Thailand forum

You will most likely make that connection, however, if it were me, I would not risk it. First of all, it adds stress to your vacation. Why do that if you can avoid it? IF for some reason your Thai Airways flight is delayed, not only will you miss your connecting flight and have to make other travel arrangements, BUT Air Asia probably won't reimburse you and Thai Airways might not compensate you either. Is there a compelling reason you can't either take a latter flight or spend the night in Bangkok and head to Phuket the next day?

compelling reason?

I wish I had a compelling reason, but really what happened was I did researched and figured 3 hours was enough time without worry, so I booked everything. Then I started to think about it some more. I realized Air Asia would not be the most forgiving airline for a missed connection, they closed their desk 45 minutes before a flight and I began to worry. So I guess I was hoping for reassurance

Time is tight, so I really want to be in Phuket that night. There is another later flight with Air Asia. But that won't get me to my hotel until 2am. And I wanted to get in earlier than that. However, stress is no fun either.
Anyone know how easy or uneasy it is to change flight times with Air Asia, via the internet?
(On a side note; when all is said and done, and you pay all the "service fees" and "luggage fees" that Air Asia has, the price from Bangkok to Phuket is not really that much cheaper than Bangkok Airways).

Since you have already booked the AA flight, I would tend to leave it as is rather than paying the $40 or so change fee plus/minus any difference in fare price for the later flight. (I think that's what it cost me in NZD last time). I find that customs and immigration is usually pretty quick (esp compared to US, NZ, etc). You have a good chance of making it.

If your Thai Airline flight is late, then you know you have to deal with 'worst case'. At the time that occurs, you know there is probably not much you can do at that point except deal with it when you arrive. So sit back on the Thai Air flight, enjoy another wine, and try to relax anyhow.


When you arrive, go straight to AA desk and see what they can do. Worst case, you buy a new fare. (OK, worst case the later flight is booked out - but deal with that if/when it happens).

Compare the price difference of losing the fare and having to but a new ticket -vs- the cost of changing your flight. Go to AA website and start a flight change online to the point that you accept it. That will indicate total change cost. What's the dollar difference between the two and how does that stack up compared to everything else? (Stress, waiting time, late arrival, etc). The length of trip might also impact your decision - if you are only there a week, you will want to max your time in Phuket. If you are there for months, then a delayed start doesn't matter so much.



Good points above out checking in on AA flight before you leave. AA now charge you extra if you don't check in on line ahead of time anyhow.

If you've already booked then I'd just go for it. Rolling into Phuket at 2 am wouldn't exactly be a barrel of laughs either. I would have spent a couple of days in Bangkok while I was there, but I like Bangkok and I don't like the sea in the first place. So obviusly my preferences are not suitable to you. You'll probably be fine. No point in sweating it now.