British Airways to Resume Flights to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

British Airways has confirmed it will resume direct daily flights between Kuala Lumpur and London on 27 May 2015.

The daily service will be operated by a four-cabin Boeing 777-200ER, featuring 12 seats in First, 48 in Club World business class, 32 in World Traveller Plus premium economy class and a further 127 in World Traveller economy class.

The flight’s early morning arrival in London allows passengers a full day in the city, or plenty of time to catch easy and convenient connecting flights to other destinations in the UK and Europe.

Jamie Cassidy, British Airways' area general manager for the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, said, “It’s wonderful to be back in Malaysia. We are starting the new flights in response to strong customer demand for direct flights to Kuala Lumpur. As Malaysia’s economy grows, it is becoming an even more important trading partner with the UK, and Britain has long been a favourite destination for Malaysians to study, shop and experience its rich heritage.”

British Airways, then operating as Imperial Airways, first began flying to Malaysia on 9 December 1933 using an Armstrong Whitworth Atlanta. The flight left from London Croydon Airport and made 22 stops before eventually reaching Alor Star (now Alor Setar) nine days later, compared with 12 hours and 45 minutes for the new flight.

Another British Airways predecessor, BOAC, first started flying to Kuala Lumpur itself on 1 August 1956, using the Canadair Argonaut ‘Coronet’ service on the outbound route and the Lockheed Constellation ‘Majestic’ service on the return.

BA034 will leave Kuala Lumpur at 23:05 local time and arrive at London Heathrow T5 at 05:25 the next morning. BA033 will depart Heathrow T5 at 20:15, arriving in Kuala Lumpur at 16:00 the next day.

Datuk Badlisham Ghazali, Managing Director of Malaysia Airports, said, “I greatly welcome the return of British Airways to Malaysia. This announcement underlines the strength and vibrancy of the air travel market between the United Kingdom and Malaysia and I believe that this new route of British Airways will bring about positive impact of great proportions to both countries from the economical, political, social and cultural standpoints.”

British Airways suspended services to Kuala Lumpur in 2001.