Does anyone have particular preferences as regards the airlines that fly to Chiang Mai from BKK? We would obviously be interested in saving money and getting a cheaper flight but not if the airline is unreliable/history of cancellations, late take offs and other such problems

Thx BB

We are using Thai air because the prices are relatively cheap, and a business class ticket does not cost very much more.

We were originally going to book a Bangkok Airways flight, but they are not direct, so we went with Thai.

I know there are other discount airlines that might be a little cheaper than Thai, but not all that much cheaper. You also get an extra baggage allowance and access to business lounges in the airports through Thai, so it is really worth it. I think we booked our flights for around $125 per person each way.

there have been fodor reports of problems with air asia....for CM, i have only used thai air....but to other parts of thailand, i have used bangkok air and i think they are fabulous...

nok air gets some good reviews here...

Bella_blue, I don't know if you have seen my earlier post but I just purchased rt tickets from Bangkok to CM for $50 on Air Asia!!

There is not an airline out there that pleases everyone so I wouldn't be too discouraged about someone posting a negative experience. It seems there are several people that have posted that they have had no problem at all.

If you are looking to save a few bucks I think it is a good option.

If you want to take a chance on Air Asia, they frequently have flights for $25 round trip between BKK and CM or CR.

I used Nok Air in Sept and was very pleased. I upgraded and got extra luggage allowance and no charge for changes plus larger seats. Good prices too.

I just flew on Air Asia and it went very well. I found it to be one of the cheapest flights. Be careful though if you have a lot of luggage. You will get charged for going over their limit and then the cheap fare will not be so cheap.

thank you all - I am weighing up the cost against the risk of delays etc. The luggage issue is not such a great one as we can leave a lot of our stuff at the hotel in Bangkok. The delay is the biggie - not sure I can bear it with a toddler...

Depending on when you are travelling Air Asia has a birthday sale where you can travel for the cost of only the taxes and extras. For instance a return fare from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is only 964 baht or about $24us. These fares are good from Feb 7 to Oct 10 but have to be booked by Dec 28. Not all days have this rate so you must be flexable and baggage is limited to 15kgs without paying extra at 80 baht per kg.
The cheapest rate before this was 981 baht (499 + extras of 482) one way but these were hard to come by..

Just a note to the above. If you book a return ticket to Chiang Mai (or other places) you will get one way at taxes/extras only and the return flight at the lowest fare for that day plus taxes/extras. However if you book oneway only (BK/CM and CM/BK) the fares will be both based on taxes/extras only.

with a toddler it would be thai air for me....no chance, or very little of a delay or cancellation and very frequent flights, like every hour....what's the difference....$50 or 100....its vacation and time is money and peace of mind...