The region hosts three major world airports, making getting here straightforward from any part of the world. The first-class international airports at Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok rank as some of the world’s best, and arriving at any of these destinations will give you multiple options when it comes to onward connections.
To reach the less visited countries of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos by air, it is necessary to fly to Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur first, from where onward connections are available. The Malaysia capital is the best place to get flights to the remote states of Sarawak and Sabah, while Brunei can be accessed from both Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
From the US: New York’s JF Kennedy International Airport (east coast) and Los Angeles International Airport (west coast) are the main hubs for flights to Asia from the US. Both of these airports serve regular, direct connections to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Bangkok.
From Canada: Vancouver International Airport (west coast) and Toronto Pearson International Airport (east) are the primary Canadian airports that serve flights to the region. Direct flights from Canada to Southeast Asia are typically more expensive than similar flights from the US, with direct routes available to Bangkok and Singapore.
From the UK: London’s major international airports, Heathrow and Gatwick, offer numerous direct and connecting flights to Bangkok, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. The best deals are connecting flights that stop en route in the Middle East. The European summer and Christmas time are the most expensive times to fly.
From Australia and New Zealand: the recent introduction of budget flights between Kuala Lumpur and Coolangatta, Australia has made flying between Southeast Asia and Australia more affordable than ever. Regular airlines serve routes between Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane and Bangkok and Singapore. It is cheaper for New Zealanders to travel to Australia and then take a connecting flight to Southeast Asia than it is for them to fly directly.
From South Africa: Johannesburg International Airport serves direct connections to major Southeast Asian airports including Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. Flying from Cape Town’s international airport is possible, but more expensive.