Is Bangkok Airways the same as Bangkok airlines?

Bangkok Airways vs. Bangkokairlines: Clearing Up the Confusion

Bangkok, a vibrant hub for travel in Southeast Asia, naturally involves its fair share of airlines and travel agencies. This can sometimes lead to confusion, especially when names are similar. One such instance revolves around “Bangkok Airways” and “Bangkokairlines.” While the names sound alike, they represent distinct entities with different roles in your travel experience.

Bangkok Airways: The Airline

Bangkok Airways is a well-established, full-service regional airline based in Thailand. Known for its distinctive blue and white livery and its private lounges, it operates both domestic and international flights, connecting Bangkok to a wide array of destinations in Southeast Asia, as well as further afield. Bangkok Airways prides itself on offering a more premium experience compared to budget airlines, often including amenities like complimentary meals and checked baggage allowance. They are a physical airline with planes, pilots, and all the operational components that come with running an air travel service.

Bangkokairlines: The Booking Agency (Likely Third-Party)

Here’s where the distinction becomes crucial: “Bangkokairlines” is not the same as Bangkok Airways. It’s very likely a third-party online travel agency (OTA) or booking platform that focuses, among other things, on flights to and from Bangkok. These types of agencies are aggregators, meaning they search for flights from multiple airlines, including Bangkok Airways, and offer them for sale on their platform.

Think of it like this: Bangkok Airways owns and operates the planes, while Bangkokairlines is a shop that sells tickets for those planes (among many others). This crucial difference impacts how you handle booking changes, cancellations, or issues with your flight.

Why This Matters When You Need Help

Understanding this distinction is paramount when you need assistance with your booking. If you booked your flight directly through the official Bangkok Airways website (bangkokair.com) or their app, you should contact Bangkok Airways directly for any inquiries or problems.

However, if you booked your flight through Bangkokairlines (or any similarly named booking agency), you must contact them first for assistance. They are your point of contact for the booking, and they will need to liaise with Bangkok Airways (or the relevant airline) on your behalf. Contacting the airline directly when you booked through an agency can lead to frustration, as they might refer you back to the booking platform.

In summary:

• Bangkok Airways: The airline, operating flights and responsible for the in-flight experience. Contact them directly for bookings made through their official channels.
• Bangkokairlines: A likely booking agency (check their website for verification) that sells tickets for various airlines, including Bangkok Airways. Contact them directly if you booked through their platform.

Always double-check where you made your booking and keep your booking confirmation readily available. This will ensure a smoother process if you need to make any changes or require assistance with your trip. Don’t let the similarity in names trip you up – knowing the difference can save you time and stress during your travel preparations.