Flying to Krabi with Thai Air Asia

Welcome To My Trip Report on Thai Air Asia from Singapore to Krabi!

Thai Air Asia 

*Aircraft photos are credited to the respective photographers from Airliners.net 

Introduction

Initially, I wanted to fly to Bangkok (DMK) then stay one night near the airport before returning home with Scoot but looking at the flights to Thailand, I thought perhaps I could add a new airline or two to my flight logbook. Finally, I decided on the airlines, Bangkok Airways and Thai Air Asia. I have flown with Air Asia (Malaysia) a few times, but now its time to sample its subsidiary. Looking at the Bangkok Airways website, I wanted the airline's Airbus A319 as its a rare aircraft type in the region I am living in. Phuket was my first choice but the one and only flight operated by A319 that day departed before my arrival, so I looked elsewhere and decided to fly up to Krabi and catch the evening A319 flight to Bangkok. After checking Flightradar24, the flight history showed the A319 was operating that period. Once I decided on my itinerary, I did my booking for both flights (SIN-KBV) then (KBV-BKK with Bangkok Airways)

History of Thai Air Asia 

Thai Air Asia is a joint venture between Air Asia and Thailand's Asia Aviation. Air Asia owns 45% while Asia Aviation owns 55% of this successful venture. Domestic flights were started on February 2004 and international flights started not long after. Since October 2012, this airline operates flights out of Don Mueang International Airport to various cities in Thailand and Asia. Currently, the airline operates only Airbus A320 fleet with around 45 and will take that number up to 63 in the near future. 

Current route map of Thai Air Asia and Thai Asia X (long haul routes operated by Airbus A330)

Online check-in

For Air Asia flights, whether its Indonesia Air Asia, Air Asia Philippines, Air Asia Malaysia or Thai Air Asia, they share the same website and that means you are allowed to check-in 14 days before the departure flight. I did mine and all I had to do is to turn up at the web check-in counter to complete the procedure. 

On the day of departure 

I woke up quite early to get to the airport as usual to enjoy the facilities of the airside at the airport. One good thing about flying with Budget airlines in Singapore is you get to enjoy the Changi Airport's facilities, a popular airport among travellers. For Thai Air Asia, it is based in Terminal 1 and if you go early, you can take the sky train at the airside to explore other terminals. Do remember to take note of the time, as you won't want to spend more to purchase a new ticket. 

Checking the flight history of my flight that morning, HS-ABL was scheduled to take me to Krabi. 

Just arrived at terminal 1 and it was quite busy that morning

Quite a number of flights that day. For now, only Thai Air Asia and Tigerair fly to Krabi from Singapore. 

The check-in counters for Air Asia 

For those who haven't done their online check-in, you can do so over here

Fortunately for me, this machine doesn't issue the boarding pass and I can get a proper one from counter staff.

I got the proper boarding pass from the staff at the counter near the check-in machines. 

Once that was done, I made my way to the airside. I got myself lunch at Simple and Eats (Thai noodles bar) - never again! It is overpriced and quality is average. 

Departure Hall (Landside)

Kinetic rain which never fails to amaze both locals and tourists. 

The check-in staff in red dealt with passengers travelling without luggage. 

The viewing mall at Terminal 1 landside featuring Emirates Boeing 777-300ER, a popular aircraft type among the top airlines. 

Emirates Boeing 777-300ER pushing back for departure to Dubai 

The Airside of Terminal 1 Departure Hall

Doesn't this make you feel like going to London? 

Tower Bridge of London 

During my meal, I did a check on my inbound flight's progress and it departed on time. 

After hanging around near the central apron, I made my way to the departure gate. 

C16 is where my flight was departing from. This is one of the smallest gates in Terminal 1. 

My ride had just arrived 

More photos of my ride, HS-ABL 

Currently in the normal livery

It was spotted in this (below) for a short period of time.

Date of departure: 30th January 2016

Airline: Thai Air Asia

Route: SIN-KBV

Aircraft: Airbus A320 

Registration: HS-ABL

Delivered on 4th December 2009

Configuration: Y180 

Engines: 2 X CFM56-5B6/3

MSN: 4126

Seat: 8A 

Gate: C16

Terminal 1 

Loading: 70% 

Flight Duration: 1 hour 15 mins

Scheduled departure: 1320

Boarding: 1255

Pushed back: 1332

Take off: 1348

Scheduled arrival: 1410

Actual arrival: 1405

Departure runway: 02C

Arrival runway: 32 

Announcements were made to board the aircraft starting with the priority passengers and passengers requiring assistance but no one was at the door to enforce the rule, so everyone including myself just headed straight for the aero-bridge. Once on board, the Thai crew welcome me on board and even bowed! Good start so far and for this flight, I chose row 8A, which requires less walking from the door to my seat. Boarding was fast and soon the door was closed. Looking around me, there were vacant seats scattered around the cabin and for me? The aisle seat was vacant but my seatmate doesn't want to move there and it was only until the flight, then I realised he wanted to take photos. 

Here are some photos of the cabin - identical to Air Asia (Malaysia)'s cabin. 

Economy Class seats

Hot seat (Red Headrest)

You pay more for slightly better legroom space and get to be one of the first to disembark.

The seats without headrest are normal seats 

If these seats are vacant, you can pay a fee to move to one of these seats.

Is it worth paying more for the hot seats? For longer duration flights - yes. The emergency row would be the best for legroom space. 

Seat pitch of the normal rows 

This cabin crew is one of the better ones. 

A few photos of the normal seat 

Tight legroom space 

In-flight experience 

We departed slightly late due to the long taxi from our gate to runway 02C. The flight crew didn't speak a word to us, so it was left to the cabin crew to make the announcement. The announcement was done in 3 languages (Are you reading this, Scoot?) English, Mandarin and Thai. The effort from the crew was definitely there, though they were reserved. Once in the air, it was mostly smooth except for some parts which were slightly bumpy, but nothing bad. Landing at Krabi was slightly bumpy due to the crosswind. The only thing I wished for is for the seatmate to move to the aisle seat, more legroom space for both of us. Perhaps I should follow my friend by choosing the middle seat and hoping either the aisle or window seat remain vacant. Overall, I find the cabin service to be slightly above average. 

A few photos of the toilet 

What's inside the seat pocket?

 Duty-Free Magazine 

In-flight magazine about Thailand 

Safety Card 

Shopping for Air Asia's merchandise 

Disposal Bag 

In-flight menu

Prices are reasonable - one of the reasons why I prefer flying on foreign Low-Cost Carriers. The cost of the meal is much cheaper.

On the same magazine also features Air Asia's souvenirs. 

In-flight meal 

I pre-ordered a Fried Rice set which comes with a packet of water 

Tasted quite good. Glad that it came along with a couple of chicken satay. 

Window shot photos (From take-off to landing)

Pushing back. If you are at the viewing mall at Terminal 1, you would be able to see my aircraft.

A couple of Jetstar's Airbus A320 being prepared for their next assignment 

Passing by the regulars (aircraft)

The freighters resting at the cargo terminal

EVA Air's Boeing 777-300ER taking off 

At the threshold, waiting for another aircraft to depart before our turn 

Thai Air Asia 331, Clear for takeoff runway 02 centre! 

Just lifted off after passing the V1 and possibly the V2 mark. 

A view of Changi Airport

Not much traffic at this time of the day 

Flying over the hangers 

Smooth take-off and soon we headed towards the direction of Krabi 

Flying through some low clouds 

Another good day for flying 

It got quite cloudy when we reached our assigned flight level

A little bit of light turbulence midway through the flight 

We started our descend after 50 minutes of flying

Flying through the clouds was bumpy 

On approach to Krabi was a little bit turbulence due to the crosswind 

Unfortunately, the sun was shining above us 

Touched down safely at Krabi Airport 

I have to try this airline in the near future, Nex Gen's Boeing 737-400 which departed for China later that day.

With that, my flight came to an end. I managed to snap some photos of the aircraft while waiting for the second airport bus to arrive. 

The cockpit - a big thank you to the flight crew. 

Thanks for the ride, HS-ABL!

Making my way to the immigration counter

About 5 minutes walk from the bus to the immigration counters 

More photos of Krabi Airport in my upcoming Bangkok Airways Trip Report (KBV to BKK).

My rating:

Airline's website: 7/10
Check-in staff: 7/10
Changi Airport Experience: 9/10
In-flight service: 7/10
Seat comfort: 6/10 (Tolerable for the short flight)
Cabin interior: 8/10
Cabin cleanliness: 10/10 
In-flight meal: 7/10
Punctuality: 10/10
Aircraft condition: 10/10
Overall rating: 81/100

Conclusion


It was a pleasant flight with Thai Air Asia on this short hop to Krabi, my first time flying to another city in Thailand from Singapore other than the two airports in Bangkok. From the check-in to the in-flight service, everything went to plan. Flying in good weather and enjoying my delicious meal, I can't ask for more. This is something that all travellers wish for, to have a comfortable and uneventful flight to their destination. Flying on Low-Cost Carriers out of Singapore, you get to use the same terminals as the Premium carriers and airfares are cheap especially during non-peak period. The other airline that flies on this same route is Tigerair so between both airlines, you can't go wrong with either. Sometimes unfortunate events may happen such as flight delay or cancellation, that would be the biggest tests for these airlines as they have to do their best to recover their service. To play safe when flying with these carriers especially for routes with limited flights, get yourself a travel insurance. 

Thanks for reading!

Cheers,
Charles