Thai AirAsia Plans Vientiane Service from July 2016

[Phuket1234]

Thai AirAsia is planning to expand service to Laos, followed by the service launch of Luang Prabang last month.

Based on the airline’s schedule listing on its website, the airline plans to operate Bangkok Don Mueang – Vientiane

route on daily basis, effective 01JUL16.

FD1040 DMK1205 – 1325VTE 320 D
FD1041 VTE1415 – 1535DMK 320 D

Reservation is currently not available on the airline’s website.

http://airlineroute.net/2016/04/06/fd-vte-jul16/

[BritTim]

The planned schedule is not convenient for visa runners. It arrives too late for visa applications, and leaves to early for those who have just picked up their passports with visas. I expect Udon to still be the popular way to Vientiane.

[Phuket1234]

I think useful for one day visa runer, spends only 210min to compleat

[BritTim]

I think useful for one day visa runer, spends only 210min to compleat

Well, yes, there is that. That assumes (not clear) that you can get away with not entering Laos. Getting a visa on arrival, clearing immigration and back through immigration and security in time for the return flight is probably not feasible.

[Phuket1234]

Oh sorry! I (Japanese) don't need to take a Laos visa, use web check in to get boarding pass seat no 1C or 1D.

I think I can do that between arrival and departure.

[BritTim]

Yes, if visa exempt for Laos, should be just enough time.

[visarunner]

not many Japanese visa runners anymore.

[Asiantravel]

I think useful for one day visa runer, spends only 210min to compleat

Well, yes, there is that. That assumes (not clear) that you can get away with not entering Laos. Getting a visa on arrival, clearing immigration and back through immigration and security in time for the return flight is probably not feasible.

who cares about that? Laos Airlines charges about 6000 baht one way.

with the generous saving you are likely to achieve on Air Asia you could afford a decent guesthouse ( $25-$30 per night) and still have a good bit left over.

[KhunBENQ]

45 min(!) turnaround time.

Mid afternoon flight.

Neither good for visa runs nor for border run.

I would not try it for a border run with this 45 min.

And whether it will be cheaper than Kuala Lumpur (very easy for border run) is still to prove.

And no arrival visa (cost) at Kuala Lumpur.

All existing flights to Vientiane also not well scheduled for visa run (earliest arrival 11:10h).

To me it looks like this thread is better placed in the travel forum.

[lkv]

Yeah depends what you're using it for. In the case of an SETV, 5:55 am flight to Udon from DMK @ 625 baht makes more sense

[Phuket1234]

Booking available Now

FD1040 DMK1205 – 1325VTE Start from 990THB
FD1041 VTE1415 – 1535DMK Start from 820THB

[JLCrab]

The layout of the Vientiane Wattay Airport international arrivals/departures may be such that there is no transit area (transit to what?) and that everyone arriving on an international flight must clear PDR Laos Immigration even if they qualify for a visa-exempt arrival.