Major international airline to land daily in Adelaide
International travel out of Adelaide is taking off with another high-demand route expanding.
Malaysia Airlines is set to operate its Adelaide to Kuala Lumpur service daily from February 2, 2026, adding another 60,000 seats per year to the route.
A new aircraft, the A330neo, would travel the route, with the airline announcing that the plan was configured with 28 business class and 269 economy class seats, including 24 with extra legroom.
The airline has touted the aircraft as being more fuel-efficient than older models, with lower emissions, quieter engines, and a more comfortable cabin.
Malaysia Airlines currently runs five flights per week between the two cities.
Adelaide Airport managing director Brenton Cox heralded the announcement as a “wonderful outcome” for South Australian travellers.
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“Malaysia Airlines has been a significant supporter of Adelaide’s international market over many years,” he said.
“Today’s announcement reinforces that commitment. It’s a wonderful outcome for South Australians travelling to Malaysia and beyond, and to the overseas visitors travelling to Adelaide using the airline’s extensive route network.”
Cox said more frequent services will also support the growing international student population that particularly uses the service to fly in from Malaysia and further afield, including India, China, Nepal and Vietnam to study in Adelaide.
“Being a wide-body jet, it also creates greater export opportunities for our local producers,” he said.
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State Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison said it was “very welcome news from Malaysia Airlines”.
“It is another vote of confidence in South Australian tourism and provides greater access to this key tourism market, which was worth $957 million to our state in the year to March 2025, up 25 per cent on the year prior,” she said
Malaysia Aviation Group chief commercial officer of airlines Dersenish Aresandiran said the Australian market was “important” for the airline.
“We are delighted to strengthen our commitment to Adelaide by increasing services to daily flights,” he said.
“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 announcement is the latest coup for international travellers from Adelaide, following United Airlines’ decision to run the first-ever direct connection to the United States, linking SA with San Francisco.
Adelaide to Hong Kong would also resume in November after five years on Cathay Pacific, while Qantas planned to restart international flying from Adelaide this month to Auckland.
