AirAsia X to Launch Direct Kuala Lumpur–Istanbul Flights in November 2025
AirAsia X (AAX) will begin direct flights between Kuala Lumpur and Istanbul, Türkiye, on 14 November 2025. The service will operate four times weekly, marking the airline’s entry into the European market.
Flights will operate to and from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) International Airport, a hub with connections to over 117 international and 40 domestic destinations. This route will give travellers from Southeast Asia increased access to Europe, while passengers from Türkiye will gain direct links to AirAsia’s network of 130 destinations across the Asia-Pacific.
Benyamin Ismail, Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia X said: “Istanbul is a dream destination for our many guests and this launch marks another proud moment in our journey to return to flying higher. After the success of the latest expansion into Central Asia, this long-awaited route brings us one step closer to offering a longer travel connection across continents. As the only city in the world located on two continents, Istanbul realizes our vision to connect Asia and other destinations through medium-distance affordable travel. This is a strategic decision that strengthens our network, offers more avenues for business collaboration, and expands access to new experiences for travelers around the world.
“This new route also opens up opportunities for the Umrah Plus Istanbul package offered by ikhlas.com which is a subsidiary of Islamic lifestyle under Capital A, giving our Muslim guests the opportunity to combine their travel with a visit to one of the most iconic cities in the world. From Istanbul, our guests can easily enjoy travel to various destinations across Asia including Indonesia, Australia, Singapore, China, Thailand and more through the Fly-Thru service without having to check in luggage again. Travellers from Europe and other destinations can now easily enjoy the beauty of Southeast Asia through our extensive network.”
His Highness Emir Salim Yüksel, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Malaysia, said: “This new route between Kuala Lumpur and Istanbul is a tangible step in strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Malaysia and Türkiye. It will not only increase tourism flows, but also expand business relationships, foster industry cooperation, as well as open new avenues in the fields of education, innovation and public relations. By improving air connectivity, we are bringing the two regions closer together in a way that benefits travelers, communities, and the economy as a whole.”
To mark the launch, promotional one-way fares will start from RM499 for economy seats and RM3,999 for Premium Flatbed seats, available for booking until 20 August 2025, for travel from 14 November 2025 to 14 September 2026 via AirAsia MOVE, airasia.com, and the app. Discounts of up to 45% on check-in baggage will also be available during the promotion period.
Flight Schedule between Kuala Lumpur [KUL] and Istanbul (Sabiha) [SAW]:
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