A budget airline that halted its UK operations 14 years ago is gearing up to relaunch services with a new route from London-Gatwick, offering an economical option for travel to Asia.
AirAsia X, a Malaysian carrier, originally initiated flights to Kuala Lumpur from London-Stansted in 2009 before shifting to London Gatwick in 2011. This move marked AirAsia X as the first low-cost airline servicing the Kangaroo Route, facilitating long-haul journeys between Australia, Southeast Asia, and Europe.
Following a strategic shift in focus away from unprofitable routes like London, AirAsia X concentrated on its Sydney and Beijing services just a year later.
The airline has now revealed plans to reintroduce flights to London-Gatwick. These new flights will involve a layover in Bahrain in the Middle East to optimize costs. The flights will utilize an Airbus A330-300 aircraft with a capacity of up to 377 passengers, featuring a 2-4-2 seat configuration in economy class.
Originally scheduled for a June launch, the route will now commence four times a week from August 27 due to Middle East conflicts but will transition to daily flights starting November 2.
Departing from Kuala Lumpur at 10 pm, flights will pause in Bahrain for 1 hour and 45 minutes before touching down at London-Gatwick at 6.25 am the next day.
Conversely, London-Gatwick departures at 9.25 am will have a 2-hour layover in Bahrain before reaching Kuala Lumpur at 9.25 am the following day, making the total journey time approximately 16.5 hours, evenly split between the flight segments.
Tickets are now available for booking online via Skyscanner, with November dates priced at £551 for a return trip, inclusive of a small personal item and carry-on bag but excluding checked baggage. Travelers also have the option to book the Bahrain segment separately.
For those seeking a direct flight, British Airways offers daily flights from London-Heathrow to the destination, while Malaysia Airlines operates the same route twice a day, although at potentially higher costs.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s bustling capital, boasts a dynamic cityscape highlighted by the iconic Petronas Twin Towers and the diverse architecture of Merdeka Square. Tourists can explore the nearby Batu Caves housing Hindu temples and a towering statue of a Hindu deity.
Pierre-Hugues Schmit, the CEO of London-Gatwick Airport, expressed enthusiasm over the AirAsia X service, emphasizing the enhanced travel opportunities for passengers visiting Kuala Lumpur and connecting to other destinations within the region.