Batik Air plans to launch direct flights from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Shanghai and Sydney starting in summer 2026.
The Kuala Lumpur-Shanghai service begins June 23, 2026, operated by Boeing 737 aircraft. It joins the airline’s existing routes to Changsha, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Kunming, Xiamen, and Zhengzhou. One-way fares start at RM 399 for economy class and RM 1,679 for business class.
The Kuala Lumpur-Sydney route starts July 1, 2026, with seven weekly nonstop flights on Airbus A330 aircraft. This replaces the current connecting service via Denpasar, supplementing direct flights to Perth, Brisbane, and Melbourne. Economy fares begin at RM 749, with business class at RM 4,069.
Visa-free access for Malaysian travelers to China has boosted visits, with 4.7 million Chinese tourists in 2025. Australia sent over 500,000 visitors to Malaysia last year. The expansions align with Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
Batik Air CEO Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy stated the routes respond to market demand in key corridors, supporting tourism and business amid a positive travel outlook.
The airline also offers a Kids-Eat-Free program and pre-order meal options to attract families and reduce waste.