AirAsia X (AAX) is soaring into its next chapter of growth with the announcement of a long-awaited route to Istanbul, Türkiye, a city where East meets West. Travellers from Hong Kong and Macao can now access the heart of Türkiye with smooth Fly-Thru connectivity via Kuala Lumpur.
The new direct service between Kuala Lumpur and Istanbul will commence on 14 November 2025 with four weekly flights, strengthening AAX’s global footprint and offering more affordable travel options to one of the world’s most iconic destinations.
This strategic launch marks AAX’s long-anticipated entry into Europe, opening 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.
The airline will operate from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW), a major hub with connections to over 117 international and 40 domestic destinations. This provides guests from Southeast Asia even greater onward travel options, while giving travellers from Istanbul and beyond seamless access to AirAsia’s network of 130 destinations at unbeatable value.
Benyamin Ismail, CEO of AirAsia X said: “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. 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. 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 our seamless Fly-Thru services via Kuala Lumpur, travellers from Hong Kong and Macao can now also enjoy convenient one-stop access to Istanbul without the hassle of baggage recheck. Likewise, travellers from Europe and beyond can now access the wonders of Southeast Asia and beyond with ease through our extensive network.”
In celebration of this milestone, AAX is offering introductory first-come first-served promotional fares from HKD1,023 / MOP1,207 all-in one way for the Fly-thru service in Hong Kong and Macao. Flights are available for booking starting today until 20 August 2025 for the travel period between 14 November 2025 and 14 September 2026, on airasia.com and the AirAsia MOVE app.
As Türkiye’s largest city and economic powerhouse, Istanbul is a captivating destination that offers opportunities to travellers from all walks of life. From iconic landmarks like the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace, to the lively Grand Bazaar and Spice Market, the city is a treasure trove of history and vibrant local life.
