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EXCLUSIVE: British Airways cancels return to Kuala Lumpur with four weeks notice

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British Airways was due to restart two routes to Asia this winter – Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.

Bangkok is going ahead, with flights starting on 28th October.

Kuala Lumpur, which was due to launch on 10th November, seems to have hit the buffers.

EDIT: Whilst a few days old, we are keeping this article pinned to the top of the home page because of the amount of discussion in the comments about BA’s ‘issues’ over rerouting passengers.

British Airways drops Kuala Lumpur flights

Earlier this afternoon the flights were showing as bookable:

British Airways drops Kuala Lumpur flights

…. but five minutes ago it changed to this:

British Airways drops Kuala Lumpur flights

No flights are available until 1st April 2025.

Cancelling a route with less than a months notice is clearly not great news for anyone. However, with oneworld partner Malaysia Airlines offering double-daily flights from Heathrow, it should be possible to get most people on a same-day alternative.

Our 2022 review of the Malaysia Airlines service in business class is here.

Qatar Airways is also likely to be an option due to BA’s joint venture agreement. In fact, it is possible that BA tries to push Qatar Airways as its preferred alternative.

Note that it will take BA a few days to hammer out a formal rebooking arrangement with Malaysian. If you call today you will be offered an indirect alternative.

Why have the flights been pulled?

British Airways told us:

We’re disappointed that we’ve had such to make further changes to our schedule as we continue to experience delays to the delivery of engines and parts from Rolls-Royce – particularly in relation to the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines fitted to our 787 aircraft.

We’ve taken this action because we do not believe the issue will be solved quickly, and we want to offer our customers the certainty they deserve for their travel plans. We’ve apologised to those affected and are able to offer the vast majority a flight the same day with British Airways or one of our partner airlines. 

We continue to work closely with Rolls-Royce to ensure the company is aware of the impact its issues are having on our schedule and customers, and seek reassurance of a prompt and reliable solution.

In terms of ‘why KL?’, competition is probably part of it. Malaysia Airlines offers a decent product on the route which also allows flyers to earn Avios and British Airways Executive Club tier points.

BA’s shortage of A380 aircraft is also likely to be a factor. As we have covered, the fleet is proving very unreliable.

Kuala Lumpur was scheduled as a daily service on a Boeing 787-9, which was a heavy commitment in terms of aircraft. Pulling what was always going to be a low yield route is a relatively low cost way of building some resilience in the schedule.

Let’s hope the 1st April 2025 date is firm.

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Category

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Comments (631)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • Dana says:
    12 Oct12 October 19:48

    Media outlets are stating:

    A BA spokesperson said: “We’re disappointed that we’ve had to make further changes to our schedule as we continue to experience delays to the delivery of engines and parts from Rolls-Royce – particularly in relation to the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines fitted to our 787 aircraft.

    “We’ve taken this action because we do not believe the issue will be solved quickly, and we want to offer our customers the certainty they deserve for their travel plans. We’ve apologised to those affected and are able to offer the vast majority a flight the same day with British Airways or one of our partner airlines.”

    Why are some people being told that only option is BA to Singapore, yet others are being booked on Qatar to KL?

  • Johnny says:
    12 Oct12 October 20:34

    This is a new lie.
    Got PEcon ticket LHR to KUL for 11 Nov.(only 4 weeks)
    Initially almost got re-routed LHR to KUL via SIN before line got cut off.
    At second call, BA agent saying that my LHR to KUL cancelled due to Iraq airspace closure. And they could not offer me LHR to KUL via SIN because they don’t have agreement. They could not offer anything.
    Completely ignoring what I keep saying that on BA website, it’s ready to take more of my money for a seat on PEcon to KUL via SIN on the same day as original flight. Never resolved, need to phone again.

  • LR says:
    12 Oct12 October 21:35

    Just wanted to put my experience on here- business class flight LHR to KL with a 241 voucher. Called this morning and was told only Singapore flight or refund are options – no option for Qatar flights.
    Called back later on after seeing some peoples success and was told only people with cash bookings could transfer to Qatar- argued how incorrect that was, but gave up.
    I immediately called back but instead of going through the phone option for avios booking, companion voucher used, I used the booking with cash option. Spoke to the loveliest man, who offered me Qatar flights straight away in business.
    Would recommend trying the different call options!

    • Geoff Tobin says:
      14 Oct14 October 05:47

      thanks for the tip – worked for me

      • Geoff T says:
        14 Oct14 October 10:53

        but…. Now find my ticket is not confirmed by BA and I cant book seats, food etc. Qatar need BA to confirm before ticket is confirmed with them

  • Barry cutters says:
    12 Oct12 October 22:22

    Everyone kicking off .

    Just wait – give it 2/3 days. Let the dust settle and a news/ rules filter through.

    Find the times and flights you want with Qatar and call saying you want that.

    Simples.

    You need to do a bit of prep work, for it to work in your favour.

    • Aston100 says:
      13 Oct13 October 01:15

      “simples”???
      Oh shut up.
      Have you actually read any of the comments?

      • Paul says:
        13 Oct13 October 07:11

        His point was to wait two or three days. People are losing their minds over travel which is at least 4 weeks away.
        BA are legally required to reroute in comparable travel conditions.

        • meta says:
          13 Oct13 October 09:47

          @Paul yes, they are legally obliged, but if they refuse your only option is to go to CEDR or MCOL and forking out thousands of pounds. For those flying in the next two months that’s not enough time.

          As we have already told you – just because there are options on the table does not mean that they will or will be (and how many seats) will be available to BA.

          You don’t understand anything about the practicalities of taking legal action.

          • Barry cutters says:
            14 Oct14 October 18:32

            Why would anyone take legal action , BA are fully aware of their requirements and will honour them.

            They have cancelled enough flights over the last 5 years to understand what they are doing.

            My point was the earliest flight was 4 weeks away when news broke , there’s no harm in waiting a few days is there to sort it out.

  • PM says:
    12 Oct12 October 22:26

    Cutting calls and spraying BS on customers is out of order, it is about time Daily Mail picked up this one and made a spokesman to do some work over the weekend.

    They had known it was coming and should have had all rebooking options ready when proactively reaching out to affected passengers. Staff training and consistency should have been sorted out as well.

    • meta says:
      13 Oct13 October 09:49

      Problems with engines started when the first 787 with RR engines was delivered to BA. How many times I sat on a tarmac with significant delays because of the engine problems…

  • Ben says:
    12 Oct12 October 22:28

    I have booked on an upgrade voucher LHR – KUL return in premium econ, has anyone tried to chance it and get it matched to business on Qatar? I know its a very far fetched dream

    • Johnny says:
      13 Oct13 October 07:51

      I have PEcon cash seat in 4 weeks, was told no upgrade but instead downgrade on Qatar with no money back for difference in price

      • meta says:
        13 Oct13 October 09:54

        Do you research. You have Cathay Pacific that also has PE via Hong Kong or a combo MH to SIN in economy then PE on BA from there. Just pull 3-4 options and ask.

  • NorthernLass says:
    12 Oct12 October 23:18

    If you’re on a BAH, check your emails as they may have re-routed you already.

  • Eucalyptus says:
    13 Oct13 October 00:10

    Currently booked on a 2-4-1 to KUL. If I’m rebooked to QR on a revenue fare will I get Avios & BA tier points if I credit the flight to BAEC?

    • LittleNick says:
      13 Oct13 October 00:53

      You may but don’t count on it. If you get a very competent agent who codes the ticket correctly you will not get any Avios/TPs but it may happen

      • Eucalyptus says:
        13 Oct13 October 09:26

        Thanks. And would you recommend crediting it into another programme instead as a potential workaround (e.g. QR / AA / AS)?

        • MarkH says:
          13 Oct13 October 10:38

          I’m in the same situation. On BA.com it currently has my BAEC details and states 0 Avios and 0 Tier point due.
          Going to credit to QR instead and see what happens.

          Have used Finnair in the past to do this but for some reason it isn’t recognising my booking ref (nor my return flight from SIN on a separate booking). Can’t see an option on BA, QR, QF or RJ to update the FF details.

          Which other airline sites are good for changing FF details? Qantas

          • Numpty says:
            13 Oct13 October 11:26

            Finnair MMB isn’t working, use Air Maroc but check/change mobile number before confirming otherwise it gives an error.

          • MarkH says:
            13 Oct13 October 11:34

            Thanks Numpty – managed to change on Royal Air Maroc

          • Bervios says:
            13 Oct13 October 11:49

            Is your booking ticketed? A recent 2-4-1 booking didn’t work on Finnaor untill it was .

    • Mark says:
      13 Oct13 October 08:03

      It may be easier to fly to Singapore and then get a cheap flight from there. You can then use your 2-4-1 voucher.

      • meta says:
        13 Oct13 October 09:31

        @Mark Please stop misinforming. Why would anyone do that? BA has to get them to KUL and doesn’t matter how one booked and what kind of ticket they have.

      • Johnny Tabasco says:
        13 Oct13 October 09:42

        They paid to go to Kuala Lumpur mate

      • Numpty says:
        13 Oct13 October 11:50

        Just to mention that flights from SIN to KL ain’t that cheap on the legacy carriers, especially when you are using business class baggage allowance. Air Asia is a good option, but arrives into KLIA at the low cost carrier terminal, which they’re now calling Terminal 2 (IIRC), not a huge inconvenience.

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

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