Malaysia Airlines New 737 MAX Business Class, Restarts Brisbane Flights and More

KUALA LUMPUR- Malaysia Airlines (MH) has unveiled several major developments, including a new co-branded Manchester United livery, the return of direct flights to Brisbane (BNE) starting November 2025, and increased frequencies across its Asia-Pacific network.

The airline also revealed its first-ever lie-flat Business Class seats for Boeing 737-10 (MAX 10) aircraft, marking a significant upgrade to its narrowbody fleet as part of its ambitious plan to be ranked among the Top 10 global airlines.

Photo: Brisbane Airport

Malaysia Airlines Returns to Brisbane

The return to Brisbane represents a key expansion in Malaysia Airlines’ Australian market strategy, with service resuming on November 29, 2025. Promotional fares start from RM 1,999 (all-inclusive return) for Economy Class and RM 8,999 for Business Class.

This reinstated route complements increased frequencies to Sydney (SYD) and Melbourne (MEL), enhancing the airline’s presence in the Australian market for both leisure and business travelers.

Additionally, Malaysia Airlines is boosting flight frequencies across its Asia-Pacific network, adding services to popular destinations including Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland (AKL), Surabaya (SUB), Phuket (HKT), and Trivandrum (TRV). These expansions strengthen the airline’s regional connectivity and respond to growing travel demand across key markets.

The new A330neo fleet will operate on selected Australia and New Zealand routes, offering enhanced passenger comfort with improved fuel efficiency and cutting-edge cabin features. This fleet modernization supports Malaysia Airlines’ commitment to environmental sustainability while delivering premium travel experiences.

Photo: Brisbane Airport

Executive Remarks

Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff welcomed the announcement, highlighting the strategic importance of the route. “The airline boasts a robust Southeast Asian network, strong connections into Europe, and serves 10 Indian hubs, where demand is growing,” de Graaff said.

The connection supports vital trade relationships, with Malaysia ranking as Queensland’s seventh-largest export destination. Direct flights will facilitate the export of perishable goods, particularly Queensland beef, which leads exports to Malaysia.

This route marks Brisbane’s 33rd direct international destination, restoring the airport’s pre-pandemic connectivity milestone for the first time.

Queensland’s Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Bates, emphasized the economic and tourism benefits: “Additional seats mean additional visitors, and Queensland is ready to welcome them with open arms.”

Datuk Captain Izham Ismail, Group Managing Director of Malaysia Aviation Group, expressed enthusiasm about the reconnection: “This route reaffirms our commitment to connecting travellers seamlessly across our extensive network through Kuala Lumpur – positioning Malaysia Airlines as the Gateway to Asia and Beyond.”

Brisbane Airport celebrates its centenary in 2025, marking 100 years of growth from a small aerodrome to Queensland’s premier international gateway. The airport recently became Australia’s first to operate entirely on renewable-backed energy and has announced over $5 billion in future development investments.

Flight Schedule

Brisbane Service

Additional Frequency Updates

*Note: Trivandrum increased flight frequency from 06 Jun 2025 – 05 September 2025 only.

Photo: Malaysia Airlines

New Business Class on Boeing 737-10

In a first for its narrowbody fleet, Malaysia Airlines has previewed new lie-flat Business Class seats for its Boeing 737-10 aircraft.

This innovation brings consistent premium comfort to regional routes, allowing passengers to enjoy seamless journeys with unified cabin experiences across different aircraft types in the fleet.

Photo: Malaysia Airlines

The airline plans to operate 55 Boeing 737-8 and 737-10 aircraft by 2030, supporting its fleet modernization strategy and ambition to become a Top 10 global airline and Top 5 Asian carrier. This expansion demonstrates Malaysia Airlines’ long-term commitment to growth and excellence in the aviation industry.

Photo: Eurospot

Enhanced Customer Experience

Malaysia Airlines has refined its Economy Class fare structure with three tiers: Economy Value (formerly Economy Lite), Economy Basic, and Economy Flex. These revamped options give passengers more choices tailored to their specific travel needs.

The Economy Value tier includes 7kg cabin baggage, 20kg checked baggage, complimentary meals, a 10% child discount, and booking flexibility for a fee, delivering comfort and convenience alongside Malaysia Airlines’ signature hospitality.

The airline has also launched EnrichMoney, a multi-currency e-wallet and Visa prepaid card designed to enhance both travel and lifestyle experiences. Its newest feature—Pay with EnrichMoney Points—allows members to redeem points instantly via DuitNow QR at participating merchants, making it the first solution of its kind in Malaysia.

Manchester United Livery on A330

Malaysia Airlines unveiled a striking co-branded aircraft livery in partnership with Manchester United, featured on its flagship A330-300. The design blends Malaysian national identity with Manchester United’s sporting heritage through dynamic red lines flowing from the Malaysia flag into the club’s iconic red color scheme.

The launch event featured Manchester United legends Dimitar Berbatov, Nemanja Vidić, and Luís Nani, with public meet-and-greet sessions scheduled from April 18-20, 2025, at the MAG Arena.

Group Managing Director of Malaysia Aviation Group, Datuk Captain Izham Ismail, described these developments as “a bold and exciting new chapter for Malaysia Airlines,” noting that the Manchester United partnership “embodies shared values of excellence and global ambition.”

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