Guide to Bangkok Airways

Bangkok Airways Logo

Bangkok Airways is a regional airline. It began its scheduled services in 1986 to become Thailand’s first privately-owned domestic airline. Initially named Sahakol Air, the airline changed its name to Bangkok Airways in 1989.

The airline has its primary hub at Suvarnabhumi Airport, and its secondary hubs are at Phuket International Airport and Chiang Mai International Airport.

Bangkok Airways was recognized as the “Best Regional Airline in Asia” and the “World’s best regional airline” by Skytrax World Airline Awards 2017. It was also awarded “Best Regional Airline in Asia” in 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2014 and 2016.

Planes

The fleet of Bangkok Airways consists of 40 aircraft, which includes 16 Airbus A319-100s, 13 ATR 72-600s, 9 Airbus A320-200s, and 2 ATR 72-500s.

Airbus A320-200

Airbus 320 has a seating capacity of 162 passengers and offers additional passenger capacity to operate on longer routes. It is also one of the most modern aircraft around today.

Airbus A319-100

Airbus A319 carries up to 160 passengers. It offers generous seat width and an extra-wide aisle.

ATR 72-500

The ATR 72-500 is a 70-seat turboprop aircraft with spacious seating and ample cargo space.

ATR 72-600

The ATR 72-600 is equipped with a new glass cockpit and offers a comfortable configuration with larger overhead bins. The aircraft has a seating capacity of 78 seats.

Bangkok Airways Destinations

The airline flies to a total of 12 domestic destinations and 20 international destinations. The countries covered are Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Documents to be carried

Thai adults (15 years and above) should carry their passports or National ID.

Thai children of age 7-15 years can show their Thai birth certificate, passport or national ID. Thai infants and children (7 days to 7 years old) are required to have their passports or birth certificate.

Foreigners (non-Thais) need only carry their passports.

Baggage Allowance

Checked Baggage

  • Economy Class: Adults are allowed to carry baggage of up to 20kg; infants are allowed a maximum of 10kg. Infants are permitted up to 10 kilograms. 
  • Business Class or Blue Ribbon Class: Maximum weight allowance for adults is 40 kilograms.

Carry-on Baggage

One item of carry-on baggage is allowed for all passengers occupying a seat.

  • ATR72: Passengers can bring luggage up to 5kg, with dimensions less than 50 x 36 x 23 cm
  • Airbus 319: Passengers can bring luggage up to 5kg, with dimensions less than 56 x 36 x 23 centimetres.
  • Airbus 320: Passengers can carry bags of 5kg, which should be less than 56 x 36 x 23 centimetres in size.  

Excess Baggage Rate Charge

Domestic: THB 180 per kilogram per sector will be applied.

International: As of 10th June 2019, a complicated zoning system was introduced to calculate excess baggage fees.

Prepaid baggage

If you want extra baggage, you can purchase “prepaid baggage” through the call centre, Bangkok Airways ticketing office, www.bangkokair.com or at the “Managing My Booking” on their official website and ticketing agent. This must be done at least 5 hours before departure.

How to Check-in? 

Online check-in

Passengers can check in online before arriving at the airport, available 24 hours to 1 hour before departure.

Kiosk Check-in

This check-in is available from 24 to 1 hour before departure.

Airport check-in

Passengers travelling on domestic flights can check in at least one and a half hours before the departure. In contrast, passengers travelling on international flights must check in at least 2 hours before the departure.

Check-in desks close 40 minutes before the departure of domestic flights and 50 minutes before international flights.

Payment Methods

  • Credit Cards: Passengers can pay for their ticket using a VISA, MasterCard, or JCB credit card.
  • Internet Banking: You can even pay using your registered internet banking account.
  • Line Pay: Passengers can log in to Rabbit Line Pay to make payments.
  • Union Pay: Passengers can also pay using Union Pay.

Frequent Flyer Programme

Bangkok Airways has a frequent flyer programme named FlyerBonus, which gives “easy earnings” and rewards.

How to earn?

Passengers can earn FlyerBonus points when flying with Bangkok Airways. You can even earn while using the services offered by the company’s programme partners, which includes hotels, car rental agencies, financial institutions, and healthcare partners. 

Add your FlyerBonus membership number when booking a Bangkok Airways flight or at the check-in counter.

Passengers must present their digital FlyerBonus card at check-in to earn points from the Programme Partners and state their intention to collect FlyerBonus points. Remember that the number of points earned on a flight may vary and depend on the type of fare purchased.   

Bangkok Airways has two levels of FlyerBonus membership:

Priority members

Priority member is the entry-level membership status. The members will get a chance to earn FlyerBonus points, redeem awards, get special privileges, and get an extra baggage weight of 5 kg.

Premier members

You can be a premier member by earning 12,500 qualifying points or travelling to 35 qualifying sectors within 12 consecutive months.

Along with the benefits given to Priority members, you are entitled to business class check-in, priority baggage handling, access to the blue ribbon club lounge, priority reservation waitlisting, and priority airport standby. You also get lower waiting times when you use the call centre and invitations to special events.

Additionally, you will be permitted to carry an extra 20 kg of baggage.  

Additional Services Offered by Bangkok Airways

U Fare by Bangkok Airways

The airline provides special offers for university lecturers and students. Find more about it here.

Government Employee privilege

This is available for government employees who hold Thai Nationality. With Bangkok Airways, government employees are given special offers and extra privileges. Click here for more information.

Senior Citizen Privilege

The airline offers special offers for Thai senior citizens aged 60 years and above.

Reduced Mobility Privilege

There are special offers and extra privileges for reduced mobility passengers as well.

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Schedules