New flight routes open and change all the time across South and Southeast Asia.
Some can make itineraries harder (for example a direct route changing to an indirect route) but most open up new avenues and adventures that make connecting different countries and cities much easier.
We won’t mention them all as flight routes are a constantly changing beast.
However, we will detail our favourite new flight routes and key points about flights to South and Southeast Asia – those that can make a positive impact on your holiday possibilities.
A good option for those adventurous souls wanting to explore the north of the country with a rich history and dramatic landscapes (like the Viengxay Caves).
RECENT November 2024
Etihad set to launch 10 new flight routes in 2025
Etihad will add 10 new destinations to its offering next year. Here at ETG, we’ve got our eyes firmly on Southeast Asia. Top of the list? Thailand’s Chiang Mai and Krabi.
These routes are absolute game-changers, opening up a seamless north-to-south adventure (via our favourite Golidlicks island, Koh Lanta!).
September 2024
Direct flights to Jaffna, Sri Lanka from Chennai, India with IndiGo
IndiGo will launch direct flights from Chennai, Tamil Nadu to Jaffna, in the northern tip of Sri Lanka.
Operating daily, this new route opens up various interesting itineraries combining India and Sri Lanka so we’re very excited about it.
September 2024
Direct flights to Labuan Bajo, Indonesia from Kuala Lumpar, Malaysia with AirAsia
AirAsia will launch direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Operating thrice weekly, this new route makes visiting the gateway to Komodo National Park easier.
August 2024
Direct flights to the Andaman Islands with AirAsia’s New Kuala Lumpur-Port Blair Route
Starting 16th November 2024, AirAsia will launch direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Port Blair in the Andaman Islands, making it the first airline to connect this Indian beach paradise with ASEAN countries.
Operating thrice weekly, this new route opens up exciting possibilities for travellers looking to explore the pristine waters and rich marine life of the Andamans.
We’re thrilled about this development, as it makes reaching one of India’s most stunning off-the-beaten-path destinations easier than ever.
With less time spent in transit, travellers can fully immerse themselves in the unique experiences that Port Blair and the surrounding islands have to offer.
June 2023
Direct flights to Vietnam from London Heathrow to Resume
Vietnam Airlines are now offering daily direct flights from Heathrow to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. As of July, the frequency of flights will increase from three to five flights a week.
January 2023
Direct flights to Goa and Kerala as part of Air India’s Gatwick debut this spring
From 26th March 2023, Air India will operate from Gatwick Airport for the first time, with Twelve flights a week to four destinations.
We’re delighted as these direct flights open up the possibility of some intriguing southern Indian itineraries with a direct connection to Gatwick. The less time and faff people spend flying, the easier it is to enjoy some immersive, off-the-beaten track experiences in India.
April 2022
Flying to, in, and from Asia is getting easier
As Asia really started to open back up in March, airlines are now following suit. Here are our favorite developments over the last few months:
- Vietnam Airlines are now flying direct from Heathrow to Vietnam a few times a week.
- With Thai Airways you can now connect via Bangkok to Luang Prabang – lovely Laos is accessible again!
- Air India has also launched direct flights from Heathrow to Cochin, the first time there have been direct flights into Kerala. There might be three UK carriers servicing India soon as well AND Jet Airways is on its way back.
- Air Asia has expanded its network closer to pre-pandemic levels with links between Malaysia, Thailand, and India
- You can fly Singapore to Da Nang again which opens up great summer holidays to and around Hoi An!
- Malaysia Airlines will have two daily flights from London to Kuala Lumpur from July in time for summer wildlife holidays to Borneo.
BUT…
British Airways have decided not to return to Bangkok till at least 2023, thus missing the key leisure travel season from October-March.
It’s due to various factors, two of them being they have a shortage of long haul planes and that Bangkok is not a particularly strong Business travel route at the moment. A shame, but watch this space for another airline to fill the gap along with Thai Airways and Eva Air.
March 2022
Will airfares rise?
As events around the world affect supply chains and economies, will the price of jet fuel increase and be passed onto leisure travelers?
Feb 2022
A new airport opens in the Maldives
Accessibility within the Maldives has improved with the opening of Madivaru Airport in the Lhaviyani Atoll. Domestic flights between Velana (the main international airport for the Maldives, in Male) and Madivaru are scheduled to connect with Sri Lankan Airlines, Lufthansa, British Airways, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Singapore Airlines & Turkish Airlines to make journeys smoother.
Nov 2021
New Non-Stop Flights from London to Vietnam
Bamboo Airways is to deploy Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft from Heathrow to both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from early 2022 following the announcement of a new free trade agreement between the UK and Vietnam.
This is great news following the disruption caused by the regular schedule changes from Vietnam Airlines who previously were the only airline to offer direct flights from the UK to Vietnam.
It will be interesting to see if Vietnam Airlines take any action on schedules now and if they re-instate their direct services.
Watch this space!
Nov 2021
Scoot Expands Europe Network to London Gatwick Airport
Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SIA) recently named the World’s Best Long-Haul Low-Cost Airline, celebrates yet another milestone with the announcement of a new service between Singapore and London’s Gatwick Airport via Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Oct 2021
The Konkan coastline is more accessible to Mumbai
Following on from the below post, India is now also showing signs of more domestic routes opening up.
Chipi airport, close to ETG favourite Coco Shambhala Sindhudurg is now operating a daily flight to and from Mumbai. This makes the stunning Konkan coastline more accessible and is another route into inland Goa.
From Sindhudurg to Mumbai the only previous option was the beautiful train ride, but being 10 hours isn’t necessarily for everyone.
Sep 2021
AirAsia to launch Hua Hin-Chiang Mai route
As Asian countries plan to start opening their borders in the next few months and into 2022, the first signs of new domestic and regional routes are starting to show.
A prime example is the new Air Asia route from Hua Hin to the northern hub of Chiang Mai.
Thailand has operated the Phuket Sandbox model since July and as cases start to decline, other parts of the country are slated to begin opening up from November 1st.
Will this flight start the slow route to Air Asia redeveloping its network of flights within Thailand and Southeast Asia? Only time will tell.
July 2021
How are airlines doing in South and Southeast Asia during Covid?
A very interesting update about the current state of airlines in Asia from the team at the South East Asia Travel Podcast.
The podcast discusses the varying challenges facing carriers in the region, including Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways and Garuda Indonesia. Plus, how can Low-Cost Carriers (LCCs) survive if international travel doesn’t occur soon? With that in mind, there seems to be an array of new airlines making applications to operate in the region – so there could be a number of new players in the market soon.
If you don’t have much time, skip the first 5 minutes 15 seconds of the podcast as that focuses on the career of Brendan Sobie who is being interviewed.
May 2021
More AVIOS seats are guaranteed with BA
As of 28th May 2021 British Airways have announced there will now be at least 14 Avios seats per flight for long haul routes.
Additional seats are available on virtually EVERY British Airways flight between 28th July 2021 and 17th May 2022 and it’s a permanent change.
For those with AVIOS points, this is great news. Two key points we’ve picked out are:
- The number of guaranteed Club World seats per flight is now four and not two – this is huge news for families!
- Two World Traveller Plus seats are now guaranteed for the first time
March 2021
The Impact of Covid 19 on flight routes in Asia
As you can imagine lots of flights to South & Southeast Asia have been cancelled or at least postponed over the last year.
We’re constantly monitoring the situation and are only quoting on routes we know will be guaranteed to fly. It will certainly be interesting to see what routes come back into action and which ones don’t once there is a bit more certainty in Asia.
Do remember that Experience Travel Group are ATOL bonded meaning your money is safe and fully refundable if flight routes changes and we can’t offer the same flights as you booked.
January 2020
Qatar Airways to launch direct Doha to Siem Reap service
We’re delighted to hear that Qatar Airways will be launching a direct service from Doha to Siem Reap from November 2020. This is great news as it really helps open up Cambodia, a destination in its own right, meaning you have the easiest connections compared to going via Dubai and Bangkok with Emirates or Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore with other airlines. That Qatar Airways are one of the best airlines out there, is a bonus!
April 2019
Jet Airways Suspend All Flights
Today Jet Airways have officially confirmed the suspension of all their flights due to lack of funding.
We have been dealing with numerous schedules changes for clients over the last couple of months so this announcement comes as no surprise. Fortunately, India, the airlines main market, is very well connected both internationally and domestically so beyond time changes we have been able to move all our clients smoothly and as ETG are ATOL bonded their money is protected anyway.
It will be interesting now to see what happens domestically and if any other growing low-cost airlines within the country jump in and take over Jet Airways routes.
February 2019
London to Bali Direct
Garuda airlines launched the first-ever direct flight from London to Bali on 22nd January 2019. Previously, the carrier had only operated direct flights from London to Jakarta.
However, they have recently re-routed the service as part of a restructuring strategy.The direct flights from London Heathrow to Bali Denpasar currently run three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 9.55pm, landing in Bali at 9.15pm local time.
Flights will take place on a Boeing 777-300 aircraft and last approximately 15 hours and 35 minutes.However, the flight is only direct one way. Inbound passengers to London will still have to get a connecting flight via Jakarta.
Holidays to Bali have been popular among UK tourists for some time now, with the UK being Bali’s fourth largest tourism market.
However, the long-distance has often been prohibitive – the Indonesian island is almost 8,000 miles away from the UK – especially for those who are unable to take prolonged holidays.In our opinion, the new flight route is a brilliant thing.
Bali is fabulous, and having a direct flight will make the long-distance feel a lot more manageable.
There is a huge range of things to do in Bali, from discovering the extraordinarily beautiful countryside and evocative Hindu temples to unwinding on beautiful beaches.Island-hopping holidays in Indonesia
What we’re particularly excited about, however, is that the direct flight will open up multi-island holidays with Bali’s lesser-visited neighbours, such as Komodo, Flores, Lombok and Sulawesi, as it will take just a two-flight combination to get there and back (via Jakarta).
The direct to Bali flight also comes on the back of the direct flight to Jakarta which opened in 2016 and provides access to more of Java and Kalimantan.
For years Bali has taken centre stage on the international tourism front. Yet few people realise that Indonesia is made up of between 13,000 and 17,000 islands (even the Indonesian government can’t count them!) that offer countless incredible experiences for curious travellers.
Check out the link to explore more Indonesian holiday ideas.
Sulawesi, for example, is a phenomenal island found to the east of Borneo and South of the Philippines. It is the world’s 11th largest island – more than three times the size of Bali, though it receives a fraction of the number of visitors. In Sulawesi, you can spot rare wildlife, visit both dynamic markets and colourful gardens, or explore the fascinating Torajan approach to death in the verdant south.
The new route makes the trip much more affordable than in previous times (you can expect to save up to £200 per person), as well as easier – especially for those with less time to play with, or those travelling with kids.
August 2018
New flight routes in India
India’s domestic flights are on the increase making it quicker and easier to get between destinations than ever before. Now you can fly from secondary cities direct and avoid stopovers in Delhi and Mumbai. This recent trend is brilliant for travellers who don’t want to spend too much time in the busy major cities and want to discover more off the beaten track locations.
In 2016 the government launched a pro-tourism scheme that meant a sharp rise in the number of domestic flights around the country. There is also a growing middle class in the country with a desire to travel both domestically and internationally. Demand soared by 28.1% compared with July 2015 which is a significant figure: in China, the growth was just 10.9% and in the US it was 5.9%. Excess charges for extra baggage is also going down 100rs from 300rs across domestic carriers (95rs roughly converts to £1) which is fantastic news for those who don’t want to pack light.
Links from Kolkata (Calcutta) to Lucknow and Jaipur to Bangalore make it easier to combine central and east or north-south combinations in holidays. Ultimately this trend means travel between sites of interest can be direct and we can avoid layover stays in busy cities making for a much better experience.
For 2018, here are James’s new favourite flight routes in India:
1. Hyderabad to Vidyanagar direct flight opens up the glorious boulder-strewn landscape of Hampi. You’d use this flight on a holiday like our Varied landscapes of South India.
2. Lucknow to Hyderabad direct flights – another great link from north to south that connects two fascinating but different cities.
3. Trichy to Cochin – connects Tamil Nadu to Kerala really well so you can discover both in a two-week trip.
4. Jaipur to Varanasi – connects the pink city of Jaipur and the Golden Triangle with the holy city of Varanasi.
5. Delhi to Bikaner which is the key town of the lesser-visited Shekhawati region, where the new and much-hyped Narendra Bhawan hotel has recently opened. You can discover Bikaner on the same trip as the amazing Golden Temples in Amritsar.
6. Guwahati to Paro in Bhutan opens up Assam with a link to Bhutan. You can also cross the border overland from Samdrup Jongkar which is 2 hours from Guwahati and drive into East Bhutan for a great adventure.
Additionally, by the end of 2018, there will be a great new flight connecting the amazing Coco Shambhala Sindudurg to Mumbai – a great, luxurious way to end a fascinating holiday. Sikkim in the Northeast will also have a fully functioning airport so you can easily reach the beautiful mountainous region from Kolkata.
International aviation companies like AirAsia are also improving connectivity to the rest of Asia making it easier to do multi-country trips. This means you can combine India with countries like Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. Notable routes include Bangkok to Bagdogra, Madurai to Colombo and Bhubaneshwar to Bangkok. Exciting stuff!
A final bonus: it’s not just flight connections that are improving. The highway from Agra to Lucknow has been recently developed, offering a way to see lesser-visited North India by road while still including the Taj Mahal. On the whole, roads are also getting better, but unlike in countries like China, the government are conscious of farmers rights’ and make a concerted effort not to cut into their land, which slows development down.
Plus, the Tejas Express links Mumbai to Goa across the incredible Konkan Coast.
This new line is exceptionally comfortable and stylish, providing free wifi and clear windows for the view (it’s more comfortable than the Mandovi express that runs on the same line). Solar-powered trains are now in action across the country, too.
All in all, you’ll find a much easier and more flexible travel experience across India. I’d be happy to chat with you in more detail about the new routes if you’d like.
April 2017
Sri Lanka Airlines opens up little known Gan Island
As part of their renewed focus on expanding regional routes, Sri Lankan airlines have become the first international airline to offer a destination in The Maldives beyond Male.
There are currently 4 flights a week between Colombo and Gan so there is ample opportunity to understand the culture in the Maldives. This is something we at ETG are really excited about and you can read more about Gan Island and what it has to offer.
April 2017
AirAsia expand Network
Due to an increase in demand, low-cost carrier AirAsia has drastically increased its network of flights, increasing the number of new flight routes in Asia significantly.
Our favourite new routes AirAsia routes are:
- Bali (Denpasar) to Labuan Bajo which opens up Komodo Island National Park.
- Siem Reap to Danang – a great link between the incredible temples of Angkor and the beaches of Hoi An.
- Kuala Lumpur to Bhubaneshwar which opens up the east coast of India and off the beaten track state of Orissa.
- Kuching to Langkawi means you can combine the amazing wildlife experiences of Borneo with a luxury beach stay, something that Borneo doesn’t quite offer.
- Kota Kinabalu to Johor Baru – like the above link you also have the option to combine Borneo with Japamala on Tioman island.
