Malaysia Airlines resumes Busan flights after a 28-year absence

Malaysia Airlines last flew direct from Kuala Lumpur to Busan in 1998. That was 28 years ago. On 2 December 2026, the route returns. Four flights weekly on a Boeing 737-8. Introductory return fares start from RM2,139 in Economy and RM4,999 in Business Class.

When the service launches, Malaysia Airlines will be the only carrier offering non-stop flights between KL and Busan. Everyone else requires a stop at Seoul, then a domestic connection or a four-hour bus ride south. The non-stop cuts the journey to roughly five hours.

The timing connects directly to this weekend’s MATTA Fair at MITEC. Malaysia Airlines is running a MATTA sale with up to 30% off through 14 September. Enrich members get extra discounts and Visa cardholders get a further 5% off with code MHVISA26. If you are planning a Busan trip for year-end or early 2027, this weekend is the window to book.

The Malaysia Airlines flight details

Flights operate on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. The schedule suits long-weekend trips. Fly out Saturday morning, return Tuesday or Wednesday. It also covers the December school break.

Malaysians do not need a visa for South Korea. Passport holders enter visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism. However, the K-ETA — South Korea’s electronic travel authorisation — remains a variable. The K-ETA waiver covers 22 nationalities through 31 December 2026. Check the official K-ETA website before booking — the rules can change.

All travellers must submit a free e-Arrival Card within 72 hours before landing in South Korea. This applies regardless of K-ETA status.

Four weekly departures on a 174-seat 737-8 produce roughly 696 seats per direction per week. For a Korean city historically underserved from Southeast Asia, that is a meaningful block of dedicated capacity at Gimhae International Airport.

Why Busan — and not Seoul

South Korea’s second city sits on the southern coast. Warmer in winter. Slower in pace. Cheaper for hotels and food. Built around beaches, seafood markets and a different urban texture from the capital.

January highs in Busan average around 8 degrees Celsius. Seoul in January averages around 2 degrees. For Malaysian travellers who want Korea without the full winter cold, Busan is the more comfortable entry point.

Busan recorded 2.93 million foreign tourists in the first seven months of 2026. It is on pace to hit its four million annual target two months early. The Busan Global City Week, Festival Sewall and Rock Festival all drive visitor demand in fall and early winter. The Busan Fireworks Festival runs in early November — just before the December launch.

A three to four day itinerary covers the essentials well. Haeundae Beach and the Dongbaekseom boardwalk anchor the east side of the city. Haedong Yonggungsa, a Buddhist temple on seaside cliffs, sits further east along the coast. In the old town, Jagalchi fish market lets you pick your own seafood and have it cooked on the spot. It sits next to Nampo-dong and BIFF Square.

Gamcheon Culture Village is a hillside neighbourhood of painted alleyways and street art. Wear grippy shoes and arrive early before the crowds. Gwangalli Beach offers night views of the illuminated bridge across the bay.

What this means for Malaysian travellers

The Busan route is part of Malaysia Airlines’ broader secondary-city push. The airline resumed non-stop KL-Fukuoka flights in September 2026 — also the only non-stop on that route. Frequency on Brisbane and Surabaya also increases from December. The pattern is deliberate. Malaysia Airlines targets routes where non-stop capacity is scarce and yields are stronger without low-cost competition.

Bookings are open now on the Malaysia Airlines app and website. The MATTA sale runs until 14 September. Book this weekend for the best introductory fares on the KL-Busan launch.