Has anyone booked tickets on Lao Airlines recently? Who did you do it through? I am trying to book tickets from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang and then from Luang Prabang to Siem Reap for the first week in September. I have contacted some of the agents listed on the Lao Airlines website and Eddie from Seatours (who was recommended on this site a while ago). I've gotten different prices from those that responded back which vary by about $50 per ticket. I just don't want to get tricked or end up paying more than I should. I have also heard conflicting things about payment. Eddie says I can pay via credit card, while another says Lao Airlines only accepts cash. Help!

If it were me (and it isn't) I'd buy through Eddie who is at the Am Ex office in Bangkok. he can take credit cards, and he'll deliver your tickets to your hotel in Bangkok for free. Some places that are quoting you prices may be quoting you lower prices for cash, I don't know. Lao Air has been plagued by a French company that takes payment for flights online but which cannot issue valid tickets. I'd want to make sure I had a valid ticket.

eddie= [email protected]

If you can use Bangkok Airways for another flight (say from Siem Reap) then you might consider their Airpass. You need to buy 3 flight segments flying with Bangkok Air, Lao Airlines or Siem Reap Airlines. The cost for each international flight is around $107 net. These must be purchased outside of Thailand through a BA office or travel agent.

Normal fares should be around $85 CM/LP and $165 LP/SR.

With the Bangkok Airways AirPass - can you book the flights in advance? My concern would be that we wouldn't be able to get on the flights we want, especially since I will have booked the hotels in advance and have a set itinerary.

Yes, you can book your flights ahead (at the time of purchase) for the Bangkok Air airpass. I had heard, though that Lao Air was no longer a part of the Bangkok Air pass. Michael, do you know anything about this?

Thanks everyone, I ended up booking those flights through the Bangkok Airpass. It ended up being much cheaper and I was able to use credit card.

I purchased tickets from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang on Air Lao from Air Gorilla.com. I needed to make the specific flight so I had them fed ex the tickets to me (in US). It was worth their service fee. Very fast. Flight was great, this January. Air Lao website is a hassle.