Airlines, Bangkok

We flew to Bangkok from Brisbane on a Thai Airlines B777. The food was good, the cabin crew friendly, and the seats comfortable. The seats are worthy of further explanation – when “reclined”, the entire seat pivoted into a more horizontal position: ie not only did the back go down, but the squab moved forward and up at the front. The result was that it not only became more “bed-like”, but it did not intrude into the space of the passengers behind (though one’s own knee room reduced). We encountered no other seats like these on our trip, but were very impressed.

Flying from Bangkok to Vienna, we again found ourselves on a B777, this time operated by Austrian Airlines. The cabin service could be described as polite (but more formal than Thai) and the food was average to good. There was a major problem with the seats though – these were the traditional “recline the backrest onto the person behind” variety and at best were uncomfortable and with minimal kneeroom. As soon as we left Bangkok, the two people in front went to full recline and stayed there! I should probably have asked the cabin crew to do something about it, but instead stayed trapped with no room to move (not even space to read a book). It was the most uncomfortable flight of the entire trip and my back complained for over two weeks later!

The website for the Star Alliance provides online details of available flights for trips between two airports, or for longer trips. Most usefully, from the website you can obtain a free downloadable program which has all this information, intended for planning ‘round the world’ trips while offline. This program automatically updates online with new airline schedules every few months.

I found the “trip planner program” invaluable, as it enabled me to put together draft itineraries, save the details, review them at leisure and make changes to refine flight details. Finally I printed out what looked a useful “final” and sent it by fax to our travel agent – who ran it past the airlines, which raised a few new issues (such as a different distance calculation, requiring some flight modifications, plus the single stopover allowed in Asia). Collectively we developed the final itinerary, but having the travel options at my fingertips made it possible to consider and review a huge range of possibilities, some of which may not otherwise have been obvious. You won't be surprised that I'd rate this program as "Highly Recommended"!

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Suvarnabhumi Airport

Suvarnabhumi Airport is the new international airport in Bangkok and one of the largest and busiest in the world. (i think its world-number two busiest !). Also you need to walk a lot from the airplane to go outside the airport (the last time i walk about 7-10 minutes).


My Photos
First Photo: Thai Airways
Second photo: Suvarnabhumi Airport
Third photo: Suvarnabhumi Airport
Forth photo: Suvarnabhumi Airport
Fifth photo: On the way to Thailand

We have had quite few flights with Bangkok Airways - in and out of Thailand. This little airline is so efficient - we have had many flights which have left early, as everyone is present! The airports have excellent passenger lounges for all passengers, including free refreshments. Some airports have also had free refreshments in the departure lounges. There is a free internet service, and a loyalty programme.

We have always bought Asia Airpasses, wherein we have had multiple flights, and the costs are extremely cheap.

The whole experience with this airline is excellent.

Thailand has 3 budget airlines operating out of Bangkok. Makes it easier for you to travel within Thailand and to neighbouring countries.

The 3 budget airlines are:
NOK AIR
THAI AIR ASIA
THAI SKY AIRLINES

Thailand also has a few boutique airlines:
BANGKOK AIRWAYS (Monopoly to Koh Samui)
PHUKET AIR
ORIENT THAI
PB AIR

The National airlines of Thailand is THAI AIRWAYS.

All Nipon Airways ( ANA ) brought me from Washington to Narita, than to Bangkok. The first flight took 14 hours, by far the longest time I spent in an airliner ! Many times I read how great service is on asian airline, well it was very nice on ANA. Extremely polite flight attendant, nice food ( well, you know japanese ! ). Eventhough I usually don't care about entertainment, it was fine to have some choice for such a long flight. We had 7 different vieod-shows in the B777. I always enjoy to get the maps showing where we are, our speed and altitude. We even got some images from a nose camera on the takeoff and landing. All the shows were either in japanese or english... I even was very surprise to find a third channel for the TV show "Friend"... in french !!! But, the best was the exercise show to prevent blood cloth. Was great to see most passengers stretching in rythm, lol !

Bangkok Airways flies to 13 destinations in five countries: Bangkok, Samui, Phuket, Sukhothai, Pattaya Beach (Utapao), Chiang Mai, Hua Hin in Thailand. Phnom Penh and Angkor Wat (Siem Reap) in Cambodia. And also Jinghong in China, Luang Prabang in Laos, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) in Vietnam and Singapore.

It's easy to book the ticket online. However, most travel agency in Thailand offer better rates than ordering online.

Airport Bus - Station # 12

Bangkok International Airport to Khao San Road & vice-versa

Fare - 100 Baht

Service hours: 5:30 am - 24.30 am (airport)

A1 : Airport to Silom road
A2 : Airport to Kao-sarn road
A3 : Airport to Sukhumvit road
A4 : Airport to Rama 4 road (Hualumpong raiway station)