Low-cost airlines in Thailand - what are they good for? If you're planning a trip on your own you need to consider this segment of the airline industry.

If you are planning to travel on your own you should certainly consider the Low Cost segment of the airline industry. And not only because the cost of their services is significantly lower, which in most cases is not reflected in their quality. But also for the reason that they fly to destinations that are ignored by other airlines due to low profitability.

For example, Thailand’s locosters take tourists from Pattaya (Utapao) to Phuket, Surat Thani province, Krabi or Chiang Mai. This makes it much easier to get around the country and allows you to see much more during your vacation than if all travel was done via Bangkok and Suvarnabhumi. It’s similar to how they fly from Yekaterinburg to Novosibirsk via Moscow.

What do lowcosters save on, and how do they do business?

Thailand Airlines, operating in the “Low Cost” segment (hence the name “low-cost” comes from) , use special business schemes to make profits on unprofitable destinations. First of all, the cheaper tickets are based at lower-class airports. In addition, the intensity of flights increases significantly.

For passengers, using their services will result in a slight loss of comfort. For example, lowcosters do not offer tickets in business class and you will not be offered free drinks and meals on board. The cabin may be redesigned and a row of seats may be added by reducing the width of the aisle.

Fare comparison between budget and common Thai airlines

Prices from Bangkok to Phuket on low-cost companies
Prices from Bangkok to Phuket on national companies

You will not find any loyalty programs. The tickets are booked online only (but that’s not for sure). It is possible to refuse insurance, take a ticket without a seat and other options that you do not consider necessary. The pricing policy is as follows: the closer the departure date, the higher the cost. If you buy tickets from them on the day of departure, you will be unpleasantly surprised: the price is higher than if you would use the services of the national carrier Thai Airways (which is not a low-cost carrier).

Where can i buy tickets for Thai low-cost airlines?

There are several options here – it is to use the official websites of airlines, special flight finders, or a Thai aggregator for booking tickets for all modes of transport – 12go.asia. Just below is a widget, through which you can personally compare tickets for dozens of proposed flights. We also have an article on our site about How to buy tickets at 12go.asia.

Thailand domestic airlines

If you do not consider a trip to the shores of the Gulf of Thailand as just a beach holiday, and you want to see the country as a whole, then domestic airlines of Thailand is a very good help to you. Especially if you take care to buy a ticket in advance, at least a week before your departure date. Then the trip by air will be really inexpensive. It is worth noting that if you have more time than money, it is better to use the rail or bus.

Let’s take a look at the list of low-cost airlines in Thailand (not all of them are included).

Air Asia-main Low Cost

Not all Chinese low-costs are the same. They have their own rating scale. Air Asia is the largest of them, this company is well known throughout Southeast Asia. On its board you can get by air to Surattahni, Phuket, Krabi, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, Udon Thani, Hat Yai and a dozen other, almost unknown to the Russian tourist runways. Official website – airasia.com

Since 2012, the company has started offering a special service: a comprehensive transfer to the islands. It consists of the fact that if you can’t fly to the island or the company does not use its airport because it is too expensive (like Samui), the ticket price will include all types of transport that will take you to your destination. For example, if you buy a Bangkok-Samui ticket, you will land at Nakhon Si Thammarat or Surat Thani and then be transferred to a minivan, which will take you to the pier, where the ferries leave for the island, so you will not have to pay for it either.

Thai airlines’ red fuselage and keel planes are well known throughout the Indochina peninsula. Air Asia offers you several flight options, such as Vietnam, Cambodia or Malaysia.

You can choose from a variety of options.

Nok Air – routes to all domestic destinations

This is the second largest low-cost carrier serving domestic airlines in Thailand. However, its route network is much more extensive than that of Air Asia. You can fly to almost any village in the jungle. Provides services in Fly and Ferry format – a comprehensive ticket (plane, minivan, boat or ferry) to the islands. It was this airline that pioneered such an initiative in passenger service.

Nok Air is based at Dong Muang, Bangkok’s old airport. Most of the fleet is Boeing, used but in very decent condition. On board, passengers are offered a small snack – a couple of sandwiches and soft drinks.

Orient Thai Airlines

Orient Thai low-cost carrier that has gone through a reorganization and rebranding – formerly called One Two Go (very similar to the name of flight finder OneTwoTip.com). Like most low-cost carriers, it is based in Dong Muang. It serves Thai Southern Airlines with two flights a day to Phuket. There is also one international flight to Hong Kong from Suvarnabhumi.

Kan Air

Flights exclusively to domestic destinations. It is based at Chiang Mai Airfield. Routes to Bangkok (Don Muang), Hua Hin, Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen and Pattaya. The fleet consists of three small aircraft: ATR 72-500, Cessna 208B, Beechcraft Premier.

Thai Lion Air

Thai lowcoster, a subsidiary of Indonesian air carrier Lion Air. It has been operating since 2013 and is actively conquering the market: expanding its fleet, improving service. It has the newest planes in Thailand. These are Boeing 737-900ER, which are assembled in Bangkok. Thai Lion Air passengers can carry up to 15 kg of luggage for free and choose a seat in the cabin. Official website – lionairthai.com

THAI Smile

This is a subsidiary of Thai Airways. THAI Smile operates flights not only from Don Muang, but also from Suvarnabhumi. The fleet consists of new Airbus A320 airliners. Official website – thaismileair.com

Bangkok Airways and Thai Airways

Thai Airways, which are not low-cost airlines, but regularly run promotions, lowering the prices of flights on domestic lines. So it’s worth asking about their current offers.