AirAsia X Brings Back Direct Flights Between Kuala Lumpur and Busan on the Airbus A330-300

AirAsia X (D7) has formally announced the resumption of direct flights between Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL), Malaysia and Gimhae International Airport (PUS), Busan, South Korea. This scheduled relaunch is set for 17 June 2026, with a four-times-weekly frequency, marking a vital step in AAX’s long-haul network expansion into North Asia, its fastest-growing market.

The reinstated Kuala Lumpur–Busan service not only reaffirms D7 as the sole Malaysian carrier offering nonstop connectivity on this route but also aligns with Malaysia’s Visit Malaysia 2026 tourism campaign. The route’s return is designed to expand inbound and outbound travel demand and strengthen bilateral tourism and economic ties between Malaysia and South Korea.

AirAsia X

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AirAsiaX’s Route Resumption Details: Kuala Lumpur to Busan Flights

AAX has scheduled four weekly departures on the Kuala Lumpur–Busan sector, with flights operating on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The service will be conducted using Airbus A330-300 aircraft, providing both Economy and Premium Flatbed class products.

This reinstated service represents Busan as AAX’s 21st global destination and its second location in South Korea after Seoul, reinforcing the carrier’s strategic emphasis on expanding access to North Asia.

Benyamin Ismail, CEO of AirAsia X, was buoyant with the introduction of the route:

“We’re thrilled to bring back this beloved route and proud to be the only airline in Malaysia operating direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Busan, a city of many wonders. AirAsia X’s focus has always been on making long-haul travel more accessible and resuming this route reflects our disciplined approach to growing our network whilst enabling more travellers to enjoy new travel experiences and adventures”.

AirAsiaX’s Kuala Lumpur–Busan: Flight Schedule

Route	Flight Number	Departure Time	Arrival Time	Frequency
Kuala Lumpur – Busan	D7 630	02:20	09:45	Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday
Busan – Kuala Lumpur	D7 631	11:00	16:30	Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday

Here’s a bit of detail about the fares:

• Economy Class: Promotional all-in one-way fares starting from RM299, available for bookings made until 18 January 2026 for travel between 17 June and 30 November 2026.

• Premium Flatbed: Promotional all-in one-way fares starting from RM999, valid for bookings until 18 January 2026 for travel between 17 June and 30 November 2026.

Why Busan matters to AirAsia X and Malaysia tourism

Busan, South Korea’s second-largest city after Seoul, is a distinctive coastal metropolis noted for:

• Pristine beaches such as Haeundae and Gwangalli.
• Cultural landmarks including Jagalchi Fish Market and Gamcheon Culture Village.
• Natural attractions with scenic mountains and festival culture.
• Strategic appeal for both leisure and business travellers.

The relaunch dovetails with Visit Malaysia 2026, a national tourism initiative designed to attract global visitors and stimulate economic activity. Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, emphasized that by organizing VM2026, the nation that will forever be associated with the disappearance of Malaysian Airlines MH370 was “sending a clear message to the world that we are ready to welcome travellers with open arms and open hearts“:

“We want every visitor to experience more than just a destination; we want them to gain a deeper understanding of who we are as a nation—diverse, dynamic, and deeply rooted in tradition with hospitality.”

The words of Seri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, echoed something similar:

“A key focus of VM2026 is our strong commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism. By enhancing ecotourism offerings and protecting our natural assets such as, rainforests, marine parks, and national heritages—we aim to preserve Malaysia’s cultural identity while providing meaningful economic opportunities for local communities.”

Here are some numbers that indicate the significance of Visit Malaysia 2026:

Metric	Value	Comparison / Notes
Period covered	January–July 2025	—
International visitor arrivals	24.5 million	Total inbound visitors
Growth vs. January–July 2024	+16.8%	Year-on-year increase
Growth vs. pre-pandemic 2019	+16.0%	Recovery beyond 2019 levels
Strategic implication	Strengthened regional travel hub	Supports long-term aviation and tourism growth
Visit Malaysia 2026 target	47 million visitors	National tourism objective

Which Aircraft is AirAsiaX Deploying on the Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia Route

Data from planespotters.net reveals that AirAsiaX’s A330s average 14 years. Let’s look at the details of these aircraft:

Registration	Cabin Configuration	Delivery / Entry into Service	Aircraft Age
9M-XBE	Y367	Nov 2018	19.5 years
9M-XBF	C18W24Y267	Oct 2022	12.2 years
9M-XBG	C18W24Y267	Dec 2022	12.3 years
9M-XBH	C30Y255	Apr 2023	10.8 years
9M-XBI	C30Y255	Aug 2023	10.7 years
9M-XXC	C12Y365	Sep 2009	16.3 years
9M-XXD	C12Y365	Nov 2009	16.2 years
9M-XXE	C12Y365	Dec 2009	16.2 years
9M-XXF	C12Y365	Jul 2010	15.7 years
9M-XXG	C12Y365	Sep 2010	15.6 years
9M-XXJ	C12Y365	Dec 2022	12.7 years
9M-XXK	C12Y365	Mar 2023	12.6 years
9M-XXQ	C12Y365	Nov 2020	20.1 years
9M-XXR	C12Y365	Nov 2020	20.9 years
9M-XXU	C12Y365	Nov 2014	11.2 years
9M-XXV	C12Y365	Apr 2023	11.1 years
9M-XXW	C12Y365	Dec 2023	11.0 years
9M-XXY	C12Y365	Mar 2025	11.0 years
9M-XXZ	C12Y365	Apr 2015	10.7 years

Here’s how the carrier has configured this aircraft type, as detailed by Seat Maps: 

• Business Class: Offers 12 fully flat seats with a 59-inch pitch and 19-inch width, reclining to 180 degrees into a lie-flat bed, supported by enhanced dining, contemporary inflight entertainment, and personalized long-haul service.

• Economy Class: Configured with 365 seats featuring a 30–31-inch pitch and 16.5-inch width, with up to 3 inches of recline, delivering a balanced long-haul economy experience through ergonomic seating, modern cabin design, and consistent onboard service.

Conclusion

AirAsia X’s resumption of direct flights between Kuala Lumpur (KUL) and Busan (PUS) reinforces the expansion of the airline’s North Asia footprint, supports Malaysia’s flagship tourism campaign, and enhances connectivity between two significant Asian economic regions.

There a number of other airlines that offer a one-stop flight on this route though. These include the following:

Airline	Stopover Airport	Aircraft Used	Total Travel Time
Shanghai Airlines	Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)	Boeing 737	8h 45m
Vietnam Airlines	Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), Hanoi	Airbus A321 / Boeing 787	9h 00m
Vietnam Airlines	Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), Ho Chi Minh City	Airbus A321 / Boeing 787	10h 20m
Air China	Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)	Airbus A330-300 / Boeing 737-800	10h 25m
Korean Air	Incheon International Airport (ICN)	Airbus A330-300 / Airbus A220-300	10h 40m
Singapore Airlines	Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)	Airbus A350-900 / Boeing 737-8 (MAX)	9h 15m