Firefly launches flights between Singapore Changi and Subang Airport

Back in September 2024, Scoot became the first airline to launch direct flights between Singapore Changi Airport  (SIN) and Subang’s Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB). 

SZB serves as Kuala Lumpur’s secondary airport but is significantly closer to the city than KLIA. While driving from KLIA to downtown Kuala Lumpur can take over an hour— longer than the flight from Singapore—the journey from Subang takes roughly half the time.

Firefly, the low-cost subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines, has long operated flights between Singapore and Subang, but these departed from Seletar Airport (XSP) instead of Changi. While some found this attractive because they could enjoy what essentially amounts to a private airport experience (given the lack of other commercial flights from XSP), others prefer the amenities and connectivity of Changi. 

If you count yourself among the latter group, here’s some good news: Firefly will start to operate flights between Singapore Changi Airport and Subang from March 2025.

Firefly to launch flights to Subang

Firefly has announced that it will commence daily flights between Singapore Changi Airport to Subang from 24 March 2025.

This service, operated by a Boeing 737-800 (those who prefer the charms of Firefly’s turboprop ATR72 will have to fly from Seletar instead!), will depart from Subang at 6.30 p.m and land in Singapore at 7.45 p.m, before departing Singapore at 8.35 p.m and landing at Subang at 9.50 p.m.

Tickets are already on sale, with fares starting from S$119 in the Singapore to Subang direction, and RM189 in the Subang to Singapore direction. For comparison, Scoot fares are noticeably cheaper, starting at S$77.90 in the Singapore to Subang direction, and S$36 in the Subang to Singapore direction. 

The difference is that Firefly includes 10kg of check-in baggage and complimentary inflight refreshments, while Scoot will charge at least S$28 for a checked bag (starting with 20kg).  However, Scoot’s complimentary carry-on allowance is 10kg, while Firefly maxes out at 7kg.

Firefly will continue to operate its existing services from Seletar Airport to Subang, which offers six daily departures.

Subang vs KLIA

Subang Airport was Kuala Lumpur’s main international airport when it opened in 1965, and indeed, was referred to as Kuala Lumpur International Airport at the time. Located about 23 km west of Kuala Lumpur, it served as Malaysia’s primary aviation hub for over three decades.

By the early 1990s, Subang was facing severe congestion and operational limitations due to increased air traffic and its location within an urban area. In response, the Malaysian government developed a new international airport—what we know today as KLIA —in Sepang, about 50 km south of the capital. KLIA officially opened on June 27, 1998, and became Malaysia’s primary international gateway, taking over most of Subang’s commercial traffic.

Following KLIA’s opening, Subang Airport was repurposed as a hub for general aviation, private jets, turboprop operations, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services. The latest plans call for it to become a “premium city airport”, as well as a hub for MRO and R&D, with a maximum capacity of 8 million passengers annually. For comparison, KLIA handed 47 million passengers in 2023. 

Subang is currently served by AirAsia, Batik Air Malaysia, Berjaya Air, Firefly, Scoot and TransNusa. The airport does not have train service, but the drive time to downtown Kuala Lumpur can be significantly shorter than KLIA.

In case you were wondering, Subang does have a Priority Pass/Dragon Pass lounge in the form of the Sky Lounge, which opens from 6 a.m to 10 p.m daily. A review can be found here.

Can you redeem miles?

Malaysia Airlines Enrich members have the option of redeeming Enrich points for Firefly flights. Unlike the arrangement between Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer and Scoot, where each mile has a fixed value, award pricing here follows a chart. 

The cost of a Singapore to Subang redemption ranges from 8,400 to 17,700 miles each way, depending on what bucket of fares are available.

In most cases, I reckon you’d be better off paying cash!

Conclusion

From 24 March 2025, Firefly will launch daily services between Singapore Changi Airport and Subang, Kuala Lumpur’s secondary airport. This will complement its existing services from Seletar Airport, and provide Scoot with some competition on this route.

From what I can see, Scoot fares tend to be cheaper than Firefly’s, though Firefly does include up to 10kg of checked luggage for free.