Samui Airport was built by Bangkok Airways and has provided easy access to Samui since the airport's opening in 1989
	a relaxed vibe pre-departure with Bangkok Airways

Economy Class
2 November 2012

Carrier:  Bangkok Airways

Flight Number: PG 951 departing USM @ 17:55

Duration: 1:15

Class: Economy Class

Configuration: Airbus A319, 3-3

Check-in experience:
After a regretful goodbye to Napasai, the ride to Samui airport was straightforward.  There were no passengers waiting to check in at the Bangkok Airways desks thanks to having four desks open for Check-in.  The check-in process was smooth, friendly, and efficient.

Lounge:
There is no traditional lounge at USM, but the circular, open-air International Departures pavilion is equipped with a courtesy corner for drinks and snacks and an internet corner (if indeed circles can have corners) for communications needs.  More originality on the part of Bangkok Airways, which opened this airport—as well as tourism in Samui—in 1989.

On-time performance:  The flight left Samui with a delay of fifteen minutes due to the late arrival of the aircraft and arrived in Kuala Lumpur fifteen minutes behind schedule.

Seat/Cabin conditions:
The A319 seemed enormous compared to the ATR aircraft used for PG's high-frequency Bangkok-Samui flights.  The 3-3- configuration (and the personal air vents so noticeably absent on larger Airbus aircraft) made the plane seem very much like a B737.

Food And Beverage:
As on the BKK-USM flight of a few days ago, the meal service was efficiently executed by the cabin crew and the food was Thai and tasty chicken curry served with organic rice.  How many airlines serve organic rice grown in affiliation with a major ecotourism attraction?  Bangkok Airways does, in partnership with The Sukhothai Airport Organic Agriculture Project.

Service:
The flight attendants were unfailingly friendly and professional in carrying out their duties during the limited time, matching the pleasant service at Check-in.

Entertainment:
A playful theme song with Bangkok Airways flight attendants singing and dancing in a music video was a surprise bit of entertainment before the more serious safety information came on the screen.  Cartoons were shown on  drop-down screens throughout the cabin during the short flight.

Arrival:
Arrival at KUL was comfortable and efficient.  There was a short wait for luggage to delivered to the baggage carousel; a monitor kept passengers informed of the status of the baggage delivery.  Once the bags were collected, the trip in the Mercedesmobile to the amazing Villa Samadhi, one of the few Relais & Châteaux properties in Southeast Asia, was quick and traffic free.

Overview:
Nice destinations, nice planes, nice food, nice magazine, nice people.  What can I say?  I love Bangkok Airways.

bangkokair.com/eng