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Bangkok Airways

Types of Travelers

Business Travlers

2/5

Budget airline-like service

Family Traveler

4/5

Average amenities, standard infant baggage allowance

Backpacker
Adventure Traveler

5/5

Flights to Thailand’s best adventure destinations

Student
Budget Traveler

5/5

Cheap fares

Elderly
Disabled Traveler

3/5

Standard accessibility

Long Term Traveler

3/5

Good reach in Southeast Asia

Novice Traveler

4/5

User-friendly airline with good staff

Introduction

Bangkok Airways is a regional airline that flies to destinations throughout Southeast Asia.   It was established in 1968 under the name Sahakol Air and operated an air-taxi services for foreign companies in Thailand. It was the first privately-owned domestic airline in Thailand. The airline began commercial service in the 1980s.

Bangkok Airways actually built several small airports in popular tourist destinations in order to offer commercial service.. The airline is currently building its fleet by adding various Airbus and Boeing aircrafts to its fleet.  Some of the orders indicate that Bangkok Airways wants to begin offering long haul service.  The airline has announced a desire to service destinations like Tokyo and London by 2013.


Ratings

Important Factors 4/5

Average Delay

89%

Cancelled Flights
(average per month)

0%

Customer Satisfaction Rating

4 out of 5 stars

Types of Aircraft

Airbus A319, A320, A350, ATR-72-500

General 4/5

Number of Domestic Flights (Daily)

8

Number of International Flights (Daily)

8

Size of Fleet

17

Major Airports and Destinations Served

Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Hong Kong, Singapore, Phuket

Location of Hub

Suvarnabhumi Airport

Countries Served

Thailand, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Singapore, Laos

Number of Routes
Most Popular Routes

Koh Samui-Bangkok, Bangkok-Phuket,; Siem Reap-Bangkok; Bangkok-Chiang Mai

In-Flight 4/5

Which Routes offer Meal Service?

All routes offer hot meal service or snack and beverage

Food Quality

good

In-flight Menu

Local Thai cuisine, snacks

Average Leg Room

30-32 inches

Types of In-flight Entertainment

Some flights offer movies and audio

Baggage 3/5

Baggage Fees

None

Number of Bags Allowed

Sum of weight rule

Weight Limits and Restrictions

20 kg

Web Site 4/5

Online Check-in

Yes, for domestic flights

Web Site Usability

4/5

Special Needs 4/5

Handicap Accessibility

Standard accessibility

Pets

Cats and dogs, must contact the airline for destination-specific fees

Special Offers /Partners 3/5

Airline Alliance Membership

None

Hotel Partners

Flyer Bonus

Competing Airlines

Dragonair, Air Asia, Thai

Strengths
  • Great regional service
  • Cheap fares
  • Routes to popular vacation destinations in Thailand

Weaknesses
  • Limited reach outside of Thailand
  • Small aircraft
  • Relatively poor safety record

Frequent Flier Program and Airport Lounges

Bangkok Airways runs the Flier Bonus awards program. Fliers can earn miles on Bangkok Airways flights. Miles are good for three years. Fliers who earn a high amount of miles receive status upgrades and become eligible for perks like lounge access and access to special deals and fares. Bangkok Airways operates lounges in most of the Thai airports that it serves.

Conclusion

Bangkok Airways is a small airline that offers good service to popular destinations in Thailand and around Southeast Asia. It is a good alternative to the largest regional budget carrier, Air Asia, especially for travelers who are in search of a connecting flight from hub cities like Singapore and Hong Kong to Thailand’s popular tourist destinations. Like Air Asia, Bangkok Airways is hoping to develop into an international carrier with service from the US and Europe to Southeast Asia.