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Malaysia Airlines has brought its A330neos to Sydney Airport and will launch a third daily Kuala Lumpur service.
The first Malaysia A330neo touched down in Sydney on Monday, with the new aircraft to operate on both daily Sydney–Kuala Lumpur flights and a third to begin on 30 August. This will bring Sydney’s Kuala Lumpur capacity to 630,000 seats per year, the highest of any airport in Australia.
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“This new A330neo service comes as Australia and Malaysia expand air traffic rights for the first time in years – lifting the cap from 36,000 to 50,000 seats a week and going unlimited in 2026,” Sydney Airport chief executive Scott Charlton said.
“It means more choice and better connections for passengers, and more opportunities for tourism, trade and investment.
“With a third daily flight and a brand-new aircraft, we’re unlocking record capacity on the Kuala Lumpur route to meet strong demand. Malaysia Airlines has been a great partner for more than 50 years, and this is another big step in that journey.”
Malaysia Airlines’ A330neo is configured with 28 business and 269 economy seats, and is 25 per cent more fuel-efficient than older models, with lower emissions, quieter engines, and a more comfortable cabin, the airline said.
Dersenish Aresandiran, chief commercial officer of Airlines at Malaysia Aviation Group, said the A330neo’s introduction to Sydney “marks an exciting chapter for Malaysia Airlines and our long-standing relationship with Australia”.
“This aircraft represents the future of our fleet – delivering a quieter, more sustainable, and more comfortable journey for our passengers.”
“As we grow to 21 return flights per week by the end of October, we look forward to welcoming even more travellers to experience the warmth of Malaysian Hospitality, whether they are flying for business, leisure, or to reconnect with loved ones.”
The arrival of the A330neo comes after Malaysia Airlines announced a ramp-up of both Sydney and Melbourne capacity earlier this year, with three daily Kuala Lumpur flights for each airport.
According to Transport Minister Catherine King, more than 175,000 Malaysian tourists visited Australia in 2023.
“In 2025, we’re expecting that number to grow with the support of this increase in capacity,” she said in April.
“The Albanese Labor Government has signed a record number of bilateral air service agreements during our term, and we’re thrilled to see Sydney Airport turning them into a reality – with Türkiye, Hong Kong, and now Malaysia.”
Malaysia Airlines is also resurrecting a pre-COVID-19 service from Kuala Lumpur to Brisbane, starting in November.
