Asia is home to some of the busiest and most popular flight routes in the world, given its vast size, dense population, and major economic hubs. Here are some of the most popular and frequently traveled domestic and international flight routes within Asia, catering to both business and leisure travelers.
1. Tokyo (HND/NRT) to Seoul (ICN)
- Route Overview: A well-traveled route connecting two major East Asian cities, this route is popular for both business and tourism. With both cities being economic and cultural hubs, the flight is short, typically around 2 hours.
- Airlines: Japan Airlines, Korean Air, All Nippon Airways (ANA), Asiana Airlines.
- Frequency: Multiple flights per day.
2. Bangkok (BKK) to Singapore (SIN)
- Route Overview: Connecting the thriving cities of Bangkok and Singapore, this route is a key one for business travelers and tourists alike. The flight duration is usually around 2 hours.
- Airlines: Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines, Scoot, Thai AirAsia.
- Frequency: Frequent daily flights, with some budget airlines offering affordable options.
3. Hong Kong (HKG) to Shanghai (PVG)
- Route Overview: This route connects two major economic and financial centers in Asia. It’s popular for both business trips and tourism, with a flight duration of about 3 hours.
- Airlines: Cathay Pacific, China Eastern Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Shanghai Airlines.
- Frequency: Multiple flights daily, including both full-service and budget carriers.
4. Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Jakarta (CGK)
- Route Overview: The flight between Malaysia’s and Indonesia’s capitals is frequently used for business, tourism, and expatriate travel. The flight is approximately 2 hours.
- Airlines: Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Garuda Indonesia.
- Frequency: Multiple daily departures with various airlines, including low-cost carriers.
5. Delhi (DEL) to Mumbai (BOM)
- Route Overview: One of the busiest domestic routes in India, connecting the capital with the financial capital. This route is often used by business professionals, as well as domestic tourists. The flight duration is around 2 hours.
- Airlines: Air India, IndiGo, Vistara, GoAir.
- Frequency: Numerous flights daily due to high demand.
6. Manila (MNL) to Hong Kong (HKG)
- Route Overview: A popular route for business and leisure travelers alike, connecting the Philippines’ capital with the major international hub of Hong Kong. The flight typically takes about 2 hours.
- Airlines: Cathay Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific.
- Frequency: Several flights per day with both full-service and budget carriers.
7. Seoul (ICN) to Beijing (PEK)
- Route Overview: A frequently traveled route connecting the capitals of South Korea and China. The flight takes around 2 hours and is popular among tourists, business travelers, and diplomatic personnel.
- Airlines: Korean Air, Air China, Asiana Airlines, China Eastern Airlines.
- Frequency: Numerous daily flights, especially given the political and economic ties between the two countries.
8. Singapore (SIN) to Jakarta (CGK)
- Route Overview: This route connects two important Southeast Asian business hubs. The flight takes just under 1.5 hours and is a popular choice for both business and tourism, with frequent connections between the two cities.
- Airlines: Singapore Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Scoot, AirAsia.
- Frequency: Frequent daily flights, with low-cost carriers providing competitive pricing.
9. Bangkok (BKK) to Hong Kong (HKG)
- Route Overview: A major international route that links Thailand’s capital with the financial hub of Hong Kong. The flight duration is approximately 3 hours.
- Airlines: Thai Airways, Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines, Thai AirAsia.
- Frequency: Several daily flights, catering to business and tourism traffic.
10. Taipei (TPE) to Shanghai (PVG)
- Route Overview: A popular route between Taiwan’s capital and the financial hub of Shanghai. The flight typically takes around 2 hours.
- Airlines: EVA Air, China Airlines, China Eastern Airlines.
- Frequency: Frequent flights available, particularly catering to business travelers and tourists between the two regions.
11. Dubai (DXB) to Kuala Lumpur (KUL)
- Route Overview: Connecting the Middle East and Southeast Asia, this route is commonly used by business travelers and tourists looking to travel between the UAE and Malaysia. The flight takes approximately 7 hours.
- Airlines: Emirates, Malaysia Airlines.
- Frequency: Regular flights with Emirates being the dominant carrier.
12. Tokyo (HND) to Taipei (TPE)
- Route Overview: This route connects Japan’s capital with Taiwan, serving both business and tourist travelers. The flight duration is around 4 hours.
- Airlines: All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan Airlines, China Airlines.
- Frequency: Multiple daily flights due to the high volume of traffic between Japan and Taiwan.
13. Seoul (ICN) to Tokyo (HND)
- Route Overview: A highly popular route connecting the capitals of South Korea and Japan, this flight is around 2 hours long and is frequently used for both business and tourism.
- Airlines: Korean Air, Japan Airlines, Asiana Airlines, All Nippon Airways (ANA).
- Frequency: Several flights daily, often operated by full-service and budget carriers.
14. Bali (DPS) to Singapore (SIN)
- Route Overview: A popular route for tourists heading to the tropical island of Bali, it connects Indonesia’s Bali province with Singapore. The flight is approximately 2 hours long.
- Airlines: Garuda Indonesia, Singapore Airlines, AirAsia, Scoot.
- Frequency: Several flights per day, catering to both holidaymakers and business travelers.
15. Mumbai (BOM) to Singapore (SIN)
- Route Overview: This route connects two major business hubs in Asia: Mumbai in India and Singapore. The flight usually takes 5.5 to 6 hours.
- Airlines: Singapore Airlines, Air India, Scoot.
- Frequency: Daily flights catering to business, tourism, and the significant Indian expatriate community in Singapore.
16. Bangkok (BKK) to Kuala Lumpur (KUL)
- Route Overview: This short-haul route connects two of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic cities, with a flight duration of about 2 hours.
- Airlines: Thai Airways, AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines.
- Frequency: Frequent daily flights, with a variety of budget and full-service options.
17. Jakarta (CGK) to Singapore (SIN)
- Route Overview: A major regional route between the two economic powerhouses in Southeast Asia, often taken by business travelers and tourists. The flight is around 1.5 hours.
- Airlines: Singapore Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, AirAsia.
- Frequency: Frequent daily flights with both budget carriers and full-service airlines.
18. Delhi (DEL) to Hong Kong (HKG)
- Route Overview: This flight connects the capital of India with the financial and trading hub of Hong Kong. The flight duration is about 6 hours.
- Airlines: Air India, Cathay Pacific, Vistara.
- Frequency: Regular flights between the two cities, especially for business and trade.
19. Seoul (ICN) to Bangkok (BKK)
- Route Overview: A major international route connecting South Korea’s capital with the popular tourist destination of Bangkok. The flight usually takes 5 hours.
- Airlines: Korean Air, Thai Airways, Asiana Airlines, T’way Air.
- Frequency: Multiple flights per day.
20. Singapore (SIN) to Manila (MNL)
- Route Overview: A key route in Southeast Asia connecting Singapore with the Philippines. The flight duration is around 3.5 hours.
- Airlines: Singapore Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines.
- Frequency: Several daily flights, particularly popular with business travelers and tourists heading to the Philippines.