Malaysia Airlines launches daily flights to Paris
Paris is back on the map, with the possibility of more European cities to follow…
By David Flynn, September 6 2024
Almost a decade after scrapping all flights to Europe, Malaysia Airlines is making a bold return to the continent with the launch of daily direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Paris.
The Oneworld airline’s flights to Paris will begin in March 22 2025, with travellers making the 14-hour journey on an Airbus A350; tickets are expected to go on sale later today.
No airlines currently offer non-stop between the Malaysia and French capitals; Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Turkish Airlines are considered to hold the lion’s share of the stop-over market via their respective hubs.
Flights will initially run four times a week – Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, out of KL – from March 22, and then toggle up to a daily service from March 29.
- MH21 will depart Kuala Lumpur around 11.45pm to reach Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport at 6.40am the next morning
- MH20 will be wheels-up from Paris at 11.25am, arriving into KLIA before 7am the following day
Business class return fares from Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide will start at $7,899, and from Perth at $6,999 (economy return fares are $1,699 and $1,599, respectively), with free WiFi available to all passengers.
Malaysia Airlines will continue its current twice-daily A350 service to London.
“We have been evaluating European destinations for the past few years,” Captain Izham Ismail, CEO of the Malaysia Aviation Group, remarked at a media conference held in Kuala Lumpur this morning.
Paris was a “very strong” performer, especially for “connecting Australia and New Zealand... we feel very strongly that Paris is best for our growth plan.”
“While the European market is highly competitive, we see tremendous potential for this route to attract key travellers, not just from Malaysia but also from neighbouring regions.”
Although there’s been speculation that Madrid and Milan could follow, “and we have candidates for Europe which we continue to evaluate, in 2025 it is very unlikely we will have another European route,” Ismail added.
The Paris-bound aircraft will be one of Malaysia Airlines’ original A350s, which sport a former first class cabin rebranded as Business Suites along with 35 standard business class seats.
Malaysia Airlines' A350 business suites (left) and business class (right)
The KL-based airline intends to upgrade its A350 fleet with doored business class suites beginning in early 2026.
Malaysia Airlines' new A330neo and A350 business class.
These will be the same high-privacy berths which will debut on the factory-fresh A330neo fleet from October.
Malaysia Airlines' new A330neo and A350 business class.
Malaysia Airlines expects to have three A330neos by the end of 2024 and five by Q1 2025 – CEO Ismail said these would be flying to Melbourne, Auckland, Tokyo and Doha, the later destination handing over its A350 to the new Paris route.
Ismail has previously indicated the carrier is considering a follow-up order of as many as 20 additional A330neo jets beyond those initial 20 aircraft.
David Flynn travelled to Kuala Lumpur as a guest of Malaysia Airlines
03 May 2021
Total posts 55
It’s great to see MH launch a new European flight after so long. Not sure why the article says it is the first in a decade I’m pretty sure London is in Europe last I checked.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Feb 2015
Total posts 388
This should work well for them, especially if pricing remains competitive.
Aegean Airlines - Miles & Bonus
16 Jul 2019
Total posts 31
I recently few MH from Singapore to Doha via KL. The 737 to KL was brand new, spacious in Business and service was great for the 1 hour flight. The transit experience in KUL was decent. After some initial confusion where to go, I ended up at the First / Business transfer area with a small lounge and excellent service. A private car transfer to the satellite terminal and the Golden Lounge. The oneworld Emerald lounge has a restaurant with decent a la carte options but the buffet in the larger lounge next door was also excellent with western and local food and drink available. The A350 to Doha (one of the ex SAS aircraft) was excellent in Business. Mattress topper, plush blanket and pillow and a good branded amenity kit. Service was good although crew looked tired as this was a redeye 3am departure but they certainly did their jobs well. Overall a great experience and I'm glad to see MH improving and growing.
22 Jun 2020
Total posts 7
Connection timing is not great. You need to break the journey or wait a day at the airport if you take the night flight from Sydney. I find KL a drag of an airport.
Cathay Pacific - The Marco Polo Club
19 Apr 2014
Total posts 50
There is an afternoon flight from Sydney that will offer a very comfortable 3 hour layover?
No different from what SQ. CX, TG and other asian carriers offer for their European flights from SYD.
22 Jan 2018
Total posts 99
I’m not a fan of the KL airport but I love MH and wish them nothing but success.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Jun 2017
Total posts 73
I wish Malaysia Airlines well on this route.
Out of Melbourne, hands down best value for money J one stop to CDG. Coming in $2.5K less than QF via Perth is a winner for me and the flight timing is perfect.
Big fan of MH!
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