Thailand internal flights - airlines
Discussion
Bangkok Airways was fine when we used them in April to go to Ko Samui - high frequencies, cheap, reliable, decent aircraft. I think they're effectively taking the domestic stuff off Thai A/W and its Smile sub. No problem with Air Asia who I've also used, well run, also decent aircraft.
I personally wouldn't use anything in the Lion Group (speaking as an aviation professional) as Indonesia has one of the worst safety records and that group have had numerous hull losses.
I personally wouldn't use anything in the Lion Group (speaking as an aviation professional) as Indonesia has one of the worst safety records and that group have had numerous hull losses.
Edited by Speed 3 on Tuesday 19th September 13:49
They are actually all good airlines, the only one I'd avoid is Thai Lion Air purely because the legroom was non-existent, as in even the Thais were having difficulty not having their knees squashed up against the seat in front
Thai Airways is the only traditional full-service carrier. You get luggage and meals/drinks - but that can literally mean a slice of cake or small sandwich. Lounge access if you are Star Alliance Gold. They also have business class on some routes.
Thai Smile is the budget arm of Thai Airways and are pretty good, luggage and food included buy you lose any Star Alliance benefits when flying with them (unless booked under a Thai flight number)
Thai Airways also have another budget airline called Nok Air, they include luggage and a meal. They also have a tie up with Scoot Airlines, and the rebranded Tiger Airlines, who are the budget arms of Singapore Airlines
Bangkok Airways are good, you get a meal and luggage, also access to their lounges on all tickets - nothing much but it's snacks and non-alcoholic drinks
Air Asia is actually Thai Air Asia, nothing to do with their Indonesian or Malaysian outfits, other than being part of the same parent group. Personally I think they are the best of all, newer planes and excellent crew - budget airline so you need to buy luggage and meals.
The airline you use probably boils down to what airport you want to use in Bangkok, whether you have any connecting flights on alliances (Quute often if you fly Thai to Thailand it costs nothing to add a domestic leg on) and the route you want to take
Bangkok Air, Thai Smile and Thai are the only ones that use Suvarnabhumi airport, the rest use Don Mueang - the latter probably a bit more convenient if you are staying in central Bangkok, the domestic terminal is also brand new
Thai Airways is the only traditional full-service carrier. You get luggage and meals/drinks - but that can literally mean a slice of cake or small sandwich. Lounge access if you are Star Alliance Gold. They also have business class on some routes.
Thai Smile is the budget arm of Thai Airways and are pretty good, luggage and food included buy you lose any Star Alliance benefits when flying with them (unless booked under a Thai flight number)
Thai Airways also have another budget airline called Nok Air, they include luggage and a meal. They also have a tie up with Scoot Airlines, and the rebranded Tiger Airlines, who are the budget arms of Singapore Airlines
Bangkok Airways are good, you get a meal and luggage, also access to their lounges on all tickets - nothing much but it's snacks and non-alcoholic drinks
Air Asia is actually Thai Air Asia, nothing to do with their Indonesian or Malaysian outfits, other than being part of the same parent group. Personally I think they are the best of all, newer planes and excellent crew - budget airline so you need to buy luggage and meals.
The airline you use probably boils down to what airport you want to use in Bangkok, whether you have any connecting flights on alliances (Quute often if you fly Thai to Thailand it costs nothing to add a domestic leg on) and the route you want to take
Bangkok Air, Thai Smile and Thai are the only ones that use Suvarnabhumi airport, the rest use Don Mueang - the latter probably a bit more convenient if you are staying in central Bangkok, the domestic terminal is also brand new
Edited by TheGuru on Tuesday 19th September 15:49
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