The Airlines Inform and Asean.org recorded that Southeast Asia has about 60-65 airlines that are actively operating in the region—providing a wide variety of services. Some of these airlines have even got recognition as the top carriers in Southeast Asia.
From budget-friendly flights to award-winning services, let’s discover the variety of airlines within Southeast Asia in the list below.
1. Brunei Darussalam
Royal Brunei Airlines
First on the list of Southeast Asian airlines is Royal Brunei Airlines. Brunei Darussalam is known to have one existing airline, namely the Royal Brunei Airlines or RBA, which according to Royal Brunei was officially established as a government-owned independent corporation on November 18, 1974. The aircraft took flight for the first time from Bandar Seri Begawan to Singapore on May 14, 1975.
Since then for over almost five decades, Royal Brunei Airlines has evolved into a full-service carrier receiving numerous awards. As reported by Flyroyalbrunei, RBA has recently received the 2025 APEX Best in Cabin Service and Food and Beverage Award in East Asia. It continues to expand to other destinations like Balikpapan, Indonesia in February 2025.
2. Indonesia
Garuda Indonesia
Second on the list of Southeast Asian airlines is Garuda Indonesia. Garuda Indonesia is one of Indonesia’s prominent airlines, carrying the nation’s national flag since 1949. Its service concept called “Garuda Indonesia Experience” emphasizes Indonesian hospitality with over 60 domestic and international flights around the globe. Throughout the years, the carrier has acquired a number of awards, not to mention the prestigious 5-star rating from APEX and world’s best cabin crew title, according to Garuda Indonesia’s official website.
Aside from Garuda Indonesia, here are other Indonesian airlines actively operating:
- Lion Mentari Airlines
- Batik Air Indonesia
- Citilink Indonesia
- Indonesia Air Asia
- Nam Air
- TransNusa
- Transwisata Prima Aviation
- Indonesia Air Asia Extra
- Tri MG Airlines
- Transnusa Aviation Mandiri
- My Indo Airlines
- Wings Abadi
- Cardig Air
- Travel Express Aviation Services
- Sriwijaya Air Service
- Trigana Air Service
- Sabang Merauke Raya Air
- Aviastar
- Deraya Air Taxi
3. Malaysia
Malaysia Airlines
Next on the list of Southeast Asian airlines is Malaysia Airlines. Under the name Malayan Airways Limited, Malaysia Airlines began its journey in 1947, with its initial commercial flight from Singapore to Penang via Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh. As recorded in Malaysia Airlines’ official site, after separating from Singapore Airlines, the carrier underwent several rebranding over the years, before becoming Malaysia Airlines in 1972.
In order to preserve its title as Malaysia’s national airline, Malaysia Airlines has undergone restructuring to improve safety, efficiency, and customer service, in spite of major challenges such as the 2014 missing of flight MH370. Malaysia also owns other airlines below:
- Air Asia Berhad
- Air Asia X
- Malaysia Airlines Cargo
- My Jet Xpress
- Malindo Air
- FlyFirefly
- Berjaya Air
- Air Asia X
- Raya Airways
- MasWings
4. Myanmar
Myanmar National Airlines
Originally established in 1948–formerly named as Union of Burma Airways—Myanmar National Airlines is the nation’s airline with the largest domestic route network in the country. The airline resumed international flights in 2015, serving regional destinations like Singapore, Hong Kong, and Bangkok with its new Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
To increase its operational standards, the company is currently striving to achieve international safety certification (IOSA). With over 65 years of history, Myanmar National Airlines is acknowledged as one of the oldest airlines in Asia. Nonetheless, Myanmar has other airlines such as:
- Asian Wings Airways
- Air Mandalay
- Myanmar Airways International
- Golden Myanmar Airlines
- Air KBZ
- Yangon Airways
5. Singapore
Singapore Airlines
Quoting from Biblioasia National Library Singapore, Singapore Airlines was formally founded in 1972, but its origins trace back to 1937, when it was still under the name of Malayan Airlines. Despite past difficulties in rights and labor disputes, SIA developed into a reputable airline with a large, modern fleet and vast global network.
The airline is also known to launch inexpensive subsidiaries like Scoot in response to market shifts. Listed below are other additional airlines that Singapore offers:
- Jetstar Asia Airways
- Jett8 Airlines
- Silk Air Singapore
- Scoot Tigerair
- Singapore Airlines Limited
- Singapore Airlines Cargo
6. Philippines
Cebu Pacific Air
Established in 1988 and commencing operations in March 8, 1996, Cebu Pacific Air is a pioneer for affordable air travel in the Philippines. Beginning with Hong Kong bound flights in 2001, the airline expanded its domestic and regional network while operating from several hubs, including Manila, Cebu, and Clark. As stated in Cebu Pacific’s website, the nation’s airline has flown its 200th millionth passenger as of 2022. Here are the list of airlines available in Philippines:
- Air Asia
- Air Philippines Corporation
- CEBGO
- SEAIR International
- Pan Pacific Airlines
- Royal Air Charter Services
- Philippines Airlines
- Philippines Air Asia
- Airphil Express
7. Cambodia
Cambodia Angkor Airlines
Cambodia Angkor Air or recently rebranded as Air Cambodia was formally introduced on July 27th, 2009, as a result of a joint venture between the Royal Government, Cambodian enterprises and Vietnam Airlines.
According to Routesonline.com, Cambodia Angkor Air—with its tagline “proudly serving the kingdom”—is the only carrier in the country to receive the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) accreditation. Other than the Cambodia Angkor Air, Cambodia has two other airlines, namely Sky Angkor Airlines, Cambodia Bayon Airlines, TonleSap Airlines, and Lanmei Airlines.
the list of Southeast Asian airlines
8. Vietnam
Vietnam Airlines
With support from China and the Soviet Union, the North Viatnamese government launched the Vietnam Airlines as Vietnam Civil Aviation back in January 1956. Like the initial name, this carrier was part of the civilian division of the air force that made its first flight with a small fleet of propeller aircraft.
Following the Vietnam war, the airline added Bangkok, Vientiane, and Beijing on their destination list—expanding its local and international network. Other Vietnamese airlines include VietJet Air, Bamboo Airways, Vietravel Airlines and Jetstar Pacific Airlines Aviation.
9. Thailand
Bangkok Airways
Like its name, Bangkok Airways is an airline based in Bangkok, Thailand—founded by Mr. Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth in 1968. The carrier—originally launched under the name Sahakol Air—initially provided air taxi services, according to Bangkok Airways’ site. Bangkok Airways is renowned for providing top-notch service, and is recognized as “Asia’s Boutique Airline”, earning a plethora of accolades over the years.
Besides Bangkok Airways, here are other operating airlines Thailand has:
- Thai Airways International Public Company Limited
- Thai Lion Mentari
- Asia Atlantic Airlines
- Thai Vietjet Air Join Stock
- Thai Air Asia
- Thai Air Asia X
- Thai Smile Airways
- Thai Summer Airways
10. Laos
Lao Airlines
Next on the list of Southeast Asian airlines is Lao Airlines—which is Laos’ national carrier established in 1976 from the merging of two airlines—Lao Airlines and Royal Air Lao. Primarily based at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane, Lao Airlines provides both economy and business class flights to cities across the continent, like Bangkok, Seoul, Kunming, and Hanoi.
Based on the information on Laoairlines.com, as of 2024, Lao Airlines has open flights to 10 international and seven new domestic destinations. Another budget domestic and international flights in Laos is Lao Central Airlines.
11. Timor-Leste
Aero Dili
Last on the list of Southeast Asian airlines is Aero Dili. In February 2025, Timor-Leste’s flag carrier known as the Aero Dili, announced its first direct international route to Xiamen, China. As of May, the airline has increased its flights, from operating twice a month to weekly service. According to Tatoli, Timor-Leste’s news outlet, the airline plans to launch other routes such as to Thailand, Darwin and Melbourne in Australia.
Southeast Asia’s airline industry plays an essential role in connecting the region as well as supporting its flourishing tourism and trade sectors. Indeed it is possible that the region's aviation industry will continue to expand its networks, capacities, and even launch new carriers.
