sf7307

What airlines should we look at for travel:

1) from Hanoi to Hue or Danang
2) from Hue or Danang to Saigon
3) from Saigon to Siem Reap
4) from Siem Reap to Bangkok (in case we decide to add Bangkok)
5) from Siem Reap to Hong Kong (in case we decide to just pay for this portion of the trip and make the trip open jaw
6) from Bangkok to Hong Kong (same)

We know about Vietnam Air and Jetstar, but don't know any of the other regional airlines in this part of the world, so we'd like to know the inexpensive airlines as well as quality (not service, just cleanliness and safety).

Thanks again.

Kathie

Air Asia is the budget airline in SEA with the most routes, but it doesn't fly everywhere.

There is only one airline that flies between Bangkok and Siem Reap, Bangkok Air. That flight is pricey. But if you are flying three or more legs with them, you qualify for the Discover Pass.

I don't know if any airline flies non-stop between Siem Reap and Hong Kong, you might look at Dragon Air.

Of course the large carriers, Cathay Pacific and Thai fly between Bangkok and Hong Kong, though neither are cheap.

sf7307

Is Air Asia reliable and safe? It seems a lot like Europe's EasyJet.

avjoseph

I am going to Siam Reap in August from Bangkok. By road, this is 1 day affair each way with a lot of hassles.

SO, I bit the bullet and paid the $350 R/T on Bangkok Airways. I booked my flights on Airbus 319 aircraft (only once a day, the others are turbo-props).

The best deal on airfares from Bangkok to Hong Kong is on Emirates, an absolutely fantastic airline. They have only one flight a day, but the airfare is about $150 each way and they have a very cheap business class fare. Just go to their web site.

But, for all the intra-asia travel, you should be buying a Cathay Pacific Asia Pass that includes your flight from USA/Canada. You can backtrack etc within Asia. Only downside is that you have to pre-plan your entire itinerary and stick to it. But nevertheless it is a fantastic deal.

Also, buy a travel pass on Thai Airways for intra-Thailand travel. You can do a triangular route to Phuket, Chiang-Mai and Bangkok. It's well worth it.

JaneB

If you google.....

Hue Airport Wiki
DaNang Airport Wiki
Seam Reap Airport Wiki
etc, etc, etc,

....you will see a list of all of the airlines that fly to/from that airport. Then you will be able to plan your flights.

Kathie

Yes, Air Asia has a good safety record.

The Cathay Pacific Pass is a good deal if you are going places Cathay Pacific goes. It doesn't sounds to me like it would help you with the itinerary you've given as the only leg on your list that they fly is Hong Kong-Bangkok. And the Thai airpass is worthless with your itinerary,as the airpass doesn't cover Bangkok to Hong Kong, which is the only leg on your trip that Thai flies..

justshootme

Dragon Air (KA) does NOT fly to Siem Reap. There are no non stops from Siem Reap to HKG. KA does fly Phnom Penh to HKG.

The CX Asia pass is useless for two reasons:-
1) you will use miles for your transpacific flights.
2) the only flight that you require intra Asia that CX flies is BKK to HKG.

Unfortunately many of the routes you need are dominated by one of two airlines and will be costly.

The BKK - HKG flight should have some good fares, it's a popular route flown by at least half a dozen airlines (CX, TG, RJ, UL to name a few).

rhkkmk

i love air asia... we used them as recently as two weeks ago... btw, they fly to india and england and australia as well as within SEA...

vn air within vn is best
lao air to siem reap

bkk to SR--bkk air
bkk-HK--air asia (to macau)

Hanuman

Just to further rhkkmk's suggestion - there are two Air Asia, Thai Air Asia and Air Asia. Thai Air Asia depart from Thailand to foreign destinations and Air Asia depart from mostly KL to foreign destinations. The UK route will be from KL so if you're interested in that you will have to fly to KL first. http://www.airasia.com/th/en/traveli...routemap.html?

Here's my take on your question:

1) from Hanoi to Hue or Danang - VN air.
2) from Hue or Danang to Saigon - VN air.
3) from Saigon to Siem Reap - ?
4) from Siem Reap to Bangkok (in case we decide to add Bangkok) - Bangkok Airways
5) from Siem Reap to Hong Kong (in case we decide to just pay for this portion of the trip and make the trip open jaw
6) from Bangkok to Hong Kong (same) - one way fares are a bit expensive imo so I would choose an airline with the lowest fare and the right timetable.

justshootme

Been thinking about this thread. This is what I would do. Check prices HCMC to SR and Hanoi to SR, if there is a significant difference in price, fly to the city that costs more to depart from to SR on your transpacific ticket. For example, if flights cost more from Hanoi, fly there first. Travel either northbound or southbound in Vietnam, fly to Siem Reap (from HCMC or Hanoi), then to BKK. Fly BKK to HKG.

sf7307

Well, we "bit the bullet" on the flights from North America after we figured out a basic itinerary over an after-work drinnk tonight. We are flying (all on FF miles) open jaw (instead of the originally-intended stopover) SFO-Seattle-Seoul-Hanoi. We will open-jaw to Hong Kong, and return Hong Kong-Tokyo-SFO. We will use Vietnam Air or Jetstar to make our way from Hanoi to Danang/Hue/HoiAn to Saigon, and probably Vietnam Air from Saigon to Siem Reap. Then we will fly Air Asia from Siem Reap-Kuala Lumpur-Hong Kong. Lots of flying (and for someone who hates to fly, lots of nerves), but we're glad to have worked it all out.

Our itinerary is:

6 nights in Northern Vietnam (Hanoi, Halong Bay, maybe Sapa, maybe Ninh Binh)

5 nights mid-Vietnam (Hue/HoiAn)

2 nights Saigon

3 nights Siem Reap

4 nights Hong Kong

Thanks for all your help!