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Why is Thai Airways preferred over Air Asia for domestic flights in Thailand?

Thai AirwaysAir AsiaDomestic FlightsTravel ExperienceBudget AirlinesCustomer ServiceBaggage PoliciesFlight Delays
Mar 22, 2024
9 months ago
Nic *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
We have booked multiple internal flights with both Air Asia and Thai Air. Our personal experience with Thai air was way better than Asia Air. Asia Air weighs every bag and if its even a little over, they checked it and charged for it to be checked. I guess a bit our fault but Thai Air did not do that. The flight was 1 hr late with no update or notification to passengers and these are the smallests seats we have ever been on. My husbands knees are pushed into the seat in front of him. We will stay with Thai Air in the future.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion highlights shared experiences between travelers on Thai Airways and Air Asia. Many users prefer Thai Airways for its better service and comfort, despite its higher price, while Air Asia, a budget airline, is criticized for its strict baggage policies, smaller seat sizes, and inconsistent customer service. Additionally, various commenters mention the differences in overall flight experience and value for money between the two airlines.
Emile ********
Air Asia is only good domestic
8 months ago
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Steve *******
And I'll bet the Thai Smile flight was more expensive. It's swings and roundabouts, you just got to factor in your baggage weight
9 months ago
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VP *********
I stopped flying Air Asia many years ago for the same reason.
9 months ago
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Andrew *********
It would be better for everyone if you stayed at home.
9 months ago
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Nic *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andrew ********
 , yes. I totally get it. Customer service is a lot to ask for when traveling. But you should just keep trying to be the best you. Just try harder.
9 months ago
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Andrew *********
@Nic ****
 English please
9 months ago
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Nic *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andrew ********
 I am pretty sure you speak sarcasm. Since you need clear English how about . . . If you can't be respectful, keep scrolling and stop trolling. My travels will be to your neighborhood end of summer, Africa the spring and vietnam in fall. I travel the world regularly. Since you are just naturally an a-hole and lack respect you should stay home.
9 months ago
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Nic *****
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Stephen ********
You get what you pay for . I don't mind traveling cheap if I can save money for more travels . I even go third class on trains I enjoy the experience of being with the salt of the earth 😂 I guess we are all different and have different needs
9 months ago
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Ryan ********
I have flown with AirAsia over 100 times and not once did they weigh carry-on bags.
9 months ago
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Rachel **********
Never had my bag weighed with air Asia. Sometimes delays, sometimes not. Just like every other airline
9 months ago
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Terry ********
I had to fly home to the UK with Thai airways during covid and I flew to Suvarnabhumi from Udon with Thai Smile to get the flight. I had much more legroom on the domestic flight then I had flying from Thailand to the UK. Nothing is logical in Thailand...555.
9 months ago
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Terry ********
There are other domestic airlines you know.
9 months ago
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Mika ********
What a really stupid comparison/ self entitled rant

Air Asia is a “ budget “ airline
9 months ago
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Terary **********
Was that a question or product/service rating?

You get what you paid for?
9 months ago
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Lisa ****
So you are saying that a regular airline is better than a cheap budget airline? Who would have thought.
9 months ago
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Tom ***********
I can concur on all of those observations and experiences. I will not decide only based on price.
9 months ago
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Kevin **********
Air Asia truly suck. Unreliable, no customer service. I booked a 2 leg flight and the shifted the 2nd leg to depart earlier than the 1st one and refused to adjust the 1st flight. They really are just awful….
9 months ago
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Felix ****
You get what you pay for. If you‘re that tall/large etc then book the premium ish seats in the front 😅
9 months ago
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Jim ********
I once flew Qatar Airlines and then Ryan Air. I have to say Qatar was better 😂
9 months ago
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Frances ********
Have had major problems trying to connect with customer service w/AirAsia.
9 months ago
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Peter ********
Air Asia is way better than it was years ago. Interpret that how you like!
9 months ago
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Harley ***************
Cool story 👍
9 months ago
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David **********
Air Asia have never weighed my carry on and I have flown with them a lot.
9 months ago
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David **********
I have found them OK but after my wife (thai) flew air Asia recently she has decided that she hates them and will.never fly with them again.
9 months ago
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Edward ********
Of course
9 months ago
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Daniel ************
They are all "BAD" and charge way "TOO MUCH-PERIOD!!"
9 months ago
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Ian *******
Bookings in Thailand directly with Thai, never a problem. Not expensive
9 months ago
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Ian *******
Air Asia/ Kiwi.con - cancelled flights BKK to Vietnam. No refund. Lost 100's. Never again!
9 months ago
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Judy **********
We've had experience with both and Air Asia didn't weigh our hand luggage. Maybe they are selective with which cabin bags they weigh.
9 months ago
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Francesco **********
do u know why low cost airlines are called LOW cost? coz they make money exactly on what u mentioned… but it seems that u forgot to mention the fare difference between air asia and thai…….. 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️
9 months ago
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Nic *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Francesco *********
 i never price compared for exact flight. Different legs are with different airlines. It was booked through a 3rd party app, so now i know.
9 months ago
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Nic *****
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Kevin ********
How much is does it cost for a long tourist visa?
9 months ago
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Graham ******
@Kevin *******
 Check the website of the Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate in the country where you will be applying
9 months ago
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Kevin ********
@Graham *****
9 months ago
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Kevin ********
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Martyn ***********
I see you didn't mention the price difference...? of course the more expensive flights are a little better.
9 months ago
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Nic *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Martyn **********
 yes and next time. I clearly didnt pay that close attention and it got me. Learning lesson.
9 months ago
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Nic *****
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Hans *************
Meilen kaufen lohnt sich selten. Ausnahme für mich: Es fehlen wenige Meilen für einen Freiflug und einige tausend würden ablaufen....muss man selber kalkulieren.
9 months ago
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Sumudu ***********
You're comparing a budget airline against a regular one - You're getting what you paid for. And if your luggage was overweight, that's your fault; not the airline's.
9 months ago
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David ***********
Air Aisa are really bad. Before you didnt mind because they were cheap but now Thai Airways, Bangkok Air, Vietjet etc are cheaper. I havent used Air Asia for a lomg time now as you know the experience will be poor
9 months ago
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Andy **********
Thair air asia was same for me , from bkk to chang rai ( return) , my knees were into the seat in front.. ( in febuary).
9 months ago
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Micah ********
VietJet is even worse--7kg carry-on. Last time I flee I didn't expect that to be tightly enforced as that's just my laptop and bag together weigh nearly that (and we had excess checked baggage space).

Sure enough, they checked and were going to make me pull and check my carry-on, until I slid out my laptop and showed them, then weighed again. The lady said "okay, just carry that separately". 🤦
9 months ago
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Jae *******
My last flight with Thai airways was from Sydney to BKK , over an hour late, my fold out table was broken and the plane in general run down. I'd just as soon use air Asia or Jetstar... and that's saying something.
9 months ago
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จอย ******
Our experience is not good either, I'm a Thai national and my partner suffered similar consequences, they cancelled our flight at the last minute with no refund.😱😱😱
9 months ago
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Rok ********
Air Asia is a budget airline, Thai Air is a premium national airline. Would you compare Easy Jet and British Airways? Or Singapore airline with its Scoot budget subsidiary?
9 months ago
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Danny *******
You get what you pay for. Try Bangkok Air for a better experience.
9 months ago
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Bart **************
You get what you pay for. The things you report aren't new. Budget carriers have less leg space than premium airlines. You know that when booking. And the ticket price corresponds it.

Just one little thing that is actually new (at least to me): I've flown AirAsia very often, but they've never weighed my carry-on baggage. Would have had problems a few times, if they had. The only airline to ever weigh my carry-on is Jetstar, and they did it every time I flew with them.
9 months ago
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Andrew *******
@Bart *************
 yep ...I've found Jetstar weigh mine every time ...
9 months ago
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Andrew *******
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Len ******
Thai air give you 20 kls baggage allowance
9 months ago
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David ***********
I have found Thai way better for internal flights
9 months ago
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John ***********
@David **********
 When I flew them last year BKK - CM - BKK, Thai Smile were actually no more expensive than the cheap airlines. Depends on the day and the flight. Also depends on which airport is most convenient to fly into. I quite like AirAsia's in-flight meals. You have to pay for them, but they are quite tasty and reasonably priced compared to say Jetstar.
9 months ago
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John ***********
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Shane ************
Air Asia and Viet Air you get what you pay for. Prefer to pay more on other carriers. TG is just fine for me and I travel a lot
9 months ago
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John *****
@Shane ***********
 I don't think I've ever flew with Viet jet and it's not delayed 😂
9 months ago
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John *****
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Chris ***********
Unlike Thai, Air Asia is a low cost airline. You get what you pay for.
9 months ago
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Doug *********
@Ch***
 Thai is a mismanaged airline that went bankrupt. Why would anyone trust them?
9 months ago
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Chris ***********
@Doug ********
 rhetorical question?
9 months ago
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Chris ***********
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Jae *******
@Chris **********
 I flew Thai from Sydney and still wondering how it was better than Jetstar.
9 months ago
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John ***********
@Jae ******
 Seriously? They are chalk and cheese. Food, drink and entertainment versus none of those things unless you pay for them.
9 months ago
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Jae *******
@John **********
 I didn't like the food anyway... brought my own. Besides, my fold out table was broken, so it was difficult to eat a meal. The general condition of the cabin wasn't great to be honest.
9 months ago
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Chris ***********
@Jae ******
 as long as the engines work.
9 months ago
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Jae *******
@Chris **********
 Yeah, that's the main thing I'm interested in.
9 months ago
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Jae *******
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Chris ***********
@Jae ******
 the trolley dollies?
9 months ago
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Chris ***********
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Alma ***************
I think if you book a ticket there's option if you want carry on only, so stick with it..of course with check in it costs more..
9 months ago
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Alma ***************
I love my experience with Thai smile..and those cute little snack bags..!
9 months ago
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Jim ***********
Flown multiple times Air Asia never weighed bag once. I'd looks like you have 15kg carry on luggage they have a point, but be sensible there's no issues.
9 months ago
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Darren *******
If you kept your bags below Air Asia's limit then you wouldn't have been charged at all.
9 months ago
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Damo ***********
@Darren ******
 exactly… she flaunted and broke the rules and got penalised for it and now she is whinging about it.. she would be from England for sure with that whinge!
9 months ago
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Lee ***********
@Damo **********
 rude, but I guess compared to a Hispanic rant a winge is more acceptable
9 months ago
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Nic *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lee **********
@Damo **********
 likes to talk outside his mouth from a phone. Here he is, he lives in HUA Hin. He has learned nothing from the thai culture about respect.
9 months ago
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Nic *****
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Nic *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Damo **********
 read the whole thing. I said that part was my fault. SMH.
9 months ago
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Nic *****
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Lana ***********
What’s the point of comparing budget airline with legacy one? Their ticket price is also different
9 months ago
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Ally ************
Did you mean Thai Lion Air perhaps?
9 months ago
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Dawn **********
@Ally ***********
 I will never get on the flights again. Horrible airline.
9 months ago
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Dawn **********
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Nick ************
Air Asia always been good with me. Flown several times kop to bkk. Allow 7.3kg carry on plus 3kg shoulder bag every time. Thetpy drew the line at 7.9 kg so I had to put things back in the car. Prices have gone up a lot though.
9 months ago
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Eric **********
And their customer service is nonexistent. Try calling them sometime…
9 months ago
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Phil ******
@Nic ****
 try the train or bus next time. No weighing of bags either
9 months ago
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Nic *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Phil *****
 it was from Siem Reap to Ko Samui. Just a learning experience. No more asia air. 🤣
9 months ago
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Phil ******
@Nic ****
 but Air Asia don't fly to Koh Samui
9 months ago
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Nic *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Phil *****
 no, we had flight change in bangkok. Our mistake was a 3rd party app that booked different legs with different airlines. 1st and last for that one. Missed flights because of delay, no good customer service. Reading the comments, i am not the only one with a negative experience. I appreciate everyones advice.
9 months ago
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Nic *****
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Tony *********
So your comparing a " BUDGET" airline to a reputable one ? . There's no comparison I'm sorry .

Now if you mentioned Singapore airlines and Thai Airways then you can compare
9 months ago
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David ***********
@Tony ********
 Air Asia aernt budget. Their prices are often higher than Thai Airways etc
9 months ago
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Jeffrey **********
Try Bangkok Airways fantastic service a little bit more than the budget carriers, but well worth it
9 months ago
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Harry ********
@Jeffrey *********
 had to pay 1,5 kg over luggage and cross the whole airport for that with Bangkok Air even it was double price than the other carriers.
9 months ago
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Jared **********
@Jeffrey *********
 last and only time i took BA someone went into my checked baggage and had missing items and they didn’t care.
9 months ago
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David ***********
@Jeffrey *********
 agree. Ive also found them good and decent price too
9 months ago
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Paul *******
@Jeffrey *********
 100% agree
9 months ago
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Paul *******
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Jeffrey **********
@Tony ********
 I'm sorry which is the reputable airline? The one that canceled thousands of flights and kept the money that's reputable?
9 months ago
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Bart **************
@Jeffrey *********
 true that, they aren't perfect. But their position in the market is 'upscale' regardless.
9 months ago
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Tony *********
@Jeffrey *********
 That was all of them . 555
9 months ago
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Tony *********
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Jo **********
@Tony ********
 exactly my thoughts too
9 months ago
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Jo **********
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