Established on 16 March 2007, Firefly (IATA code: FY) is a Malaysian airline operated by FlyFirefly Sdn Bhd and wholly owned by Malaysia Airlines Berhad. The airline claims to be the first community airline in Malaysia. Operating flights from its two hubs in Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport and Penang International Airport, Firefly aims to bring communities closer by overcoming geographical constraints through their network of point-to-point flights, link the world to the communities they serve, and contribute to local economies by growing trade and tourism. Even though Firefly is a subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines Berhad, the airline has a separate management from its parent company. However, thanks to the codeshare agreement with Malaysia Airlines, Firefly is able to introduce the wonders of Southeast Asia to travelers beyond Malaysia. This aligns with Firefly’s focus, which is to serve flight service around Malaysia as well as Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. Firefly’s expansion effort in Southeast Asia has even been recognized by the international aviation industry. In 2010, Firefly received an award as Best Value Airline of the Year in the category of Commercial Air Transportation. This award aims to appreciate companies and individuals who have excellent and stand out working performance in Asia Pacific. Today, Firefly operates a fleet of 18 twin turboprop aircraft, which comprise 12 ATR 72-500 and six ATR 72-600 aircraft. Firefly’s ATR 72 series are optimized for efficiency, passenger comfort, and most importantly, safety and reliability. Technologically advanced, fuel-efficient, and eco-friendly ATR 72 series offers the lowest seat-mile cost in its category. These aircrafts can fly up to 2.5 hours with a maximum range on 890Nm without refueling, on a full passenger load. Also, the secondary structures of ATR 72-500 and ATR 72-600 are extensively made of corrosion-resistant composite material and use carbon fiber for its outer wings and composite tail, thus further reducing weight. A lighter aircraft means a lower fuel consumption, which is also better for the environment. The ATR 72 series also offer spacious cabin with plush leather and soft ambient lighting for a more comfortable journey. In operating its flight service on a daily basis, Firefly provides only one type of class service, which is economy class. However, the airline provides two kinds of services for its passengers, which are FlyPremier and FlyBASIC. FlyBASIC passengers will get a free checked baggage allowance of 20 kg, while FlyPremier passengers will get 30 kg. FlyPremier passengers will also get a free seat selection, priority baggage, one free flight change up to two hours before departure time, and access to SkyLounge in Subang Skypark Terminal, which offers various facilities, such as meeting room, VIP room television, books, newspapers, WiFi connection, and a great selection of food and drinks. Passengers will only have to show their identity card or a boarding pass as proof that they are a FlyPremiere passenger. To reward its loyal passengers, Firefly offers a special frequent flyer program together with Malaysia Airlines. The program is called Enrich. Passengers can earn Enrich Miles when they fly either with Firefly or Malaysia Airlines. After registering as a member, passengers will receive the Enrich Blue card, the entry level membership. With regular travels on Firefly and Malaysia Airlines, passengers can move up the various Elite tier levels, such as Enrich Silver, Enrich Gold and Enrich Platinum. The higher the tier level, the more benefits and privileges they will receive. Accumulated Enrich Miles can also be redeemed for excess baggage payment, hotel stays, to flight reward. In addition to the checked baggage allowance for FlyBASIC and FlyPremiere passengers, Firefly passengers are also allowed to carry one piece of cabin baggage, with a maximum weight of 7 kg and maximum dimension of 56 cm x 36 cm x 23 cm. The cabin baggage must fit under the seat in front of the passenger or in the overhead cabin compartment. Cabin baggage that exceeds 7 kg or set dimensions, or is deemed offensive in nature will be checked into the baggage hold at Boarding Gate, and a fee of RM50 (Rp150.000) will be charged. In addition to one piece of cabin baggage, each passenger is also allowed one personal item such as a handbag, a pocket book, a purse, a briefcase, an overcoat, wrap or blanket, electronic equipment such as laptop, iPad, and camera, a small camera or a pair of binoculars, a reasonable amount of reading material for the flight, baby food for consumption in-flight, or walking sticks/canes or crutches and/or braces/prosthetic devices, which the passenger is dependent on. To board the plane, passengers must check their baggage at the check-in counter, which opens from 90 minutes to 30 minutes before domestic flight departures. For international flights, Firefly check-in counters will be closed 45 minutes before departure time. As an alternative, passengers can check-in online via the Firefly website. However, the web check-in service is not available to passengers traveling with infants, passengers with reduced mobility and those requiring special assistance, and passengers with bookings of more than nine passengers. Kiosk check-in facilities are also available at selected airports, allowing passengers to check-in independently without having to queue. It is fast and very easy to use.

Firefly was established in March 2007, and has been widely known as a full-service carrier headquartered in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. Even though Firefly was founded in March 2007, the airline did not start operating its first flight service until 3 April 2007, flying from Penang to Kota Bharu. Firefly is operated by FlyFirefly Sdn Bhd, formerly known as MAS Sdn Bhd, and is wholly owned by Malaysia Airlines Berhad. However, since the airline focuses on serving flights to Malaysia as well as Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand, Firefly has a separate management from Malaysia Airlines, its parent company. This aligns with Firefly’s Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) agenda. However, thanks to the codeshare arrangement with Malaysia Airlines, Firefly has been able to expand their flight routes across Southeast Asia. Today, Firefly provides connections to various points within Malaysia, southern Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia’s Sumatra island. Firefly’s main hubs are located in Penang International Airport and Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport. From Penang, Firefly flies to Langkawi, Kota Bharu, Subang, Kuala Terengganu, and Kuantan. Meanwhile, Subang operates flights to Penang, Langkawi, Alor Setar, Johor Bahru, Kuala Terengganu, Kota Bharu, Singapore, and Indonesian city Pekanbaru. Firefly also has secondary hubs at Senai International Airport and Sultan Ismail Petra Airport. In February 2010, Firefly was honored with the Best Value Airline of the Year award in the Commercial Air Transportation Category at the prestigious Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific Aerospace & Defense Awards ceremony. This annual award was in recognition of companies and individuals that have exceptionally risen above and beyond excellence in their performance across Asia Pacific. This award is very special because Frost & Sullivan has leveraged over 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1,000 companies, as well as emerging business and investment community from more than 35 offices on six continents. Firefly was very thrilled to be the airline of choice as proven by this award. This recognition has spurred Firefly to greater heights to be recognized as one of the most customer-focused airlines in the world, offering a new flying experienceto all its passengers. On its early days, Firefly started its flight operations with two Fokker 50 aircraft, with 50 seats each. To expand its services, the airline decided to lease a third Fokker 50 aircraft. But, since June 2007, the Fokker 50 aircraft had been replaced. As the parent company, Malaysia Airlines signed an agreement for the acquisition of 10 ATR 72-500 aircraft, with options for ten more. The first five aircrafts started to arrive in August 2008, five in 2009, four in 2010, and the rest in 2011. All Fokker F50s were retired by the end of 2008. In November 2010, it was announced that Firefly had placed an order for 30 Boeing 737-800 aircraft from year-end to 2015 as part of its expansion into east Malaysia and into regional markets in the future. The first Boeing 737-800 arrived in December 2010 and Firefly began its operations in January 2011. On 1 July 2009, Firefly docked for the first time at Singapore Budget Terminal Changi on its maiden flight to the island with an initial frequency of three flights a day from Subang. Then on 12 July 2009, Firefly operated one more flight on the route of Singapore – Subang, increasing its frequency to four times a day. These direct flights gave Singaporeans the best alternative to travel to Malaysia. Later that year, it was also announced that Firefly would add a fifth additional schedule into Subang from Singapore effective 28 March 2010. Apart from the Singapore – Subang route, Firefly also offers services from Singapore to Ipoh, which had started on 12 July 2009 at four times per week, which now has become a daily flight due to its high demand. Per February 2017, the Firefly fleet consists of 12 ATR 72-500 and nine ATR 72-600, each with a capacity of 72 passengers. Firefly is currently planning to use Melaka International Airport in Melaka, Malaysia. Firefly’s flight service that soon will depart from Melaka is Melaka – Singapore, Melaka – Penang, Melaka – Medan Kuala Namu, and Melaka – Kota Bharu. Other new flight routes that are still under planning and consideration are Subang – Bengkulu, Subang – Jambi, Subang – Palembang, Subang – Padang, Phuket – Langkawi, Penang – Krabi, and Penang – Hua Hin.