Malaysia Airlines Logo

Malaysia Airlines, the flagship carrier of Malaysia, is renowned for its comprehensive air travel services. Owned by Malaysia Aviation Group, it stands as a symbol of national pride. Operating from its hub at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, it connects Malaysia to the world, serving Asia, Europe, and Oceania. Its fleet of modern aircraft and commitment to customer service underscore its operations in these regions, making it a key player in global aviation.

Meaning and history

Malaysia Airlines began as Malayan Airways Limited in 1947, borne out of a joint initiative between the Ocean Steamship Company of Liverpool, the Straits Steamship of Singapore, and Imperial Airways. It flourished into a national carrier in 1963, signifying the formation of Malaysia. The airline, rebranded as Malaysia Airlines in 1987, saw rapid expansion, modernizing its fleet and extending its international reach.

In the 1990s, the airline underwent privatization, but the Asian financial crisis led to significant government re-acquisition. The early 2000s brought about a series of financial hardships, exacerbated by the aviation industry’s downturn. Despite these challenges, the airline persisted in innovating its services and fleet.

The 2010s were marked by tragedy with the loss of flights MH370 and MH17, deeply impacting the airline’s operations and leading to its restructuring in 2014, with a significant investment from Khazanah Nasional, the sovereign wealth fund of the Government of Malaysia. This restructuring aimed to streamline operations, reduce costs, and return the airline to profitability.

Malaysia Airlines remains a symbol of national pride, operating under Malaysia Aviation Group, a state-owned entity, with aspirations of reviving its legacy of service and connectivity, while embracing sustainability and technological advancement in the dynamic aviation landscape.

What is Malaysia Airlines ?
Malaysia Airlines is a premier airline, embodying Malaysia’s rich heritage and commitment to excellence in aviation. Renowned for its hospitality and operational efficiency, it plays a vital role in connecting Malaysia globally, continuously adapting to the dynamic aviation landscape.

1972 – 1987

The logo is a classic emblem of Malaysia Airlines, known as the ‘Wau Bulan’, a traditional Malaysian kite design. The logo consists of a red and white color scheme, which is prominently featured within a roundel. The upper half of the roundel is red with a white partial silhouette that resembles a stylized ‘M’, representing the initial of Malaysia. This ‘M’ also appears to be a bird in flight, symbolizing the airline’s aviation business. The lower half of the roundel is white with a red geometric pattern that complements the upper design. Below the roundel, the acronym “mas” is written in bold, red, lowercase letters, which stands for Malaysian Airline System. Beneath this, the full name of the company is spelled out in smaller uppercase letters, maintaining the same red hue. The logo’s design captures the essence of Malaysian culture while conveying the company’s identity as an airline with a global outreach.

1987 – 2012

The logo is a more contemporary representation of Malaysia Airlines. It features a stylized, angular bird in flight, a nod to the airline’s mission and scope of work. The bird, rendered in segments of red, blue, and grey, creates a dynamic forward motion. Below it, the name ‘malaysia airlines’ is written in bold, sans-serif, blue letters, with a red accent on the ‘i’ dotting. It retains the red and blue color palette, which are symbolic of the Malaysian flag, but uses a sharper and more geometric aesthetic to convey its modernization and forward-looking ethos.

2012 – 2013

This logo for Malaysia Airlines showcases a sleek and modern interpretation of the company’s visual identity. It features the company name in a stylized, lowercase, sans-serif typography. The ‘a’ in ‘malaysia’ is uniquely designed, merging with a graphic element that suggests a bird’s wing, reinforcing the airline’s association with flight. The color palette is a sophisticated navy blue, with a gradient giving a sense of depth and dimension. Compared to the previous logo, this design has evolved to a more subtle and streamlined form, focusing on a single color and simplified shapes, reflecting a modern, forward-thinking brand identity.

2013 – 2021

The logo presented is an updated version of the Malaysia Airlines brand identity. It maintains the modern lowercase typography for the name but reintroduces a pop of color with the ‘kite’  symbol that harkens back to traditional Malaysian culture. The symbol combines a dark blue with a gradient flowing into red, symbolizing a seamless blend of tradition and modernity. This iteration is a blend of the previous two logos, merging the contemporary font and stylization with the reintroduction of the airline’s cultural motif, thereby striking a balance between heritage and progression.

2021 – Today

The logo is a monochromatic variant of Malaysia Airlines’ visual identity, featuring the name in a modern lowercase typeface alongside the iconic ‘kelarai’ motif, which is inspired by traditional Malaysian kite designs. The entire logo is shaded in various tones of blue, symbolizing professionalism and reliability. Compared to the previous iteration with red highlights, this design opts for a more unified and sleek appearance, focusing on the airline’s corporate colors and underlining its cohesive brand image.