Boeing’s relationship with Malaysia dates back to 1947 when the then-named Malayan Airways Limited acquired its first DC-3. Today, Boeing has a corporate office in Kuala Lumpur and Commercial Airplanes Field Services offices at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

In 1968, Boeing delivered three 707 jetliners to the national carrier Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (formerly Malayan Airways Limited). In 1969, Malaysia Airlines became the first 737-100 Southeast Asian customer when it purchased five of these aircraft to replace the Comet 4.

Malaysia Airlines was also one of Boeing’s first 777 customers in Southeast Asia. The airline’s first 777 — the Super Ranger — set world records for speed and distance in April 1997, flying around the world in 41 hours, 59 minutes, covering more than 23,000 miles (37,030 kilometers).

Over the years, Malaysia Airlines Bhd. has taken delivery of more than 140 Boeing airplanes, including 100 737s.

In September 2017, Malaysia Airlines announced that Boeing's Global Fleet Care service will maintain the national carrier's current and future Boeing airplanes.

Malindo Air, a joint venture between the National Aerospace and Defence Industries of Malaysia and Lion Air of Indonesia, operates Next-Generation 737-800s and 737-900ERs (Extended Range) as well as the 737 MAX 8. Malindo took delivery of the first 737 MAX 8 in May 2017 and conducted the very first commercial flight with a 737 MAX 8 on May 22, 2017, with a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore.

In 1993, Malaysia ordered eight F/A-18D Hornets from Boeing to strengthen the airpower capability of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). As part of Boeing’s industrial participation commitment stemming from the F/A-18D purchase, Boeing completed a planned 10-year, $271 million offset program within seven years.