My Favorite Airline Isn’t What You Think: It’s Bangkok Airways, and Here’s Why

Ask most people their favorite airline, and they’ll likely say things like Delta or Japan Airlines. Yes, I love an Emirates first-class moment, and I appreciate what feels like a slightly more elevated experience in economy on airlines like Cathay Pacific or Lufthansa, but my favorite airline is one you might not expect.

It’s Bangkok Airways, a regional Thai airline based at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) in Bangkok.

Before you say, “Huh, that’s random,” let me explain.

What Makes a Favorite Airline, Anyway?

It’s easy to wax poetic about specific flying experiences, like that time Qatar Airways upgraded me, when a friendly Southwest flight attendant spent a few minutes playing I Spy with my son, and the utterly smooth flight I took over the Atlantic without a single bump on Iberia a few weeks ago. There are also airlines I can consistently expect to have positive experiences with, such as Singapore Airlines or JetBlue.

Being a valued frequent flyer doesn’t hurt, either. I tend to fly airlines and alliances where I hold elite status and I know I might be treated a bit better.

Equally so, certain travel experiences have made me (almost) swear off specific airlines forever, like that time United canceled my flight for no apparent reason, or when my Ryanair seatmate was clipping his toenails en route to Ibiza, and the flight attendants didn’t say a thing. I still haven’t recovered.

Beloved airline loyalty programs, memorable flying experiences, incredible service, or even just consistency (on-time arrivals and friendly treatment) might help when picking a favorite airline. When I asked the Upgraded Points team their favorite airlines, Qatar, United, and Japan Airlines were fan favorites. Clearly, these airlines are doing something right, whether that be product, service, or otherwise.

When it comes to my favorite airline, I absolutely love what many people might consider a very obscure airline: Bangkok Airways. Here’s why.

1. It’s a Boutique Airline

If you’re anything like me, you might not even know what a boutique airline is. After all, most U.S. airlines aren’t likely to fall into this category, which refers to a specialized carrier that offers niche routes and a stylish, pleasant flying experience. It’s also different from a low-cost carrier, as prices are usually on the average side, not low but also not notably expensive.

But Bangkok Airways, if I’m being frank, is cute. I never thought flying a cute boutique airline was something I needed or wanted, but when I spotted the carrier’s rainbow-colored planes and realized their flight attendants all wear dedicated Puma sneakers with the airline’s colors (they’re currently doing a Puma collab, and I kinda want a pair), it all just felt right.

Aside from the fact that the sneakers look pretty cool, I am 100% with an airline that allows and encourages its flight attendants to wear gym shoes — if I have any chance of surviving an emergency flight situation, I’m not sure a flight attendnant in kitten heels or even sensible pumps would be able to help.

I’ve always had really positive experiences with Bangkok Airways’ flight attendants, too. Staff seem happy and content, and this shows in the way that they treat passengers.

This is the kind of airline I want to fly with, and while I certainly can’t do it all the time, when I’m in Thailand or nearby in Southeast Asia, I do my best to stick with Bangkok Airways.

I love staying at boutique hotels because they feel more welcoming, personalized, and intimate, and I fly Bangkok Airways for the same reasons.

My History With Bangkok Airways

It’s worth noting that I’ve been a fan of this airline for almost 2 decades. In my backpacking, solo-traveler days, I flew them regularly, and also flew them many times with my husband and with friends, mainly between Bangkok and Thai destinations such as Koh Samui (USM) (the route network can be found here).

After about a 6-year hiatus (the COVID-19 pandemic and having a child stopped me from regular Southeast Asia travel, but I’m back now!), I just flew on Bangkok Airways. I was actually preparing myself for disappointment. I thought there was no way the airline would be offering the amenities I missed in the age of unbundling, maintain consistently friendly flight attendants, and still feel intimate and boutique in 2026.

Well, spoiler alert: Bangkok Airways is just as amazing as it was before. It’s a cute, stylish, and approachable airline that offers elevated service with style.

2. They Haven’t Unbundled (Yet): Free Checked Bag for All Passengers

I miss the era of Southwest Airlines’ free checked bags, and I know I’m not alone.

Unbundling (often called debundling) is a process most airlines have gone through in the past decade, in which they remove all the inclusions that came with your ticket (think seat selection, drinks, meals, carry-on luggage, checked bags, and so on) and make them separate, paid add-ons. Very few carriers offer any extras anymore.

Airlines say they do this to lower the ticket price itself, but given rising flight costs and the fact that most U.S. carriers no longer allow miles to be earned on basic economy tickets, unbundling is much worse for consumers. Once I tack on the add-ons I want, I almost always end up paying more.

Bangkok Airways is the only airline that I’m currently aware of that includes a free checked bag (with a maximum weight of 20 kilograms or 44 pounds) with every economy ticket.

It made me really happy to hoist my checked bag, full of Thai skin care and elephant pants I’d purchased in Bangkok, onto a luggage scale at the Bangkok Airways check-in counter, knowing I was hauling all my stuff to Koh Samui for free.

3. Complimentary Meal on Every Flight

My recent flight between Bangkok and Koh Samui lasted just 47 minutes on an A319, and, just as I remembered, the airline still offers complimentary meals and soft drinks on every flight.

Now I wouldn’t get too excited — my meal was a sandwich, and I got some free juice. It was by no means a Michelin-starred dining experience, but it was still welcome, especially in an era where full-fare carriers seem to charge for everything, even water. And big props to the flight crew, who managed to serve a meal and clean up afterward on a 47-minute flight, all while smiling.

4. Lounge Access and Courtesy Corners for Everyone

Depending on the airport, Bangkok Airways offers either free lounge access or a Courtesy Corner with complimentary snacks and drinks to all of its passengers.

On my most recent trip from Bangkok to Koh Samui, the only reason I didn’t use the Bangkok Airways Lounge was that I wanted to go to the Priority Pass Coral Executive Lounge in the Domestic Concourse A, which offers what I think is probably the coolest lounge amenity ever: complimentary 15-minute back-and-shoulder massages. If I didn’t have a Priority Pass membership, I’d definitely be at the Bangkok Airways Lounge.

When I flew out of Koh Samui, I was flying Scoot, so I used Scoot’s Courtesy Corner instead.

5. Bangkok Airways Owns Koh Samui Airport

Although the fact that Bangkok Airways owns the Samui Airport may mean that flights to this Thai island aren’t very cheap (the airline decides which other carriers fly there, meaning they have a monopoly on how people arrive at and leave from the island), they’ve created one of the cutest boutique airports I’ve ever seen.

A large portion of Samui Airport is outdoors, with restaurants beneath swaying palm trees and outdoor areas with beanbag chairs, picnic tables, and swings perfect for AvGeeks to plane-watch.

The airport also has adorable little open-air trolleys that take you to and from the plane, which feel so much nicer than an airport bus.

It’s like a warm tropical welcome to the island. The fact that Bangkok Airways made its airport so inviting makes me like the airline even more.

Final Thoughts

Bangkok Airways, my favorite airline, is rather obscure, and unfortunately, I’ll only be able to fly it in Southeast Asia. I realize it’s easier for smaller, boutique airlines to offer extra amenities, but I really wish that other airlines, especially U.S. carriers, would stop nickel-and-diming consumers for everything, especially things that used to once be included in a standard airline ticket, like beverage service or a checked bag.

However, I think unbundled fares are here to stay, and until Bangkok Airways hops on this trend, they’ll remain my favorite airline. If you have the opportunity to fly them, definitely do so — and enjoy all the extras.