Travel AirAsia’s Game-Changing Leap: Low-Cost Flights from Southeast Asia to Europe & the US

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of AirAsia.

 

Low-cost international air travel is set for a revolution, as AirAsia has announced plans to connect Southeast Asia with Europe and the United States using long-range, fuel-efficient narrow-body aircraft. The landmark move positions AirAsia to become the world’s first global low-cost network carrier.

 

In a major deal signed in Paris on 4 July, AirAsia entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus for the purchase of 70 A321XLR aircraft, a transaction worth an estimated USD 12.25 billion. Deliveries of the aircraft are scheduled to commence in 2028 and continue through to 2032.

 

Tony Fernandes, AirAsia’s Group Advisor and long-time steward, told journalists during a Zoom briefing that the deal marks the beginning of a new chapter in affordable global travel. “My dream 23 years ago was to allow everyone to come to ASEAN. Now, the dream is for ASEAN to go to the world,” he said.

 

Fernandes explained that AirAsia aims to offer flights between major Southeast Asian cities and destinations in Europe and North America at prices up to 50% cheaper than those of full-service airlines. “The goal here is not to take anyone’s market share,” he said. “It’s to let people fly to places they never dreamt of going.”

 

The A321XLR (Xtra Long Range) is capable of flying for up to nine hours and uses 20% less fuel per seat than current models. This makes it possible to connect hubs like Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok to Europe via stops in the Middle East and to the United States via stops in Taiwan or Japan. “The world is our oyster now,” Fernandes declared.

 

He also noted that the new aircraft will transform regional connectivity from Thailand, with airports such as Phuket and Chiang Mai expected to benefit from direct flights to cities in India and China, boosting both inbound tourism and outbound travel.

 

“We gave people in ASEAN the opportunity to explore Asia. Now we want the world to see ASEAN and ASEAN to see the world,” said Fernandes. He reaffirmed that AirAsia will remain a 100% economy-class airline, sticking to its no-frills, affordable travel model.

 

In a statement released following the announcement, AirAsia said:

 

“The A321XLR will enable AirAsia to serve longer-range, underserved routes more efficiently, including into Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. The new fleet plays a pivotal role in this transformation, matching capacity with demand, reducing fuel consumption, and supporting a sustainable, cost-effective growth model.”

 

AirAsia aims to carry 150 million passengers annually by 2030, reaching a cumulative total of 1.5 billion guests since the airline’s inception.

 

Christian Scherer, CEO of Commercial Aircraft at Airbus, added:

 

“We are pleased to confirm this agreement, as AirAsia Group begins its next development chapter. The A321XLR unlocks new opportunities for AirAsia to launch non-stop flights linking primary and secondary cities all around the globe.”

 

With this bold expansion strategy, AirAsia sets itself apart not only as a pioneer in low-cost regional travel but now also as a leader in affordable intercontinental air transport.

 

The skies between Southeast Asia and the rest of the world are about to get a lot more accessible and a lot more red.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-07-06

 

 

 

[ikke1959]

1 hour ago, Georgealbert said:

flying for up to nine hours and uses 20% less fuel per seat than current models.

Eva air has a direct flight to The Netherlands that is about 11 hours... With 9 hours fuel we are supposed to walk the rest of flight????

[henryford1958]

So i only have to wait 7 years !

[Upnotover]

6 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

Eva air has a direct flight to The Netherlands that is about 11 hours... With 9 hours fuel we are supposed to walk the rest of flight????

Take a look at the map provided, or even read the story, all will become clear.

[Cuchulainn]

31 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

Eva air has a direct flight to The Netherlands that is about 11 hours... With 9 hours fuel we are supposed to walk the rest of flight????

Refuel in the Middle East, if you bothered to look at the map.

[gargamon]

Oops, airasia won't be able to screw people as much with luggage fees if the upcoming rules go into effect in the EU.

------

EU hand luggage is about to get less confusing

European lawmakers have voted to get rid of tricksy, confusing airline carry-on fees and promote standardization across the industry.

The proposal still requires approval from EU member states but, if adopted, travelers could soon be guaranteed a lot more free hand luggage than is currently standard on the region’s budget airlines.

Right now, low-cost carriers including EasyJet and Ryanair allow passengers one free bag that must fit under the seat in front.

However, with no standardized dimensions across airlines, travelers have often been caught unawares with incorrectly sized bags when switching between carriers.

The new rule would allow passengers to bring one cabin bag measuring up to 100 centimeters (about 40 inches) and weighing up to seven kilos (15.4 pounds), plus an under-the-seat personal item with maximum dimensions of 40 x 30 x 15 centimeters. (That’s about the size of a small backpack.)

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/05/travel/travel-news-europe-hand-luggage-rules

[StayinThailand2much]

Thanks, but I'd rather walk, based on my experience with AirAsia since 2019...

 

2019: booked a flight to NZ, just to have it cancelled shortly before travelling, as they suddenly decided not to fly to Auckland anymore, so I had to buy an expensive flight last-minute with another airline.

 

2019-20: booked a few flights to Australia for 2020, but then came COVID-19. All flights cancelled, no refunds, but only useless vouchers, which their own booking system does not accept! (Still owes me almost 11,000 baht!)

 

2022: Tried to book a flight on their website, but not possible, as payment with my card didn't work, but, instead the website kept loading endlessly.

 

2025: Due to my employer setting a low limit for a refundable flight to Bangkok, I booked a one-way flight (via a trustworthy app as an agent), only to have it moved by AirAsia by 10 hours(!) from evening back to morning of the same day, forcing me to ask my boss for a day off.

 

 

By the way, their map is just laughable! Not only are the flight routes there from SEA/Oceania via the South Pacific to the Americas, but also, supposedly, via both, the South Atlantic, and the Southern Indian Ocean! 

[JAG]

Air Asia used to fly London (Stansted) to Kuala Lumpur nonstop. I think they used one of those 4 engined Airbus things.

 

Did it a couple of times - it was OK!

 

Then there was the absolute dozen of low cost long distance flights from S E Asia: Phuket Air with their ancient 747s lurching into Gatwick! Poo Air used to stop in the Middle East for fuel. Pretty flight attendants too, if you liked your pretty girls looking a bit scared!

[save the frogs]

Yeah, but not before 2030?

 

 

[Spilornis]

3 hours ago, henryford1958 said:

So i only have to wait 7 years !

If not more

Both manufacturers have full order books for around the next 13 years.

Many of the buyers in the queue are leasing companies. Will be interesting to know of they have committed lessees or will they lease to the highest bidder.

There's always the Chinese plane but it will be ten years at least before it makes an impact outside China.

Then there's the issue of ten hour plus flights using single aisle planes in an LCC seating set up. Squeezy to say the least.

Indian airlines particularly IndiGo have big orders on these planes which will dramatically change Indian air travel.

[Lingba]

this airline is a joke

[ikke1959]

9 hours ago, Upnotover said:

Take a look at the map provided, or even read the story, all will become clear.

Difficult to understand a joke?

[ikke1959]

8 hours ago, Cuchulainn said:

Refuel in the Middle East, if you bothered to look at the map.

So serious you don't appreciate a joke??

[Yellowtail]

I've flown Air Asia a few times, and liked it okay. 

 

I also like the idea of people having to pay extra for their giant effin carry-ons. 

[DrJack54]

7 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

2019-20: booked a few flights to Australia for 2020, but then came COVID-19. All flights cancelled, no refunds, but only useless vouchers, which their own booking system does not accept! (Still owes me almost 11,000 baht!)

Just by way of a balanced review.. I had opposite experience. 

Back pre covid I was avid flyer/traveller. (late starter) 

As a result I would book a whole year of flights in the main with AirAsia and Jetstar. 

I had SOOOO many pre booked and paid flights with AA when covid hit. 

I swapped for credits for future flights zero issue. 

Jetstar on the other hand a disaster. 

Lost money. 

NZ is a mino country. What population 5m ? 

The route was cancelled. Not surprising

[Upnotover]

46 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

Difficult to understand a joke?

Don't give up your day job.

[scorecard]

I flew Chiang Mai direct to KL to Sydney about 5 years ago.

 

Aircraft was different in that it was in zones:

 

- Economy

- Premium economy

- Quite zone

- No kids zone

 

All wprked well.

 

I was using a wheelchair, snr AirAsia lady at CM airport spotted me and five minutes late I was at a different check-in point and all checked in. She had called a young support staff member, a CM uni engineering student, very polite and pleasant, he was focused, he spoke English. He put me in an Airsia wheelchair.

 

He spoke to my Thai son and me and asked my Thai adult son if I wanted to do any shopping or go direct to the aircraft. I voted for go to the aircraft.

 

He took me to the aircraft door and then to my seat and ensured the cabin crew staff were well aware.

 

He took a new water bottle from his back pack, broke the seal and put the bootle on the side of the aircraft seat then gave me an AirAsia bag with several snacks.

 

He checked if I needed anythng more. I said I'm not sure what happens on arrival at KL. Response 'let me check', he called his supervisor and got some answers and relayed them to me.

 

On arrval at their KL centre an attendant waiting with another AA wheelchair, took me to the AA lounge, pleasant staff, great coffee, good sandwiches. They asked if I wanted to buy additioanal packed meals / sandwiches, which I did.

 

Evening flight, several times the crew checked i was comfortable, breakfast was great, good coffee.

 

On srrival at Sydney International 2 AA staff slid through the aircarft door as soon as it was opened and found me. They politely explained the procedure. They got a call to inform them another staff member was outside the aircraft door (in the air bridge area) unpacking my wheelchair. 

 

Ten minutes later the 2 support staff had me at passport, all pocessed quickly (no stamp) one girl had taken a photo of my boaring pass, 2 minutes after passport she was waiting wth my 2 suitcases.

 

They then mentioned the flight had landed quite early, then asked what transport plan I had (if any) to get to  my final destination.

 

I had a phone number of the car driver, they called and the driver said I'm going to be 10 minutes late bad accident. AA staff then took me to a coffee shop in the airport and we had coffee and snacks.

 

Both of these girls gave me their mobile numbers and said 'if any problems ask the car driver to call us'.

 

This was obviosly well organized and it worked well.

 

I would certainly recommend AA.

[angryguy]

Their app worked better in 2016 than now. Its obvious theyve been regressing

[ricklev]

Billions of dollars for planes, not one penny for customer service!

[daveAustin]

12 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Eva air has a direct flight to The Netherlands that is about 11 hours... With 9 hours fuel we are supposed to walk the rest of flight????

Well I found it amusing at least. All the thumbs down are probably those with sense of humour deficit.  

 

Though have only had positive experiences with AA, domestically, don’t think I’d chance them long-haul. There’ll be all that kerfuffle with extras, meals, bags, seats yada yada yada, then mincing around in the Middle East. Just to save a few pennies. It’d have to be significant, like 40-50% less, for me to not go direct with full service airlines. 

[NanLaew]

12 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Eva air has a direct flight to The Netherlands that is about 11 hours... With 9 hours fuel we are supposed to walk the rest of flight????

 

No. You're supposed to stop in the middle-east and top up.

 

It's not like F1.

[daveAustin]

13 minutes ago, angryguy said:

Their app worked better in 2016 than now. Its obvious theyve been regressing

It’s rubbish. Best off using browser and booking through agoda. 

[NanLaew]

9 hours ago, Spilornis said:

Indian airlines particularly IndiGo have big orders on these planes which will dramatically change Indian air travel.

 

IndiGo just commenced their 3-times weekly non-stops Mumbai - Manchester. Using a 787-9 Dreamliner, just like Norse Air will be using on their weekly Manchester - Bangkok non-stop starting in November.

 

Now, if only the Indian authorities would dispense with their nonsense procedure for getting an e-Visa, and make transiting a nicer experience, they could open up an alternative South Asian hub.

[NanLaew]

11 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

By the way, their map is just laughable! Not only are the flight routes there from SEA/Oceania via the South Pacific to the Americas, but also, supposedly, via both, the South Atlantic, and the Southern Indian Ocean! 

 

Admit it, you were rubbish at geography in school.

 

(still are)

[Nick Carter icp]

10 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Now, if only the Indian authorities would dispense with their nonsense procedure for getting an e-Visa, and make transiting a nicer experience, they could open up an alternative South Asian hub.

 

   Don't need any visa for India if just transiting through .

Only need an India visa if taking an internal flight for a connection 

[NanLaew]

17 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Don't need any visa for India if just transiting through .

Only need an India visa if taking an internal flight for a connection 

 

Good to know. What's the transit experience at Mumbai? It looks like T1 and T2 aren't interconnected inside the airport, a bit like KUL when AirAsia were across the tarmac in the old cargo terminal, before they built KLIA2 and somewhat better interconnectivity. Also, looks like maybe there's a mix of international/domestic at both terminals at Mumbai, depending on the carrier?

 

Maybe not a stressless transit experience just yet.

[Nick Carter icp]

4 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

Good to know. What's the transit experience at Mumbai? It looks like T1 and T2 aren't interconnected inside the airport, a bit like KUL when AirAsia were across the tarmac in the old cargo terminal, before they built KLIA2 and somewhat better interconnectivity. Also, looks like maybe there's a mix of international/domestic at both terminals at Mumbai, depending on the carrier?

 

Maybe not a stressless transit experience just yet.

 

   Some flights from London to BKK arrive in Mumbai and depart from Bombay and you need an India visa to make the connecting flight from Mumbai to Bombay .

   I was on the same flight as someone  who get refused boarding because they didn't have an India visa for the internal connecting flight 

[chickenslegs]

14 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Some flights from London to BKK arrive in Mumbai and depart from Bombay and you need an India visa to make the connecting flight from Mumbai to Bombay .

   I was on the same flight as someone  who get refused boarding because they didn't have an India visa for the internal connecting flight 

I learned something new today. I always thought that Mumbai and Bombay were the same city.

[Yagoda]

4 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

I've flown Air Asia a few times, and liked it okay. 

 

I also like the idea of people having to pay extra for their giant effin carry-ons. 

Yeah I have about 10 flights in the past two years. I get hit with overweight once in a while so it sucks to be me. Fast Boarding, nice staff, smooth flights.

[FlorC]

Refuel in Middle East , that means getting out the plane and waiting.

50 % less , but extra's for luggage and food .

Only pro is that they fly with new airbus planes.

The mid East airlines mostly with yukky Boeing.

 

Let's stop that war so that I can fly via Moskou again.

Better than via mid East and hotter stewardesses.