Take a free bonus side trip with Malaysia Airlines

Malaysia Airlines is ramping up its Australian presence with triple-daily flights to Sydney and Melbourne plus a long-awaited return to Brisbane – and passengers to make their most of their visit with a free side trip to some of Malaysia’s hidden gems.

The airline’s complimentary Bonus Side Trip program lets passengers in transit swap a few hours at Kuala Lumpur airport for a few days at the likes of Langkawi, Penang and Kota Bharu before continuing on the last leg of their journey.

“There’s a lot of Australian traffic to Malaysia, because Australians love Malaysia, and we’re also seeing a lot more Australian transit passengers as well,” says Dersenish Aresandiran, Chief Commercial Officer for Malaysia Airlines.

“As the national carrier, Malaysia Airlines invites global travellers to experience more and uncover the vibrant beauty of Malaysia through a side trip to one of seven handpicked domestic destinations” which are rich in culture, heritage, and natural beauty.

The Bonus Slide Trip flights are free, with passengers needing only to pay taxes, and they’re fully integrated into the itinerary to make for a seamless journey.

Bonus Side Trips are available from Kuala Lumpur to

• Alor Star
• Johor Bahru
• Langkawi
• Kota Bharu
• Kuala Terengganu
• Kuantan, and
• Penang

“It’s almost two cities for the price of one,” Aresandiran says of the offer, which is “about getting someone in transit to experience the best of Malaysia.

The Bonus Side Trip programme is part of Malaysia Airlines’ broader strategy to support the upcoming Visit Malaysia Year 2026.