Yalinie Mathan
AirBorneo will start direct Kuching-Jakarta flights on 13 November. The Sarawak-owned airline will fly the route three times a week. All-in one-way fares start from RM399 in Economy and RM888 in Business.
Ticket sales opened on 31 October, according to the airline. The route gives Sarawak a direct link to Indonesia’s capital, and AirAsia has flown between the two cities before.
Here is the schedule, how to book and what else is changing on the airline’s network. Overall, the route adds a new international link for the state.
AirBorneo schedule and fares
The flights run on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. Flight MY396 leaves Kuching at 3.10pm and, according to Sarawak Tribune, lands in Jakarta at 4pm local time. Flight MY397 leaves Jakarta at 4.55pm and reaches Kuching at 7.45pm.
Note that Jakarta is an hour behind Kuching, and both times above are local. Therefore, check your own watch when you plan a connection. The flights are part of the Northern Winter schedule, which runs from 25 October 2026 to 27 March 2027.
Fares are all-in and one way. They start from RM399 in Economy and RM888 in Business. However, the airline has not said what the fare includes. It has not given a sales deadline either. Because these are starting fares, the price you pay may differ by date.
Meanwhile, passengers can book through the AirBorneo mobile app, website or airport ticketing offices. The airline sells tickets only through its own channels. It has not named the aircraft for the Kuching-Jakarta flights.
Why the route matters
AirBorneo chief executive officer Megat Ardian Aminuddin called the route an important milestone. He said it helps the airline grow its regional network. In addition, he said the direct link eases travel for business leaders, investors and official delegations.
Megat also pointed to patients and families. He said the route offers them a more comfortable journey to specialist care in Sarawak, he said. Likewise, he said Indonesian visitors can discover Borneo’s rainforests, culture and festivals.
The route is also expected to strengthen two-way tourism between Sarawak and Indonesia. Overall, the new flights fit Sarawak’s wider push to market itself as the gateway to Borneo.
Meanwhile, Malaysia and Indonesia are adding other links, such as the new Puteri Harbour to Batam ferry in Johor.
Other changes on the network
Separately, AirBorneo changed its Kuching-Singapore service. Since 23 October, it flies four times a week, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Flight MY0385 leaves Kuching at 7.35pm, while MY0386 leaves Changi at 10pm.
Passengers affected by the Singapore change were contacted and offered rebooking, the airline said. In addition, the Kuching-Kuala Lumpur sector has two flights a day. The afternoon flight, MY5004, now leaves Kuala Lumpur at 3.40pm.
The airline began operating in January 2026. It took over from MASwings and has expanded beyond its Rural Air Services routes with jet operations. As a result, the Jakarta route adds to a network that is still growing.
Still, travellers should check the schedule before booking, since the Northern Winter timetable runs only until 27 March 2027. Check again nearer your travel date.
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