MAS flights to Adelaide, Melbourne & Perth get new business class

Malaysia Airlines passengers will see a number of changes to Australia flights starting next month, as the airline shuffles its planes around on Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth services.

The news is mostly good for business class passengers, since it means more flights on the airline's new Airbus A330-300 planes -- with an updated business class offering.

Here are the details, broken down by city.

Adelaide

From 26 September, Adelaide passengers will see the new A330 cabins rolled out on all flights, replacing the older Boeing 777-200ER planes.

Melbourne

Both daily Melbourne-Kuala Lumpur flights will get the new A330 cabins, and also from 26 September. It looks like Melburnians won't be seeing a MAS Airbus A380 until after the airline launches the superjumbo on Kuala Lumpur-London routes.

Perth

It's a slightly trickier situation for WA passengers heading out from Perth.

From 26 September to 29 October, MAS is actually reducing flights from 10 per week to 9. So if you're flying in that period, best to check with the airline to make sure your flight isn't a cancelled one, and to make sure that you're booked onto a new flight that serves your schedule best. All Perth flights will see older Boeing 777-200ER planes and cabins.

Between 30 October and 30 November, Perth will continue to see older planes and cabins, but MH127 to Perth on Saturdays and MH126 from Perth on Sundays will be on the older Airbus A330.

After 1 December and until 14 February, most Perth flights will see the older Airbus A330. The exception to this is MH127 to Perth on Thursdays and return flight MH126 to Kuala Lumpur on Fridays, which will have the new planes. Perth will also see the tenth weekly flight resume.

But after 15 February, all Perth flights (ten a week) will see the new A330-300 planes and cabins.

By then, we'll hopefully see reciprocal frequent flyer points, lounges and benefits between Malaysia Airlines and its oneworld sponsor partner Qantas.

We'll keep you updated on service to other Australian cities.

In the meantime, if you'll be flying on any of Malaysia's Airbus A330s, take a look at our guide to picking the best seat in business class.

Thanks to the ever-detailed airlineroute.net for the tip-off.

John Walton

Aviation journalist and travel columnist John took his first long-haul flight when he was eight weeks old and hasn't looked back since. Well, except when facing rearwards in business class.