Back in July last year we reported on Scoot’s new route from Singapore Changi Airport to Kuala Lumpur’s more centrally-located Subang Airport, with a daily round-trip Airbus A320 service kicking off from 1st September 2024.

This followed the relaxation of restrictions on jet aircraft operations at Subang, which in recent years had become a turboprop-only gateway for the city, following the opening of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

Now there’s a new entrant to the Changi – Subang market, or should we say “the return of an old flame”, with Firefly launching a daily jet link from 24th March 2025, six years after it ended turboprop flights on the very same route.

The schedule

These new daily Firefly flights between Changi and Subang will be operated by 189-seat Boeing 737-800s, featuring an evening departure that complements Scoot’s existing lunchtime service.

Here’s how the schedule will look on the route for both carriers from 24th March 2025, with the new Firefly flights highlighted.

Singapore ⇄ KL Subang
From 24th March 2025

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	TR462 A320ceo
SIN 12:00		SZB 13:00
	TR462 A320ceo
SIN 12:00		SZB 13:10
	FY3679* 737-800
SIN 20:25		SZB 21:40
	TR463 A320ceo
SZB 14:00		SIN 15:20
	TR463 A320ceo
SZB 14:10		SIN 15:15
	FY3678* 737-800
SZB 18:20		SIN 19:35

* No Firefly service on:
25-26 Mar, 3 Apr, 5 Apr, 8 Apr, 10 Apr, 12 Apr

As you can see, Firefly adds a welcome evening timing in both directions on this route, which could be useful for maximising your stay on a short trip. For example, you can head to KL after work on the 8.25pm departure and return a few days later after 6pm – allowing a full day at either end before travelling – flexibility that Scoot’s schedule doesn’t offer.

Scoot continues to operate a single lunchtime hop up to KL Subang from Changi each day, with an early afternoon service in the return direction, for the upcoming schedule season.

Firefly first launched Singapore Changi – Subang flights back in July 2009 using ATR-72 turboprops, a route that continued until March 2019, when the flights shifted to Singapore’s second airport Seletar, after turboprops were effectively banned from Changi.

The Subang Airport advantage

Formerly Kuala Lumpur’s main airport, Subang became a turboprop-only facility following the opening of KLIA back in the late 1990s.

However, the more centrally-located Subang started accepting international jet services again in 2024, with the major benefit being its proximity to central Kuala Lumpur.

For example, a taxi from KL Subang Airport to the Hilton Kuala Lumpur takes as little as 20 minutes with no traffic, compared to 45 minutes with no traffic from KLIA.

Obviously peak timings result in longer journeys, but you should still be able to go to and from downtown KL more quickly using Subang Airport compared to KLIA, which is great news for those on short trips or weekend breaks.

Fares

Firefly is offering this new daily Changi – Subang flight with fares starting from:

• SIN-SZB: S$119
• SZB-SIN: MYR 159 (~S$48)

Firefly fares include 10kg of checked baggage.

In comparison, Scoot fares start from S$78 for flights from Changi to Subang, while one-way fares from Subang to Changi begin at MYR 109 (~S$33) – significantly lower than Firefly’s pricing. However, it’s worth noting that Scoot’s fares do not include any checked baggage allowance.

Firefly’s Seletar – Subang flights

Even after Firefly returns to Singapore Changi Airport – this time with jets instead of turboprops – the airline will still operate the latter type on several daily Singapore Seletar (XSP) to KL Subang flights, and vice-versa.

Those ATR-72 flights restarted back in mid-June 2022, and have gradually ramped back up to their pre-COVID six times daily frequency once again.

Here’s how the schedule on those services looks for the northern summer 2025 season, from late March to late October.

Singapore Seletar to KL Subang
30th March 2025 – 25th October 2025

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	FY3123 ATR72
XSP 08:30		SZB 09:50
	FY3125 ATR72
XSP 09:10		SZB 10:30
	FY3127 ATR72
XSP 11:20		SZB 12:40
	FY3129 ATR72
XSP 14:00		SZB 15:20
	FY3131 ATR72
XSP 16:35		SZB 17:55
	FY3133 ATR72
XSP 19:00		SZB 20:20

KL Subang to Singapore Seletar
30th March 2025 – 25th October 2025

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	FY3122 ATR72
SZB 06:35		XSP 08:00
	FY3124 ATR72
SZB 07:15		XSP 08:40
	FY3126 ATR72
SZB 09:25		XSP 10:50
	FY3128 ATR72
SZB 12:05		XSP 13:30
	FY3130 ATR72
SZB 14:40		XSP 16:05
	FY3132 ATR72
SZB 17:05		XSP 18:30

The biggest downside to flying in and out of Seletar, rather than Changi, is connectivity.

A taxi or ride-hailing trip from Orchard Road to Seletar Airport takes around 20-25 minutes, which is similar to the time taken to reach Changi Airport from downtown, but in terms of public transport options are quite limited.

The airport is served by the 102 bus from 5.30am to 11.30pm, which stops outside the terminal building and links to Hougang Central Bus Interchange and MRT, Buangkok MRT Station, Sengkang MRT station and Jalan Kayu.

For those arriving in Seletar and taking an onward flight from Changi, or vice-versa, travel between the two airports is only really feasible by taxi or car, taking approximately 20 minutes.

That potentially makes the addition of further direct Changi – Subang flights from Firefly a nice benefit for travellers who wish to avoid these issues at Seletar, but still benefit from a better-located airport in KL.

Firefly’s return to the Singapore Changi – Kuala Lumpur Subang route introduces a second airline option on this busy capital city connection, with a daily Boeing 737-800 service from 24th March 2025. This will complement Scoot’s existing lunchtime flights with an evening departure in both directions, providing an alternative schedule for more flexible trips.

While Firefly’s fares are higher than Scoot’s, they include a 10kg checked baggage allowance, whereas Scoot’s base fares are ‘seat only’. Firefly will also continue operating its six daily turboprop flights between Seletar and Subang, maintaining a separate option for those preferring the smaller airport experience at both ends of the journey!

With Subang Airport now accepting international jet services again, these new flights offer greater flexibility for passengers traveling between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, particularly for those seeking quicker access to the city centre.

(Cover Photo: Shutterstock)