We hadn’t planned to come out of our self-imposed flight ban, as we did! We were intending to drive down to Koh Chang, Koh Kood, and Koh Mak (Trat archipelago Islands five hours south of Bangkok). But it seemed the world and their dog, were heading that way for the recent Thai holiday weekend.

We have had the freedom to travel outside of Bangkok now for the past six weeks and travel we all have! I’m hearing news of a 2 km tailback to board the Koh Chang ferry and a ten-hour commute. Just proving that as Bangkokians continue to yearn for a city escape post-Iso (excuse my Aussie Iso slang here), and having now all enjoyed, Hua Hin, Pattaya and Kanchanaburi, further afield beckons.

We decide not to join the masses, and get ahead of the return to flying crowds, that we foresee coming once the local area has been ‘done’ as a holiday escape.

VietJet Flight VZ 308

Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok to Phuket

At ten o’clock on Saturday morning, we booked a Vietjet flight to Phuket, and a return from Krabi,  let’s live a little! We were at the airport by 2 pm. Lastminute.com has nothing on us.

So here are a few insights into what it’s like to fly domestically in Thailand during these global pandemic times. 

Airport, gate and check-in

We all have our temperatures checked upon entry into the terminal and we were asked to log-in using Thai Chana, the Thai Government’s virus tracking app. The Airport security staff on arrival were out en-mass. Everyone is required to wear masks to enter the airport.

Vietjet 

Vietjet a Vietnamese budget airline offers the possibility to pre-select your seat. We didn’t opt for this having seen the flight was largely empty. Suvarnabhumi airport was quiet except the Vietjet check-in queue which snaked around and round for all their flights. No social distancing here. Being the British master of I’ll find a better queue, we line up at a closed desk further along where they kindly check us in.

At check-in, there was no option for the check-in staff to move the pre-allocated seats without paying.

We are looking around for the other holidaymakers beside themselves with excitement to finally be going somewhere after months of lockdown. However, I would say there was an earnest calm and a resigned let’s get this over with as quickly as possible air around.

Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport 

Despite a mid-afternoon departure, the check-in crowd dissipates and Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport was practically a ghost town, except for our crew with that purposeful, walking in formation pulling their red bags behind them march.

Suvarnabhumi Airport has put a few extra precautions in place to keep passengers safe, such large crosses on the seats preventing you sitting next to anyone. The airport also provides hand sanitiser stations dotted throughout the terminal.

Security was much the same as it always is for domestic flights, with the only exception being the addition of another temperature check before entering domestic departures

As for shops and food options, most vendors are still closed. However, we were able to locate a coffee from a small cafe and there was a Dunkin Donuts doing a lonely trade. I mean really who can be bothered eating or drinking much when you are trying to keep masked up?

Thai Airways Lounge

With everything looking sad, we try our luck at the Thai Airways lounge with our Gold and Silver (no chance of ever getting to platinum now) Frequent Flyer cards but are given the flick as we’re not flying Thai Airways. Actually no-one can as they are not flying.

We had tried to book on Thai Smile, Thai Airways budget carrier, but they would not take last minute bookings.

I know I’m going to sound entitled here, but don’t you think you’d reward those returning to flying and as compensation for them holding our zillions of Baht? We have unused flights to Europe and Australia, lost in the COVID shutdown yet to be refunded.

THAI AIRWAYS could offer those adventurous back to flying passengers a warm welcome and a chance for a half-decent cuppa don’t you think? Yes, yes I know they are in financial strife, but they need their loyal passengers back if they are to return

Here endeth the lesson from Wren!

Boarding Vietjet Flight BKK to Phuket

Boarding and flight

By the time we get to board I’ve lost track of how many airport staff have handled our passports and boarding cards. In Australia, passengers scan their own boarding pass to avoid unnecessary contact.

Vietjet boarded passengers by seat row section by section, the crew welcome us with masks, goggles and gloves, Everyone was wearing a mask throughout the flight.

I’ve boarded ahead of Mr Wren to get a good start with my anti-bacterial wipes, rubber gloves on before I get what the... look from my husband! I’m thrilled at my good scrub down of my seat and my air vents and have my air vents on full blast.

(Tip from a Cabin Crew friend always have the air blowing to ensure good air circulation).

When Mr Wren arrives and sits in the middle seat, not the aisle seat, it appears I’ve very nicely sanitised the seat of the nice young Thai man who arrives to complete our row!

Noo, the flight is reasonably empty and Vietjet’s computer has packed us all in together over the wing – apart from those clever ones who paid extra for their seat allocation.

Note to self: it is worth paying for social distancing on budget airlines.

Pssst!  I say to my husband his 6 foot plus legs jammed in the middle seat, “ask him to move!” I say pointing at Mr I’ve got my headphones on, I’m a Zen Traveller! at the end of our row.

We can’t do that, the flight loads have been balanced! Comes the reply. And so we sit crammed in with absolutely no social distancing just because the computer says no!

I’m left praying that Vietjet, like many jet aircraft, is equipt with High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters, which claim to remove 99.9 per cent of microbes from the air. Every airline’s website you read says there is very low-risk of contracting COVID-19 while flying. I’ve got my fingers and everything crossed AND I’m wearing my personal Air Purifier. Which no one in the airport has even asked me about, normal I get someone who is suspicious as to the device.

There was no food and drink service offered onboard and I must admit it did feel like fewer people were getting up and down to use the loos. Certainly jammed in the window seat I also had my legs crossed. Happily, the flight was only 90 mins.

On arrival, there was no orderly disembarkation and again we are grateful the flight was not at all full.

Arrival in Phuket

Phuket Airport was an empty airport, there was no-one in the ladies loo and our bags arrived quickly. This is the way to fly, I could get used to this!

Air Asia Flight FD 3222

Krabi to Don Muang Airport, Bangkok

Air Asia Flight Krabi To Don Muang

Airport, gate and check-in

Krabi on a Sunday evening was an altogether busier experience, especially at the gate. However, the check-in experience was great, again no queues. We had not checked-in before our arrival and were allocated one window and one aisle seat, with the middle seat which luckily remained empty. This has to have been the easiest check-in, ever. No queues – definitely is the way to fly.

It appeared as if all the stores and food options were open, again seating remained segregated with a large x on the seats.

Boarding Air Asia at Krabi International Airport

Boarding and flight

We missed the organised boarding by row as we were Sunday Facetiming with the family. Which meant we had to squeeze past everyone to get to our segregated seats at the back of the plane! Thank heavens everyone is in masks and we’ve had no cases of person to person transmission of COVID-19 reported in over a month here in Thailand.

This flight was much busier and on arrival, passengers debarked in rows of three starting at the front.

Arrival in Don Muang International Airport

Empty airports are a luxury at the moment.

For those not in the know, Don Muang International Airport  (DMK) is Bangkok’s second airport, focusing more on the low cost Domestic and Asian market.  I have always had good experiences here. It is clean, efficient,  even with the long walks to the baggage claim, our suitcase arrives on the luggage carousel as we get there.

By this point we have already discovered we left a bag at the Krabi departure gate in the confusion of the Family Facetime. The Air Asia Lost and Found desk was incredibly efficient and a lost bag report was filled within minutes. Luckily it was one of my Tourism Authority of Thailand Blogger freebies.  The bag is subsequently found and flown down the next day for my collection. Way to go Krabi Airport and thank you, Air Asia.

Who is Better VietJet or Air Asia?

All in all, I would rate the Air Asia experience more highly.  The check-in and seat allocation and the controlled exiting of the plane was better organised.  Both flights arrived on time and were a comfortable return to flying.

AIR ASIA’S BARGAIN FLIGHTS

Air Asia currently has a domestic promotion for unlimited flights within Thailand (excluding holiday periods until 26 th Nov). You need to book 3 weeks ahead. It costs THB 2999 Baht – USD 95. Bargain! I am now prepared to return to flying and hopeful that this can continue. Who knows given our crazy year and have bought this pass. Come fly with me!

For all the details on our experiences check out Air Asia Unlimited Pass review here.

For details on flying within the US please check out FitlifeandTravels excellent post:

My first flying experience since the pandemic.

Has anyone been back to flying? What are your thoughts? Would you fly yet? Too soon? What are your experiences?