Many airlines service capital and resort cities in Southeast Asia, but some are very cheap while others are wildly expensive. In general, service is friendly, and sunny tropical weather allows most flights to arrive on time. As a rough guide to Southeast Asian Airlines, these are the 19 most popular airlines (alphabetically) covering the main cities in Southeast Asia.
photo at KLIA Kuala Lumpur International Airport
Air Asia
Air Asia is the most popular low-cost carrier in all of Asia, and it covers a wide range of cities, both domestically in Thailand and Malaysia, and international routes. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, you can fly from KL to Bangkok for about $75 each way (if you purchase in advance). They also fly to London, Hong Kong, and almost every capital in Southeast Asia. No frills, no entertainment, and you need to pay for each bag checked, for any meals or even water on-board, and even for advance seat selection. AA is ok for a short hop from BKK to Penang on a few dollars.
Bangkok Airways
This is an expensive "boutique" airline, where all the seats are deluxe. You'll pay almost double for the same routes Air Asia covers, but you'll get a good meal, lots of leg room, and first class treatment. Bangkok Airways routes cover all major cities in Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos, along with KL.
Cambodian Angkor Air can get you to Siem Reap and to Phnom Penh, no frills at a moderate price.
Cebu Pacific is the Philippine's low-cost carrier to Manila from most points around SE Asia.
Garuda is Indonesia's flag carrier, with mid-priced tickets and moderately fair service.
Indigo is India's newest and cheapest budget airline. Although India is not in SE Asia, this airlines does service many SE Asian cities, such as Bangkok, KL and Singapore to and from Mumbai.
Jet Airways is another of India's low-cost carriers, and can fly you from cities such as Bangkok to London via New Delhi.
Jetstar Airwars: Australia's low-cost carrier to Darwin and Sydney from Bangkok, Phuket, KL, Singapore, and Ho Chi Minh.
Laos Airlines is not cheap, and will not dazzle you with service, but it will get you to Loas.
Lion Air is Indonesia's low-cost carrier that flies to Bangkok, Singapore, and Jakarta for a very low price (often with specials of $50 from Jakarta to BKK or Singapore). Note: Thai Lion Air is the same airline, with routes from/to Thailand.
Malaysian Airlines
MH is Malaysia's main carrier, with deluxe service at moderately expensive prices. The VOD entertainment, meals, wine, and seats are excellent. You'll pay a little more than with Air Asia, but you'll get premium service.
Nok Air is a very cheap low-cost airline traveling domestically within Thailand.
Philippine Airlines is more expensive than Cebu, but flies further and covers cities as far as Los Angeles and Tokyo to get you to Manila.
Singapore Airlines - often ranked the #1 airline in the world, the service and legroom on Singapore is exceptional. Entertainment, food, and smiles are 5-star. It comes with a price, there are no discount tickets on this fabulous airline.
Thai Airways - The deluxe flagship airline of Thailand. Thai Airways will cost you a lot more than other carriers, but the service is top-rate and friendly. Good wine, food, and excellent VOD entertainment on all international flights.
Tiger Airways is a cheap carrier based in Singapore. For unbelievably cheap prices (sometimes as low as $59) you can get to Singapore from most Asian hubs. You can even fly to Perth, Australia from Bangkok via Singapore for less than $250 each way!
Vietnam Airlines is government owned, so the tickets are not cheap and the schedule is rarely on-time.
Air France has good service from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.
Lufthansa flies from BKK to Hanoi and to Kuala Lumpur 4 times a week, and their prices are unbeatable... if you purchase well in advance.
Airport Note: be aware that in Bangkok all the low-cost carriers (Air Asia, Nok, etc) leave from Don Mueang Airport, which is hard to reach and a mess of confusion inside. The premium airlines (Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines, etc) all leave from the newer Suvarnabhumi Airport - easier to reach and nicer inside.
As with all things in life, you get what you pay for. Choose your airline based on the price vs. comfort you need for the flight. Many flights within Southeast Asia are less than 2 hours, so you can probably handle some discomfort to save money. Bear in mind that, in general, Asian based airlines are far better than American or European airlines, so even the cheap seats will suit you fine.
Southeast Asia has great airline service, so enjoy the trip.
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