Batik Air adds flights to Shanghai and Sydney

Batik Air has this week announced introduction of new direct services to two of its key global markets:  China and Australia. 

The introduction of a Kuala Lumpur-Shanghai service, commencing on June 23, marks a milestone in Batik Air’s network expansion into China, complementing its existing services to Changsha, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Kunming, Xiamen, and Zhengzhou. 

The route will be operated by Boeing 737 aircraft, further reinforcing connectivity between Kuala Lumpur and one of the Asia-Pacific region’s key economic and tourism centres.

Batik Air will introduce of a direct Kuala Lumpur–Sydney service commencing July 1, operated by Airbus A330 aircraft. 

The Malaysian carrier currently serves Australia through Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney via Denpasar, alongside 14 weekly direct Kuala Lumpur–Perth flights. 

The new non-stop Sydney service will operate seven times weekly. 

Batik Air Chief Executive Officer Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy said the introduction of both routes reflects the airline’s continued commitment to building a resilient, demand-driven network while maintaining a measured outlook amid an evolving global environment.

“Batik Air continues to align its network with sustained market demand, and the addition of Shanghai and Sydney strengthens two of our most important international corridors,” he said. 

“These routes support tourism and business travel while enhancing overall connectivity between Malaysia and key global markets.”

Snoozefest: Both pilots fell asleep

It's nice to have a snooze during a flight.

But probably best not to if you are the pilot and co-pilot.

Both dozed off at the same time, causing their Batik Air flight to veer off course, an Indonesia National Transportation Safety Committee report says.

It happened during a flight in January, from Kendari, Sulawesi, to Jakarta, the Travel Mole news portal reported.

There were 157 passengers and cabin crew onboard the flight.

The report said the pilots were both asleep at the same time for around 28 minutes - but the flight landed safely.

The captain took a rest leaving the co-pilot in charge.

He then "inadvertently fell asleep" with air traffic control unable to get a response from the cockpit.

“Several attempts to contact the plane had been made. None of the calls were responded to by the pilots,” the report stated.

Some time later the captain woke up with his co-pilot still asleep and realised the plane was off course. This was immediately rectified.

The pilot initially told air traffic control there had been a "problem" with communications 

Image: Anda Sacracut, Scop.io

Using the airasia Superapp to fly with Batik Air

My recent Bali trip - several reports will follow over the next couple of weeks - was courtesy of the airasia Superapp and hotel group Archipelago International.

From starting as a budget airline with just two planes, AirAsia has evolved into a fully-fledged travel superapp and has become one of Asia’s fastest-growing travel platforms.

Not only does the airasia Superapp feature the airlines own products, it also offers flights from over 700 airlines, hotels including more than 900,000 worldwide, ride-hailing services, shopping and more. All in the one place.

My flights did not actually involve an AirAsia flight: I flew from Melbourne into Denpasar with Batik Air, and out with Virgin Australia – both booked through the app.

The recently launched suite of airasia Superapp offerings in Bali highlights one of the airline’s key focus destinations for the Australian market.

The app is described as a “one-stop shop” powered by data and technology – and has been actioned by 51 million users.

Visitors can engage in real-time conversations, join like-minded communities, play games and much more. Well worth a look.

I'd never flown with Batik Air before - and until last year they were known by their previous name of Malindo Air (Malaysia and Indonesia, geddit?).

 

Batik Air is a Malaysian-based regional airline with headquarters in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Malindo Air officially rebranded as Batik Air in April 2022 and operates from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Selangor.

The carrier currently operates a fleet of Boeing 737-8, 737-800 and ATR72-600 aircraft for both domestic and international flights.

For short flights like Melbourne-Denpasar, Batik Air is perfectly adequate. My flight had no entertainment screen, or wifi, but we all travel with iPhones or iPads nowadays.

The pre-ordered meal of satay chicken and nasi goreng was passable, though not as good as AirAsia, and the flight arrived on time.

You can pay extra for seats with more leg room should you wish to do so.

Batik Air currently operates out of Sydney, Melbourne and Perth and will soon resume flights out of Adelaide.

Cheap and cheerful is the verdict.