AirAsia X goes intercontinental to Istanbul Türkiye

Did you know that cats may be considered honorary citizens in Türkiye? Even stray cats are well looked after and treated with respect in their most well known city, Istanbul, right on the edge of Europe. So as soon as we saw the cats, we knew AirAsia X’s latest destination must be Istanbul Türkiye.

The new direct AirAsia X (AAX)  service between Kuala Lumpur and Istanbul, where East meets West, will commence on 14th November 2025 with four weekly flights, another significant step in AAX’s global network expansion. Straddling two continents across the Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul offers travellers the rare opportunity to experience the best of both worlds.

Promo fares available Kuala Lumpur Malaysia to Istanbul Türkiye

To mark this milestone, AAX is offering introductory first-come first-served promotional all-in one way Economy fares from RM499* and from RM3,999* all-in one way if you prefer the airline’s award-winning Premium Flatbed. Flights are now available for booking until 20th August 2025 for travel between 14th November 2025 and 14th September 2026, on airasia.com and the AirAsia MOVE app. The timings are especially people friendly, a daytime flight one way and an overnight service the way back. *The promotional all-in fares are quoted for one-way travel only on a first-come first-served basis. The fares include passenger service charge, regulatory service charges, fuel surcharges, and other applicable fees. Other terms and conditions apply. The subsequent economy fares will start from RM799 all-in one way. 

Flight Schedule between Kuala Lumpur [KUL] and Istanbul (Sabiha) [SAW]:

All times are local

In addition, all AirAsia guests can enjoy up to 45%** off checked baggage when booking their flights.**Valid only for purchase during initial flight booking via AirAsia MOVE app, subject to availability. Other terms and conditions apply.

This launch marks AAX’s entry into Europe, opening a vital gateway linking Southeast Asia to Europe through one of the world’s most historically rich and geographically unique destinations. Flights from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) Terminal 2, will see you land in Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW), a major hub offering connections to over 117 international and 40 domestic destinations.

Türkiye’s largest city and economic powerhouse, Istanbul is a captivating destination offering 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.

Additionally, this destination provides travellers from Southeast Asia a wide range of onward travel options, while giving travellers from Istanbul and beyond seamless access to AirAsia’s network of 130 destinations.

…. 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.Benyamin Ismail, CEO of AirAsia X

He went on to add that:

…. 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, giving our Muslim guests the opportunity to combine their spiritual journey with a visit to one of the world’s most iconic cities.

From Istanbul, travellers can connect seamlessly to destinations across Asia, including Indonesia, Australia, Singapore, China, Thailand and more through our convenient Fly-Thru service, without the need to recheck baggage. Likewise, travellers from Europe and beyond can now access Southeast Asia more easily through the airline’s extensive network.

…. This new additional connection between Kuala Lumpur and Istanbul is a tangible step in strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Malaysia and Türkiye. It will not only boost tourism flows, but also expand business links, foster industry collaboration, and open new pathways for education, innovation and people-to-people engagement.H.E. Emir Salim Yüksel, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Malaysia

The Ambassador also confirmed that Malaysian citizens to Türkiye enjoy up to 90 days visa free entry, while those who do require an eVisa or Visa On Arrival (including Australians) or other visa may apply for this through their official portal. While we are not affiliated with this site, but find it very helpful and up to date when checking if you need a visa. You should always confirm with the official portal after doing this quick check.

Check out the launch