Malaysia Airlines is making Pahang easier to include in a long-haul holiday, offering eligible UK travellers a domestic return flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan for the applicable taxes and fees.
Available through the airline’s Bonus Side Trip programme, the Kuantan stopover can be added to qualifying Malaysia Airlines itineraries from the UK to Asia or Australasia. Travellers can take the side trip during either the outbound or return portion of a journey through Kuala Lumpur.
Kuantan is the capital of Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia’s largest state and a scenic contrast to the better-known city and island stops. Its golden beaches, rainforest, waterfalls and cooler highlands offer options for a few days between long-haul flights.
How the Bonus Side Trip works
The promotion provides a domestic return flight from Kuala Lumpur without an additional base fare, although passengers remain responsible for taxes, surcharges and other applicable fees. Availability depends on the international itinerary, fare class and travel dates.
Travellers can select from eight Malaysian destinations:
- Kuantan
- Langkawi
- Penang
- Johor Bahru
- Kota Bharu
- Alor Setar
- Kuala Terengganu
- Kuching
The programme applies to international itineraries that neither begin nor end in Malaysia. It is unavailable for journeys between ASEAN destinations, connections from an international sector to a Malaysian domestic destination, or domestic-only travel within Malaysia.
Eligible bookings must use Malaysia Airlines-operated flights in Economy Basic, Economy Flex or Business Class. Reservations can be made on the Malaysia Airlines website or through an appointed agent, but the airline’s published terms say Bonus Side Trip bookings are not available through its mobile app.
Promo codes and Enrich membership discounts cannot be used for these bookings. Enrich members can still collect points and receive the usual tier benefits under the programme’s standard rules.
Teluk Cempedak brings the coast within easy reach
Located about five kilometres from central Kuantan, Teluk Cempedak is a popular beach framed by casuarina and pine trees. Its golden sand and easy access make it a natural first stop after arriving in the city.
Also known as Palm Beach, Teluk Cempedak combines a laid-back coastal setting with practical facilities, including food outlets, accommodation and light shopping. Swimming, beach sports, picnics and forest walks are among the activities highlighted by Tourism Malaysia, although the shoreline can become busy at weekends.
The beach suits travellers who want time beside the water and an unhurried itinerary. Staying nearby also offers quick access to Kuantan’s restaurants and urban attractions.
Sungai Pandan Waterfall offers a rainforest escape
Around 25 kilometres from Kuantan, Sungai Pandan Forest Reserve is home to a broad, multi-tiered waterfall surrounded by tropical vegetation. It is also known locally as Panching Waterfall.
The 11-hectare site has cascading rapids that feed into a large natural pool, alongside trails and picnic areas. Road access makes it one of the more straightforward nature excursions from Kuantan and avoids a long journey into Pahang’s interior.
The combination of shaded forest and riverside pools gives the reserve a cooler, quieter mood than the coast. Visitors should check current access conditions and local safety guidance before swimming, especially following heavy rain.
Kuantan combines local food with cultural stops
In central Kuantan, the Sultan Ahmad Shah State Mosque provides one of the city’s main architectural landmarks. Kuantan Art Street, Zoo Teruntum and East Coast Mall broaden the options for families or travellers staying longer than a single night.
Food is another reason to leave the beach. Local dishes include mee calong, a fish broth served with homemade fish balls and tofu. Pahang is also associated with ikan patin served in tempoyak, a rich fermented durian sauce that gives the freshwater fish its distinctive flavour.
Travellers with more time can continue south to Pekan, where the Sultan Abu Bakar Museum offers a closer look at the state’s royal and cultural history.
Cameron Highlands and Pahang’s interior
The wider state extends far beyond Kuantan’s coastline. Cameron Highlands is Pahang’s best-known cool-weather retreat, with rolling tea plantations and strawberry farms, while its lavender gardens add more colour to the highland scenery.
Genting Highlands offers a livelier option, centred on theme parks, family attractions and shopping at Genting Highlands Premium Outlet. It suits travellers extending their Malaysian stopover beyond Kuantan.
Pahang National Park provides the state’s most immersive rainforest experience. Malaysia Airlines describes its forest as more than 130 million years old, with eco-adventures taking visitors into one of the country’s oldest natural environments. Journey times and transport should be planned carefully, as these inland destinations require time to reach from the city.
London fares and travel dates
Malaysia Airlines operates twice-daily services from London Heathrow to Kuala Lumpur, with onward connections to more than 50 destinations across over 20 countries.
The airline has announced return Economy Class fares from London to Krabi from £669. This includes an Economy Basic flight to Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia Airlines and an onward service to Krabi operated by sister airline Firefly. Business Class returns to Chiang Mai start from £3,099.
Those advertised fares are available for bookings made from 27 August to 22 September 2026, covering travel between 27 August 2026 and 31 August 2027. Prices and seats remain subject to availability and the applicable fare conditions.
Onboard services listed by Malaysia Airlines include a complimentary 20kg baggage allowance, unlimited high-speed Wi-Fi and entertainment through MHstudio. Meals draw on Malaysian flavours, while children can receive the airline’s Pilot Parker Activity Pack.
Travellers considering Kuantan should price the complete itinerary before booking, including the side trip’s taxes and fees. Malaysia Airlines also advises that destinations, schedules and availability can change, so the current Bonus Side Trip terms should be checked before confirming flights.
