Asia-Europe Codeshare Partnership
AirAsia and Pegasus launch first codeshare linking Southeast Asia and Europe via Istanbul
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Key Points
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AirAsia will boost the Kuala Lumpur–Istanbul flight frequency from four weekly services to seven weekly by February 2027, with the route operated using A330 aircraft to support deeper Asia–Europe connectivity.
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Pegasus Airlines is described as the largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in Turkey, linking AirAsia’s ASEAN network with Pegasus’ European base from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen.
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Sabiha Gökçen Airport is highlighted as a major transfer point, with the facility already handling connections to more than 117 international and 40 domestic destinations.
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AirAsia’s code-share with Pegasus marks the airline’s first-ever codeshare in its history, expanding its long-haul, low-cost network ambitions through Istanbul and beyond.
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Passengers can travel on a single booking with through-baggage to their final European destinations, avoiding the need to re-check bags or re-check in at Istanbul during the transfer.
AirAsia and Pegasus Airlines have launched their first codeshare partnership, linking Southeast Asia directly to Europe through Istanbul Trav Talk. Passengers can now book flights from Kuala Lumpur to five European cities—London, Moscow, Ankara, Zurich, and Athens—on a single ticket with through-checked baggage Travel Daily News.
AirAsia plans to increase weekly flights on the Kuala Lumpur–Istanbul route from four to seven by February 2027, using A330 aircraft to support deeper connectivity Market Screener. The partnership represents AirAsia's first-ever codeshare and positions Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen as a major hub connecting more than 117 international destinations FTN News.
Why This Deal Matters for Low-Cost Travel
This codeshare breaks new ground for AirAsia. The airline has never done a codeshare before, making this partnership a major strategic shift Trav Talk. Low-cost carriers typically avoid such arrangements because they complicate operations. But AirAsia is betting the benefits outweigh the complexity.
Passengers gain real convenience. Instead of booking two separate tickets, they buy one. Their baggage moves to Europe without rechecking Travel Daily News. For budget travelers, this seamless experience was previously rare outside traditional airline alliances.
Pegasus Brings European Network to the Table
Pegasus Airlines is Turkey's largest low-cost carrier, operating from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport Market Screener. The airport already connects to more than 117 international destinations and 40 domestic cities, making it a natural hub for Asian traffic heading west.
Five European cities launch immediately: London Stansted, Moscow Vnukovo, Ankara, Zurich, and Athens FTN News. But this is just the start. The long-term plan targets over 100 routes across Asia and Europe, suggesting rapid expansion ahead.
AirAsia Doubles Down on Istanbul Flights
Today AirAsia flies the Kuala Lumpur–Istanbul route four times weekly. By February 2027, that jumps to seven flights per week Market Screener. The airline is deploying A330 wide-body jets, signaling serious capacity investment for this route.
This frequency boost directly supports the codeshare. More seats mean more passengers can connect onward to European cities. It also strengthens Kuala Lumpur's role as Asia's gateway to Europe, competing directly with traditional Middle East hubs like Dubai and Doha.
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