Planning your next trip? Here’s how you can maximise your holidays with minimal leave

It’s the last quarter of the year and you may already be looking forward to the end of 2025 and next year’s public holiday getaways.

What’s more, six out of 11 public holidays in 2026 fall on either a Friday or Monday.

Perfect for planning your next trip with Malaysia Airlines.

From a weekend getaway to a one week holiday, there are plenty of options to choose from and many places you can explore.

These are just ideas to help you maximise your public holidays.

But the best holiday is always the next one, so why wait?

You can book your flight anytime from now. On top of that, you can get special fares when you book by Oct. 22, 2025.

This includes all-in return fares starting from S$169 for Economy class travellers and from S$599 for Business class travellers up to Aug. 31, 2026.

With more than 70 destinations, there are many places for you to embark on new adventures.

Here are some destinations for you to consider.

Tokyo during Deepavali

For those who prefer a further destination, take note of the Deepavali long weekend.

Since Deepavali falls on a Monday, Oct. 20. 2025, you could take one day of leave on Friday, Oct. 17, and enjoy four days in Tokyo.

You can also do the same thing in 2026, given that Deepavali next year falls on a Sunday, Nov. 8, which means Monday will be a public holiday.

Experience its vibrant districts by savouring street food and sushi, and shopping in Ginza and Shibuya.

Krabi, Siem Reap or Cebu for Christmas

If you want to discover new places this coming Christmas, take one day of leave on Friday, Dec. 26, 2025.

This gives you a four-day holiday. You could explore temple wonders in Siem Reap, island-hop in Krabi or go diving in Cebu.

Passengers will fly from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia Airlines before transferring to Firefly to continue onwards towards any of these three adventures.

You don’t have to worry about the hassle of collecting your luggage, then checking it in again during your transit, however. The entire journey is a single-ticket itinerary and your baggage will be checked through to the final stop.

What’s more, starting from Nov. 17, 2025, these three routes will have up to seven flights per week by Malaysia Airlines and Firefly.

Chengdu for Chinese New Year in 2026

February 2026 offers two Chinese New Year public holidays on Feb. 17 and Feb. 18.

Since they fall on a Tuesday and Wednesday, you could take two days of leave on Feb. 16 and Feb. 19.

This gives you six days of holiday, perfect for a trip to Chengdu. It is Malaysia Airlines’ newest route and starts flying on Jan. 9, 2026 with seven flights per week.

You can explore panda sanctuaries, sip tea and indulge in spicy Sichuan hotpot.

Kuala Lumpur for a short holiday

If you’re looking for a quick getaway at any time of the year, Kuala Lumpur is just the right spot for you.

A short flight away from Singapore, there’s much for you to shop, dine and explore in Kuala Lumpur’s cityscapes.

You might not even need to spend a day of leave, if you book a three-day trip on Mar. 21, 2026, during Hari Raya Puasa.

Bonus side trip in Malaysia if you are flying out of Asean

You can even connect to other domestic destinations and pay only taxes for the flight if you have a layover with Malaysia Airlines.

Yes, you heard me correctly: you can take a bonus side trip with Malaysia Airlines if you are flying to international destinations outside of Asean countries.

This essentially means your air ticket is to two cities for the price of one fare.

Malaysia Airlines’ Bonus Side Trip perk allows you to fly to eight Malaysian destinations at no extra fare. You just have to pay the taxes.

The eight destinations you can choose from are — Kuching (KCH), Alor Setar (AOR), Langkawi (LGK), Johor Bahru (JHB), Kota Bharu (KBR), Kuala Terengganu (TGG), Kuantan (KUA) and Penang (PEN).

Sweet.

Perks to enjoy when you fly with Malaysia Airlines

In addition to your exciting destinations, there’s much to look forward to before and during your flight with Malaysia Airlines.

Save when you book directly on their website

Booking your flight directly on their website gives you exclusive benefits including savings of up to 15 per cent on your next flight and child discounts.

Members of Malaysia Airlines’ points programme, Enrich, will also get to enjoy additional savings.

You also get to customise your journey with perks like seat selection, Chef-on-Call meals, lounge access, extra baggage and more.

If you’re flying with Malaysia Airlines’ Business Class, you get up to 50kg baggage allowance and if you’re in Economy Class, you get up to 35kg baggage allowance.

Take note that if you’re in Economy Class and on a flight within Malaysia or have a domestic Malaysia stopover, you have a checked baggage allowance of 20kg.

For those worried about a change of plans, rest assured.

There is complimentary rebooking which is refundable with a fee on selected fare types.

Golden Lounge

Get comfortable and enjoy exceptional service before take off in Malaysia Airline’s Golden Lounge.

This lounge is located exclusively at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

It is also available for connecting flights via KLIA.

If you’re a Business Class passenger, you get complimentary access to the lounge.

If not, don’t worry. You can still pre-purchase a single-entry lounge pass to enjoy the lounge.

Or, you could upgrade your seat to Business Class with MHupgrade.

MHconnect

Once you’re on board, you can enjoy unlimited complimentary Wifi on selected flights and aircraft types using MHconnect to ensure you are still getting your social media fix.

MHstudio

Alternatively, you can also enjoy endless entertainment on board with MHstudio.

Go on a movie marathon or relax with your favourite songs.

Chef-on-Call

When you feel hungry after all that fun, savour delicious in-flight meals.

If you’re flying with Business Class, enjoy your desired meal with Malaysia Airlines’ Chef-on-Call service, which is available on selected routes and subject to aircraft configuration.

Those taking Economy class can also pre-book your meals in advance.

All in all, pretty awesome.

More information about the perks

Terms and conditions apply.

This branded article by Malaysia Airlines made this writer want to book her flight now.

Cover photo courtesy of Malaysia Airlines