A budget airline that halted its UK operations more than a decade ago is gearing up to recommence services with a fresh route from London-Gatwick, offering an economical way to travel to Asia.
AirAsia X, a Malaysian carrier, initially launched flights to Kuala Lumpur from London-Stansted in 2009 before relocating the service to London Gatwick in 2011. This move marked it as the first low-cost airline servicing the Kangaroo Route, which links long-haul flights between Australia, Southeast Asia, and Europe.
However, just a year later, AirAsia X exited unprofitable routes, including those in London, shifting its focus to Sydney and Beijing.
The airline has now declared its intention to reintroduce flights to London-Gatwick. The new flights will include a stopover in Bahrain in the Middle East to reduce costs. Operating on an Airbus A330-300 aircraft with a capacity of up to 377 passengers, the economy class typically follows a 2-4-2 seating configuration.
Originally scheduled to start in June, the route will now commence four times a week from August 27 due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, with daily services available from November 2.
Traveling from Kuala Lumpur to the UK, flights will depart at 10 pm, making a brief stop in Bahrain for 1 hour and 45 minutes before reaching London-Gatwick at 6.25 am the following day.
Conversely, London-Gatwick departures are set for 9.25 am with a two-hour layover in Bahrain before continuing to Kuala Lumpur, landing at 9.25 am the next day. The total journey time is approximately 16.5 hours, evenly split between the two flight legs.
Tickets are now open for booking via Skyscanner, with November dates priced at £551 return, inclusive of a small personal item and carry-on bag but excluding checked luggage. Passengers can also opt for the Bahrain leg only if desired.
For those preferring non-stop flights, British Airways offers daily service from London-Heathrow to the city, while Malaysia Airlines operates the same route twice daily, albeit at potentially higher costs.
Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, is a bustling city with a range of attractions. From the iconic Petronas Twin Towers to the diverse architecture at Merdeka Square and the spiritual ambiance of Batu Caves, the city offers diverse experiences for visitors.
Pierre-Hugues Schmit, the CEO of London-Gatwick airport, expressed enthusiasm about the return of AirAsia X, highlighting the enhanced travel options for passengers to Kuala Lumpur and beyond.
