Bangkok Airways » User reviews

Swissdiver flew Bangkok Airways Blue Ribbon (business), on a A319 (two class) (27/08/2011 16:47)

USM - SIN, Business Class, August 2011

This is one of the best short-haul business class service I ever experienced. Of course the lounge facility in USM is limited: this is a very small airport. Still there is a lounge with dedicated business class facilities and boarding. We were brought to the plane and had time to take our seats.
The seat was extremely comfortable, better than anywhere in Europe or in the US. We were offered a drink upon arrival and the late lunch menu was presented, and order taken. Soon after take-off, lunch arrived with the drinks (in my case that day, a first course, followed by a yellow curry of chicken with a nice white wine). Then we had time to relax (flight time was about 90 minutes) before landing.
Flight was smooth, crew very attentive. Well a perfect flight...

Stephen787 flew Bangkok Airways Economy, on a A320 (06/11/2010 06:35)

BKK to HKT 28/10/10 We chose Bangkok Airways over Thai Airways due to the huge price differential, and I'm glad we did. Easy to book, easy to check in at BKK, and best of all they have their own lounge for economy passengers. I'd read online about the BKK lounge and it didn't disappoint. The lounge has free drinks, snacks, internet terminals, wifi and newspapers. Why pay double to fly with Thai? We were bussed out to the brightly painted aircraft at a remote stand. The 1hr 20 min flight was smooth and event free. Aircraft was spotless and the good looking crew did their job well. A savoury filled croissant, along with juice, water or coffee was offered on this short flight. The only odd thing was the in-flight entertainment on the drop-down screens which was a "funniest home videos" program from the 1980's. But this was not needed for the short flight. Once at Phuket our luggage was quickly on the carousel and we were out of the airport within about 15 mins from landing. This is an airline that gets it right!

businessISpleasure flew Bangkok Airways Blue Ribbon (business), on a A320 (31/08/2010 18:29)

This was my first experience travelling with Bangkok Airways. Previously we had been ardent and loyal customers of both British Airways & Virgin Atlantic. However, after 11 years of business travel I am yet to find an airline that made me feel as welcome and as valued as Bangkok Airlines.

The flight was on time, the amenities more than sufficient, the staff pleasant, professional and warm. Aboard the flight, my every need was attended to and I was asked on average every 30/40 minutes if I needed anything at all. The result was a seamlessly professional and very pleasant experience. One that I will, without doubt, be both repeating and recommending to my friends and colleagues. I arrived at Bangkok International Airport feeling refreshed and invigorated rather than depressed and aching!

TonyKennah flew Bangkok Airways (04/02/2010 12:57)

Beautiful service, facilities and staff. When you're having to wait around in Bangkok or Ko Samui airports it's such a welcome treat to have a wonderfully air conditioned lounge in which to relax. Then when your flight finally arrives you are treated like royalty until you leave

Survivor flew Bangkok Airways Economy, on a A320 (13/10/2009 07:14)

Being allocated on row 1 gave us lots of privacy for a one-class flight. The cabin service for this boutique airline is flawless - great start to a holiday.

Amethyst flew Bangkok Airways Economy (19/10/2008 19:52)

Both going to and returning from Koh Samui, our flight was delayed by about an hour each. Going was because of poor visibility due to bad weather in the island and returning was for some unexplained reason.

Riding a budget airline, I guess you have to make all sort of allowances.

My friends and I learned about the delay only when we got to the airport but decided to make the best of it by exploring the new shops that had opened in the new shopping arcade. Gosh, this airport has come a long way from being a thatched hut affair when it started out years ago – then it looked like somewhere in the South Pacific – to what it is now. I first visited Koh Samui somewhere around the mid-90s, and thought I had landed in Tahiti or something. Oh well, that is progress for you.

After checking out what was on offer, we settled down in a tea house that was offering an extensive fruit tea menu. I had a ham and cheese and lychee tea, which was so refreshing I ordered a second one. I could see the runway from our table which was shining with the afternoon sun bouncing off the tarmac. We strolled around some more and I wandered into the Bookazine shop and picked up a glossy magazine.

The new departure hall is like no other. After a recent big expansion, it has more space and more amenities. The concept here is still open air as is the entire airport. Everyone waits in stylised pavilions whose ceilings reminded me of the original basic structures. There are enough seats for everyone especially during the peak hours, and even deck chairs in some corners facing the runway. (You’re always reminded you’re in Paradise!)

There is also a buffet section that everyone is welcome to. Fruits are abundant (I kept scarfing the bananas trying to get in my potassium fix). And flat-screen monitors are placed strategically around the room, although I wasn’t interested in the soccer match that was being aired. I preferred to read. And did I mention the loo? It had an aquarium at the entrance that I thought at first I had made a mistake and was going into a fish exhibition room at a zoo! It was nice and clean inside and large.

Soon they were calling our flight and to get to our aircraft, we had to board these gaily painted trolleys. Since our seats were at the back, we went through the second entrance of the plane at the rear. On this A319, economy class seating was a 3-3 layout. We didn’t have far to go as our row was third from the galley, and I had a window seat, while my two friends occupied the middle and aisle seats.

The three of us are not exceptionally tall people so we found the leg room to be extremely comfortable. I squished my bulging haversack under the seat in front of me and was able to get it in. I could have put it in the overhead storage but it’s so much easier to reach for it when it’s in front of you.

We were quickly up and away, and after a while, a meal service commenced. Being so near the kitchen, we got our trays immediately – yippie! For a low-cost carrier (but Bangkok Airways also calls itself a “boutique airline”), the snacks are generous. We were handed a sesame bread sandwich packed with chicken, tomato, cucumber and lettuce along with mocha crumble cake and fresh fruit. Drinks included OJ, coffee and tea. I didn’t want to really eat after stuffing myself earlier but the sandwich tempted me, and so I gave in. I wasn’t disappointed as I love chicken in any form.

This being a 50-minute flight, it was over before I could even take a nap. Thank goodness, this was a Sunday evening and we didn’t have to contend with Bangkok’s infamous gridlock on our way to our nice five-star hotel by the Chao Phraya River.