Have you ever heard of Nok Air? We actually hadn’t before recently flying from Phuket to Bangkok. Here’s our review of this popular budget airline in Thailand and some easy tips for your Nok Air flight. Hopefully this gives you an idea of what to expect before your own journey!
About Nok Air Thailand
So what country is Nok Air from? Founded in 2004, Nok Air is a budget Thai airline that is based out of Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport. Nok Airline fly’s domestic routes all over Thailand with just a handful of international cities as well. Here’s our guide to Thailand vs Vietnam if you’re deciding between these two amazing countries!
If you’ve never flown with Nok Air you still may have seen what this plane looks like! They cool paintings on the outside of the aircrafts makes them look like a giant bird. Nok actually means bird in Thai which makes sense for their design and marketing.
Booking Your Nok Air Flight
We initially found our flight on Nok Air using Skyscanner. This is our go-to website which allows us to compare the different rates and companies. After a quick search, Nok Air definitely came out to be the cheapest!
When buying your ticket you will see that there are two different classes: Economy and Premium. The premium seats on Nok Air are the first few rows on the flight. To be honest, on a budget airline like this one there’s not a huge difference besides the extra leg room.
Also, when you book your Nok Air flight you’ll be able to pick between three categories. Nok Lite, Nok X-tra, and Nok Max. This choice has to do with your baggage size, if you want a meal, and so on.
Personally, we travel light in Asia! On quick flights in Thailand we don’t need anything to eat or special extras, but everyone has their own travel style.
→ 11 Best Ways to Save Money on Flights with Skyscanner
Nok Air Fly’n’Ferry
One unique thing we noticed when booking our Nok Air flight was the Fly’n’Ferry service. This combo ticket will allow you to buy a plane and boat service together to get to the Thai Islands. For example, if you’re traveling from Bangkok to Koh Phangan for the full moon party you might not know that this island doesn’t have an airport!
You will first have to fly into Koh Samui and then take the ferry from there to Koh Phangan. Instead of purchasing your tickets separately, Nok Airline will transfer you from the airport to the boat all together.
We use 12Go when traveling through Southeast Asia to search for different ferry routes through the islands. However, if you already have a Nok Air flight you should check if the Fly’n’Ferry service is available to you.
→ 9 Best Islands in Thailand for an Epic Tropical Vacation
Our Experience Flying Nok Air Thailand
Phuket to Bangkok Nok Air Flight
Before getting into more of this Nok Air review, you should know we flew with them round trip from Phuket to Bangkok. At the airport it was quick to get checked in and receive our boarding passes. The limit is 7kg for carry-on only but we never actually had our weight checked.
→ Check the airlines current baggage restrictions here
Once we got through security we planned to visit the airport club using our Priority Pass membership. This was leaving Phuket in the International Terminal! The lounge was small, but still a nice place to grab a quick coffee.
When we were in the air we were happy that we had a window seat so we could get an amazing view! This Nok Air flight is only a little over an hour so it was just enough time to watch the clouds and different landscapes as we flew towards Bangkok.
The seats were leather which was nice compared to the cloth that you sometimes see on budget airlines. Still, they were a bit small with not much room to spread out among other passengers.
If you are traveling to Bangkok in Thailand make sure to read our helpful guides below!
- 9 Helpful Tips for Visiting the Grand Palace in Bangkok Thailand
- 5 Amazing Reasons to Visit Chinatown Bangkok On Your Next Trip
- Wat Pho Bangkok: How to See the Famous Reclining Buddha
Bangkok to Phuket Flight
Three days later we were heading back to Phuket with Nok Air Thailand. After a fun time exploring around the capital city, we checked into our flight two hours before leaving. This time we didn’t need to be at the airport that early. Yet, there was no way we were risking it with the heavy Bangkok traffic.
The only downside to our travel day was that our Nok Air flight was extremely delayed due to bad weather. Really that has nothing to do with Nok Airline and we were happy they didn’t take off until it cleared up.
Two hours later, our flight boarded and we were headed back to Phuket. This plane was pretty much the exact same as our first one except a little bit less crowded.
Be sure to check out our guides below if you’re heading to Thailand’s most famous island!
- 22 Fun Things to Do On Phuket Island For Your First Visit
- 15 Best Beaches on Phuket Thailand (Don’t Miss #8!)
- 10 Reasons You Can’t Miss Old Town in Phuket Thailand
- What’s Thai Food? 40 Delicious Dishes & Drinks You Must Try!
Final Nok Air Review Thoughts
Overall, we had a decent experience with Nok Air. Aside from the delay, everything went smoothly and the service was solid. That doesn’t mean we would go out of our way to book with them in the future, but if the price is right then of course!
You should know that Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways are two of the most popular and highly rated airlines to use in Thailand. As always, we recommend researching the different routes and companies to find the best airline to fit your travel needs.
→ When’s the Best Time to Visit Thailand For Perfect Weather?
Have any questions about our Nok Air review or want to share your own experience with this company? Leave us a comment below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
Where in the world are we? Follow our daily adventures on Instagram @nothingfamiliar!
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Thailand Travel Planning
Transportation: While traveling through Thailand 12Go is where we find all our ferries, trains, buses, and transfers! You can find everything from island hopping speed boats to the night train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Tours: Check out Get Your Guide to find activities all over Phuket! You can find everything from a James Bond island luxury sunset cruise, to Phuket Old Town 15-taster food adventure, and 5-hour island tour!
Flights: We always find our cheap flight deals using Skyscanner and Kayak. That’s how we found flights from Bangkok to Phuket for $12 USD, and Thailand to Vietnam for less than $50!
Accommodation: Compare multiple sites to get to the best deal such as Booking.com and Agoda! Also, Hostelworld should be your go-to source if you’re traveling on a budget.
Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad without protection. We’ve been using SafetyWing for the last few years on the road and they are there when we need them.
Packing Lists: Find all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists. Including our electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials!
Oh yes, Nok Air, I know this airline and have traveled with them before for one of my conferences in Bangkok. Good review!
Author
Thanks for reading! Yes it’s a very popular airline to use in Thailand (-: