Turkiye is a destination steeped in culture and history, and Malaysians can now explore it more easily thanks to AirAsia X’s new direct, affordable flights between Kuala Lumpur and Istanbul. Photo: Unsplash
AirAsia X’s inaugural direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Istanbul, Turkiye landed smoothly at Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) on Nov 14, marking an exciting chapter for the airline.
This new service signifies AirAsia X’s first-ever entry into the country, making it the latest Malaysian carrier to connect the two nations.
"It's a huge milestone for us to enter into the Euro-Asia market, and especially in Istanbul. There's a massive opportunity for more connections to be made via Istanbul which is already a well-known hub for both Europe and Asia," said AirAsia X CEO Benyamin Ismail at a press conference in Istanbul on Nov 17, adding that Istanbul has been one of the airline's most-requested destinations by Malaysians.
(From left) Datuk Fam Lee Ee, chairman of AirAsia X; Kamarudin Meranun; Benyamin; Ahmad Amiri Abu Bakar, Consul General of Malaysia in Istanbul; Sinan Seha Turkseven, general manager Turkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA); and Hasan Hamdan, Aviation Marketing, Sabiha Gokcen International Airport at the press conference in Istanbul on Nov 17. Photo: AirAsia X
Meanwhile, in a press statement, Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, executive chairman of Capital A said: "The launch of our inaugural service to Istanbul is a bold, yet long awaited step in AirAsia X’s long-haul growth strategy. This new route not only enhances our network connectivity between South-East Asia and Eurasia but also reinforces our position as a key player in affordable long-haul travel."
Operating out of Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2, the route opens the door for more travellers to experience one of the world’s most vibrant destinations.
Turkiye is the fourth most-visited destination in the world, and an increase in arrivals from the Asean market is expected with this new direct route. Istanbul is known for its many historical sites that includes the world-famous Hagia Sophia and the Grand Bazaar.
To start, there will be four flights weekly between KL and Istanbul, and more than 150,000 seats available yearly.
The direct flight takes approximately 11 hours, and will run on the A330-300 aircraft.
Travellers can enjoy promotional fares from just RM749 (US$205), available for booking until Nov 30 for travel from now until Sept 14, 2026 via airasia.com and the AirAsia MOVE app. — Melody L. Goh
