Phuket air

[stogie bear]

Most of the banned airlines, including Air Koryo from North Korea and Reem Air from Kyrgyzstan, will be unknown to the average tourist. But Phuket Airlines used to operate a weekly service from London Gatwick to Bangkok via the United Arab Emirates. It was banned from Britain last year after a series of delays, including one of 36 hours, caused by technical troubles.

The above was taken from THIS ARTICLE today. Makes you wonder doesn't it?

So how many of you have traveled on Phuket Air when in the LOS? I'll bet it's more than a few of you.

Anyway - just thought I'd put that out there... but anyway it's still safer than the coaches, right?

[Guest]

What about vietnam air used to be a flying cffin service  from bangkok to ho chi ming city.
they have pulled up there socks in recent years.
go to www.airdisasters.com there all in there) fucking hate flying and the old fellow was a pilot with boac

[Snick]

I have never used Phuket Air, but I have heard the horror stories, I have used 1-2-Go...ONCE..and never will again. Stay away from that operation also.

I have no worries about AirAsia...only that they aren't the promptest of airlines.

[Guest]

Have to second the comments about Phuket Air

Orient Thai / 1-2-Go (same airline with different brand names for international and Thai domestic service) is in similar bad shape right now

I have several friends who have worked at both airlines as cockpit crew only to leave after disputes with management over safety and pay issues

For myself, I made the mistake of flying BKK-CNX last year on 1-2-Go after I missed my Thai Airways flight

The previous comment here, "never again" does not adequately communicate my sentiments about that flight

I would instead regard flying OX (Orient Thai) or 9R (Phuket Air) as akin to LB sex without a condom - not at any time or any price

As Snick says, Air Asia is cheap and safe - if not always reliable from an on-time standpoint

My friends at Bangkok Airways also have good things to say about their employer - very convenient service from Phuket to Pattaya also

Finally, I have also had a good ride on PB Air whenever I have taken them (domestic Thai service as well as international service to Kathmandu)

If none of the discounters are available, however, I would suggest that you pony up the additional baht and fly TG

Better to be safe and comfortable than sorry or dead

[Skinhound]

Have never tried any of the budget airlines...but am keen on saving $$$. Anyone tried Tiger? (the airline, not the beer) How does it compare to Air Asia?

Any other budget airline recos?

[gunslinger]

Try this link...........


http://wikitravel.org/en/Discount_airlines_in_Asia

[BAM]

When ever I'm waiting for my flight home at BKK I always shoot video of the planes taking off and landing.. It€™s a busy airport and there is always lots going on. I always get a kick out of some of the weirdest and wackiest looking airlines they got going through BKK.

[BAM]

@@

[PigDogg]

so who's going to make one of these babies look like a penis?

[Snick]

One note about Bangkok Airways to Samui, they fly a mix of Jets and Props. They do not mark their scedule to show which is which, BUT if you look at the flight time you can figure it out.

[Guest]

I've flown Nok Air from BKK to Phuket. Nice flight in my opinion. When I requested a departure change (had to stay in Phuket longer. . .wonder why) it was no problem. I would recommend them right along with AirAsia for budget flights.

[stogie bear]

Anyone tried Tiger? (the airline, not the beer...)

I'm told that both can get you high!

[rob69in]

As I recal Phuket Air used to operate a service direct to Phuket from Manchester UK, that too was stopped due to "commercial concerns", rubbish it was due to safety concerns. I try to fly Thai, but they too operate quite an old fleet, but you would like to think the national carrier might just be looking after there aircraft a little better. They are certainly not the cheapest, but its an airmiles, use of lounges & service thing for me. They are not the cheapest domestic either, but not that much dearer & i simpley can´t complain about the service & flexibility they have given me.

[Road Runner]

I believe Phuket Air were banned from the UK by the CAA because nearly everyone of their planes over a period of time was found to have serious mechanical or safety defects when they were being turned around at UK airports.

One of their 747s was sitting at either Luton or Stansted for about 3 weeks. It was stopped by the CAA and the company contracted to maintain it were owed something like £150,000 so refused to fix it until they were paid.

If I find a new cheap airline I normally do a little homework first.

RR.

[Khun Chilli]

I am a regular on air asia, nothing to complain. they have just added 100 brandnew a-320 and a new terminal in kl. i pay less than half of the fare which thai offers, so i dun mind to be 10 minutes late. - but admit for business flights usually don't use budget airlines when my schedule is tight.