Malaysia Airlines is the main carrier of Malaysia, operating out of Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Kota Kinabalu International Airport. Founded in 1947, the airline currently flies to about 60 destinations around the world. It is a member of the Oneworld alliance and operates Firefly as a subsidiary. The airline’s fleet consists of Airbus and Boeing planes. Each day around 40,000 passengers flies with the airline that, since 2015, has been owned and operated by Malaysia Airlines Berhad.
Contact details
- Telephone:
- 603-7843-3000
- United States Corporate Travel Inquiries: 1-800-552-9264
- Website: malaysiaairlines.com
- Customer Service:
- Social media:
What are Malaysia Airline’s check-in options?
Mobile boarding passes and priority boarding
Priority boarding
Flying with children
Seating for infants and children
Unaccompanied children
Flying while pregnant
Group bookings
Disabled access and medical equipment
Pets and service animals
Online check-in
Malaysia Airlines offers online check-in from 48 hours up to 90 minutes before departure on international flights. Click here to check-in online.
Priority boarding
Priority boarding is available at the Enrich Platinum and First-Class counters at KLIA or First and Business Class counters in other airports. Before you head to the departure lounge, check out our handy guide, 10 things to do before your flight.
Flying with children
Families with infants and children are given priority boarding. Malaysia Airlines also provides play rooms at selected airports that are equipped with a television and DVD player, toys, comics and coloring books.
An additional 22 lbs of luggage is available over and above the free baggage allowance as part of the airline’s infant allowance.
Incubators for babies with heart or respiratory problems may be permitted on certain Malaysia Airlines flights. To arrange for this, you will need to contact 603-7843-3000.
Children up to 2 years old are not required to have their own seat but if you plan to travel with an infant on your lap, you’ll need to alert the airline in advance. Note that only one lap child is allowed per adult. A seat will need to be purchased for each additional infant. You can also choose to purchase a seat for your infant if you have the proper child restraint device. Infant fares may also be available in this case.
Several bassinets are provided onboard and you cannot carry your own bassinet into the cabin. If you need one for your infant, you’ll need to make this per reservation at the time of your initial ticket purchase.
This service must be requested at least 24 hours before departure. To book this service, call 603-7843-3000.
Unaccompanied children
The airline has a “Special Assistance Crew” to assist children flying alone. Malaysia Airlines also has an unaccompanied young passenger (UYP) program for children ages 5-15, who are not accompanied by their parents, guardians or a passenger aged 18 years or more. To request the service, contact the airline on the number above. This service must be requested upon reservation of ticket.
As part of the service, your child is accompanied to the boarding gate and handed over to the cabin crew. On arrival, airline staff will again accompany your child through immigration and baggage collection, before handing your child over to the appointed guardian at the arrival gate. When booking the service, you’ll need to provide the details of the adult meeting your child at the collection gate as well as any other specific requirements they may have, such as a language other than English and any medical issues.
We have a helpful guide for kids flying solo.
Flying while pregnant
Expectant mothers are required to provide a letter from their doctor stating the duration of their pregnancy and any associated risk factors. The following are periods not recommended for women to travel:
- After 32nd week of pregnancy for those with multiple pregnancies (e.g. twins).
- After the 35th week of pregnancy for international flights.
- After the 36th week of pregnancy for domestic sectors.
- Until 7 days after delivery.
Here’s our guide to flying while pregnant.
Group bookings
Contact the airline directly to inquire if they have any special group discounts available.
Disabled access and medical equipment
Special arrangements can be made for your flight if you have difficulties in walking. Additional on-ground or in-flight support can be ordered ahead of your departure by contacting the airline’s service staff for further assistance. Service staff can be reached at 603-7843-3000.
In some severe cases, Malaysia Airlines can accommodate passengers on stretchers. This service is subject to strict guidelines and that a medically qualified person accompanies the passenger and attends their needs.
If you suffer from diabetes, Malaysian Airlines recommends that you bring additional supplies of insulin and spare syringes in your hand baggage in case of delays en-route. You’ll need to provide a doctor’s authorization to confirm you are insulin dependent on doing so. Note that you should also inform the airline of any meal requirements you may have at least 48 hours before departure.
We also have guides on flying with disabilities and traveling with medication.
Pets and service animals
If you plan to travel with your pet, note that this service will need to be booked in advance of departure. Cats, dogs and fish may be accepted as accompanied baggage at check-in if the animals are in the aircraft holds. You’ll also need to provide instructions regarding the feeding and watering of your pet in writing at the time of handover. Authorities at several destinations require live animals or pets to be shipped as manifested cargo and not as checked baggage. These include:
- Auckland
- All Australian destinations
- London
- Hong Kong
- Bandar Seri Begawan
Note that you’ll need to ensure all health and governmental regulations of each individual country are complied with if you intend to transport your pet by air.
Import or export permits for carriage and/or a Veterinarian Health Certificate may be required for the animals. Note that an EU pet passport is not a substitute for a health certificate. The weight of the animal including its container will be charged as excess baggage and is not accepted as part of the free baggage allowance.
Malaysia Airlines may transport your pet in the cargo section of the aircraft if your pet is too large to fit under your seat, or if it is an animal other than a dog or cat, or if it is a very long flight. The excess baggage charges for your pet would the apply and these are based on 1.5% of the highest normal direct adult one-way Economy Class fare (in the local currency) for each kg over the limit. More information about this can be found here.
Check out Cheapflights.com’s guide to flying with pets.
What are Malaysia Airlines’ baggage allowance limits and fees?
Carry-on size
Checked luggage size
Extra and overweight baggage charges
Musical and sport equipment
Carry-on baggage allowance
This is the amount of baggage allowed by fare class:
- Economy Class One piece 15 lbs
- Business Class Two pieces 31 lbs – in total
- First Class Two pieces 31 lbs – in total
Checked baggage allowance
For all locations (except North/South America):
- Maximum Weight for Economy Class Passengers: 66 lbs total
- Maximum Weight for Business Class Passengers: 88 lbs total
- Maximum Weight for First Class Passengers: 110 lbs total
To and from North/South America:
- Maximum Weight for Economy Class Passengers: 50 lbs/23 kg total
- Maximum Weight for Business Class Passengers: 70 lbs/32 kg total
- Maximum Weight for First Class Passengers: 70 lbs /32 kg total
An extra 100% baggage allowance over and above regular baggage allowance is awarded to Enrich Platinum members. Enrich Gold members are entitled to an extra 50%, while Enrich Silver members are allowed an additional 11 lbs extra checked baggage allowance for the respective class of travel. The excess baggage fee depends on your destination, so please contact the airline directly to inquire about fees.
Musical and sport equipment
All sports equipment, including golfing equipment, can be carried as part of your free checked baggage allowance. Excess fees apply if this allowance is exceeded. To view more detailed information related to specific forms of equipment, including boogie boards, parachutes/hang gliders, scuba diving equipment, click here.
Please note that you’ll need a Limited Release Baggage Tag (LRT) to check in your golf clubs that have a hard-shell travel container or any travel bag (e.g. soft sided bag). These containers and bags will only be accepted for check-in once you have completed your LRT.
What additional fees does Malaysia Airlines charge?
Booking fees
Flight cancellation policy
Travel insurance
Booking fees
If you plan to book online and pay by credit card, your issuing bank may impose additional charges on cross-border transactions in addition to the total online transaction fee. Contact the airline directly to determine the latest fees charged for online bookings.
Flight cancellation policy
If you wish to make changes to your booking or inquire about cancellation fees, you can contact the airline directly. Any fees associated with your cancellation will depend on the time of purchase related to the time of departure.
Travel insurance
Malaysia partners with MHInsure to provide passengers with 24-hour emergency assistance. Coverage includes hospital fees (surgical, nursing, ambulance expenses and emergency dental expenses) as well as emergency accommodation and transport expenses if a disaster like a volcano, tsunami, earthquake or flood occurs during your journey. Currently only available to citizens and residents of New Zealand.
What amenities does Malaysia Airlines offer?
In-flight entertainment
Food
Seating
Lounges
Frequent Flier Program
In-flight entertainment
Several types of in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems are available on flights operated by Malaysia Airlines, while some flights may have no entertainment facility. The type of IFE programs offered depends on the aircraft type, routes, and availability, but where provided, allow passengers to view movies, TV programs, audio on demand, radio channels and games.
Food
Malaysia Airlines offers up to 20 various kinds of meals to suit various religious, medical and dietary requirements. They’re all prepared in strict compliance with halal requirements. The following is a list of meals you can order at the time of your reservation:
- Religious Meal
- Medical meal
- Vegetarian meal
- Children meal
Seating and Legroom
| Fare Class | Pitch | Width | Seating Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business | 75.2" | 20" | 27 flatbed seats with |
| Economy | 32" | 17.5" | 247 standard seats |
For more information, go to Malaysian’s legroom and seating information page.
Lounges
Malaysian Airlines offers passengers access to the Golden Lounge at selected airports around the world. Facilities include hot food buffet, dining and lounge seating, Muslim prayer room, washroom, baggage storage, mini spa, free WiFi and international power sockets for computers and mobile devices.
Frequent flier Program
Members of the Enrich frequent flyer program offered by Malaysia Airlines allows you special benefits and “Enrich Miles” each time you use your credit card to make purchases. Enrich Miles can be redeemed for award flights on Malaysia Airlines, Oneworld member airlines and Enrich partner airlines. To see a full range of benefits, click here.
Delayed, missing or damaged luggage
If after arriving you notice that a checked bag is missing, you will need to contact a Malaysia Airlines representative in person immediately and complete a Property Irregularity Report (PIR). Once the PIR is completed, the tracking for the baggage will commence. You will be given a file reference number to check the status of your baggage online. Passengers will also be updated regularly during the tracing period. You can check the status of your missing luggage here.
You will need to provide the airline with as many details about the luggage item as possible, as well as a description of the contents. If your baggage is not recovered within 5 days of lodging the report, the company’s Central Baggage team will take over the search.
Fun facts
- The airline originally began as Malayan Airways Limited and was headquartered in Singapore.
- The airline was renamed Malaysia-Singapore Airlines in 1966 before being divided into Malaysia’s and Singapore’s respective national carriers.
Image source: Alec Wilson, 9M-MND via Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0