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Kuwait Airways (KU) Guide

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Flights from Kuwait to the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, Europe, Asia and New York, fleet and cabins, baggage, check-in and how to find cheaper Kuwait Airways fares. Ask a question
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In short

Kuwait Airways is the state-owned flag carrier of Kuwait, based at Kuwait International. It flies to about 50 to 60 destinations in the Middle East, South Asia, Europe, Southeast Asia and North America. Kuwait Airways is not part of an alliance and runs Oasis Club. Cabins are Economy, Business and First, and cabin baggage depends on the fare.

Kuwait Airways is Kuwait’s national airline, wholly owned by the government.

Please note: bookingMentor is an independent travel service and is not affiliated with Kuwait Airways. Routes, schedules and baggage rules change, so always confirm the details of your booking with the airline.

What to expect

Kuwait Airways is the national airline of Kuwait, owned outright by the Kuwaiti government and based at Kuwait International Airport (KWI). It flies to the Gulf, the wider Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, Europe, the Far East and North America, and suits travellers who want a full-service carrier with First, Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins on its long-haul jets.

From Kuwait National Airways in 1953

Kuwait Airways began in 1953 as Kuwait National Airways, with the government holding half the company. Flights started on 16 March 1954 with two Douglas Dakotas, and the present name was adopted in July 1955. In April 1959 it took over British International Airlines, a subsidiary of BOAC, and in June 1963 the state raised its share to 100 percent.

The early 1960s brought fast growth. In 1962 Kuwait Airways became the first foreign customer for the Hawker Siddeley Trident jet, and in April 1964 it absorbed Trans Arabia Airways. The airline made its first profit in 1968, reporting 910,000 pounds, and a net profit of 2.9 million pounds in 1972.

Flights to Iraq

Kuwait Airways restarted flights to Iraq in 2013, ending a suspension that dated from 1990.

Ownership and plans to privatise

The Kuwaiti state still owns the whole airline. A draft decree approved on 21 July 2008 proposed selling up to 35 percent to a long-term investor and 40 percent to the public, leaving the government with 25 percent. A privatisation committee valued the carrier at 805 million US dollars in 2011 and a privatisation law passed in January 2013, but the sale has not taken place. The chairman is Abdulmohsen Salem Alfagaan.

The head office stands on airport land in Al Farwaniyah Governorate. Built between 1992 and 1996 for 15.8 million Kuwaiti dinars, it covers 42,000 square metres.

Suspensions during the 2026 regional conflict

Kuwait Airways halted flights in 2026 when Kuwait International Airport closed during the regional conflict involving Iran. Limited service restarted on 26 April 2026, and the airline has been adding routes back since then. Some cities that appeared on the pre-closure network may still be missing, so the current schedule on kuwaitairways.com is the reference.

Partners and alliances

Kuwait Airways belongs to no global alliance. It relies on 11 codeshare partners, including Etihad Airways, Saudia, Turkish Airlines and Thai Airways, and on interline agreements with about 35 airlines, among them Lufthansa, Emirates and Singapore Airlines, which let one ticket cover flights on both carriers.

Skytrax recognition and the livery

Skytrax named Kuwait Airways one of the world's most improved airlines in 2023, which the airline highlights on its website. The livery was redesigned in October 2016, and the newer A330neo and 777 cabins arrived with it.

Fact-checked by the bookingMentor Travel Desk Reviewed · Updated when rules or prices change

Checked against trusted sources:
Kuwait Airways official website

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  1. Kuwait Airways official website
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Good to know

  • Founded1953
  • Online check-inYes

Everything you should know

Airline codes

KU · KAC

IATA · ICAO · callsign “KUWAITI”

Kuwait Airways’ IATA code is KU, its ICAO code is KAC, and the radio callsign is KUWAITI. Type KU and your flight number into a status search to follow a Kuwait Airways flight.

Key facts

Main hub

Kuwait City (KWI)

Kuwait International

Network

About 50–60 destinations

Middle East · South Asia · Europe · Southeast Asia · North America

Kuwait Airways links Kuwait with the Gulf and Levant, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Philippines, Europe and New York.

Destinations

Cabin classes

Economy

and Business, First

First, Business and Economy, depending on the aircraft, with flat beds on the Boeing 777-300ER and A330neo.

Compare cabins

Good to know

Kuwait Airways does not serve alcohol on board. It codeshares with airlines including Turkish Airlines, Etihad and Middle East Airlines. Official website: kuwaitairways.com.

Frequent flyer

Oasis Club

No global alliance

Kuwait Airways is not in an alliance; its programme is Oasis Club.

How it works

Start a new search

Search your dates on bookingMentor to see Kuwait Airways next to the other airlines flying from Kuwait City, then pick the fare that suits your trip.

Wishing you a smooth trip with Kuwait Airways.

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At a glance

Kuwait Airways (IATA: KU, ICAO: KAC) is the state-owned flag carrier of Kuwait, founded in 1953 and based at Kuwait International Airport. It flies about 36 Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A330neo, A330 and A320-family aircraft to destinations in the Middle East, South Asia, Europe, Southeast Asia and North America.

Key facts about Kuwait Airways
HeadquartersKuwait International Airport, Al Farwaniyah, Kuwait
Fleet typesBoeing 777-300ER, Airbus A330-800/-900, A330-200, A320neo, A320, A321neo
Frequent flyerOasis Club
Official websitekuwaitairways.com

Flight routes

Destinations and routes

Direct routes
Kuwait Airways serves the places below according to its published network. Routes are added, paused and rescheduled, so confirm the current Kuwait Airways timetable when you search. Search flights

Middle East

Kuwait City (KWI) departures7 destinations

Check all

Fleet and aircraft

Kuwait Airways had 36 aircraft in service in October 2026, nearly all from Airbus apart from ten Boeing 777-300ERs, with 11 more Airbus jets on order. The 777s and the A330-800 and A330-900 widebodies cover long-haul routes, while the A320 family handles the Gulf and regional network. Wikipedia's October 2026 fleet table lists four A320-200s, nine A320neos, one A321neo, one A330-200, four A330-800s, six A330-900s, one A340 and ten 777-300ERs. On order are five A321neos, three A321LRs, one A330-900 and two A350-900s. The airline retired its Boeing 747-400 in 2019 and its A340-300s in 2017.

  • Boeing 777-300ER Wide-body · 10 Long-haul routes such as London and New York
  • Airbus A330-800 Wide-body Europe and Asia
  • Airbus A330-900 Wide-body Europe and Asia
  • Airbus A330-200 Wide-body Selected routes
  • Airbus A340 Wide-body Selected routes
  • Airbus A320neo Narrow-body Gulf and regional routes
  • Airbus A320 Narrow-body Gulf and regional routes
  • Airbus A321neo Narrow-body Gulf and regional routes

Cabin classes

The Boeing 777-300ER carries four classes: eight First seats, 36 Business, 54 Premium Economy and Economy behind. The A330-900 has 32 Business and 21 Premium Economy seats, and even the narrow-body A321neo has five First and 16 Business seats, which is rare on single-aisle jets. Kuwait Airways does not serve alcohol on board. First and Royal class passengers can have check-in completed at home, and the website also lists limousine and elite services for premium travellers.

Economy All flights

Full service

MealsChecked bag includedEntertainment on wide-bodies

Business All aircraft

Flat beds on long-haul wide-bodies

Lounge accessPriority servicesExtra baggage

First Boeing 777-300ER

Top cabin on the 777

Private seatFine diningExtra baggage

Oasis Club

Oasis Club is Kuwait Airways’ frequent flyer scheme, and you can sign up on kuwaitairways.com.

Oasis Club is the Kuwait Airways frequent flyer scheme, with four tiers: Blue, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Members earn miles on Kuwait Airways flights and with partner hotels, car rental firms, banks, insurers and telecoms companies.

The website includes a mileage calculator, a redemption table and pages on buying miles and on mile expiry. Families can pool miles into one account, which helps households that fly together reach an award sooner.

Baggage allowance

Check your e-ticket for the exact Kuwait Airways allowance. It is set by the fare type, the cabin and the route, whether you start at KWI or another airport.

Checked baggage
On your e-ticket
Cabin baggage
Depends on fare
Extra bags
Cheaper before you fly
Power banks
Cabin bag only

Allowances depend on route, cabin and fare; routes to the Indian subcontinent and the US may use different rules. Check your e-ticket.

Pro tip: Since the network has been changing since April 2026, confirm your route and flight time on the official Kuwait Airways website shortly before travel, and buy prepaid excess baggage online if you expect to go over your allowance.
Travel day

Online Check-in

The kuwaitairways.com website and the Kuwait Airways app on Google Play and the App Store handle booking, online check-in, seat changes, upgrades and flight status. Award seats booked with Oasis miles are also sold there, alongside hotels, car hire and travel insurance. Baggage rules sit on separate pages for free checked baggage, carry-on, excess baggage and prepaid excess, and the allowance depends on route and cabin. Check the figure for your own ticket before you pack.

  • Online check-in available
  1. Step 1

    Check in online

    Use kuwaitairways.com or app to check in for eligible flights. Have your Kuwait Airways booking reference or e-ticket number and your surname ready.

    Booking ref + surname
  2. Step 2

    Prepare your documents

    International Kuwait Airways passengers need a passport and whatever visa, residence permit or entry documents the destination requires. Domestic KU passengers should bring a photo ID the airline accepts.

    Passport · visa · ID
  3. Step 3

    Arrive early

    Each airport has its own Kuwait Airways check-in and bag-drop deadline, listed in your booking. Allow extra time for busy terminals and international KU departures.

    Well before departure
  4. Step 4

    Drop your bags

    Hand in checked luggage at the Kuwait Airways counter or bag drop, then keep your boarding pass and passport ready for security and the gate.

    Kuwait Airways counter
Ready to check in? Check in and manage your booking on the official Kuwait Airways website.
Check in with Kuwait Airways
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Cheap tickets

Kuwait Airways fares out of Kuwait City move with the season and the fare brand. These habits help keep the price down.

  1. 01

    Try midweek KU flights

    Compare a full week of Kuwait Airways departures; midweek days are often priced below Fridays and Sundays.

    Midweek flights
  2. 02

    Avoid peak seasons

    Eid and the summer school break are the busiest times, when many residents travel home or on holiday.

    Eid & summer
  3. 03

    Price the bundle, not the base fare

    A Kuwait Airways fare that includes a checked bag, seat choice or cheaper changes can cost less overall than adding those extras later.

    Baggage & changes

  4. Ready to compare fares?

    Search Kuwait Airways alongside every other airline on your route, with flexible dates.

    Search Kuwait Airways flights

Reviews and questions

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Everything travellers ask before flying Kuwait Airways.
Answers checked against Kuwait Airways’ official sources and public aviation references, and reviewed each season.

General

Kuwait Airways is based at Kuwait International Airport, where it operates from Terminal 4. Most of its routes start or end there, and passengers connect in Kuwait between the Middle East, Asia and Europe.