KEY POINTS
- AirAsia X will resume its long-haul service between London Gatwick and Kuala Lumpur starting June 26, 2026.
- The low-cost carrier will operate the route via a new strategic hub in Bahrain to bridge Europe and Southeast Asia.
- Daily flights will utilize the Airbus A330-300 aircraft, marking the airline’s return to the UK after a 14-year hiatus.
Budget travelers have a new reason to celebrate as AirAsia X officially marks its return to the European market. The Malaysian long-haul carrier announced it will relaunch flights between Kuala Lumpur and London Gatwick starting in June 2026. This move ends a long absence from the United Kingdom, as the airline last operated direct flights to London in 2012.
The revived service features a significant structural change compared to previous operations. Instead of a non-stop journey, the airline will fly via Bahrain International Airport. This Gulf nation will serve as the first strategic hub for AirAsia X outside of Asia. The stopover allows the airline to use its Airbus A330-300 fleet, which lacks the range for a direct flight to the UK.
Company officials describe the move as a defining step for the airline’s global expansion. By establishing a base in Bahrain, the carrier can more effectively connect passengers from Australia and Southeast Asia to Europe and Africa. The hub model is designed to optimize costs while providing travelers with more flexible connection options across three continents.
Flights are scheduled to operate daily, departing Kuala Lumpur in the late evening. Following a brief transit in Bahrain of approximately 90 minutes, the aircraft will continue to London Gatwick. The return leg will follow a similar pattern, departing London in the morning and arriving in Malaysia the following day. This rotation ensures high aircraft utilization and competitive ticket pricing.
The relaunch comes at a time of increased competition at London Gatwick, which has welcomed several new international carriers this year. For many British-Malaysian families and holidaymakers, the daily service provides a much-needed affordable alternative to full-service legacy airlines. Promotional fares for the new route are expected to drive high demand during the summer travel season.
Looking ahead, the airline plans to scale its operations in Bahrain significantly. Executives envision the hub eventually supporting over 25 daily flights to various global destinations by the end of the decade. This expansion highlights the growing trend of low-cost carriers using secondary hubs to conquer the challenges of long-distance air travel.
