Fly Malaysia Airlines' New Cricket Plane from Colombo to Mumbai

You know me, I’m obsessed with finding the little things that make a trip special. Sometimes it's a hidden food stall, other times it's a ridiculously cheap flight deal. But every now and then, the plane itself becomes part of the adventure. And let me tell you, this is one of those times.

So if you're a cricket fan, or just someone who loves a unique travel story, listen up. Malaysia Airlines has teamed up with the Mumbai Indians cricket team to create a special aircraft, and it's officially flying a route that makes perfect sense: Colombo to Mumbai. Here’s everything you need to know about flying on this one-of-a-kind bird.

So, What's the Big Deal with This Plane?

Okay, let's get into the fun stuff. This isn't just a tiny logo slapped on the tail. We're talking about a full-blown, custom-painted aircraft. It’s a pretty big statement, and honestly, it looks incredible. It’s a way for the airline to connect with two countries that are absolutely mad about cricket.

The Aircraft: The special livery is on a Boeing 737-800 NG. This is a workhorse of a plane, super common for short to medium-haul flights like this one. So you get a reliable jet with a rockstar paint job.
The Design: The plane is decked out in the signature blue and gold of the Mumbai Indians, one of the most iconic teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL). It features silhouettes of key players like Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah. It’s seriously eye-catching on the tarmac.
The Route: For now, this special plane is primarily flying the Colombo (CMB) to Mumbai (BOM) route. The flight numbers are MH114 (BOM-KUL), MH115 (KUL-BOM), MH179 (KUL-CMB), and MH178 (CMB-KUL). The plane does a sort of triangle route, but the CMB-BOM leg is the big one they’re promoting for this.
The Partnership: This is part of a multi-year partnership, so this plane should be flying for a while. It’s not just a short-term marketing stunt, which is great news for those of us wanting to book it!

Is It Just a Pretty Paint Job, Though?

That's the million-dollar question, right? Is the experience inside any different? The short answer is no, but that’s not a bad thing. Inside, it's the standard, reliable Malaysia Airlines experience you'd expect on their 737s. The cabin crew isn't dressed in cricket jerseys (though how cool would that be?).

You'll still get the solid service Malaysia Airlines is known for. On a flight of this length (around 2.5 hours from Colombo to Mumbai), you can expect a complimentary meal and drinks, which is becoming a rarity on short-haul flights these days. The seats are standard economy, but they're comfortable enough for a couple of hours. The real prize is looking out the window at that incredible wing and knowing you're on *the* cricket plane.

💡 Quick tip: Want to know for sure if your flight will be on the special plane? Use a site like Flightradar24 a day or two before your trip. You can look up the aircraft registration number (9M-MXB) to see its exact schedule. It’s not a 100% guarantee due to last-minute swaps, but it gives you a really good shot!

The Perfect Route for Cricket Lovers

Let’s talk about why this Colombo-to-Mumbai route is so perfect. Sri Lanka and India don't just share a border; they share a deep, unwavering passion for cricket. Flying between these two cities on a plane celebrating one of the IPL's biggest teams just feels right. It connects two of the sport's biggest heartlands.

For travellers, this route is super convenient. It directly links two major South Asian hubs, making it easy to plan a multi-country trip. You could spend a week exploring the beaches and ancient cities of Sri Lanka, then hop on this flight for a long weekend in the bustling metropolis of Mumbai. The flight is short, direct, and now, potentially very, very cool.

How to Actually Book This Flight (and What to Expect)

Okay, you're sold. You want the selfie on the tarmac. How do you book it? It's simpler than you think. You don't book the “cricket plane” specifically; you just book a regular Malaysia Airlines flight on the routes it services.

Your best bet is to search for flights from Colombo (CMB) to Kuala Lumpur (KUL) or from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Mumbai (BOM). As mentioned, the aircraft often operates a KUL-CMB-KUL or KUL-BOM-KUL schedule. The key is to look for flights operated by a Boeing 737-800. While Malaysia Airlines has many of these, your odds are decent given this is a flagship partnership for them.

Price-wise, you're not paying a premium for the special livery. A one-way ticket on this route can range anywhere from $150 to $300 USD depending on how far in advance you book and the time of year. My advice? Use a fare comparison tool, set up alerts, and be flexible with your dates. Booking 2-3 months out is usually the sweet spot.

The Bottom Line

What it is: A special Malaysia Airlines Boeing 737-800 painted in the Mumbai Indians cricket team colours.
The main route: Connecting Kuala Lumpur (KUL), Colombo (CMB), and Mumbai (BOM).
The experience: Standard Malaysia Airlines service on the inside, incredibly cool livery on the outside.
Booking it: Book the regular flight numbers (like MH115 or MH179) and check the aircraft registration (9M-MXB) beforehand to increase your chances.
Is it worth it? For cricket fans and aviation geeks, absolutely! It's a unique travel story waiting to happen.

Still Got Questions? Here Are the Answers

Is it more expensive to fly on the cricket-themed plane?

Nope! The fare is exactly the same as any other Malaysia Airlines flight on that route. You're not paying extra for the cool paint job, so it's a completely free upgrade to your travel story.

Will this plane fly on other routes?

While its primary focus is connecting to Mumbai and Colombo, airlines do rotate their aircraft. It's possible it could show up on other short-haul routes from Kuala Lumpur. Your best bet is to track the plane's registration number (9M-MXB) online to see where it's been flying.

What's the baggage allowance like on this flight?

Malaysia Airlines is actually pretty generous. For this route, Economy Class passengers typically get a checked baggage allowance of 25kg. That’s more than enough for a trip to Sri Lanka and India, even with all the shopping you'll do!

Final Word

Look, flying has become so routine for many of us. We book the cheapest, most direct flight and just try to get through it. But things like this remind me that travel can still be fun and surprising. It’s a small detail, sure, but flying to the home of the Mumbai Indians on their official plane? That’s a memory you won’t forget.

If a trip to Mumbai or Colombo is on your radar, this is the perfect excuse to finally make it happen. You get a fantastic travel experience connecting two amazing destinations, with a brilliant story to tell when you get home. Start looking up fares for those routes — you might just get lucky and snag a seat on the coolest jet in the sky right now.