2014 · Surface search
The initial response focused near the planned route before the investigation redirected attention to the southern Indian Ocean.
Search history
Where the search
has taken place.
A dated record of search phases, their scope, and the limits of coverage figures.
Status needs a date.
The June ministerial statement confirms the search agreement through June 2027. That does not establish that a vessel is actively surveying today. This page separates the contractual record from documented operational periods.
The search in phases
2014–2017 · ATSB-led underwater search
The Australian-led sonar search examined more than 120,000 km². It was suspended on 17 January 2017 without locating the aircraft.
2018 · Ocean Infinity
A second underwater campaign searched farther north. Malaysia announced its conclusion in May 2018. Search totals need care because mapped areas and high-resolution searches are different measures.
2025–2026 · Contractual search
Malaysia’s 8 March 2026 update records two operational periods: 25–28 March 2025 and 31 December 2025–23 January 2026. It reports about 7,571 km² surveyed under the agreement.
June 2026 · Extension confirmed
The original ministerial statement is now linked. It describes the contract extension and the November 2026–April 2027 redeployment window; it is not live vessel tracking.
Why coverage figures differ
Bathymetric mapping, high-resolution sonar survey, and a contractual priority area describe different things. Areas can overlap between campaigns. Adding campaign totals does not establish the total unique seabed searched.
Ocean Infinity’s March 2026 statement describes more than 140,000 km² mapped cumulatively since 2018. It should not be presented as the area covered only in 2025–26.
Explore the geography
The interactive map provides geographic context and links to source documents. Schematic lines and approximate recovery locations are labelled; they are not operational survey boundaries.
Open the interactive map ↗Check the record
Sources & further reading
- ATSB · Search overview ↗
Official history of the Australian-led and 2018 campaigns.
- Malaysia MOT · 8 March 2026 update to families ↗
Operational dates and area surveyed under the 2025 agreement.
- Ocean Infinity · 8 March 2026 statement ↗
Operator’s account; cumulative mapping figure since 2018.
- Associated Press · 29 June 2026 extension report ↗
Secondary reporting of the extension; not an operational tracking feed.
Check the record
Sources & further reading
- Malaysia MOT · Original extension statement ↗
English text on PDF page 2; now linked directly rather than only through news reporting.