AirAsia X (AAX) will launch service between Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) and London Gatwick (LGW) via Bahrain International Airport (BAH) on June 26, 2026, using Airbus A330-300 aircraft. Outbound Kuala Lumpur departures (D7972) operate at 22:00, with a Bahrain transit before arriving London Gatwick at 07:25+1 local time.
The service launches at four-weekly frequency (operating on days 2, 6, 7 per AeroRoutes schedule filing), increasing to daily from September 16, 2026. A schedule update filed in late May and reported by AeroRoutes revised the launch frequency downward from the originally announced daily — a common pre-launch adjustment. The original announcement, made at a press conference in Bahrain in February 2026, is on the AirAsia X newsroom.
The route marks AirAsia X's first UK service since 2012 and establishes Bahrain as the carrier's first intercontinental hub, enabling Fifth-Freedom revenue on the Bahrain–London sector. Gatwick Airport's media centre confirms the June 26 launch, noting passengers gain onward connectivity to over 130 AirAsia destinations including Jakarta, Manila, Tokyo, and Melbourne.
Aviation Week cites Sabre data showing UK–Malaysia traffic at approximately 492,000 two-way passengers in 2025, with only 33% traveling nonstop — underlining the demand opportunity AirAsia X is targeting.
Sources & references (4)
Things to do at each end of the route
Top-rated tours & experiences in Kuala Lumpur and London.