Phuket Thailand - Low cost airlines for domestic flights : which are the more reliable ?

Maxghibaz · #1 13-10-2007, 00:58

Hello,
who can help me to choose a company for domestic flights ?

I think Nok Air and Bangkok Airways are the most reliable ones (timetable, service, quality of aircrafts, no overbooking risk).
If I'm wrog, correct me pls.

I should flight :

- from BKK to Udon Thani (I think Nok Air could be ok)
- from Chiangmai to Phuket (but I see no direct flights....; Nok Air ?)
- from Phuket to BKK (to Suvarnabhumi, to connect to an international flight; Bangkok Airways is ok ?).

Is there any link on Internet for a comparison ?
Any hints ?

Thanks in advance

Sawasdee krup

Maxghibaz

dawsey · #2 13-10-2007, 01:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxghibaz

Hello,
who can help me to choose a company for domestic flights ?

I think Nok Air and Bangkok Airways are the most reliable ones (timetable, service, quality of aircrafts, no overbooking risk).
If I'm wrog, correct me pls.

I should flight :

- from BKK to Udon Thani (I think Nok Air could be ok)
- from Chiangmai to Phuket (but I see no direct flights....; Nok Air ?)
- from Phuket to BKK (to Suvarnabhumi, to connect to an international flight; Bangkok Airways is ok ?).

Is there any link on Internet for a comparison ?
Any hints ?

Thanks in advance

Sawasdee krup

Maxghibaz

Hi Maxghibaz,

If you are happy with Bangkok Air prices, I'd use them at every opportunity. They aren't really what I would call a low cost carrier though.
To compare, use these websites.

Bangkok Airways Co., Ltd.
NokAir.com – Thailand premium low cost, low fare airlines

Be aware that Nok use Don Muang airport, and BKKAir use the new airport, so Bangkok Air is your best choice from Phuket back to BKK.

Just had a look for you

BangkokAir do not fly to Udon Thani
Nok Air do, and its 1700baht return approx.
Also, from Chiang Mai to Phuket you will land in BKK, nothing flies direct.

Also to consider, Air Asia and One 2 Go

zipolite · #3 13-10-2007, 10:38

I flew Chiang Mai to Phuket (direct flight) 3 weeks ago with Thai Air. Cost was 2600 baht one way but this was a special deal I managed to get when I booked and flew on the same day. Flight took about 1 hour 45 mins.

Thai Airlines isn't exactly a budget airline but I thought it was a great price considering I paid over over 4000 baht to fly one way Phuket to Chiang Mai via BKK

Dodger · #4 13-10-2007, 12:25

Nok Air, 12go, Air Asia are the budget airlines, all about as reliable as each other, no complaints and I've used all three a fair bit. 12go has a 200 baht special on at the moment, 200bht flights to anywhere.

landofsmiles · #5 13-10-2007, 12:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawsey

Be aware that Nok use Don Muang airport, and BKKAir use the new airport, so Bangkok Air is your best choice from Phuket back to BKK.

Just had a look for you

BangkokAir do not fly to Udon Thani
Nok Air do, and its 1700baht return approx.
Also, from Chiang Mai to Phuket you will land in BKK, nothing flies direct.

Also to consider, Air Asia and One 2 Go

NOT correct. Some NOKAir flights between Phuket and Bangkok go to Suvarnabhumi....some to Don Mueang. Also there is 1 flight a day direct from Chang Mai to Phuket by Thai.

landofsmiles · #6 13-10-2007, 13:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxghibaz

- from BKK to Udon Thani (I think Nok Air could be ok)
- from Chiangmai to Phuket (but I see no direct flights....; Nok Air ?)
- from Phuket to BKK (to Suvarnabhumi, to connect to an international flight; Bangkok Airways is ok ?).

- from BKK to Udon Thani (I think Nok Air could be ok)

NOKAir have 3 flights a day Don Mueang to Udon Thani
Bangkok (Don Mueang) - Udon Thani
Availability Flight Depart Arrive
Daily
DD9200 06:00 07:05
Daily

*DD9210 12:30 13:35
Daily
#DD9210 12:50 13:55
Daily
DD9216 17:00 18:05
*Flights to be operated until 27 Oct 07 ONLY
+Flight to be operated from 01 - 27 Oct 07 ONLY
#Flights to be operated from 28 Oct 07 onwards

AirAsia 1 a day at 415pm from Suvarnabhumi

- from Chiangmai to Phuket (but I see no direct flights....; Nok Air ?)

There is 1 direct flight a day>>>
Thai Airways Intl (TG 129)
dep: 12:50 - Chiang Mai (CNX) terminal
arr: 14:45 - Phuket (HKT) terminal

- from Phuket to BKK (to Suvarnabhumi, to connect to an international flight; Bangkok Airways is ok ?).

Phuket to Suvarnabhumi>>>
http://www.bangkokair.com 2 flights a day
Thai Airways International : Airline Ticket Reservations have 8 flights a day
www.nokair.com 2 per day
Welcome to airasia.com...Now Everyone Can Fly... 6 per day (7 from 29th October)

Hope this helps...you can also fly from Udon Thani to Chang Mai with NOKAir if you don't fancy the bus

Simbo · #7 13-10-2007, 14:15

I think you will find that the Chiang Mai to Hkt direct flight is once a day, not once a week. It used to leave at 1130 but for some reason they have changed it to 1250. Shame they don't have a direct one in the other direction as well though. None of the LCC do it direct. Problem with going Hkt to CM is that some LCC won't let you book if theres less tahn a 3 hour gap between flights, so going Nok of 1 to Go then AA won't work with them using the different airports.

landofsmiles · #8 13-10-2007, 14:24

You're right it is daily at 1250 from Chiang Mai. Have edited my posts to show that.

Maxghibaz · #9 13-10-2007, 15:29

Thanks a lot

Since from Chiang-Mai to Phuket I'd like to book from here (that is before going to Thailand), and the rates of Thai Airways for the direct flight are too expensive (134+40=174 euros for one-way), do you think that taking these 2 flights (both with Nok Air)

DD8307 p.10:45 a. 11:50 Chiang Mai ---> BKK
DD7534 p. 14:05 a. 15:30 BKK -----> Phuket

is ok ?

I mean, they are connecting flights, aren't they ?

landofsmiles · #10 13-10-2007, 16:00

They look fine. Both flights do operate to and from Don Mueang.

Looks like total fares are 1500baht per sector so 3000baht (about 70Euros) Chang Mai-Phuket.

Clever the way the add-ons turn the 808.41baht fare into a perfect 1500

1 Fare (ADULT) THB 808.41
1 Tax, Fee and Surcharge (ADULT) THB 691.59
Airport Tax THB 100.00
Insurance THB 50.00
Administration Fee THB 50.00
Fuel Surcharge THB 400.00
VAT THB 91.59
Total (ADULT) THB 1,500.00

I've used NOK a few times. They have a nice touch of lining up the stewardesses at the front of the cabin and introducing them individually by name to you. They have some real beauties too.

Maxghibaz · #11 13-10-2007, 17:17

Ok !

If I have to transfer from Don Mueang to Suvarnabhumi (to take the intercontinental flight to come back home), what's the best (cheap/quick) way ?
We are 3 adults and 1 infant, with 3 medium-big size luggages.
Do you think I have to take 2 taxi meter or are there any alternatives ?
How many baht do I have to consider ?

Thanks in advance

Maxghibaz

dawsey · #12 13-10-2007, 17:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by landofsmiles

NOT correct. Some NOKAir flights between Phuket and Bangkok go to Suvarnabhumi....some to Don Mueang. Also there is 1 flight a day direct from Chang Mai to Phuket by Thai.

Apologies for the wrong info given. I read the airlines flight schedules too quickly.

landofsmiles · #13 13-10-2007, 18:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxghibaz

Ok !

If I have to transfer from Don Mueang to Suvarnabhumi (to take the intercontinental flight to come back home), what's the best (cheap/quick) way ?
We are 3 adults and 1 infant, with 3 medium-big size luggages.
Do you think I have to take 2 taxi meter or are there any alternatives ?
How many baht do I have to consider ?

Thanks in advance

Maxghibaz

Should be an answer to that one in the Sticky Thread: Suvarnabumi - Good Things....but why would you have to transfer? Just make sure your Phuket-BKK flight is one that goes to Suvarnabhumi.

Maxghibaz · #14 14-10-2007, 06:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by landofsmiles

but why would you have to transfer? Just make sure your Phuket-BKK flight is one that goes to Suvarnabhumi.

They told me that there is the possibility that I can get 3 free flight tickets with Royal Orchid Plus miles (Thai Airways frequent fliers program).
But, if they give to me, they give to me only for flights to Don Mueang and not to Suvarnabhumi... :-(
So, in this case, I'll have to transfer...

Nanook · #15 14-10-2007, 18:02

I went up and down to Udon Thani 3 times this year and always used NokAir. On those 6 flights in total I had just 15 minutes of delay, so hardly any. I would recommend them.
Although maybe next time, I would consider taking the AirAsia flight back to Subvarnabhumi, in order to avoid the taxi ride between airport just before the long flight home.

Bello Uomo · #16 14-10-2007, 18:39

I recommend Nok Air ahead of AirAsia (have used both), but Nok'sr use of 2 airports is a pain in the backside if you have to switch between airports to get a connecting flight.

nelsonone · #17 15-10-2007, 06:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dodger

12go has a 200 baht special on at the moment, 200bht flights to anywhere.

hmmmmmmm......wonder why????

landofsmiles · #18 15-10-2007, 10:55

So? NOKAir have 3baht flights.

Elky · #19 12-12-2007, 21:17

Hi guys

Just been on the NokAir website and they no longer list scheduled flights from BKK to Krabi. Thing is, I booked this exact flight in September and when I log in to their site, it says my flight is still confirmed from BKK to Krabi on 25th December at 10am - exactly what I booked and need. I've read that they have cancelled all internal flights from BKK and now only fly internally from DMK.

Can anyone shed any light on this?

Cheers

Elky

Elky · #20 13-12-2007, 21:25

Anyone able to help with regards to my above post?

Nanook · #21 13-12-2007, 21:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxghibaz

Ok !

If I have to transfer from Don Mueang to Suvarnabhumi (to take the intercontinental flight to come back home), what's the best (cheap/quick) way ?
We are 3 adults and 1 infant, with 3 medium-big size luggages.
Do you think I have to take 2 taxi meter or are there any alternatives ?
How many baht do I have to consider ?

Thanks in advance

Maxghibaz

A bit late, but still...

I have done this airport switch a few times with the meter taxi. Works fine and I paid about 400 baht each way. Besides the most common Toyota Altis cars, I saw quite a few Nissan Minivans used as taxis as well. Once I had one just for myself.
You book your ride at the counter where the taxis are and maybe they can put you and your family on one of those as well.

Chock dee.

dawsey · #22 14-12-2007, 01:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elky

Hi guys

Just been on the NokAir website and they no longer list scheduled flights from BKK to Krabi. Thing is, I booked this exact flight in September and when I log in to their site, it says my flight is still confirmed from BKK to Krabi on 25th December at 10am - exactly what I booked and need. I've read that they have cancelled all internal flights from BKK and now only fly internally from DMK.

Can anyone shed any light on this?

Cheers

Elky

Looks to me like Nok have decided to switch that internal flight from the new airport to Don Muang but haven't informed you.

I would expect your reservation for the new flight number DD7910 is still on their records, but I think it's time to call them and confirm this for certain.

Can you not transfer to Don Muang easily enough?