Airlines to Cambodia from Thailand

[Flashback]

We've got a trip to Cambodia coming up (via a good J fare to BKK) and looking at the following airlines:

• Lanmei Airlines out of BKK
• AirAsia out of DMK
• Thai VietJet out of BKK

AirAsia out of DMK we have flown before (to Myanmar) - decent enough and did the job.
Thai VietJet we haven't flown, but I understand they're decent enough - they're the most expensive.
LanMei seems to be relatively new (2016) - wondering if anyone has any first hand experience in flying them?

The adventurer in me says try something new, Lanmei. But the logic in me says maybe avoid as they have a small fleet of planes so if there's any issues....... (most of the complaints on TripAdvisor are re: delayed or cancelled flights).

From the hotel we're staying at travel to DMK vs BKK is pretty much the same. We can access lounges in both using Priority Pass, so the choice of airport isn't really a consideration.

Would you go the interesting option (Lanmei) or would you go the well known/more reliable option (AirAsia)?

 

[Archipelago]

You haven't mentioned where in Cambodia you are flying to. Phnom Penh or Siem Reap? Sihanoukville? (definitely not)
Its a short flight either way, so really depends on what flight suits your budget and preferred time of day to travel. Lanmei is a very small airline with a very small fleet, so if there's any cancellation or delays you may be stuck.
Thai AirAsia (FD - not AirAsia/AK) is fine, but the usual having to faff about with add-ons. Depending on time of day - getting through security & immigration at Don Mueang (DMK) can be way faster than Suvarnabhumi.
Thai VietJet. Same as Thai AirAsia (add-ons etc) but its out of Suvarnabhumi instead of DMK

I will put forward two more good options for you:
Bangkok Airways, and Thai Smile. Both are full service, full inclusion carriers.
Bangkok Airways even has a simple lounge which all passengers can use before boarding.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Agree. I’d go with either bangkok airways or thai smile if possible.

 

[Flashback]

Flying into PNH, a short flight as you say. We always travel light anyway, so the costs I've pulled together have factored in what's needed for baggage etc.

Bangkok Airways we've flown with before (from Laos to Thailand), but they're coming in at about a 60-70% premium. We had no issues when we flew Thai AirAsia to Myanmar, so might just go for that option again.

 

[stm1sydney]

We've been happy with Bangkok Airways on the few occasions we flew with them. Admittedly, many years ago now.

 

[JohnK]

Thai AirAsia but they can be really bad with add-ons and very poor customer service.

Still waiting on refund 2 months later after being charged 3 times for the sane flight.

 

[Mattg]

Bangkok Airways we've flown with before (from Laos to Thailand), but they're coming in at about a 60-70% premium.

If you have any Qantas points, you can now redeem those to fly Bangkok Airways.

 

[Flashback]

If you have any Qantas points, you can now redeem those to fly Bangkok Airways.

So the total for the return trip for 2x passengers comes to 40,000 points + ฿3,700 THB ($106 USD).

AirAsia with baggage included (no point paying for a seat for a 1 hour flight) is ฿7,615 ($219 USD) which means you're spending 40,000 points to save $113 which to me feels like it's probably not great value?

If you compare it to the Bangkok Airways fare ฿12,200 ($350 USD) then you're saving $244 USD for 40k points, so again not really great value either (if you were going to pay the $350 in the first place).

That being said, I haven't redeeemed my QF miles in over a decade so don't know what 'value' is in terms of cents per mile for a redemption.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

errr no… 40k points to save $113 is a really bad redemption!

40k is around 2 return economy redemptions SYD-MEL, which woul set you back around $700 these days.

 

[Flashback]

errr no… 40k points to save $113 is a really bad redemption!

40k is around 2 return economy redemptions SYD-MEL, which woul set you back around $700 these days.

Pretty much what I was getting at! So while it's good it is a new redemption option, it doesn't seem to be one of great value.

 

[Flashback]

As we have had with every AirAsia flight I would not hesitate to recommend them.

Check in was quick and easy, bag weighed over somehow what the limit was on both flights but they didn't even bat an eyelid. Flights were on time, both arrived early. Bags were out as we walked through (and passport control was quick in both Cambodia and Thailand), so no wait there either.

 

[drron]

We flew Thai Air Asia once. Mrsdrron and I were given the same seat allocation. Fortunately picked up quickly but then moved back a couple of rows. Haven't risked it again. We have flown Bangkok airways, Tha Smile and VietJet. All OK and ranked in that order. The only problem with VietJet is that Vietnamese pax tend to be out of their seat as the plane touches down.

 

[Flashback]

We've flown them to/from Myanmar and Cambodia now and wouldn't hesitate to fly them again. Seat comfort onboard was fine, too. All went like clockwork on all the trips we've taken. DMK was a nice option over BKK too.

 

[JohnK]

As we have had with every AirAsia flight I would not hesitate to recommend them.

And I am still trying to get back the money AirAsia overcharged me in April 2023. I was charged 3 times for the same flight.

I contacted them the next day and 2 cases were opened for the refunds. In August they sent me an email they were processing one of the refunds but have still not heard/seen anything.

I did charge back with ANZ and I've not heard anything. I initiated chargeback with Virgin Money as well but they want a lot of information and I'll do when I get back to Australia next week.

 

[Flashback]

And I am still trying to get back the money AirAsia overcharged me in April 2023. I was charged 3 times for the same flight.

I contacted them the next day and 2 cases were opened for the refunds. In August they sent me an email they were processing one of the refunds but have still not heard/seen anything.

I did charge back with ANZ and I've not heard anything. I initiated chargeback with Virgin Money as well but they want a lot of information and I'll do when I get back to Australia next week.

Shows how poor Australian banks are, I had to do a charge back twice now for various reasons and money back in my account the next day.