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


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Posted

 

image.jpeg

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.

 

 

image.png  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-07-06

 

 

image.png

 

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Posted
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????

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Posted

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!

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Posted
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.

Posted
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. 

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Posted
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.

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Posted
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. 

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Posted
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.

Posted
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)

Posted
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 

Posted
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.

Posted
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 

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Posted
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.

Posted

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.

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