Expanding horizons: This new partnership will pave the way for more than 100 additional routes over the short and long term. Strengthening the Asia-Europe bridge: AirAsia will increase Istanbul connectivity to seven flights weekly. From Kuala Lumpur to Europe: AirAsia unlocks pathways to Stansted (London), Vnukovo (Moscow), Esenboga (Ankara), Zurich (Switzerland) and Athens (Greece) via Istanbul with special launch fares from just RM799* one-way
For travellers dreaming of European adventures—or Europeans looking to discover more of Asia—getting there is about to become easier.
AirAsia is expanding its international reach through its first-ever codeshare partnership, joining forces with Türkiye’s largest low-cost carrier (LCC), Pegasus Airlines, to create new connections between Southeast Asia and Europe via Istanbul.
The partnership brings together two major low-cost carriers from Asean and Europe, combining AirAsia’s extensive network across Asean and Asia with Pegasus’ broad European network through its Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen hub.
For AirAsia, the collaboration represents another important step toward its ambition of becoming the world’s first low-cost network carrier—making international travel more accessible and affordable while strengthening Kuala Lumpur’s role as a gateway between Asia and the world.
More European Adventures from Kuala Lumpur
The partnership will progressively give travellers access to more than 100 routes between Asia and Europe through the combined AirAsia and Pegasus networks.
The journey begins with five European destinations:
- Stansted (London)
- Vnukovo (Moscow)
- Esenboga (Ankara)
- Zurich, Switzerland
- Athens, Greece
Travellers from Kuala Lumpur can connect through Istanbul to these destinations, opening up more possibilities for city breaks, cultural discoveries, food trips and European adventures.
And this is only the beginning. The initial five destinations lay the groundwork for an even wider European network as the partnership continues to grow.
To make the Asia-Europe journey even more convenient, AirAsia will increase its Kuala Lumpur-Istanbul (KUL-SAW) frequency from four to seven times weekly by February 2027.
AirAsia X first launched its Kuala Lumpur-Istanbul route in November 2025, creating a direct link between Southeast Asia and Istanbul, one of the world’s most important crossroads between Europe and Asia.
A Smoother Way to Travel
One of the biggest advantages of the new codeshare partnership is convenience.
Travellers will be able to book their connecting journey on a single booking, with baggage checked through to their final destination. This means guests will not have to check in again or collect and re-check their bags during their Istanbul connection.
For travellers, it means less time worrying about the logistics—and more time looking forward to the destination.
The expanded connectivity also gives passengers greater flexibility and choice when planning journeys between Asia and Europe, with more possibilities expected as the combined network continues to grow.
From Europe to the Heart of Asia
The partnership works both ways.
Travellers from Europe can fly through Istanbul and onward to Kuala Lumpur, where AirAsia’s extensive Fly-Thru network opens the door to destinations across Asean, Asia and Australia.
From Kuala Lumpur, European visitors can connect to popular destinations in Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, China, Vietnam and more.
That means a European trip no longer has to end in Istanbul or Kuala Lumpur. With AirAsia’s growing network, travellers can continue discovering the beaches, cities, cultures and cuisines of Asia-Pacific through one connected journey.
With the increased Kuala Lumpur-Istanbul frequency, the partnership is set to further strengthen the travel link between Europe and Asia while making some of the region’s most sought-after destinations more accessible to international travellers.
A New Chapter for AirAsia
Bo Lingam, Group CEO of AirAsia Group, said: “As AirAsia’s first-ever codeshare, this partnership marks a meaningful milestone in our 25th year and the next chapter in our evolution from a leading Asean low-cost carrier into a truly global travel network. By connecting our extensive network across Asia with Pegasus’ strong European network from Istanbul, spanning 160 destinations across 56 countries, we are making Europe more accessible to our guests while creating a gateway for European travellers to discover Asean and beyond. This partnership gives travellers more choices, connectivity and opportunities to explore the world at affordable fares, while laying the foundation for even greater connectivity through strategic partnerships in the future.”
Istanbul as the Bridge Between Two Continents
For Pegasus Airlines, the partnership reinforces Istanbul’s role as a natural meeting point between Europe and Asia.
Güliz Öztürk, CEO of Pegasus Airlines, said: “Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen is a natural connecting point between Europe and Asia. That AirAsia’s first-ever codeshare is with Pegasus Airlines is a source of pride: it reflects the network we have built from Istanbul over two decades, and a hub that continues to grow. Our guests can now reach Kuala Lumpur seamlessly and, from there, AirAsia’s network of more than 140 destinations across Asia-Pacific, while travellers from Southeast Asia and beyond gain a gateway into Türkiye and Europe. We will build on this together, developing a more integrated travel ecosystem across both networks and opening up more destinations, simpler journeys and affordable fares for our guests.”
Celebrate the New Connection with Special Fares
To mark the launch of its partnership with Pegasus Airlines, AirAsia is giving travellers another reason to start planning their next adventure with a limited-time promotional fare.
Flights from Kuala Lumpur to the five initial European destinations via Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen are available from:
- RM799* all-in one-way from Kuala Lumpur
- USD199* all-in one-way from Esenboga (Ankara), Vnukovo (Moscow), Athens (Greece), and Zurich (Switzerland)
- USD299* all-in one-way from Stansted (London) to Kuala Lumpur
The promotional fares can be booked through AirAsia MOVE from September 2 to 6, 2026, for travel from today until March 27, 2027.
Whether it is a long-awaited European escape, a cultural journey through Türkiye, or an opportunity for European travellers to discover more of Southeast Asia, the new AirAsia-Pegasus partnership makes the journey itself a little easier—and the world a little more connected.
*Includes passenger service charge, regulatory service charges, fuel surcharges, other applicable fees, and 20kg checked baggage allowance. These flights are operated via a codeshare partnership with Pegasus Airlines. Terms and conditions apply.
**AirAsia Group, formerly known as AirAsia X Berhad.
