Asia's Boutique Airline Bangkok Airways

First established in 1968 and known as Sahakol Air, Bangkok Airways operated as an air-taxi service, transporting passengers involved in the natural gas and oil industry in the Gulf of Thailand. By 1986, the airline had become the country's first and only private domestic airline and in 1989 it was re-branded as Bangkok Airways. In the same year, the airline built its first airport in Ko Samui and within seven years it built another airport in the Sukhothai Province. By 2003, the airline had built a third airport in the Trat Province to service the route for passengers to the Ko Chang region. During this period, the airline had a fleet of propeller-driven aircraft, including the Short 330, ATR-72s, Fokker 100s and the De Havilland Canada Dash 8.

By 2000, the airline had begun to replace its fleet with Boeing 717s and Airbus-320's. Today, Bangkok Airways boasts a fleet size of 28 aircraft, including A340s, A330s, Boeing 787s and Airbus A350-800s. The airline flies to no fewer than 28 destinations. Within 40 years, the airline has grown from a modest operation serving domestic routes to an international airline employing almost 2,550 staff and operating scheduled flights to a host of international destinations including Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Malaysia, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Singapore. Since 2004, Bangkok Airways has consistently been placed within the top three positions for the Best Regional Airline Awards.

Flying with Bangkok Airways

Irrespective of destination or duration of the journey, the airline always provides meals, in-flight entertainment, comfortable seating and excellent customer service and all of these benefits are offered with an Economy ticket. Should you upgrade to Premium Economy class, however, a host of additional benefits are offered, such as priority check-in, airport lounge access, priority boarding, priority baggage claim, a generous baggage allowance and a delicious on-board menu. Business Class customers can expect premium service from the airline's Blue Ribbon option, including a separate Blue Ribbon lounge at the airport where Business Class passengers can feast on complimentary snacks and drinks, relax in comfortable seating, enjoy free WiFi and experience very attentive service. On-board, Blue Ribbon passengers will find the premier extra-wide seating with plenty of legroom ensures a comfortable and leisurely flight. In addition, passengers can choose from the very exclusive menu, which includes a variety of international dishes and complimentary champagne as well as other refreshments. The airline's frequent flyer programme provides a very generous air miles initiative and Business Class passengers are rewarded with extra mileage.

Practical Information

Check-in: Passengers flying with Bangkok Airways can take advantage of the online check-in service up to 24 hours to 1 hour before departure. Alternatively, the option to check-in at the airport kiosk is available and opens 24 hours to 1 hour before departure.

Luggage:

• Irrespective of the ticket, all passengers are permitted one item of carry-on baggage of 5 kg, the dimensions of which should not exceed 50 x 36 x 23 cm for those passengers boarding a ATR72 or 56 x 36 x 23 cm for those passengers boarding an Airbus 319 or 320.

• Economy Class: Passengers with an Economy Class Ticket are permitted 20 kg of checked baggage.

• Premium Economy Class: Premium Economy Class ticket holders are permitted 30 kg of checked baggage.

• Business Class: Business Class ticket holders are permitted 50 kg of checked baggage.