Bangkok and Other Airports - Your Recent Experience - Busy, OK or Quiet. Please Add your Experiences.

[Lemondropkid]

59 minutes ago, Jambo said:

I once booked Air Asia to Singapore in connection with my business visa.

Evening of my flight out I received a message stating my return flight was cancelled and I needed to book an alternative return flight at the Airport in the morning.

So I extended my stay by one day. Another evening in "The Tower" so no real hassle.

I arrived at the Airport on the morning of my return flight to find my flight was delayed. The delay turned out to be 10 hours, no complimentary catering and I had my phone stolen when I fell asleep in the Airport.

That is appalling. First the cancellation, and a 10 hour delay from SNG-BKK??

It was a never again for me. Was chatting to a fellow travel who used the Giant Ibis from BKK-PNH, 10m hours but in comfort with 4 stops, and very cheap, will think about that next time as I'll be a long trip

But either way Air Asia is a never again from me, it's Bangkok Airways or any other proper carrier if I have to fly and pay the extra. Even if it's double or more.

[john luke]

We flew from BKK to Chiang Mai using Thai Smile on Monday afternoon.  I was worried as I travelled economy and saw the various reports on how busy BKK airport was.  

My fears were unfounded; I joined a not massive queue and checked with one of the staff that I was in the correct line.  He said to come with me prior to escorting us to one of the self-check-in machines, where a member of staff took our passports and did the self-check-in for us, printing out a boarding pass each and luggage label.  We were then taken to the self-operated luggage belt and easily completed the process.  Less than five minutes overall for the check-in and luggage drop.

We proceeded to internal flights Security and joined a queue of four people at one of the scanners;  no issues.  They do seem keen here on checking power banks.  For this reason, I always keep my power bank accessible.   Photographic equipment was not a problem; it is in some places.  Actual boarding was not a problem.

It was the first time I had flown Thai Smile; my preferred airline for internal flights is Bangkok Air, but nothing of a negative nature with this Thai Smile flight.

 

[KWA]

10 minutes ago, john luke said:

He said to come with me prior to escorting us to one of the self-check-in machines, where a member of staff took our passports and did the self-check-in for us, printing out a boarding pass each and luggage label.  We were then taken to the self-operated luggage belt and easily completed the process.  Less than five minutes overall for the check-in and luggage drop.

The airlines where this facility can be used are mentioned here:

Edited March 1, 2023 by KWA

[Horizondave]

38 minutes ago, john luke said:

We flew from BKK to Chiang Mai using Thai Smile on Monday afternoon.  I was worried as I travelled economy and saw the various reports on how busy BKK airport was.  

My fears were unfounded; I joined a not massive queue and checked with one of the staff that I was in the correct line.  He said to come with me prior to escorting us to one of the self-check-in machines, where a member of staff took our passports and did the self-check-in for us, printing out a boarding pass each and luggage label.  We were then taken to the self-operated luggage belt and easily completed the process.  Less than five minutes overall for the check-in and luggage drop.

We proceeded to internal flights Security and joined a queue of four people at one of the scanners;  no issues.  They do seem keen here on checking power banks.  For this reason, I always keep my power bank accessible.   Photographic equipment was not a problem; it is in some places.  Actual boarding was not a problem.

It was the first time I had flown Thai Smile; my preferred airline for internal flights is Bangkok Air, but nothing of a negative nature with this Thai Smile flight.

 

Used Thai Smile many times as they are the only offering out of Swampy to Khon Kaen. Last used them last August from Surat Thani to Swampy and then on to Khon Kaen, always been on time and very good service.

i do like Bangkok Airways and traveled last time in August Swampy to Koh Samui, pleased also that I was on a prop jet, made for a more fun flight trying to dodge a few large cloud formations. Had also previously used their service from Chiang Mai, again a great service.

[Sherlock]

Arrived into BKK today at 1pm! What a complete and utter shit show immigration was! 6 counters not open yet their little tv screens above the booths were lit up green indicating they were open! Queue for immigration zigged and zagged all the way down the slope and along the concourse!!

Most baggage claim areas were starting to get piled high with all cases been taken off by airport staff so the area could be reused for the next flights bags!!

[Derek Dangleberries]

16 minutes ago, Sherlock said:

Arrived into BKK today at 1pm! What a complete and utter shit show immigration was! 6 counters not open yet their little tv screens above the booths were lit up green indicating they were open! Queue for immigration zigged and zagged all the way down the slope and along the concourse!!

Most baggage claim areas were starting to get piled high with all cases been taken off by airport staff so the area could be reused for the next flights bags!!

I was prepared to bin the idea of Fast Track until I read this... Thanks!

[Stillearly]

I've already booked fast track for when I get back , THB 1,250 seems okay to me as an insurance policy 

[Krapow]

1 hour ago, Sherlock said:

Arrived into BKK today at 1pm! What a complete and utter shit show immigration was! 6 counters not open yet their little tv screens above the booths were lit up green indicating they were open! Queue for immigration zigged and zagged all the way down the slope and along the concourse!!

Most baggage claim areas were starting to get piled high with all cases been taken off by airport staff so the area could be reused for the next flights bags!!

And on a Wednesday, fucking Hell, imagine weekends ...

Edit - I always just get Sa to walk to the front, ask someone working there where's fast track for children, and we get directed there, hardly any queue.

Edited March 1, 2023 by Krapow

[Krapow]

Another potential issue I haven't seen posted yet ...

[forcebwithu]

15 hours ago, KWA said:

The airlines where this facility can be used are mentioned here:

Good info, but someone should have put a little more thought into the acronym. 

[Lemondropkid]

Just landed DMK, zero queue at immigration, 5 minutes wait for bag, landed 10.20, very quiet.

Taxis for international arrivals at gate 8. No queue there either,  in a metered taxi, treating myself to the toll road.

[john luke]

Chiangmai airport on Monday afternoon was moderately busy.  Ten minutes to wait for luggage from the belt.  Airport taxi to Dusit  d2 hotel near night bazaar booked in airport for 150 baht, but pay driver.  Modern clean vehicle.

 

No immigration formalities as we were on a domestic flight.

[Sherlock]

So, just flew out of Swampy today heading to Hanoi. Airport is as busy as ive ever seen it in a long time.

Not sure what is happening with THAI, but the queue for check in went from their counters all the way down to the bottom of the terminal and started to turn back again! That must be a queue of at least 1KM!!! Madness! All airline check in desks  today seem really bad. Security check was very busy, but not as bad as ive seen it before, immigration was practically queued and snaked all the way back to the escalators! Took me 35 mins from coming down those stairs to been stamped out of the country!

[KWA]

58 minutes ago, Sherlock said:

. . . . immigration was practically queued and snaked all the way back to the escalators! Took me 35 mins from coming down those stairs to been stamped out of the country!

When I passed through on Sunday night that area was full and there were attendants stopping folk from going down the escalators thus making another queue stretching back towards the security check.

I think there were 4 desks each with 2 stations available in each hall to process passengers but in my hall ony 1 station was manned at each of the stations.  Easy to see where the hold up was.

[Bazle]

2 hours ago, Sherlock said:

Not sure what is happening with THAI, but the queue for check in went from their counters all the way down to the bottom of the terminal and started to turn back again! That must be a queue of at least 1KM!!! Madness! All airline check in desks  today seem really bad. 

Weren't you able to do on-line check-in?

[Sherlock]

2 hours ago, Bazle said:

Weren't you able to do on-line check-in?

Yes, but I didnt fly THAI. I noticed this line as you cant miss it when I entered.

I flew Vietnam Airlines today.

 

[KWA]

Good idea to have an automatic tray return system but why coudn't they have installed it when the airport was quiet?

[boydeste]

Just flown through Swampy, booked fast track and had to meet at gate D5 near immigration. Unfortunately we would of been ok, but straight through with only a few questions from the immigration lady, I managed to avoid the guy that refused me entry last time by about 15 seconds.  Lol

Cases already coming off the carousel. The quickest I have ever been through and out to the taxi.

 

[Sherlock]

Just landed in BKK from Hanoi. And still stuck in the queue right now as I write this. At 11:35am, immigration queue snaked back down the ramp way, and only 4 (Four) immigration counters open!!!!🤬

[Stillearly]

7 minutes ago, Sherlock said:

Just landed in BKK from Hanoi. And still stuck in the queue right now as I write this. At 11:35am, immigration queue snaked back down the ramp way, and only 4 (Four) immigration counters open!!!!🤬

Did you try the other immigration as well , about another 100 m down , past fast track ? 

[Sherlock]

3 minutes ago, Stillearly said:

Did you try the other immigration as well , about another 100 m down , past fast track ? 

Too late for that now. Stuck in this area!

[Sherlock]

New shift started dead on midday. Extra 20 booths opening up right now as I speak!

[john luke]

I flew from Chiang Mai to BKK on Saturday early evening time.

No significant queue at the Thai Smile check-in.  The check-in luggage system is different here in that the check-in desk staff print and attaches your luggage label to the suitcase and you then walk about 10 feet to the security belt giving access to the system.  No issues.  

Security before entering the departure lounge was busy however the wait was no more than five minutes.

Boarding at the gate was quick and straight forwards.

On arrival at BKK, I proceeded to the baggage collection area.  It took 25 minutes from the plane arriving at its gate to the luggage being collected from the belt.

This was an internal flight within Thailand so no Immigration procedures to follow.

[Lemondropkid]

On 3/1/2023 at 6:44 PM, Stillearly said:

I've already booked fast track for when I get back , THB 1,250 seems okay to me as an insurance policy 

Used the fast track this morning, with the limo. 

Driver was at least 20 minutes early, hairstyle military buzz cut. Including the drive it can't have taken more than 40 minutes and I was  through immigration. 

He called ahead on route, bag was portered to baggage drop. Regular queue was massive as the porter cheerfully pointed out.  Bag dumped the Porter calls ahead to the fast track, straight through there no queue at the scanner or passport control. 

Would definitely use again.  Have flown business class with work and I've never moved through a busy airport that fast.

Edited March 7, 2023 by Lemondropkid

[Bazle]

13 hours ago, Lemondropkid said:

Used the fast track this morning, with the limo. 

Driver was at least 20 minutes early, hairstyle military buzz cut. Including the drive it can't have taken more than 40 minutes and I was  through immigration. 

He called ahead on route, bag was portered to baggage drop. Regular queue was massive as the porter cheerfully pointed out.  Bag dumped the Porter calls ahead to the fast track, straight through there no queue at the scanner or passport control. 

Would definitely use again.  Have flown business class with work and I've never moved through a busy airport that fast.

You didn't happen also to have a police escort to your hotel, did you?   🙂