Bangkok Airways fares question
 

Hi-

First time posting in the Asia forum and planning my first trip to Asia for next January.

I'm looking to book tickets from BKK to PNH, and then from REP to BKK. From what I understand from reading various posts in this forum, Bangkok Airways is the only airline that does the REP - BKK route.

I've priced out the above itinerary on Bangkok Air's website and the total comes out to about $553 (as of today). I know it's really early to book flights for January 2012 and I was wondering if there was any advantage to waiting a bit to book - I know the REP-BKK fare probably won't drop, but perhaps the BKK - PNH leg might?

If the prices stay relatively static then I'd like to book soon and get this one step out of the way, but am willing to track the fares for a while if they tend to fluctuate.

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

Air Asia flies from BKK to PNH. They should be cheaper than Bangkok Airways. I used them several times last year and I have no complaints. I did use Bangkok Airways to fly from REP to BKK and I think I paid around 200$. I don't think that flight gets any cheaper.

The one way to pay less on Bangkok Air is the Discovery Pass. If you are flying three or more legs on Bangkok Air, take a look at it. Otherwise, the prices don't change much (other than to go up with the price of jet fuel).

Thanks for the tip - I was aware that Air Asia flew the BKK-PNH route, but didn't realize just HOW much cheaper that segment would be than Bangkok Airways.

Went to the Air Asia website and there is a promo fare for about $78 (not including the extra supersize your luggage fee).

The REP-BKK flight on Bangkok Airways is $271, so with the two together, is much cheaper than the $553 for both flights on Bangkok Airways.

You might want to wait a little while. Cambodia's new national carrier is going to start flying the BKK - REP route, and if they are cheaper, Bangkok Air will almost certainly drop their fares in response. Bangkok Air almost always prices competitively when the have competition (they're usually cheaper than Thai to PNH).

Michael, when will the new carrier start? Am hoping to make a quick stop in SR in September.

Interesting news, Michael!

That is interesting news about the new carrier - I will wait a bit to see what happens and hopefully the fare will be cheaper.

Thanks for all the help!

Still no mention on Cambodia Angkor Airlines web site on when they will start REP - BKK service. It's apparently dependent on the delivery of new aircraft, so all I've seen so far is "sometime this year".

From what I know Cambodia Angkor Airlines will POSSIBLY start limited code-share flights with Bangkok Airways. Bangkok Airways has a very "tight" relationship with Hun Sen and it will be hard to break their monopoly. I would look at the Luang Prabang - BKK route and Lao Airlines as an example of how Cambodia Angkor Airlines might start a code-share flight on this route.