AirAsia X to become the ninth Asia Pacific low cost airline serving the US, and the third in Hawaii

Malaysia's AirAsia X is launching services from Osaka to Honolulu in Jun-2017, making it the second LCC to operate from North Asia to Hawaii and the third LCC from Asia-Pacific. The route is made possible by a combination of liberal air service agreements, providing fifth freedom rights to the Malaysian airline. The Korean Air LCC subsidiary Jin Air and Qantas subsidiary Jetstar Airways are currently the only LCCs from Asia Pacific with service to Hawaii - or any of the 50 US states.

AirAsia X secured US FAA approval in Feb-2017, ending a tedious two year process. AirAsia X ibecomes the ninth Asia Pacific LCC to secure US FAA approval and the second from Southeast Asia, after Cebu Pacific. Six Asian LCCs currently serve Guam and five serve Saipan.

Asian LCCs will inevitably also serve the mainland US. Both AirAsia X and Cebu Pacific, along with new Chinese LCCs, have the US west coast in their business plans. Cebu Pacific is the only likely low cost operator of nonstop flights from Southeast Asia to the continental US.