Hello, In going from BKK to Phuket (and back), how does Bangkok Air compare to Thai Air (I assume those are the 2 most used airlines for that route). Is Bangkok Air very safe by western standards? It is only about $30 cheaper than Thai Air although times work out better.
Also, as we are coming from Phi Phi Islands on the way back (and therefore have to stick by speedboat transfer schedule)--how reliable is that 40mns from dock to airport estimate?
Cheers!

Thai and bangkok Airways both very good. Bid difference on the BKK-Phuket route really is size of planes, bangkok Airways uses Boeing 717's twinjets( new style roughly same size as DC-9's ).
Thai uses all wide-bodied, a mix of 747-400's, 777's, Airbus 300 or 330 aircraft. Thai also offers Executive class plus Economy/Coach, bangkok Airways has just Economy/coach, Thai has many more flights.
Allow much more than 40 minutes transfer, it can be done but if you get busy traffic around 4 to 6 pm then it can take longer, allow plenty of time.

thanks james! We'll be cutting it close to the airport on the way back, but I suppose we can always catch the next flight out if we miss it.
Hoping your unseasonal weather passes soon! PS We took your recommendation and are staying in a Junior Suite at Kata Thani (in mid January)!

jacqui
You'll like the junior suites at Kata Thani. I was just there late Sept and could have stayed much longer than the two nights we had there.
Carol

I have just mentioned to another poster that I will call friends in Phuket tomorrow and check the update, also I have a couple of staff flying down Monday.
If you have doubt about making the flight then i would go for Thai as they have just so many more flights and the planes are 'big', Thai are very very good that way and it tends to be total hassle free as long as their are seats available.
I am guessing that you are not connecting long hual ex Bangkok the same night in which case why not just book on a flight that leaves say 2 houtrs after you are due to arrive at the Phuket Pier, that should be fine, I am not suggesting you 'cut it fine' at the airport but they tend to be understanding, if you are flying Executive Class all the better.