Aussie travellers will soon have an easier way to travel to Penang, with Batik Air commencing flights between Western Australia and the Malaysian island next month.
The Malaysian carrier said the new daily service would operate from Perth to Penang via Jakarta.
“Batik Air is launching flights PER-CGK-PEN effective 29 March 2026,” Batik told Karryon in an email.
According to the carrier’s website, the service will be operated by a Boeing 737 MAX 8 narrow-body aircraft.
Flight OD198 will depart Perth Airport at 1.35am and arrive in Penang at 9.55am, with a short layover in Jakarta. The return leg, OD197, will leave Malaysia at 3.15pm and touch down in WA at 11.35pm.
“We remain steadfast in supporting Australia’s tourism growth, championing both outbound opportunities for Australians and inbound visitor flows that benefit communities across both regions,” Batik Air Malaysia CEO Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy said.
“The enhanced connectivity is expected to stimulate travel, education exchanges and business engagement between Western Australia and Malaysia, driving new opportunities for tourism operators, hospitality venues and related sectors on both sides.”
While a direct service doesn’t guarantee a non-stop flight, like in this instance, it does increase convenience for travellers, as it operates with the same plane and flight number as a non-stop. It also means passengers don’t need to connect with another plane or airline, sometimes in another terminal, which can be problematic if there’s a delay with an incoming flight. Direct services, even those with a layover, are nearly always quicker than indirect routes, as evidenced by the total trip time of 8 hours, 20 minutes for this new service.
The Perth-Penang route arrives before the Aussie winter, allowing Western Australians and other Aussies to swap the cooler climes of a southern winter for the tropical warmth of the Malaysian state.
Penang is a popular tourist destination led by the UNESCO-listed capital city, George Town, a cosmopolitan centre that blends Asian and Western cultures with its mix of colonial architecture, ancient temples and edgy art. It’s also widely considered Malaysia’s cuisine capital (in a nation brimming with incredible food, that’s no small feat). In addition, George Town has become a popular port for cruise ships.
Going the other way, the new route could also boost Western Australian visitation, not just for tourism but also the VFR (visiting friends and relatives) market, thanks to Perth’s significant Malaysian population.
Batik Air Malaysia flies to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. The airline’s Sydney-Kuala Lumpur service, launched late last year, is the most recent addition to its Australian network.
KARRYON UNPACKS: Penang just got easier. Batik Air’s new Perth service boosts winter sun access and strengthens Malaysia’s pull. For Western Australian travel advisors especially, it’s fresh inventory with strong foodie and culture appeal.
