PG vs. TG – Best way to travel between BKK and Yangon in Y
As Yangon is beginning to open up to foreigners and as many of us are doing RGN runs in the next year or so, I decide to write a trip report comparing these two full service Thai airlines that offer multiple daily flights between these two cities. I have a number of choices but I quickly rule out LCC, as I need to transit through Bangkok and LCC will require me entering Thailand and does not allow interline of check-in luggage. Full fare tickets are pretty expensive but in the end, I select Bangkok Airways, as it is a reputable carrier and my previous flight from Phuket to Bangkok was pretty impressive. The return was on Thai Airways, as it was one of those mistake fares issued by KE, and TG Y was the only choice. The comparison is a little bit unfair as I am sure the check-in experiences will be different between home and out stations, and different between transit and formal check-in counters. However given the similar time length, both flights are sixty to sixty-five minute from takeoff to landing, and their inflight service speaks loud about their products. I have also gotten more Bangkok Airways pictures, as the flight departs in the daytime and there are plenty of trip reports covering TG, and not many reports about PG.
Flight information:
PG 703 BKK-RGN Lv1500 Arr1550 Airbus A320-200 HS-PGV “Krabi”
TG 306 RGN-BKK Lv1945 Arr2140 Airbus A330-300 HS-TEC “Bang Rachan”
Check-in:
Bangkok Airways’ transit counter is located on the east concourse and has two counters handling all international flights. Domestic flights have their own transit counters. It was a very quiet morning, as you saw from the pictures. The sole agent was very friendly and my request for an exit row window seat was honored with a smile. The agent was familiar with the visa on arrival and had no issue with my letter of approval given by the travel agency. The whole experience was pleasant and a good start to an impressive journey.
The entrance experience in Yangon International airport is pretty similar to most developing countries. The entrance area was pretty chaotic but only passengers are allowed into the check-in area. All check-in and carry on bags must go through X-ray and each passenger had to be wand by the security officer. The officers in general are okay to deal with and since I have little luggage, the process was not too bad. The Thai check-in desks are not particularly busy and the economy line is not terribly busy. I was checked in within a few minutes and asked the agent to only check me to Bangkok. My Turkish number was entered (but not yet posted), and the agent was friendly. Sorry for the lack of pictures, as there are lots of security guards around and you never know what you are allowed to do or not to do. Plus the check-in area was as generic as it came. Air Asia and Vietnam Airlines are the only airlines with flights departing near out time. The Vietnam Air counters were very busy with lots of overweight luggage, but Air Asia was reasonably quiet. But one thing I notice is that TG has water cups (those used on airline meals) in a basket at each check-in counter for Y passengers to consume.
I took a picture of the really nice giant painting in the departure area. I am sure they want you to take pictures of this beautiful painting.
Both airlines offer a very pleasant check-in experience, given the fact that I flew economy and did not have any elite status with either airline. (I lost my Star Alliance Gold status due to bmi and only just got my Star Alliance Silver status after the end of my TK trip last week).
As Yangon is beginning to open up to foreigners and as many of us are doing RGN runs in the next year or so, I decide to write a trip report comparing these two full service Thai airlines that offer multiple daily flights between these two cities. I have a number of choices but I quickly rule out LCC, as I need to transit through Bangkok and LCC will require me entering Thailand and does not allow interline of check-in luggage. Full fare tickets are pretty expensive but in the end, I select Bangkok Airways, as it is a reputable carrier and my previous flight from Phuket to Bangkok was pretty impressive. The return was on Thai Airways, as it was one of those mistake fares issued by KE, and TG Y was the only choice. The comparison is a little bit unfair as I am sure the check-in experiences will be different between home and out stations, and different between transit and formal check-in counters. However given the similar time length, both flights are sixty to sixty-five minute from takeoff to landing, and their inflight service speaks loud about their products. I have also gotten more Bangkok Airways pictures, as the flight departs in the daytime and there are plenty of trip reports covering TG, and not many reports about PG.
Flight information:
PG 703 BKK-RGN Lv1500 Arr1550 Airbus A320-200 HS-PGV “Krabi”
TG 306 RGN-BKK Lv1945 Arr2140 Airbus A330-300 HS-TEC “Bang Rachan”
Check-in:
Bangkok Airways’ transit counter is located on the east concourse and has two counters handling all international flights. Domestic flights have their own transit counters. It was a very quiet morning, as you saw from the pictures. The sole agent was very friendly and my request for an exit row window seat was honored with a smile. The agent was familiar with the visa on arrival and had no issue with my letter of approval given by the travel agency. The whole experience was pleasant and a good start to an impressive journey.
The entrance experience in Yangon International airport is pretty similar to most developing countries. The entrance area was pretty chaotic but only passengers are allowed into the check-in area. All check-in and carry on bags must go through X-ray and each passenger had to be wand by the security officer. The officers in general are okay to deal with and since I have little luggage, the process was not too bad. The Thai check-in desks are not particularly busy and the economy line is not terribly busy. I was checked in within a few minutes and asked the agent to only check me to Bangkok. My Turkish number was entered (but not yet posted), and the agent was friendly. Sorry for the lack of pictures, as there are lots of security guards around and you never know what you are allowed to do or not to do. Plus the check-in area was as generic as it came. Air Asia and Vietnam Airlines are the only airlines with flights departing near out time. The Vietnam Air counters were very busy with lots of overweight luggage, but Air Asia was reasonably quiet. But one thing I notice is that TG has water cups (those used on airline meals) in a basket at each check-in counter for Y passengers to consume.
I took a picture of the really nice giant painting in the departure area. I am sure they want you to take pictures of this beautiful painting.
Both airlines offer a very pleasant check-in experience, given the fact that I flew economy and did not have any elite status with either airline. (I lost my Star Alliance Gold status due to bmi and only just got my Star Alliance Silver status after the end of my TK trip last week).
Comment