choosing wrong KL airport Travelers frequently confuse KLIA (KUL) with KLIA2, Malaysia’s two major airports, which are 2km apart and serve different airlines, potentially causing missed flights or connection problems.
5. Booking too close to Chinese New Year Many North American travelers underestimate the massive surge in transpacific travel during Chinese New Year (typically January-February), resulting in extremely high fares and limited availability.

Qatar Airways

Best for: Most comfortable Economy Class seats with 18-inch width and 32-inch pitch.

Operating from 12 North American cities to Kuala Lumpur (largest operations from JFK, Chicago O’Hare, and Montreal), Qatar Airways offers convenient one-stop connections via Doha. Their Economy Class consistently ranks among the highest for service quality, with praised meal selections including Malaysian cuisine options. The airline maintains a passenger satisfaction rating of 4.3/5, with especially high marks for their modern aircraft fleet including A350s and 787 Dreamliners.

Emirates

Best for: Most extensive entertainment options with over 4,500 channels and free Wi-Fi.

Serving 15 North American destinations (major hubs in JFK, Los Angeles, and Toronto) to Kuala Lumpur via Dubai. Emirates offers generous 30kg baggage allowance in Economy and highly rated multicultural meal options. Their A380 services feature wider seats and more legroom than industry average. Passenger ratings average 4.2/5, with entertainment and crew service receiving particular praise.

Japan Airlines

Best for: Most generous Economy Class legroom with 33-34 inch pitch on long-haul routes.

Operating from 8 North American cities (mainly from Los Angeles, New York JFK, and Vancouver) to Kuala Lumpur via Tokyo. JAL’s Economy Class features award-winning Sky Wider seats and highly praised Japanese and Western cuisine. Their consistent 4.4/5 passenger rating reflects superior service quality and punctuality records.

Korean Air

Best for: Shortest average layover times in Seoul, typically under 3 hours.

Connecting 11 North American cities (primary operations from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Vancouver) to Kuala Lumpur through Seoul. Korean Air provides comfortable 18-inch wide seats in Economy and well-regarded Korean and international meals. Their 4.1/5 passenger rating highlights reliable service and good value, with particularly high marks for cleanliness and staff efficiency.

Get better deals on long-haul flights to Malaysia

Savvy travelers can save significantly on flights to Malaysia by leveraging Asia-Pacific regional carriers instead of booking direct routes through major airlines. This strategy requires breaking up your journey into two segments.

1. Book a primary flight to a major Asian hub like Tokyo, Seoul, or Bangkok using traditional carriers like United, American, or Air Canada. These routes often have better competition and lower fares.
2. Connect via budget carriers like AirAsia, Scoot, or Malaysia Airlines for the final leg to Kuala Lumpur. These regional airlines typically offer much lower fares than international carriers for intra-Asia routes.

For example, flying from Los Angeles to Kuala Lumpur might cost $1,200 on a single ticket. However, booking LAX to Bangkok ($750) and then taking AirAsia to KL ($120) could save over $300, even with baggage fees.

Key considerations

Remember to allow ample connection time since you’ll need to collect and recheck bags. Book separate tickets during low-season periods for maximum savings, and always check baggage policies as regional carriers often have stricter limitations.