5 Reasons To Love Bangkok Airways
TPG International Contributor Lori Zaino just returned from spending two months in Southeast Asia (see her review of Thai Airways Economy Boeing 777-200ER — MAD-BKK and 12 Tips for Your First Trip to Southeast Asia), and one of her favorite experiences from the trip was flying with Bangkok Airways. Read on to find out why.
Bangkok Airways markets itself as "Asia's Boutique Airline," a tagline presumably targeted (successfully) to fans of boutique hotels. The Thai carrier flies between some of Thailand's most popular destinations, such as Bangkok (BKK), Phuket (HKT), Chiang Mai (CNX), Krabi (KBV) and Koh Samui (USM), and also operates international flights to Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, India, Bangladesh and the Maldives.
I flew Bangkok Airways for the first time in 2014 and had an amazing experience — though I assumed the airline simply forgot to charge me for my checked baggage and accidentally served me a meal on the 50-minute trip from BKK to USM. However, after flying Bangkok Airways four more times this past summer, I can confirm that the carrier's consistently fantastic.
I'm not alone in my love for Bangkok Airways — the airline has won Skytrax's "Best Regional Airline" award six consecutive years (2004-2009), and in 2015, it took second place — but here's why I think Bangkok Airways is awesome:
1. A full meal is served on every flight. It doesn't matter how short your flight is, you always get complimentary full-course meal with Bangkok Airways. A meal is served on flights as short as 45 minutes long. Although the meals may not be state-of-the-art cuisine, I find it refreshing that the airline still values giving you something to eat on board without charging you extra. Depending on the hour of the day, meals vary from breakfast-style foods to sandwiches, wraps or noodle and meat dishes. You can also request special meals when booking your flights. There are a variety of options, including children's meals, raw vegetarian meals, gluten-free meals and even bland meals, if you happen to have a stomach bug.
2. You get complimentary Departure Lounge access. Bangkok Airways' departure lounges are found at every airport where the carrier operates flights.
Once you arrive at the departure lounge nearest your boarding gate, you can simply show the Bangkok Airways representative your boarding pass and they'll give you a Wi-Fi code and access to the buffet, drinks and snacks — including free popcorn from a popcorn machine!
Note that Bangkok Airways also provides its premium flyers with access to its own Blue Ribbon Club Lounges. Many of these lounges are being renovated to include services such as hot meals, personal shower rooms and massage parlors. They also offer library quiet rooms and meeting rooms.
3. Passengers get a free checked bag on any domestic or international flight. With the exception of Southwest Airlines and a few European and Asian carriers, there aren't many airlines left that allow passengers — especially those in coach — to check bags free of charge. Instead, you'll generally have to hold a co-branded credit card or have airline elite status in order to avoid checked baggage fees. Bangkok Airways allows each of its passengers to check one bag free of charge on both domestic and international flights. Each bag is allowed 20 kilograms (44 pounds) on the carrier's domestic Thai flights and 30 kilograms (66 pounds) on its international flights.
4. You can sign up for the FlyerBonus Program to earn points. Members of the FlyerBonus program can earn points for flying, which can then be used to purchase flights or upgrades (points are valid for three years). There are two levels, Priority and Premier, and perks include Blue Ribbon Lounge Access, discounts and extra baggage allowance.
According to the FlyerBonus point accrual chart shown below, Thai domestic flights in economy will earn you 10 points one-way, and in business class, 15 points one-way. A business/Premier flight from Thailand to the Maldives (MLE), Mumbai (BOM) or Dhaka (DAC) will earn you the loyalty program's biggest haul, which is 35 points one-way.
FlyerBonus awards begin at 100 points for a one-way domestic flight and 150 points for a one-way international flight. In order to redeem points for flights, FlyerBonus members have to visit the FlyerBonus website and complete an online award redemption request at least five days in advance of travel.
To sweeten the deal, Bangkok Airways also has the following airline partners on which you can redeem FlyerBonus points:
- Japan Airlines
- airberlin
- Cathay Pacific & Dragonair
- Etihad
5. The airline has excellent customer service. The carrier recently changed one of my flights and offered me Blue Ribbon Lounge Access for the inconvenience. Customer service quickly responds to emails, and there's also a 24-hour live chat option on the website. (This is especially convenient when you're traveling and don't want to make an expensive phone call while roaming.) In-flight customer service is great as well, in addition to friendly reps at check-in and boarding. During the flight, the attendants really hustle to get all the food and drinks served make sure everyone is happy during the flight, many of which are just about an hour.
I can't wait to fly with Bangkok Airways again. Sadly, it only flies within select countries in Asia, because if the airline operated in Europe or the US, I would be forever a loyal customer. Not yet convinced, yourself? Then I leave you with the Bangkok Airways safety video — and you're welcome.
TPG readers, have you ever flown Bangkok Airways? Do you like them as much as I do? Feel free to share your comments below.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees