AirAsia X adds flights between Kuala Lumpur and Istanbul for winter 2025/26

AirAsia X has announced a major new expansion to its long-haul international network with the addition of flights between Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and Istanbul in Turkey for the upcoming winter 2025/26. The new services between the two cities, which are also being targeted at residents in neighboring Singapore, will commence on November 14,  2025, with four weekly flights in each direction, all operated by the carrier’s 18-strong fleet of Airbus A330-300 widebodies.  

This strategic launch marks AirAsia X’s long-anticipated re-entry into Europe, having previously served London but having dropped the route before the pandemic. According to an airline statement, the new route “opens a vital gateway linking Southeast Asia to Europe via one of the world’s most historically rich and geographically unique destinations. Straddling two continents across the Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul offers travellers the rare opportunity to experience the best of both worlds.” 

AirAsiaXThe airline will operate from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) to Istanbul’s secondary Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW), a major hub with connections to over 117 international and 40 domestic destinations. This will provide travelers from Southeast Asia greater onward travel options, says the airline, while giving passengers from Istanbul and beyond access to AirAsia’s network of 130 destinations across 14 other countries. The route is 5,180 miles (8,288km) and should take around ten hours to complete.  

“Istanbul has always been a dream destination for many of our guests, and its launch marks another proud moment in our journey to rebuild stronger than ever,” said Benyamin Ismail, CEO of AirAsia X. “Hot on the heels of our recent expansion into Central Asia, this long-awaited route takes us one step closer to delivering longer connectivity across continents.”

GCMap.com“As the only city in the world built on two continents, Istanbul perfectly captures our vision to bridge Asia and beyond through affordable, medium-haul travel. This is a strategic decision that strengthens our network, creates more pathways for business collaboration, and enhances access to new experiences for travellers around the world. With the introduction of the Kuala Lumpur-Istanbul route, Singaporean travellers can now enjoy seamless Fly-Thru connection to one of the world’s most iconic transcontinental cities through a more affordable travel option,” he added.

“This new route also opens the door to an affordable Umrah Plus Istanbul package offered by ikhlas.com, the Islamic lifestyle arm of Capital A, allowing our Muslim guests to combine their spiritual journey with a visit to one of the world’s most iconic cities. With our seamless Fly-Thru services via Kuala Lumpur, travellers from Singapore can now enjoy convenient one-stop access to Istanbul without the hassle of baggage recheck. Likewise, it allows guests from Türkiye to easily discover the rich diversity of Southeast Asia, including Singapore, through our vast network,” Ismail concluded.

Suparat Chairatprasert / ShutterstockTimings of the new flights

The new AirAsia X flights between Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) and Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (flight number D7 604) are scheduled to depart Kuala Lumpur at 09:35 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, arriving in Istanbul at 16:35 the same day. The return flights (D7 605) will depart Istanbul at 17:20, arriving back into Kuala Lumpur at 08:40 the following morning.

Additionally, AirAsia X’s short-haul sister airline, AirAsia, offers 11 daily flights each way between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, allowing for easy connections onto AirAsiaX long-haul flights from the Malaysian capital, including the new Istanbul service.

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