AirAsia X (D7, Kuala Lumpur International) has formally announced it will begin flights to the United States later this summer. The AirAsia (AK, Kuala Lumpur International) longhaul unit said in a statement it will run a 4x weekly Kuala Lumpur International-Honolulu, Hawaii, via Osaka Kansai, Japan, service beginning June 28. Operations are on-board A330-300 equipment.

"This is the game-changing destination we have all been waiting for," AirAsia X Group CEO Datuk Kamarudin Meranun said. "We wish to thank all relevant authorities and governments for their support. Their vote of confidence made today's unique route launch possible and we will continue to work closely with all parties to ensure we can connect more people through this flagship intercontinental route."

At present, AirAsia X's operations extend to Japan, China, Nepal, South Korea, Taiwan, India, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Mauritius, Australia, and New Zealand. Plans are reportedly afoot to resume flights to London Gatwick this year as well using B777-300(ER) widebody machinery.