Laos forum

Flown Air Laos? Somewhat over 30 times now and I am still here to tell the tale. I wonder how old the bad stories are that you have heard.

There's a Travelfish feature story that I thought informative. Takes a realistic view of flying. Statistics are better than anecdote when considering the safety of flying. Once out of a thousand or a hundred thousand would be too high a rate for me. Thirty flights without mishap is a statistical non event.

I used to drive very fast while very drunk, never had an accident, safe?

http://www.travelfish.org/feature/50

A Cessna out of Sam Nua went down ealier this year, engine trouble as I remember, no injuries.

There are two airlines in Laos:
1. Lao Airlines that does both domestic & international flights to BKK, Chiangmai, etc: http://laoairlines.com/
2. Lao Air that does only domestic flights linking Vientiane to Sam Neua, Sayabouly, & Phongsaly (i.e. destinations not served by Lao Airlines), & chartered flights: http://www.lao-air.com

It's Lao Air that still uses Cessnas & helicopters, & is probably the recent case that somsai was referring to (emergency landing in a ricefield near VTE?). The similarity between the names probably means that incidents involving either could end up tarring the reputation of the other? Even more confusing is that some people refer to either as 'Lao Aviation'.

AFAIK some international NGOs currently allow their staff to fly Lao Airlines, but not Lao Air. E.g. CARE Intl staff based in Sayabouly returning to the capital have to journey by land to LPB & fly from LPB to VTE by Lao Airlines, instead of doing the Sayabouly-VTE direct route by Lao Air.

What I should have clarified, Cat was that Lao Air is a subsidiary of Lao Airlines.

perhaps now would be the right time to give this a rest MADMAC. you've made your point that you aren't a fan of Laos. point taken. but just because you are willing to shout your opinion the loudest doesn't make it the best. plus, it's getting tedious to see your anti-Laos comments on every Laos-related thread. even though you aren't Laos' biggest booster, others, including me, really enjoy the country. there is no reason to keep peeing in everyone else's cornflakes. cheers.

Rufus: i see, learnt something new :)

Yes there are. Cambodian and Laos Airlines codeshare.

mamatwiga

There are no real low cost carriers linking Laos and Cambodia.

Laos Air do the service, but it's almost impossible to use their website.

Cambodian Airlines offer a flight, go to:

http://www.canbypublications.com/cambodia/airlines.htm#To%20Siem%20Reap%20Intl

In both cases, I suggest you are going to have to use a travel agent.

You may like to check out:

http://uk.bestfares.amadeus.net


Cheers