Kuala Lumpur to Australia Under $1,400 Return in Business Class

Philippine Airlines (PAL) has some cracking one-way and round-trip Business Class fares available from Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, to four Australian cities.

For under $1,400 return, you could fly from Kuala Lumpur to Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane or Perth via Manila in Philippine Airlines Business Class. The airline provides lie-flat beds in Business Class on all flights between the Philippines and Australia.

There are also cheap one-way Business Class fares available from Kuala Lumpur to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane with Philippine Airlines from between around $800-900.

Here’s one example of a round-trip Philippine Airlines Business Class fare that’s currently available from Kuala Lumpur to Melbourne:

The lowest price found by Google Flights of AUD1,309 is available when booking through an online travel agent. If you book directly on the Philippine Airlines website, the fare is charged in Malaysian ringgits (since the ticket originates in Malaysia) and prices at MYR4,189 (~AU$1,387 at the current exchange rate).

You can get similar Business Class airfares with Philippine Airlines from KL to Sydney…

And to Brisbane…

Later this month, Philippine Airlines will launch direct flights between Perth and Manila. You can also access similar Business Class pricing from Kuala Lumpur to Perth via Manila. But that isn’t quite as great of a deal because the connection times to/from Perth via Manila are quite long in some cases. Plus, you could fly non-stop from Kuala Lumpur to Perth in Batik Air Malaysia Business Class or AirAsia X Premium Flatbed for a similar price to what Philippine Airlines is charging.

Philippine Airlines uses Airbus A330s on flights from Manila to Sydney and Melbourne, and the Airbus A321neo to Brisbane and Perth. Both aircraft types feature lie-flat seating in Business Class.

Most of PAL’s flights between Manila and Kuala Lumpur are operated by Airbus A321ceo jets with reclining Business Class seats.

About this fare

These prices are available on many different dates, for travel in the next year. The airline could withdraw the fares at any time.

A stopover of up to 3 days in Manila, in one direction only, is permitted for an additional charge of around $70.

This Business Class fare books into “I” class. Unfortunately, as Philippine Airlines is not part of an alliance, the only options for earning miles on this ticket are by crediting to Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Miles or ANA Mileage Club. (Our pick would be ANA Mileage Club as you may be able to use those miles to book Virgin Australia flights from later this year.)

With this fare, if booking a return ticket, you can stay in Australia for a maximum of six months before returning to Malaysia. An open jaw at the destination is possible, meaning that you could (for example) fly into Sydney and out of Melbourne on one of these tickets.

In the opposite direction, Philippine Airlines Business Class fares from Australia to Kuala Lumpur start from around $2,600 return. So, the best deals are on tickets originating in Malaysia!

Departing from other Asian cities

While the prices from Kuala Lumpur are particularly low, you can also pick up some reasonably good round-trip Philippine Airlines Business Class fares from Singapore to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth. Return flights from Singapore to Perth via Manila start from around $1,822.

Direct flights from Manila to Australia are considerably more expensive than this.

What’s the catch?

Philippine Airlines is not as highly rated as the likes of Singapore Airlines or Cathay Pacific, and Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport is not a particularly great place to transit between flights.

An AFF member recently flew with Philippine Airlines, using this a version of this fare, and posted this feedback on our forum:

For a bit of feedback on PR: I completed my outbound trip KUL-MNL-SYD about a month ago.

Pro’s
Lie flat bed on leg to Sydney is good.
Onboard service is prompt and attentive.

Con’s
Having a 7 hour transit in MNL airport is a nightmare. You are stuck in a tiny part of the airport and cannot leave.
The PR lounge is really bad. Not overcrowded just dark, small, rubbish food, and generally lacking the amenities expected in a home city lounge.
The onboard food is pretty average but maybe that is just a reflection on Philipino food in general.

When i booked it initially it was for the flat bed and it came through in that regard.

At the end of the day, you’ll get a lie-flat bed on the flights between the Philippines and Australia. And at less than half the cost of a Business Class ticket on Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines or Qantas, it’s pretty hard to argue with the value!

If you just want a one-way Business Class ticket from Asia to Australia, Philippine Airlines is also worth considering for the low price.

Philippine Airlines also has good year-round deals on Business Class flights from Australia to North America. Flights to Los Angeles, San Francisco or Vancouver via Manila are regularly under $5,000 return in Business.

Matt Graham

The editor of Australian Frequent Flyer, Matt's passion for travel has taken him to over 70 countries… with the help of frequent flyer points, of course!
Matt's favourite destinations (so far) are Germany, Brazil & Kazakhstan. His interests include economics, aviation & foreign languages, and he has a soft spot for good food and red wine.

You can connect with Matt by posting on the Australian Frequent Flyer community forum and tagging @AFF Editor.