Phuket landing a first for European budget airline into Southeast Asia

Long-haul, budget airline Eurowings landed in Phuket early this morning, marking its move into the Southeast Asian market. Photo: TAT

PHUKET: Eurowings, Lufthansa Group’s long-haul budget airline, spearheaded its push into Southeast Asia this morning as its inaugural Cologne-Phuket flight landed at Phuket International Airport.

The flight marks the first European low-cost carrier to link with Southeast Asia. Eurowings will fly Airbus A330s, with a capacity of 380 passengers, on the route twice a week.

Christian Hein, senior vice president for sales at Eurowings, said air travel in the Asia and Pacific region would continue to grow, thanks to the area’s booming economy and a continued increase in the number of international travellers.

Southeast Asia in particular is becoming a true emerging market for low-cost airline business, since all nations in the region will become a single market under the Asean Economic Community from the beginning of next year, Mr Hein told The Nation.

Full story: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Phuket-landing-first-European-budget-airline-Southeast/62685?desktopversion

-- Phuket Gazette 2015-12-19

just had a look at Jan prices, over £600, not too budget.

A capacity of 380 passengers. On an a330 - pass.

A capacity of 380 passengers. On an a330 - pass.

Is that packing them in?

Errrr.... Remember Germanwings?

Same company.

Unless you want to be flown into a mountain, I'd give them a wide berth.

Norwegian has been flying to Bkk for a long time ( Since 30 May 2013 ) - and they are budget.... And Bkk is in SE Asia as far as I can tell.

How to define a budget airline ?

In my book, when you pay extra for any food, drinks, seating, faster check-in, luggage excluding the 10 kilo carry-on, changing the flight etc.

And that is true for Norwegian flights.

So no, Phuket didn't land the first European budget airline into SE Asia..

Not by a country mile.

Norwegian uses the Dreamliner - if anyone wanted to know - I forget the seating capacity ( looked it up - seems its the 787-8 version with 242 seats ) - but comfortable enough for a normal build 185cm tall.

12 hours approx. Oslo ( or Copenhagen or Stockholm ) directly to Suvarnabhumi.

Norwegian operates out of Gatwick and a flight to say Copenhagen ( to catch the Copenhagen --> Bangkok flight ) is around 40EU or 30£ - looking at February 2016 prices.

A capacity of 380 passengers. On an a330 - pass.

Is that packing them in?

Standing room for 50.........?

A capacity of 380 passengers. On an a330 - pass.

that was my idea also when i first red it.

But seems a 330-300 can take 440 passengers in 1 class. So they still have room for 60 more.

just had a look at Jan prices, over £600, not too budget.

Which goes to show you that it cost to operate safely with the correct mechanical and personnel.You can fly and pay accordingly.Save a quid or two on "Take A Chance Airways".