Other Asian, Australian and South Pacific Frequent Flyer Programs - How reliable is Bangkok Airways' schedule?

I'm looking at booking on Bangkok Airways from PNH-BKK on PG936, departing PNH 20.10 and arriving BKK 21.20. The fare is US$70 plus taxes/surcharges etc instead of almost 3x that amount on the similarly timed TG flight.

The only thing that worries me is that we're connecting to a TG flight BKK-FRA departing at 23.40 that same evening, on a separate ticket. Is 2 hours 20 minutes comfortable enough? Does anyone have any experiences of Bangkok Airways' punctuality or otherwise that they would care to share? Given the extreme loads on the BKK-FRA flights at that time of year (and the fact we're connecting from FRA-YUL) it would be a bit of a disaster if we missed our connection in BKK, but we're on such a short trip that I don't really want to waste a day in transit in BKK.

Any thoughts/experiences welcomed! :) Plus any other comments on Bangkok Airways in general - it's hard to find much using the search function as the words Bangkok and Airways both pop up so frequently in this forum, but it sounds like they are a reasonably reputable outfit?

I'd say you should be fine. Nothing is guaranteed but Bangkok Airways should be as punctual as anyone. That is a good price on them and they are a good airline. Quite comfortable new planes on that route now. They also have a free lounge in PNH for Y class but no booze in the lounge:( . My only beef with them would be they are often pricey but sounds like you got a good price. I imagine they lost ALLOT of business when AirAsia opened up PNH-BKK and had to get competitive on the price. Bangkok Airways is a good airline though.

Thanks! That sounds encouraging :)

I'd say you should be fine. Nothing is guaranteed but Bangkok Airways should be as punctual as anyone. That is a good price on them and they are a good airline. Quite comfortable new planes on that route now. They also have a free lounge in PNH for Y class but no booze in the lounge:( . My only beef with them would be they are often pricey but sounds like you got a good price. I imagine they lost ALLOT of business when AirAsia opened up PNH-BKK and had to get competitive on the price. Bangkok Airways is a good airline though.

I agree with USDHS1984: PG (code for Bangkok Airways) is a fine airline. I have used them many times on the PNH-BKK route, including on the evening flight when connecting to onwards flights from BKK to Europe or elsewhere. I have never had a problem with substantial delays (though YMMV, of course).

AirAsia is certainly making an impact, by the way: PNH-based TAs are selling PG PNH-BKK for $105 RT all in (though non-refundable, etc.) for the flights that leave at around the same time as the AirAsia flights. I think that PG's recent development of an FFP (Flyerbonus) and introduction of a business class on the PNH-BKK route (evening flights only) is also due to the appearance on the scene of AirAsia....this appears to be PG's attempt to differentiate themselves.

The only downside is that food quality on PG (on the PNH-BKK route, at least) has deteriorated somewhat over the last few years. That said, you're still getting a hot meal (and ice cream for dessert!) on a roughly one-hour flight...

- Michael

PS For the heavy packers / shoppers: signing up for Flyerbonus gives you 10kg excess baggage allowance - as a general member, that is.

I have used them many times all without delay and always enjoyed great service even when I have turned up late and missed my flight

I've used them also on several occasions. Sometimes their flights between BKK and Samui can get backed up, but on the less frequently-run routes they are quite good. Delays, if any, are generally 1/2 hr or less. Weather or a mechanical problem could, of course, spoil the best of plans, but 2:20 should be safe.

I flew back from Guilin with Bangkok air and the new Suvarnabhumi airport had only one runway open so we were put in the hold for awhile, that may be a problem at that time of the day.
By and large Bangkok Airways are very reliable timekeepers.

I have done the exact same connection several times. You should not have any problem with 2 hours + from my experience.

I've also had a number of good experiences with Bangkok Airways. Almost always on time. You shouldn't have a problem with a two-hour connection.

I flew them once to LPQ (this was on a prop). No problem going out but coming back to BKK the flight was delayed for two hours because there was heavy rain. I was then told that Bangkok Air has problems maintaining a schedule when they use props and it rains. So you might find out if your flight is using a prop or a jet.

I flew them once to LPQ (this was on a prop). No problem going out but coming back to BKK the flight was delayed for two hours because there was heavy rain. I was then told that Bangkok Air has problems maintaining a schedule when they use props and it rains. So you might find out if your flight is using a prop or a jet.

IME, the PNH-BKK flights are always on jets. I've flown this route many times, and I've never had a prop. (PNH-REP is another story though.)

- Michael

The only thing that worries me is that we're connecting to a TG flight BKK-FRA departing at 23.40 that same evening, on a separate ticket.

They're a great airline - but if you manage to convince TG to change your ticket and add a TG domestic segment to the BKK-fra-YUL routing, you'll find that the cost of that domestic segment is actually quite cheap when combined with the int'l ticket. Quite possibly far cheaper than a separate domestic segment + fuel surcharges + taxes etc.

except that PNH-BKK isn't a domestic segment!

ian. :)

except that PNH-BKK isn't a domestic segment!

ian. :)

Oh right - Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

It almost is - distance wise. Anyway - a hefty part of that $210 is going to be taxes and surcharges, so tacking it onto his ticket to Montreal isn't going to cost him as much as if he buys a separate ticket PNH-BKK

srs

I'm glad everyone thinks PG is so reliable as I have a couple of flights with them over the next 2 weeks. But if you look on flightstats.com (http://www.flightstats.com/go/FlightRating/flightRatingByFlight.do;jsessionid=3AA0999BC7F29B4 A4F1C501B6077C629.apu:8009?airline=PG&flightNumber=936&x=8&y=10) the ontime record for PG936 is pretty poor with an average delay of 20 minutes and a "very late" stat of 12%. This is significantly worse than the average ontime performance for PG on all routes.

Based on stats I saw there I decided against their REP-HKT flight and am overnighting at BKK rather and flying on with TG to ensure I make a once-a-day boat connection. (Of course sod's law might kick in and my flight that day could be the one in a hundred that is excessively delayed or even cancelled. :eek: )