From February 2026, Malaysia Airlines (MH) will fly daily between Adelaide and Kuala Lumpur, adding more seats and a brand-new aircraft to the South Australian market.
Malaysia Airlines currently operates five flights per week on the route but will ramp up to six weekly services in November 2025 before going daily from 2 February 2026. The move will deliver more than 60,000 additional seats per year, giving agents a stronger product to sell across leisure, business, and student markets.
The airline will introduce its Airbus A330-900neo on the Adelaide service, configured with 28 Business Class and 269 Economy Class seats, including 24 with extra legroom. According to Malaysia Airlines, the aircraft is 25 per cent more fuel efficient than previous models, with lower emissions, quieter engines, and upgraded cabin comfort.
Business Class passengers will also be able to experience private suites with high walls and sliding doors, while Economy Class travellers benefit from a refreshed layout that the airline says delivers a more spacious and comfortable experience.
How does this benefit South Australian travellers and agents?
Adelaide Airport Managing Director Brenton Cox said the increased services are a “wonderful outcome” for both outbound travellers and inbound visitors using the airline’s extensive Asian and European network. He also highlighted the service’s popularity among international students from Malaysia, India, China, Nepal, and Vietnam studying in Adelaide, alongside the added export opportunities the wide-body service brings for South Australian producers.
For travel advisors, this means more consistent availability, a premium aircraft to pitch to clients, and stronger confidence in selling Adelaide as a connected gateway to Asia and beyond.
South Australian Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison said the decision reflects growing confidence in the state’s visitor economy. “It is very welcome news from Malaysia Airlines today that it will soon be flying daily direct to Adelaide – on its brand new A330neo aircraft – helping entice more passengers from South Australia’s Asia tourism market,” she said.
She noted that international tourism was worth $957 million to South Australia in the year to March 2025, up 25 per cent on the year before.
Dersenish Aresandiran, Chief Commercial Officer of Airlines at Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), said: “Australia remains an important market for Malaysia Airlines, and we are delighted to strengthen our commitment to Adelaide by increasing services to daily flights.
“The introduction of our new A330neo aircraft marks a proud milestone, reflecting our commitment to service excellence and to carrying the Malaysian flag higher and further, while strengthening connections between South Australia, Malaysia, and the rest of the world”.
The new flight schedule will see MH depart Adelaide at 9.50am, touching down in Kuala Lumpur at 4.00pm. The return service departs Kuala Lumpur at 10.25pm, arriving in Adelaide at 7.00am.
The next phases of Adelaide Airport’s $600 million ‘Project Flight‘ infrastructure program and passenger-facing upgrades have also recently been revealed as the South Australian hub works towards its 2050 aviation vision. Read on for more here.
Qantas will also resume its nonstop international flights from South Australia with the inaugural Adelaide–Auckland flight taking off on 31 October 2025. SA passengers can also now access Adelaide Airport’s first Qantas Domestic Business Lounge. Read on for more here.
