Does anyone know of an airline other than Bangkok Airways which flies between Samui and Phuket. Don't really like the AT7s that are being flown .. looking for an alternative

the only airline that flies in and out of samui is bkk air...they own the airport as they do in trat

The only other alternative is to take Bangkok Air to Bangkok then another flight to Phuket. It will cost more but you can avoid the AT7.

I don't know what the concern is with the ATR-72, I find them fine, 40 minute flight, otherwise only other choice is the ferry/bus combination.

ATR's are fine to fly on. Either the 42 or the 72. Obviously the 72 being the larger of the two planes. If you can, see if you can pre book a seat at the back. Quieter there and also you will be first off as the board from the rear.

Fly them all the time in NZ as they are widely used here. Never had a problem apart from being a little loud if you sit adjacent to the propeller.

Cheers

Steve

most of them have been removed from use in the NE US after lots of problems with icing up many years ago...i rather liked my flt from trat on one to bkk...the only problem was that we flew low enough over all the shrimp farms and now i don't want to eat shrimp anymore...