Asian Domestic Flights Are Just Better!

Asian Domestic Flights Are Just Better!
No place like being in the air!

So I don't blog very often, I should do, I mean that's what this site is for right! Finding time is certainly the biggest single constraint I have to put up with. Whilst I'm currently on a much needed break away from work and In Thailand (1 week down out of 5 already somehow!), I thought I'd blog my thoughts about Asian airlines domestic flights.

So I landed in Thailand on 24th November and on the 25th I got an internal flight out from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi to Ubon Ratchathani via Thai Airways (formally Thai Smile).

The 1 way flight cost me £20 (via trip.com) which somehow includes;

  • 20KG checked luggage
  • 7KG carry on luggage
  • Seat selection
  • Meal Service

Show me a airline in Europe that does that! It begs the question why if an Asian airline can do it, why can't an European based one? Before you answer, lets just all agree its pure greed!

Check In

I'll be honest, I checked in online a couple of hours before the flight. Check in on Thai Airways website was very simple and I was checked in inside less than 5 minutes. I had the choice of an electronic boarding pass emailed, or could be printed or collected at check in desk. Me being me and I love a plane ticket, opted to collect at the airport.

Usually I like to get to the airport around 3hrs before the flight but given I was staying so close to the airport anyway (about 10m taxi) I opted for a less than 2hr window. Unusual for me. Maybe oversight on my part. I digress.

Once getting to Suvarnabhumi airport, it was literally a case of walk up the desk, drop off the bag and that's it. I actually cleared all of security and was at the gate waiting in less than 15m.

The Thai Experience

Even though the plane was full, I still managed to get a window seat. I'm a sucker for window seat as I love to take shots of the plane in the air. It's a shame though I wasn't next to the engine. That would have been ace.

Thai flight TG020 was operated by an old looking Airbus A320-200 still nicely in Thai Smile colours on the outside. I really hope this livery will be retained. The plane itself looks a little dated, especially with pop down screens, but its still more than capable for an domestic flight.

A320-200 Leg room

Me being about 5ft 7" and not really a slender build, I felt there was plenty of leg room and felt relatively comfortable for the 1hr or so trip to Ubon.

About 15m or so into the flight (nice take off if you're wondering), the "meal service" started. I was pleasantly surprised to see I was given a little bag with some stuff in it. I was expecting a meal service to be a bottle of water and that was it.

The in-flight domestic meal service

Now on one hand you can say "oh you got a custard bun an some water. Not much to shout about" but for all the above for £20, its EVERYTHING to shout about! Ryanair would have probably charged you an extra £10 for that alone.

Ubon Ratchathani - How Are You An International Airport?!

As I said before, its a relatively short flight from Bangkok to Ubon. We landed on runway 05 and then backtracked to the terminal. I always chuckle at how Ubon is classed as an International Airport. It's so small and I genuinely have no idea what international flights go from here.

Tiny International Airport

Ubon Airport only has 2 gates with actual jet bridges, and then a couple more that are remote. Due to this really being an ex military base and a regional airport, turn around time is very quick. For context here, our plane landed at 8am and was back out inside 30 minutes back to Bangkok.

Can't tell me that's not a nice livery right?

For context for Ubon airport, this is the arrival area. My photo really doesn't show how tiny this is. I somehow managed to create an depth of field looking effect. I managed to get baggage within 10m and then off we went towards the village of Khun Han approximately about an hour and a half away or as I'm beginning to call it, "the ass end of Thailand".

Concluding Thoughts - The Global Domestic Standard

From the header you can probably say I was very impressed. For me, this should be the global standard. Sure eco zealots will say it's a big crime travelling an hour, but the fact of the matter is, its an 8 hour drive in the car or around 12 hours on a bus. There is no rail network out there.

I know Thai has had its troubles in recent years but hand on heart (even if I'm Thai), you won't find an airline that has done a domestic flight so well in my eyes. British Airways charges you £70 from Manchester to Heathrow. Doesn't even include checked baggage that or a seat selection or a meal...I got that for £20! The value proposition here is something else. I know other airlines in Thailand from experience offer similar but even Thai Vietjet or Nok Air have additional charges for similar fare I paid.

If Asian airlines like Thai can do this, there is no reason why a western airlines cannot do this either. It's poor management from western airlines in my eyes.

Continue as you were, Thai! Bravo!