What happened to Air Asia?

[scottydel]

I used to fly Air Asia from Bangkok (BKK) to Krabi. Great prices, maybe 1000 - 2000 baht each way. Now their website says they only fly to the old Bangkok airport, Don Muang? When did this happen? Bummer!

So now what's the cheapest domestic flight from Krabi that flies to BKK (new airport, Suvarnabhumi)...? Cheapest I've found so far is Bangkok Airways, and their price is 3000 - 4500 baht each leg. Basically it doubled...or worse.

[smokie36]

Cheap airline=Don Muang. Simple as that.

[scottydel]

Any idea how much a taxi runs from Suvarnabhumi to Don Muang?

[craigt3365]

I know this is travel related, but let's move this over to the Swampy forum. I've seen some posts there talking about transport options between the 2 airports.

Topic Move.

[Ricardo]

Bangkok Airways, Thailand's other full-service airline, also flies from Swampy to Krabi still, can be about B2k-B2.5k each way.

The others all switched to DM last year, as Swampy was getting too full, but there's free bus-transport between the two, if you've got an onward-flight ticket.

[Shurup]

Like the above poster said, transportation between the 2 is free if you have a connecting flight. Also a taxi wouldn't be very expensive, I'd think in the range of 300 baht.

In my opinion the BKK Airways should have been moved to DM as well as Swampy is still too crowded even with other budget airlines gone from there.

I hate it when I arrive there from Tokyo or Hong-Kong, they park the plane in the middle of the field and everyone has to wait for a bus to take us into the terminal building.

[SeaVisionBurma]

When did this happen? 

 

 

1st October 2012

Sent from my i-mobile IQ 1 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[smokie36]

Like the above poster said, transportation between the 2 is free if you have a connecting flight. Also a taxi wouldn't be very expensive, I'd think in the range of 300 baht.

In my opinion the BKK Airways should have been moved to DM as well as Swampy is still too crowded even with other budget airlines gone from there.

I hate it when I arrive there from Tokyo or Hong-Kong, they park the plane in the middle of the field and everyone has to wait for a bus to take us into the terminal building.

They do that cos its cheaper than using the airbridge...not because there are none available.

[MrWorldwide]

Yup - 10 months ago, and some of us are still coming to grips with it. Personally, I think it's a good thing - I don't know what it's like now, but I always found Customs processing much faster at DM. Air Asia's departure from Swampy doesnt seem to have negated the bitching about delays at Swampy - interesting times ahead if Thailand's tourist numbers continue on their upward trajectory.

(I also see a massive upside in the fact that it would require a lot more effort to blockade *both* airports if it ever comes to that again)

[IMA_FARANG]

For those that didn't follow the news or aren't where such news is easily found.

DM was closed in 2011 by the floods, and reopened in 2013.

Air Asia .... and some other budget and local airlines..... are moving back to DM because of the congestion at Swampy.

Yes, thee is transport from Swampy to DM..... even a shuttle bus run,

Now that airlines are flying again out of DM new transportation connections are being made.

But it was only sometime this year that DM actually re-opened, so things are still developing.

[stevenl]

Like the above poster said, transportation between the 2 is free if you have a connecting flight. Also a taxi wouldn't be very expensive, I'd think in the range of 300 baht.

In my opinion the BKK Airways should have been moved to DM as well as Swampy is still too crowded even with other budget airlines gone from there.

I hate it when I arrive there from Tokyo or Hong-Kong, they park the plane in the middle of the field and everyone has to wait for a bus to take us into the terminal building.

I love to take a connecting flight with Bangkok Airways now. IMO they'd be crazy to change airports, would costs them lots of business.

[Lakegeneve]

(I also see a massive upside in the fact that it would require a lot more effort to blockade *both* airports if it ever comes to that again)

(Save for the FACT that BOTH airports were shut down in late Nov 2008 due to PAD protests, DMK only a few days after Swampy and with only a few hundred PAD)

I actually flew out of DMK on the last TG flight mid afternoon just before it was closed.

DMK would in some ways be much easier to blockade now given that it has the 2m high flood proof fence/barrier around it and thus fewer access gates.

[MrWorldwide]

Aaah, but they DID blockade Swampy first, right ? I could get across the border within 24 hours of any such action in future, back to the safety of my beloved Malaysia

[tartempion]

Yup - 10 months ago, and some of us are still coming to grips with it. Personally, I think it's a good thing - I don't know what it's like now, but I always found Customs processing much faster at DM. Air Asia's departure from Swampy doesnt seem to have negated the bitching about delays at Swampy - interesting times ahead if Thailand's tourist numbers continue on their upward trajectory.

(I also see a massive upside in the fact that it would require a lot more effort to blockade *both* airports if it ever comes to that again)

Personally, as you state it, I think it is not a good thing.

I will be landing at Swampy around 07am and the next flight out to Udon Thani goes at 13.00 (Thai smile, ex-Thai)

Next Nok Air out of DM goes around 10.00 and Air Asia aroud 11.00. Switching airports with two bags 20kgs+ is no feast, requires a taxi at cost of 500B with all the hassle.

If ALL flights would leave from Swampy all would be fine, but they aren't.

And Swampy is NOT overloaded, that is just an AOT plot to enable running two airports (more monye coming in) and avoiding the cost for expansion at Swampy.

I did book a promotion ticket on Thai-Smile at a cost of 950B return but will not use the return and save the 500B taxi transfer and hassle. Simply get my luggage, walk upstairs two floors and check in a Thai. Since I have 6 hours to loose because of these idiots who reopened DM I might get in town with the rail link. But I am NOT pleased.

[Archie Pelago]

Personally, as you state it, I think it is not a good thing.

I will be landing at Swampy around 07am and the next flight out to Udon Thani goes at 13.00 (Thai smile, ex-Thai)

Next Nok Air out of DM goes around 10.00 and Air Asia aroud 11.00. Switching airports with two bags 20kgs+ is no feast, requires a taxi at cost of 500B with all the hassle.

If ALL flights would leave from Swampy all would be fine, but they aren't.

And Swampy is NOT overloaded, that is just an AOT plot to enable running two airports (more monye coming in) and avoiding the cost for expansion at Swampy.

I did book a promotion ticket on Thai-Smile at a cost of 950B return but will not use the return and save the 500B taxi transfer and hassle. Simply get my luggage, walk upstairs two floors and check in a Thai. Since I have 6 hours to loose because of these idiots who reopened DM I might get in town with the rail link. But I am NOT pleased.

Wow, that is quite rant.

Anything to support the statement about Swampy not being overloaded, and it just being an AOT plot? Would be interested to read something like that.

[MrWorldwide]

Aaah, I see the problem - you are flying to Udon. In my experience, never a good idea. Can I suggest Koh Chang or Hua Hin ? Both much better destinations, IMO.

[robblok]

Yup - 10 months ago, and some of us are still coming to grips with it. Personally, I think it's a good thing - I don't know what it's like now, but I always found Customs processing much faster at DM. Air Asia's departure from Swampy doesnt seem to have negated the bitching about delays at Swampy - interesting times ahead if Thailand's tourist numbers continue on their upward trajectory.

(I also see a massive upside in the fact that it would require a lot more effort to blockade *both* airports if it ever comes to that again)

I am quite happy with it its much closer to my home.

[Shurup]

Personally, as you state it, I think it is not a good thing.

Yup - 10 months ago, and some of us are still coming to grips with it. Personally, I think it's a good thing - I don't know what it's like now, but I always found Customs processing much faster at DM. Air Asia's departure from Swampy doesnt seem to have negated the bitching about delays at Swampy - interesting times ahead if Thailand's tourist numbers continue on their upward trajectory.

(I also see a massive upside in the fact that it would require a lot more effort to blockade *both* airports if it ever comes to that again)

I will be landing at Swampy around 07am and the next flight out to Udon Thani goes at 13.00 (Thai smile, ex-Thai)

Next Nok Air out of DM goes around 10.00 and Air Asia aroud 11.00. Switching airports with two bags 20kgs+ is no feast, requires a taxi at cost of 500B with all the hassle.

If ALL flights would leave from Swampy all would be fine, but they aren't.

And Swampy is NOT overloaded, that is just an AOT plot to enable running two airports (more monye coming in) and avoiding the cost for expansion at Swampy.

I did book a promotion ticket on Thai-Smile at a cost of 950B return but will not use the return and save the 500B taxi transfer and hassle. Simply get my luggage, walk upstairs two floors and check in a Thai. Since I have 6 hours to loose because of these idiots who reopened DM I might get in town with the rail link. But I am NOT pleased.

Swampy not overloaded? Perhaps you never had to stay in a passport control queue coming out OUTSIDE of the building?

[Lancashirelad]

Design capacity under current development phase 45 million pax p.a. Current throughput 52 million.

http://www.sunbeltasia.com/contents.aspx?page=5267f2b7-f2ad-49ba-987e-b3dc2586775d

[tartempion]

Isn't it funny some people prefer Bangkok running two airports, must be cheaper and comes in handy for those flying domestic and connecting internationally.Never occurred neither that Swampy was designed with expansion in mind (they contracted German designers isn't?) West side you will spot the infrastructure for runway 3 as part of the expansion and please note concourses A and B dedicated to domestic flights. AOT surveying traffic should know they should have started the expansion some years ago.

at least Atlanta got it right, why can't Bangkok?

William B. Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport opened on September 21, 1980, on-time and under budget.^[18] It was designed to accommodate up to 55 million passengers per year and covered 2.5 million square feet (230,000 m²). In December 1984 a 9,000-foot (2,700 m) fourth parallel runway was completed, and another runway was extended to 11,889 feet (3,624 m) the following year

Edited July 8, 2013 by tartempion

[moe666]

Personally, as you state it, I think it is not a good thing.

Yup - 10 months ago, and some of us are still coming to grips with it. Personally, I think it's a good thing - I don't know what it's like now, but I always found Customs processing much faster at DM. Air Asia's departure from Swampy doesnt seem to have negated the bitching about delays at Swampy - interesting times ahead if Thailand's tourist numbers continue on their upward trajectory.

(I also see a massive upside in the fact that it would require a lot more effort to blockade *both* airports if it ever comes to that again)

I will be landing at Swampy around 07am and the next flight out to Udon Thani goes at 13.00 (Thai smile, ex-Thai)

Next Nok Air out of DM goes around 10.00 and Air Asia aroud 11.00. Switching airports with two bags 20kgs+ is no feast, requires a taxi at cost of 500B with all the hassle.

If ALL flights would leave from Swampy all would be fine, but they aren't.

And Swampy is NOT overloaded, that is just an AOT plot to enable running two airports (more monye coming in) and avoiding the cost for expansion at Swampy.

I did book a promotion ticket on Thai-Smile at a cost of 950B return but will not use the return and save the 500B taxi transfer and hassle. Simply get my luggage, walk upstairs two floors and check in a Thai. Since I have 6 hours to loose because of these idiots who reopened DM I might get in town with the rail link. But I am NOT pleased.

Swampy not overloaded? Perhaps you never had to stay in a passport control queue coming out OUTSIDE of the building?

When did you stand in a passport queue going out the door, I never have and been flying out of there since day one

[moe666]

Isn't it funny some people prefer Bangkok running two airports, must be cheaper and comes in handy for those flying domestic and connecting internationally.Never occurred neither that Swampy was designed with expansion in mind (they contracted German designers isn't?) West side you will spot the infrastructure for runway 3 as part of the expansion and please note concourses A and B dedicated to domestic flights. AOT surveying traffic should know they should have started the expansion some years ago.

at least Atlanta got it right, why can't Bangkok?

William B. Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport opened on September 21, 1980, on-time and under budget.^[18] It was designed to accommodate up to 55 million passengers per year and covered 2.5 million square feet (230,000 m²). In December 1984 a 9,000-foot (2,700 m) fourth parallel runway was completed, and another runway was extended to 11,889 feet (3,624 m) the following year

Your talking about apples and oranges, Thailand and the US, Bangkok and Atlanta

[moe666]

My first question would be why fly Air Asia after all of the fees cost the same as everyone else

[GrantSmith]

I used to fly Air Asia from Bangkok (BKK) to Krabi. Great prices, maybe 1000 - 2000 baht each way. Now their website says they only fly to the old Bangkok airport, Don Muang? When did this happen? Bummer!

So now what's the cheapest domestic flight from Krabi that flies to BKK (new airport, Suvarnabhumi)...? Cheapest I've found so far is Bangkok Airways, and their price is 3000 - 4500 baht each leg. Basically it doubled...or worse.

First world problems when an hour'ish long flight goes from ฿1000-2000 to ฿3000-4500...

[Tomtomtom69]

Isn't it funny some people prefer Bangkok running two airports, must be cheaper and comes in handy for those flying domestic and connecting internationally.Never occurred neither that Swampy was designed with expansion in mind (they contracted German designers isn't?) West side you will spot the infrastructure for runway 3 as part of the expansion and please note concourses A and B dedicated to domestic flights. AOT surveying traffic should know they should have started the expansion some years ago.

at least Atlanta got it right, why can't Bangkok?

William B. Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport opened on September 21, 1980, on-time and under budget.^[18] It was designed to accommodate up to 55 million passengers per year and covered 2.5 million square feet (230,000 m²). In December 1984 a 9,000-foot (2,700 m) fourth parallel runway was completed, and another runway was extended to 11,889 feet (3,624 m) the following year

Your talking about apples and oranges, Thailand and the US, Bangkok and Atlanta

I think the point he was trying to make was that Atlanta is far busier than Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) and yet they managed to solve their issues of overcrowding by expanding their terminals so they could handle the number of passengers the airport handles.

[Tomtomtom69]

Personally, as you state it, I think it is not a good thing.

I will be landing at Swampy around 07am and the next flight out to Udon Thani goes at 13.00 (Thai smile, ex-Thai)

Next Nok Air out of DM goes around 10.00 and Air Asia aroud 11.00. Switching airports with two bags 20kgs+ is no feast, requires a taxi at cost of 500B with all the hassle.

If ALL flights would leave from Swampy all would be fine, but they aren't.

And Swampy is NOT overloaded, that is just an AOT plot to enable running two airports (more monye coming in) and avoiding the cost for expansion at Swampy.

I did book a promotion ticket on Thai-Smile at a cost of 950B return but will not use the return and save the 500B taxi transfer and hassle. Simply get my luggage, walk upstairs two floors and check in a Thai. Since I have 6 hours to loose because of these idiots who reopened DM I might get in town with the rail link. But I am NOT pleased.

Wow, that is quite rant.

Anything to support the statement about Swampy not being overloaded, and it just being an AOT plot? Would be interested to read something like that.

I highly doubt THAI (or THAI Smile)'s scheduling decisions have anything to do with what Nok and Air Asia do, as they are running out of a completely different airport and thus what time they depart is irrelevant. Thai Smile offers 3 daily flights to Udon Thani, one of which departs around 7am I believe (which is a bonus for business travelers or budget business/leisure travelers wanting to save money by flying into Udon and then continuing to Vientiane, Laos overland), the next one at 1pm and the last one around 7pm so they are all equally spaced apart for maximum flexibility. All THAI Smile flights offer a small meal service in economy class, a "business class", which is more of a premium economy class available, but also the ability to earn frequent flyer miles, free baggage allowance, interline ticketing, through ticketing to/from other THAI destinations and better connections through Suvarnabhumi all contribute to THAI/THAI Smile having the edge over it's competitors - even pricewise they are doing well and that is the only aspect they would be competing with Nok/Air Asia with.

I haven't flown out of Don Muang since Suvarnabhumi opened and provided no major airlines go back to Don Muang I probably never will again. I don't care for Air Asia or Nok Air - I flew Nok once when all flights were still operating out of Don Muang they were OK but now with better connectivity, frequent flyer miles and good coverage of Thailand out of Suvarnabhumi, THAI and THAI Smile get my vote on domestic routes if I ever have to fly domestic, though for the most part I drive...Thailand isn't that big.

[Shurup]

When did you stand in a passport queue going out the door, I never have and been flying out of there since day one

Don't remember when it was now 2010-2011 perhaps, before they moved the Low Cost airlines to DM and before they made changes in the departure area, when you had to pass the passport control first and security screening after. I as usual arrived there about 3 hrs before my departure flight and spent almost 2 hrs in the queue, after I got in like there was a train load of people arriving shortly after and it started getting outside the building. Some other TV members reported missing their flights around that time period even though they were 2 hrs before the flight as it's recommended for international flights.