The tourist destination of Koh Samui is getting an Aussie lift with the new code share agreement between Bangkok Airways and Etihad.
The three weekly flights between Brisbane and Samui have a Singapore stopover but are the next best seamless solution to direct flights.
As the Australian dollar continues to flourish the news looks to boost the island’s tourism fortunes.
source – www.thephuketinsider.com
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, in partnership with Bangkok Airways, has launched the airline’s first seamless routing and the travel industry’s fastest service from Brisbane to Koh Samui, Thailand.
Etihad Airways flight EY473 departs Brisbane three times per week on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 12:25pm, arriving in Singapore at 6:25pm. It connects with codeshare flight EY7722 (operated by Bangkok Airways) departing Singapore at 8:10pm and arriving in Koh Samui at 9:00pm.
On the return, Etihad flight EY7721 (operated by Bangkok Airways) flies three times per week on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, departing Koh Samui at 4:30pm and arriving in Singapore at 7:20pm the same day. This flight connects with Etihad’s Singapore to Brisbane service EY470 which departs Singapore at 11:15pm and arrives in Brisbane at 9:05am the next morning.
Cramer Ball, Etihad Airways’ Regional General Manager Asia Pacific South and Australasia, said: “These new services, Etihad’s first ever to Koh Samui, are an exciting development for our customers and for the airline’s global network.
“The new route from Koh Samui to Brisbane shaves two hours off the journey, making our codeshare service the market’s fastest and most convenient.”
All Etihad customers on the codeshare service may enjoy the comforts of the Bangkok Airways boutique lounge in Koh Samui prior to boarding the flight to Singapore.
Etihad Guest and Virgin Blue Velocity Rewards members can earn and redeem miles on the codeshare flights operated by Bangkok Airways.
Chauffeur driven transfers to and from Brisbane International Airport are available to Etihad’s Pearl Business Class guests*.
Round trip fares from Brisbane to Koh Samui start from $1205 in economy class and from $4375 in business class.
source – www.etravelblackboard.com
Bangkok Airways will launch Trat- Samui and Trat- Phuket (via Samui) routes to connect Thailand’s western seaside to southern seaside destinations beginning Dec. 2. The new routes will have four flights weekly – one round trip each day on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
“We believe that the opening of the new routes, Trat-Samui and Trat- Phuket, will stimulate tourism in the western provinces of Thailand as it cuts travel time,” said M.L. Nandhika Varavarn, the airline’s vice president for corporate communications. “With the new routes, tourists in Samui and Phuket can fly to Trat without passing through Bangkok anymore.”
He added this would also help facilitate transport of agricultural goods from Trat to Samui and Phuket, where demand is greater.
Bangkok Airways said the 70-seater ATR72 aircraft will service the new routes.
©2009 Kalara. All Rights Reserved
