Long-haul travel from Southeast Asia to Europe and the Gulf is about to get significantly cheaper. AirAsia X has confirmed the launch of new ultra-low-fare services linking Kuala Lumpur with Bahrain and onward to London Gatwick from June 2026, with promotional one-way fares starting from as little as Dh190. For budget-conscious travellers, students, families and diaspora communities who regularly criss-cross these regions, the new routes promise fresh competition on some of the world’s busiest corridors and a rare opportunity to lock in Europe and Middle East trips at prices more commonly associated with regional hops.

What AirAsia X Has Announced for 2026

In a press briefing in Manama on 11 February 2026, AirAsia X unveiled a new daily service from Kuala Lumpur to Bahrain and onwards to London Gatwick. The flights are scheduled to commence on 26 June 2026, positioning Bahrain as the airline’s first global hub outside Asia and its primary springboard into the European market. The move marks AirAsia X’s full-scale return to the United Kingdom after it pulled out of London services in 2012 amid high costs and weak demand at the time.

The route will operate Kuala Lumpur–Bahrain–London Gatwick using Airbus A330 aircraft, with passengers able to book either a direct sector between Kuala Lumpur and Bahrain, or continue on the same flight number through to London after a short transit in Manama. AirAsia X describes the arrangement as a key step in its evolution from a largely Asia Pacific player into a truly global low-cost carrier linking Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Australia in one consolidated network.

For London Gatwick, the arrival of AirAsia X is part of a broader long-haul expansion in 2026, with the airport confirming that the airline will be one of eight new carriers joining its line-up this year. The new service will add another Asian connection to Gatwick’s growing long-haul portfolio and give UK travellers a budget option to reach not only Malaysia but also a wide web of onward destinations across ASEAN and the wider Asia Pacific region.

Prices From Dh190: How the Promotional Fares Work

The headline-grabbing figure for travellers is the starting price. AirAsia X has launched introductory one-way promotional fares from Kuala Lumpur to Bahrain and London that begin at RM99 and RM199 respectively, all-in. Based on prevailing exchange rates cited by regional media, the RM199 London fare equates to roughly Dh190, putting a one-way long-haul ticket to Europe in the same price band as many intra-regional economy flights.

These launch fares are strictly limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. They include core charges such as passenger service fees, regulatory taxes and fuel surcharges, but as with most low-cost models, travellers should expect to pay extra for optional add-ons like checked baggage, assigned seating, in-flight meals and other ancillary services. Once the initial promotional inventory sells out, subsequent one-way fares are set to start from RM299 for Kuala Lumpur–Bahrain and RM399 for Kuala Lumpur–London, still aggressively priced compared with legacy full-service carriers on similar sectors.

From the Bahrain side, AirAsia X is also advertising special promotional fares denominated in Bahraini dinar for flights to both Kuala Lumpur and London. This makes the Bahrain–London leg, operated as a fifth-freedom sector, another potential bargain for Middle East-based travellers looking for low-cost options to the UK, and for Europeans eyeing an affordable entry point into the Gulf and onward to Southeast Asia.

Schedules, Frequencies and What to Expect on Board

The Kuala Lumpur–Bahrain–London Gatwick service is planned as a daily operation, giving travellers consistent options throughout the week. According to timings shared by the airline and regional aviation outlets, flights are scheduled to depart Kuala Lumpur at 10:00 p.m. local time, reaching Bahrain in the early hours around 12:40 a.m. After a brief transit at Bahrain International Airport, the aircraft will continue on to London Gatwick, arriving in the morning. The return leg from London is set to leave at 10:25 a.m., connecting through Bahrain and arriving back in Kuala Lumpur at around 9:55 a.m. the following day.

All sectors will be flown by AirAsia X’s Airbus A330 fleet, configured in a two-cabin layout: a standard economy cabin and the carrier’s signature Premium Flatbed section at the front of the aircraft. While economy seats follow a classic low-cost model with high-density seating, unbundled services and the option to pay for extras, the Premium Flatbed product offers a more spacious seat that converts into a lie-flat bed, enhanced legroom, priority services and upgraded in-flight comforts.

Introductory promotional fares for Premium Flatbed between Kuala Lumpur, Bahrain and London start from around RM2,999 one-way, all-in, offering a relatively accessible upgrade path for travellers who value rest and privacy on overnight or ultra-long journeys. Even at standard, non-promotional levels, these premium fares are likely to undercut traditional business-class tickets on many competing full-service airlines, particularly on the Europe–Asia axis where corporate-focussed carriers often price at a significant premium.

Why Bahrain Matters in AirAsia X’s Global Strategy

The choice of Bahrain as the intermediate stop and strategic hub is not incidental. In late 2025, AirAsia’s parent group signed a letter of intent with Bahrain’s Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications to develop the kingdom as its primary Middle East base. The new Kuala Lumpur–Bahrain–London service is the first tangible result of that agreement, and it formally establishes Bahrain as AirAsia X’s inaugural global hub connecting Asia to Europe and, in time, potentially to Africa.

Bahrain sits at a geographically advantageous crossroads between Southeast Asia, the broader Middle East and Europe. By routing its Europe-bound flights through Manama, AirAsia X can tap into regional passenger flows in both directions while optimising aircraft utilisation and operating costs. The arrangement also dovetails with Bahrain’s own ambitions to position itself as a competitive aviation and logistics centre in the Gulf, complementing existing mega-hubs in neighbouring states but carving out a niche focused on value-driven, high-growth markets.

For travellers, Bahrain’s hub role will be most visible in the form of convenient connection windows, streamlined transit processes and the possibility of combining stopovers in the Gulf with longer trips to or from Asia and Europe. As AirAsia X builds out additional routes to Bahrain from other Asian and Australasian cities, the network effect should intensify, with more one-stop combinations becoming available for itineraries that might previously have required two or three separate tickets across different alliances.

Connecting Kuala Lumpur, London, Bahrain and Beyond

Although the headline route runs between Kuala Lumpur, Bahrain and London, the implications for connectivity go much further. Kuala Lumpur remains AirAsia X’s main gateway, feeding more than 90 destinations across Asia through the broader AirAsia network. From the Malaysian capital, travellers can already access cities in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, India, Japan, South Korea, China and Australia on a mix of short- and medium-haul services operated by AirAsia and its affiliates.

With the introduction of the Bahrain and London sectors, many of these existing routes suddenly acquire a new long-haul extension at a low cost. A traveller from Jakarta, for example, could potentially fly to Kuala Lumpur on an AirAsia short-haul service, then connect onto the overnight Kuala Lumpur–Bahrain–London flight on a single booking. Similarly, someone based in Melbourne or Sydney could fly to Kuala Lumpur and then continue through Bahrain to London, using AirAsia X as a budget alternative to one-stop services via the Gulf or Southeast Asian mega-hubs operated by full-service competitors.

On the European and Middle Eastern side, the fifth-freedom Bahrain–London sector opens a two-way budget bridge between the Gulf and the UK. Residents of Bahrain and neighbouring countries gain a new low-cost option for reaching London for business, study or leisure, while UK-based travellers are presented with a competitively priced gateway into the Gulf with seamless onward connections to Southeast Asia. As the network matures, more complex itineraries, such as London–Bahrain–Kuala Lumpur–Tokyo or London–Bahrain–Kuala Lumpur–Bali, could become commonplace among budget-savvy flyers.

How and When to Book to Maximise the Savings

For travellers eager to capitalise on the Dh190-style headline fares, timing will be critical. AirAsia X has opened bookings for the new routes for a defined promotional window running from mid February 2026 up to 22 February 2026. Travel under these introductory fares is permitted between 26 June, the planned launch date of the service, and 30 November 2026, covering the busy northern summer holiday season, much of the autumn shoulder period and the early stages of the year-end travel rush.

Because the cheapest seats are released in limited quantities on a first-come, first-served basis, booking as early as possible within the promotional period is essential. Prospective passengers should be prepared with flexible date options, as the very lowest fares are likely to be tied to specific days of the week and may sell out quickly on peak travel dates such as school holidays, national celebrations or major events in London, Kuala Lumpur or the Gulf.

Even after the initial promotion ends, travellers can still find value by watching for periodic sales, midweek departures and shoulder-season travel dates. As with most low-cost carriers, AirAsia X tends to reward early planners with lower base fares, while late bookers and peak-season travellers will pay more. However, the airline’s overall pricing structure is designed to undercut many traditional airlines on similar routes, so substantial savings should remain available compared with legacy carriers even outside major promotions.

What This Means for Budget Travellers Between Asia, the Middle East and Europe

The launch of these new routes has broader implications for travellers and the long-haul market. By injecting a new wave of ultra-low-cost capacity into the Kuala Lumpur–Bahrain–London corridor, AirAsia X is set to intensify price competition on routes that have historically been dominated by full-service carriers and established Gulf super-connectors. The presence of an aggressively priced alternative may put downward pressure on some competing fares or at least prompt rivals to sharpen their promotional offers at key travel periods.

For students, migrant workers, and families separated between Southeast Asia, the Gulf states and the UK, the lower price point could make more frequent visits viable. Diaspora communities in London and across Britain with roots in Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, India and other parts of Asia may find it easier to plan regular trips home or invite relatives for extended stays. At the same time, European tourists curious about Southeast Asia but previously deterred by high long-haul ticket prices may now see destinations like Kuala Lumpur, Bali, Phuket or Hanoi as more attainable.

There are trade-offs to consider. Low-cost long-haul travel typically comes with a more stripped-back onboard experience, limited inclusions and tighter seating compared with full-service carriers. Travellers must factor in the cost of extras and be realistic about comfort levels on overnight flights. However, for many passengers, the ability to reach London, Bahrain and Kuala Lumpur on a budget outweighs these compromises, particularly when the alternative is not travelling at all or delaying big trips for years.

Looking Ahead: Expansion Potential Beyond 2026

The Kuala Lumpur–Bahrain–London launch is widely seen as a testbed for AirAsia X’s wider global ambitions. Executives at the airline and its parent group have signalled that establishing Bahrain as a strategic hub is only the first step in a broader push to link more Asian, Middle Eastern, European and Australasian cities through a network of cost-efficient, hub-and-spoke routes. As fleet upgrades continue and additional aircraft join the A330 lineup, new destinations could be added to the map from both Kuala Lumpur and Bahrain.

For travellers, this raises the prospect of more low-cost links between secondary or under-served cities that previously lacked affordable long-haul options. Future additions might include further European destinations reachable via Bahrain, new points in the Gulf and Levant, or extended services deeper into Australia and North Asia, all feeding into the same core network. Each incremental route can sharpen competition in its local market and broaden the range of itineraries available to budget-conscious flyers.

In the meantime, the focus for 2026 will be on the smooth rollout of the Kuala Lumpur–Bahrain–London service, the performance of the Dh190-style promotional fares and the response from travellers across the regions it connects. If early demand is strong and operational reliability is maintained, AirAsia X’s bet on Bahrain as a global hub could reshape how many passengers think about flying between Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe, making long-haul journeys that once felt aspirational suddenly feel within reach.