14th May 2026 - 3 min read
Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) has capped base fares at RM499 one-way on selected East Malaysia routes ahead of the Hari Raya Aidiladha, Kaamatan, and Gawai holidays, with both Malaysia Airlines and Firefly participating in the initiative.
Fares are available for purchase until 31 May 2026, but the travel window is narrow. Qualifying flights operate across a handful of days in late May, and the exact dates differ depending on which state you’re flying to.
An additional 62 flights have been added across high-demand routes to accommodate the expected surge in passengers.
If you’re heading to Sabah, the capped fares apply to Malaysia Airlines flights for travel between 26 and 29 May, covering Kota Kinabalu, Labuan, Sandakan, and Tawau. Selected Firefly routes to Kota Kinabalu and Tawau are also included within the same travel window.
For travel to Sarawak, the RM499 cap applies to Malaysia Airlines flights to Kuching, Miri, and Sibu between 28 and 31 May. Selected Firefly routes to Kuching are also covered.
Firefly operates from two departure points in the Klang Valley, Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang and Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 1. The terminal differs depending on the route, so confirming this before booking avoids a last-minute surprise.
The benefits differ depending on which airline and fare class you book.
Malaysia Airlines’ Flex fare includes a 35kg checked baggage allowance, standard seat selection, Enrich Points upgrade eligibility, a 25% discount on child fares, and complimentary same-day flight changes. Unlimited booking changes and refunds are available, though fees and fare differences may apply.
Firefly’s Flex fare covers 30kg checked baggage, complimentary hot meals, seat selection, priority boarding, and unlimited flight changes with fare differences applicable.
Both airlines offer complimentary in-flight refreshments and flexible change options across selected fare tiers, though the full benefits depend on which fare class you book.
The RM499 cap sets a ceiling on the base fare, not the final price. Taxes, airport fees, and any optional add-ons selected at checkout will bring the total higher, so the amount you see at the end of the booking process will differ from RM499.
The cap also applies to one-way tickets. If you need a return journey, the fare on the way back will need to be checked separately, and the RM499 rate does not automatically extend to the return leg.
With travel dates clustered over just a few days at the end of May, seats on popular routes such as Kota Kinabalu and Kuching are likely to fill quickly. The booking window closes on 31 May, and there is no indication that the capped fares will be extended beyond that date.
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Christina writes about personal finance with an eye for making the complicated feel straightforward. She is drawn to the everyday money decisions people face and genuinely enjoys finding the clearest way to explain them. Between articles, she is probably napping, on a hiking trail, or terrorising her sister’s cats.
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