Bangkok Airways: The Airline That Owns Its Own Airports

History and positioning

Direct ownership of private airports stems from a pragmatic choice: in the 1980s, there was no adequate airport infrastructure to serve the tourist island of Koh Samui, so the airline decided to build one itself, a business model closer to that of an integrated tour operator than to that of a traditional airline.

The fleet

The fleet is made up of 22 aircraft between Airbus A319s and ATR 72-600s, with another 12 ATR 72-600s on order and due for delivery starting in the fourth quarter of 2026 to support network growth, especially on short-haul regional routes where the ATR is more efficient than the A319.

Routes and network

The network comprises eleven domestic routes, including Don Mueang, Koh Samui, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, Trat, Lampang, Mae Hong Son, Sukhothai, Hat Yai and U-Tapao, and eight international routes to the Maldives, Singapore, Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Luang Prabang, Hong Kong, Chengdu and Chongqing. The Koh Samui route remains by far the most important in the network, with bookings for the March-September 2025 period up 14% on the previous year, while from the fourth quarter of 2025 the Samui-Kuala Lumpur link is expected to return with a daily flight.

On board and service

Unlike most airlines, Bangkok Airways offers all passengers, regardless of the fare purchased, free access to airport lounges and a meal included on every flight, a level of service that other airlines normally reserve for Business passengers or members of top-tier loyalty programs.

Travelers flying to Koh Samui benefit from the airline's direct control of the island's airport and, more generally, from onboard service that is above average even in economy; anyone simply looking for the lowest possible fare should compare it with the direct low-cost competitors. First-time visitors to Koh Samui should know that the airport, being owned by the airline, charges an airport tax separate from the ticket, which should be checked at the time of booking because it is not always already included in the price shown online.