KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 24): AirAsia Bhd’s long haul low-cost carrier AirAsia X (AAX) has received clearance from the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) to fly to the US.

In a statement today, AAX said it is the first Asian low-cost carrier to secure approval to operate scheduled passenger flights to the U.S.

The approval allows AAX to operate services to any destination within the U.S.

AAX said it is currently considering flights to several U.S. states, including Hawaii, as part of its route expansion plans.

Its group CEO Datuk Kamarudin Meranun said the approval was a major milestone for AAX.

“Our expansion up until now has concentrated on Asia, Australasia and the Middle East, and we are excited about our first foray into an entirely new market, as we look beyond Asia Pacific."

"I'm confident travellers will respond well to our award-winning service and the kind of connectivity we can offer with our Fly-Thru product. As part of our expansion plans, we are also looking to resume our very popular London route, and are working towards securing the necessary approvals,” he said.

He added: "None of this would be possible without our Allstars, especially Group Chief Operating Officer Anaz Ahmad Tajuddin who, sadly, passed away two weeks ago.

“We wouldn't be where we are today, if he had not laid the foundations with his blood, sweat and tears, and his bravery in the face of cancer showed us the true meaning of strength. This is for you, Anaz."

AirAsia offers a wide range of innovative products such as mobile app, extensive self-service options, inflight wifi, inflight entertainment, premium coffee, online duty-free shopping, Premium Flex and Fly-Thru.

Fly-Thru allows guests to seamlessly connect to anywhere within AirAsia's wide network with just one stop at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — Asia's No. 1 low-cost carrier hub — and other convenient transit hubs in Thailand and Indonesia, without having to pass through immigration and with their baggage checked through to the final destination.