AirAsia X (D7, Kuala Lumpur International) is planning to begin narrowbody operations in 2026 with six narrowbodies, either A321-200NX or A321-200NX(LR)s, according to chief executive Benyamin Ismail, as reported by Aviation Week.

Speaking at the MRO Asia-Pacific conference, Ismail said the jets would allow the airline to launch new routes to North Asia and China directly from Kuala Lumpur International.

AirAsia X itself does not have any A321-200NX or A321-200NX(LR) in its order book. Its only commitments are for up to twenty A321-200NY(XLR)s and fifteen A330-900Ns, ch-aviation data shows. However, sister carrier AirAsia (AK, Kuala Lumpur International) has outstanding orders for thirty-six A321-200NX(LR)s and 322 A321-200NX. As part of the ongoing restructuring of the carriers and their parent entity Capital A, AirAsia X will acquire AirAsia from the holding, and the two airlines will merge under a single certificate, presumably also consolidating their outstanding order books.

In July 2025, AirAsia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus for fifty A321-200NY(XLR)s, plus options for twenty more. At that time, the holding suggested that the order for the A330-900Ns will be dropped to focus on long-range narrowbodies.

Separately, AirAsia X aims to return three A330-300s to service, which are currently parked due to Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engine issues, by year-end. Ismail added that it would also induct one additional used A330-300 in 2026.

According to ch-aviation fleets data, AirAsia X operates nineteen A330-300s, of which thirteen are currently active.