Recommendations for BKK-UTH-BKK

We will be returning to visit family and friends in April 0f 2012. I would appreciate recommendations for airlines from BKK-UTH-BKK. Is there one preferred over the other? Thai Air, AirAsia or Nok Air? It has been two-years and a bit since our last flights to and from.

luangtom wrote:We will be returning to visit family and friends in April 0f 2012. I would appreciate recommendations for airlines from BKK-UTH-BKK. Is there one preferred over the other? Thai Air, AirAsia or Nok Air? It has been two-years and a bit since our last flights to and from.

Luangtom, right now through January 29 you can purchase one-way tickets online with Nok Air for 1090 baht for travel up to the end of June. I think the baggage allowance is only 15 kg, but you can check it out for yourself. Air Asia is less expensive than Thai Air as long as you book online and choose the increased baggage allowance if needed. Otherwise, Thai Air would be your third best bet if you have a lot of baggage and don't want to haggle with the extra baggage weight charges.

Down to 'personal choice', if there are any offers on & where you are flying from in BKK.

Nok are OK, I can't put it stronger than that. Cheaper than Thai, not as cheap for basics are Air Asia, standard between the two as well. There is a pretty persistent rumour that while in Thailand, if it is a Thai Airway or Nok flight that needs to be disrupted for some reason it will always end up being Nok...
However, if you especially want to fly out of Don M. then really they are the only game in town & I would be comfortable booking with them.
I would not, however, make the particular effort to travel from Swampy to Don M. just to fly on them.

If flying out of Swampy it is really a toss up between Thai & Air Asia.
Air Asia are clearly a 'budget' airline, with all that entails. That usually means a good price for just getting YOU from A to B but a need for care & reading their rules in if you are going to be boarding with luggage, want a snack on the way etc.
The seat size is not exactly generous, but manageable for an hour.
Thai are usually more expensive just for getting you from A to B but, especially if flying immediately after a long haul flight with them, can be generous indeed with baggage allowance. Will also, usually, throw in a 'snack' even on the short flight to Udon.

I have used them all, on many occasions. I have, normally, been happy but they have also all managed to disappoint me as well.
When returning to Udon from the UK I almost always use Thai. That is because the evening flight to Udon fits in well with my landing time from London & it is also very easy for me to book the flight on line in the UK before I start out.

I think it is a matter of taking into account flight times, current ticket cost & calculate what your baggage will cost & take it from there. If you will be happy with the actual flight is, I think, in the lap of the Gods, but not weighted away or towards any one of the 3...

I used too fly with AirAsia all the time before when they actually where a lowcost airline company.
Not anymore.....

I was happy when Oriental was flying Bkk- Udon but they seem too shut down that flight.
Nok Air is now my favourite, good price and service.
Thai is always nice but always seems too have double the price compared too Nok Air.

I did actually take the bus recently, Chan tours, with the massage chair, private lcd tv etc etc.
A pleasant 8 hour ride for 550 bath.
Still gonna fly but when that option is out Chan tour is not an bad option

Dudde wrote:I
I did actually take the bus recently, Chan tours, with the massage chair, private lcd tv etc etc.
A pleasant 8 hour ride for 550 bath.
Still gonna fly but when that option is out Chan tour is not an bad option

I have to say that if I'm just traveling to BKK and don't have to catch a flight I prefer going by Chan Tours. Take the last bus, watch some TV then go to sleep. Wake up and you're at Mochit in Bangkok by 6am.

Very comfortable and none of the hassles of going to the airport.

Thank you for the replies. I will ponder what I have read......

Seems to me Don Muang airport is closed until further notice due to the flooding.
Booked a Nok Air to Swampy yesterday for late april at 1090 baht, promotion ending today...

Thanks for the info thalenoi, I didn't even realise that it was still shut...

The plan is for it to reopen early March, apparently...

Thailand's Don Mueang airport to resume operation in early March

Thailand's second biggest airport, Don Mueang, will reopen for commercial flights on March 6, Airports of Thailand (AOT) President Anirut Thanomkulbut said on Monday, English website Bangkok Post reported.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world ... 382718.htm

Indeed, I got SMS and email from Nok today mentioning change to Don Muang as of March 6.
I will need to ask reimbursement and re-book on Thai or AA, there goes my 1090THB promotion

Well I booked on Thai, a "free one way ticket"
I had 10k miles expiring December on my FF account and booked a reward seat for 9k miles + 805THB "fee"
Still need to get my 1090THB back from Nok