Malaysians are taking off for Kuala Lumpur and Singapore this year

Agoda reveals most popular flight destinations for Malaysian travelers

As travelers take to the skies once again, digital travel platform Agoda shares the top domestic and international flight destinations of 2023 so far. In Malaysia, the most popular international destination is Singapore with Kuala Lumpur taking the top domestic spot. Thailand’s capital Bangkok is the most popular international flight destination, according to Agoda data.

Based on Agoda’s booking data, four of the five most popular international flight destinations are nestled in Southeast Asia, with Bangkok in first place. Singapore in 2nd, Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City in 4th, and Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur in 5th also represent Southeast Asia. Seoul, South Korea splits the top five, coming in as third most popular international flight destination.

"Many factors contribute to the popularity of Southeast Asian cities”, said Andrew Smith, Senior Vice President of Supply, Agoda. “These cities represent five bustling metropolises, with rich culture and history, an exquisite culinary scene, and unique nightlife. Even with airlines expanding their routes and fleets, I wouldn’t be surprised if we’ll see these amazing destinations ranking high for years to come.”

Malaysia market insights show that after Singapore, travelers from Malaysia are taking off for Bangkok and Jakarta. Medan and Ho Chi Minh City round out the top five. The ranking shows a clear preference for short haul travel within Southeast Asia, with all 5 of the destinations falling in that category.

Domestically, Kuala Lumpur is the most popular destination in Malaysia, followed by Penang, Kota Kinabalu, Johor Bahru and Kuching.