Flight Review - Bangkok Airways Flight PG 914 Bangkok to Samui
Economy Class
30 October 2012

Carrier: Bangkok Airways

Flight Number: PG 914 departing BKK @ 18:45

Duration: 1:10

Class: Economy Class

Configuration: ATR 72, 2-2

Check-in experience:
Coming directing from an international connection on board SWISS, check-in for the Bangkok Airways flight was effected at the Transfer Desk upon arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport. The young, vivacious staff were very helpful and provided a friendly welcome to Bangkok Airways after the long flight from Europe. International passengers transiting at Suvarnabhumi to domestic Thai destinations have a dedicated Immigration section. Bags checked through from the point of departure can be claimed at the final destination.

Lounge:
The lounge experience is one of Bangkok Airways' most unique benefits for its passengers. ALL Bangkok Airways passengers, even those travelling in Economy Class, are permitted use of the airline's lounge, which in this location opposite Gate A3 is a spacious, airy, and generally happy space with tasty Thai sweets and drinks, reading material, and wifi-all provided on a complimentary basis. This ranks as one of the nicest experiences for Economy Class travellers anywhere in the world.

On-time performance: The flight left Bangkok on time and arrived in Samui 20 minutes ahead of schedule.

Seat/Cabin conditions:
The ATR is a narrow-body, high-wing prop aircraft with two seats on each side of the aisle. The cabin was clean and orderly. Seats were comfortable enough for the short flight.

Food And Beverage:
Again differentiating itself from other airlines, Bangkok Airways, whose slogan is 'Asia's Boutique Airline', shows why it merits such a motto with a nice food service. Given the short duration of the flight, travellers would expect maybe a bag of pretzels, if anything; on this flight, a snack of Thai chicken and sticky rice was served, accompanied by a salad.

Service:
The two flight attendants were friendly and attentive, staying busy the entire flight serving food and beverages.

Entertainment:
Bangkok Airways has an impressive inflight magazine that is more substantial than those found on board much larger airlines. The interesting articles fill the remaining bit of time the food service does not.

Arrival:
Arrival at Kohn Samui airport was completely relaxing. Instead of the stand-up transfer buses seen at most airports, USM has jitney-style, open-air vehicles with wooden benches to ferry passengers to the terminal. Bags were delivered without delay and off it was to Napasai, the Samui property of the Orient-Express group.

Overview:
In skies crowded with low-cost carriers, Bangkok Airways certainly separates itself from the pack with a gentle finesse exhibited by staff at every step of customer interaction.

bangkokair.com/eng