Kuala Lumpur, April 7 - Batik Air, a Malaysian full-service airline and part of the Lion Air Group, has officially launched year-round flights between Melbourne, Australia, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, utilizing its Airbus A330-300 aircraft. This new service, which commenced in early 2025, marks a significant expansion of the airline’s presence in the Australian market and strengthens connectivity between two vibrant cities. The decision to operate this route on a permanent basis reflects growing demand for travel between Southeast Asia and Australia, as well as Batik Air’s commitment to providing consistent, reliable options for passengers. With this launch, the airline aims to cater to a diverse mix of travelers, including tourists, business professionals, international students, and those visiting friends and relatives.
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The year-round Melbourne-Kuala Lumpur service operates four times a week, departing Kuala Lumpur on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 6:20 PM, arriving in Melbourne at 5:15 AM the following day. The return flights leave Melbourne on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Mondays at 6:45 AM, landing in Kuala Lumpur at 12:10 PM. This schedule ensures convenient connections for passengers traveling onward to other destinations within Batik Air’s extensive network, which spans over 70 cities across Southeast Asia, India, and beyond. The Airbus A330-300 deployed on this route features a spacious configuration of 377 seats, including 12 angled-flat business class seats in a 2-2-2 layout and 365 economy seats in a 3-3-3 arrangement. The widebody aircraft offers enhanced comfort for the approximately eight-hour journey, complete with in-flight entertainment, complimentary meals, and a generous baggage allowance—hallmarks of Batik Air’s full-service model.
This new route builds on Batik Air’s existing operations out of Melbourne, where it already provides daily flights to Denpasar, Bali, using Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. By introducing the larger A330-300 to the Kuala Lumpur route, the airline significantly boosts capacity, adding over 1,500 seats per week in each direction. The move comes at a time when Melbourne Airport is experiencing a surge in international traffic, with passenger numbers surpassing pre-pandemic levels. In February 2025, the airport recorded over 2.7 million passengers, including more than 930,000 international travelers, underscoring its role as a key gateway. Batik Air’s year-round service complements existing Kuala Lumpur-Melbourne flights offered by Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia X, intensifying competition on this busy corridor and providing passengers with greater flexibility and choice.
Batik Air’s expansion into year-round Melbourne flights aligns with its broader strategy to deepen ties between Australia and Southeast Asia. Kuala Lumpur, a major hub, serves as an ideal springboard for travelers heading to destinations like Bangkok, Jakarta, or Chennai, while Melbourne’s appeal as a cultural and educational hub draws students and visitors from across Asia. The airline, which rebranded from Malindo Air in 2022 to align with its Indonesian sister carrier under the Lion Air Group, has steadily grown its footprint since its inception in 2013. Its fleet, now comprising over 30 aircraft including Boeing 737s and A330s, supports an ambitious network that balances regional connectivity with long-haul aspirations. The Melbourne route’s permanence follows a successful seasonal service launched in December 2023, which ran through February 2024 and capitalized on peak summer demand. The introduction of this service also coincides with infrastructure upgrades at Melbourne Airport, such as the completion of the new 800-meter Taxiway Delta in April 2025. This development, the airport’s largest airfield expansion in nearly a decade, enhances operational efficiency by reducing aircraft congestion—a timely improvement as Batik Air’s widebody jets join the mix. For travelers, the year-round flights promise a consistent link to Kuala Lumpur’s bustling transit hub and Melbourne’s dynamic offerings, from its arts scene to its universities. As Batik Air cements its place on this route, it reinforces its reputation as a premium carrier bridging continents with a blend of affordability and service.