Top 10 Best Airlines in Malaysia 2025 – Domestic & International Flights

What is the top 10 best airlines in Malaysia?

If you’re planning to travel within Malaysia or fly overseas, it helps to know which airlines are the best. This guide will show you the top 10 best airlines in Malaysia, including the top 10 best airlines in Malaysia 2025 for international trips, business travel, and domestic flights.

Malaysia has many airlines. Some are full-service with meals and large seats. Others are budget airlines with cheap fares but fewer extras. Below, you will find a list of the top 10 best airlines in Malaysia international, domestic airlines, and budget-friendly options to help you choose your next flight easily.

How We Ranked These Airlines

These airlines are listed based on:

• Safety and reliability
  
• Passenger comfort and service quality
  
• Onboard services and facilities
  
• Number of domestic and international routes
  
• Affordable prices and good flight deals
  
• Awards and recognition received
  

Top 10 Best Airlines in Malaysia

Here is a clear look at the list of airlines of Malaysia that travellers trust the most in 2025.

1. Malaysia Airlines

Malaysia Airlines is Malaysia’s national airline and is known for its friendly cabin crew and good service.

• Type: Full-service airline
  
• Hub airport: Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA)
  
• Founded: 1947
  
• Fleet: More than 80 aircraft
  
• Where it flies: Both domestic flights within Malaysia and international routes to Asia, Australia, Europe, and the Middle East
  
• Services: Free meals and drinks, comfortable seats, and Wi-Fi on some flights
  
• Awards: APEX 4-Star Major Airline 2025
  

Many business travellers prefer Malaysia Airlines for long trips because it offers lounge access and good in-flight meals. You can also find Malaysia Airlines flight deals on its official website during special sales.

2. AirAsia

AirAsia is Malaysia’s most popular low-cost airline. It is famous for cheap tickets and frequent discounts.

• Type: Low-cost airline
  
• Hub airport: KLIA2, Kuala Lumpur
  
• Founded: 2001
  
• Fleet: Over 200 Airbus planes
  
• Where it flies: Almost every city in Malaysia and many international routes across Asia-Pacific
  
• Services: No free meals but you can buy snacks onboard. It also offers a loyalty program for discounts.
  
• Awards: Skytrax World’s Best Low-Cost Airline (won many years in a row)
  

If you want to save money, AirAsia is the best budget airline in Malaysia. It is ideal for students, families, and people who travel often.

3. Batik Air Malaysia (formerly Malindo Air)

Batik Air Malaysia is a mix between a full-service and budget airline. You get good comfort without paying high prices.

• Type: Hybrid airline
  
• Hub airport: Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA)
  
• Founded: 2013
  
• Fleet: Boeing 737 and ATR72 planes
  
• Where it flies: Domestic routes in Malaysia and international flights to Indonesia, Thailand, India, and nearby countries
  
• Services: Free light meals, baggage allowance included, and affordable business class seats
  

This airline is a good choice if you want better comfort than a budget airline but still want to save money.

4. Firefly

Firefly is known for its easy domestic flights using small airports closer to city centres.

• Type: Regional airline
  
• Hub airport: Subang Airport, Selangor
  
• Founded: 2007
  
• Fleet: ATR72 turboprop planes
  
• Where it flies: Many domestic routes in Malaysia and a few short international routes to Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand
  
• Services: Quick check-in, free snacks onboard
  

Firefly is perfect for people looking for Malaysia domestic airlines for quick trips, especially between Penang, Subang, and Johor Bahru.

5. MASwings

MASwings is a regional airline that connects smaller towns and rural areas in East Malaysia.

• Type: Regional community airline (part of Malaysia Airlines)
  
• Hub airports: Kota Kinabalu and Kuching Airports
  
• Founded: 2007
  
• Fleet: ATR72 planes
  
• Where it flies: Sabah and Sarawak, serving towns and villages
  
• Services: Reliable flights that are important for local communities
  

MASwings is important for people who live in East Malaysia or need to travel to remote areas that other airlines do not cover.

6. Raya Airways

Raya Airways is a cargo airline, but it plays an important role in Malaysia’s economy by transporting goods quickly across Asia.

• Type: Cargo airline
  
• Hub airport: Subang Airport
  
• Founded: 1993
  
• Fleet: Boeing 767 and 737 cargo planes
  
• Where it flies: Regional cargo services within Asia
  

Although it does not carry passengers, Raya Airways helps many businesses move goods efficiently.

7. Berjaya Air

Berjaya Air is best known for flights to island resorts, making holiday trips easy.

• Type: Regional charter airline
  
• Hub airport: Subang Airport
  
• Founded: 1989
  
• Fleet: ATR42 and Dash-7 planes
  
• Where it flies: Mainly to island destinations like Redang and Tioman
  
• Services: Charter flights for tourists going to exclusive resorts
  

If you are planning an island holiday, Berjaya Air will get you there directly.

8. Sabah Air Aviation

Sabah Air Aviation offers helicopter and charter flights within Sabah.

• Type: Charter and helicopter services
  
• Hub airport: Kota Kinabalu Airport
  
• Founded: 1975
  
• Fleet: Helicopters and small aircraft
  
• Where it flies: Within Sabah for aerial surveys, sightseeing tours, and emergency medical services
  

This airline is useful for special flights, offshore operations, or sightseeing tours in Sabah.

9. Layang Layang Aerospace

Layang Layang Aerospace is known for flights to diving destinations.

• Type: Charter airline
  
• Hub airport: Kota Kinabalu
  
• Founded: 1994
  
• Fleet: Twin Otter aircraft
  
• Where it flies: To Layang Layang Island
  
• Services: Special flights for divers and tourists visiting famous dive spots
  

10. World Cargo Airlines

World Cargo Airlines is Malaysia’s newest cargo airline.

• Type: Cargo airline
  
• Hub airport: Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA)
  
• Founded: 2018
  
• Fleet: Boeing 737 cargo planes
  
• Where it flies: Regional cargo services in Asia
  

It helps transport goods and supports trade connections across Asia.

Quick Comparison of Malaysia’s Airlines

How to Choose the Best Airline for Your Trip

If you want cheap tickets, choose AirAsia or Firefly as they are the best budget airlines in Malaysia.
If you prefer comfort for long trips, Malaysia Airlines is a great choice with good meals and spacious seats.
For business travel, Malaysia Airlines and Batik Air Malaysia are reliable.
If you are travelling to East Malaysia, MASwings and Sabah Air can take you to small towns and remote areas.
For island holidays, Berjaya Air and Layang Layang Aerospace will fly you directly to beautiful resorts.

Awards and Recognitions

Malaysia Airlines has received the APEX 4-Star Major Airline 2025 award for its quality service.
AirAsia has won Skytrax World’s Best Low-Cost Airline for many years.
Batik Air Malaysia is known for good service across Southeast Asia.

Future Growth and Sustainability

Malaysia’s airlines are focusing on greener and more sustainable travel.
Malaysia Airlines is adding fuel-efficient Airbus A330neo planes to its fleet.
AirAsia has launched a carbon offset program to reduce its environmental impact.
Firefly is expanding routes with new ATR72-600 planes, which use less fuel.

In 2025, Malaysian airlines will also start new international routes to countries like Japan, Australia, and the Middle East, giving travellers even more choices.

Conclusion

Choosing the right airline makes your journey smoother, whether you’re flying within Malaysia or to another country. From full-service airlines like Malaysia Airlines to budget-friendly options such as AirAsia and Firefly, Malaysia offers a wide range of choices for every traveller.

If you’re planning to book your next flight, visit supercashdeal malaysia to find the latest deals and special offers. Whether you are looking for cheap flights from Malaysia to Thailand for your upcoming holiday or searching for an Air Canada promo code Malaysia to save on your long-haul trip, you will find exclusive discounts and promo codes to make your travel more affordable.

With so many reliable airlines and great offers available, travelling from Malaysia has never been easier or more budget-friendly.

FAQ

What are the most punctual airlines in Malaysia?

Airlines like Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia are known for maintaining good on-time performance, especially on busy domestic and regional routes.

Do any Malaysian airlines offer student discounts?

AirAsia occasionally provides student promo fares under special campaigns, and Malaysia Airlines has student travel offers with extra baggage allowance on certain routes.

Which Malaysian airline has the best loyalty program?

AirAsia’s BIG Rewards is popular for budget travellers, while Malaysia Airlines’ Enrich program offers more benefits for frequent international flyers.

Can I carry sports equipment on Malaysian airlines?

Most full-service airlines like Malaysia Airlines allow sports equipment with some conditions, while budget airlines like AirAsia charge additional fees based on item weight and size.

Are pets allowed on domestic flights in Malaysia?

Most Malaysian airlines do not allow pets in the cabin, but cargo options are available for transporting pets under specific guidelines.

What is the best airline in Malaysia for last-minute bookings?

AirAsia often has seats available even close to departure time at competitive prices, but Malaysia Airlines provides better flexibility for date changes if needed.

Do Malaysian airlines provide inflight entertainment on domestic flights?

Malaysia Airlines offers inflight entertainment on selected domestic routes, while budget airlines usually do not provide seat-back screens or entertainment.

Which airline is best for travel to Malaysian islands?

Berjaya Air and Layang Layang Aerospace are specialised in flying passengers directly to island resorts like Tioman and Layang Layang for convenience.

How early should I arrive for a domestic flight in Malaysia?

It is recommended to arrive at least 2 hours before departure for domestic flights, especially when flying from busy airports like KLIA or Subang.

Are there any Malaysian airlines that operate overnight flights?

Malaysia Airlines operates some overnight international flights to destinations like Japan and Australia, while domestic routes are usually scheduled during the day.