AirAsia X is back on KL–Sapporo: non-stop, and 5 a week over the December school holidays
This week's news · Checked 2026-10-31
What happened. According to the Japanese aviation news site Traicy (22 Aug 2026), AirAsia X resumes non-stop Kuala Lumpur–Sapporo (New Chitose) flights from 25 Oct 2026. The schedule is 4 round trips a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday). From 15 Dec 2026 to 26 Jan 2027, a Tuesday flight is added, making 5 a week. The route is scheduled until 26 Mar 2027, on an Airbus A330-300.
| Flight | Departs | Arrives | Flying time |
|---|---|---|---|
| D7550, KL → Sapporo (New Chitose) | 00:20 (Malaysia time) | 08:55 (Japan time) | 7 h 35 min |
| D7551, Sapporo (New Chitose) → KL | 10:10 (Japan time) | 18:00 (Malaysia time) | 8 h 50 min |
Traicy says AirAsia X is the only airline flying this route non-stop. New Chitose Airport's official airline list includes AirAsia X (checked 31 Oct 2026). The record of the first flight on 25 Oct has not been confirmed here.
What it means for you.
- December school holidays in Hokkaido with no transit: you land at New Chitose at 08:55 and fly home at 10:10. Monday and Friday are flying days, so a Monday 7 Dec – Friday 11 Dec trip fits the schedule. Check family rooms for those dates: Trip.com: Sapporo hotels 7–11 Dec, 2 adults + 2 kids (prices depend on the day you check).
- The extra Tuesday (15 Dec–26 Jan) gives one more day to fly out or home in the busiest weeks.
- Prayer before flying home: New Chitose's international terminal has separate prayer rooms for men and women on the 2nd floor, with small wudu facilities and direction signs (official airport page, checked 31 Oct 2026). Hotels that mention a prayer room or prayer mats are in the Sapporo hotels article.
Watch out.
- 00:20 is just after midnight. If your ticket says Monday 00:20, you need to be at the airport on Sunday night.
- You land at 08:55, but your room may not be ready. Ask the hotel whether you can leave your bags before check-in, so the first day isn't wasted.
- Fares have not been checked here. Compare the final total with checked bags and seats for 4 people, not the first price on screen.
- Schedules can change. Check the date and time on your ticket before you book the hotel.
Affiliate links may be used; your price doesn't change. Sources: Traicy, 22 Aug 2026, "AirAsia X resumes Sapporo/Chitose–Kuala Lumpur from 25 Oct, 4 round trips a week" (Japanese), traicy.com; New Chitose Airport, list of airlines (English), hokkaido-airports.com; New Chitose Airport, prayer rooms (English), hokkaido-airports.com. Checked 31 Oct 2026.