KUALA LUMPUR, April 2 — British Airways (BA) has officially returned to Malaysia, marking its first landing at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) since 2021, ending a nearly four-year pause in operations caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
KUALA LUMPUR, April 2 — British Airways (BA) has officially returned to Malaysia, marking its first landing at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) since 2021, ending a nearly four-year pause in operations caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The long-anticipated comeback began with Flight BA33, operated by a Boeing 787-9, which departed London at 9:10pm yesterday and arrived at KLIA at 5:20pm today.
The airline’s return was celebrated with a welcoming ceremony at KLIA, attended by Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Acting British High Commissioner to Malaysia David Wallace, and senior officials from Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), Tourism Malaysia, and British Airways.
“This marks a significant boost in our connectivity with the United Kingdom, a key partner in both tourism and trade,” said Loke during the event. “With Visit Malaysia Year 2026 on the horizon and a target of 35.6 million international tourists, enhanced air connectivity is vital.”
He added that the reinstated route also opens doors for increased trade and investment, especially with agreements like the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) paving the way for stronger bilateral business ties.
British Airways will now operate daily direct flights between London Heathrow (LHR) and Kuala Lumpur, reinforcing Malaysia’s appeal to UK travellers and supporting its goal to become a regional aviation hub.
The service is expected to benefit both business and leisure travel, as well as strengthen KLIA’s position in global aviation. It also aligns with Malaysia’s broader aviation recovery strategy, which includes attracting more international carriers ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
Initially planned for a November 2024 return, the relaunch was postponed to April 2025 due to maintenance challenges involving the airline’s Boeing 787 fleet.
This London-Kuala Lumpur route has long been seen as a valuable connection for travellers. British Airways had previously suspended the service in 2001, reinstated it in 2015, and then paused it again in 2021 during the pandemic.
The current service is operated using a Boeing 787-9 aircraft, offering four cabin classes: World Traveller (economy), World Traveller Plus (premium economy), Club World (business), and First. Fares start from MYR 3,667 and are available through BA’s website and other ticketing platforms.
Passengers can also enjoy seamless onward connections from Kuala Lumpur to over 17 cities across Asia-Pacific, including destinations in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
In addition, Malaysia Airlines has expanded its codeshare with British Airways to include four US cities: Boston, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Portland.
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