Find cheap Thai Vietjet Air flights

Thai VietJet Air is the Thailand-based version of the Vietnamese low-cost airline VietJet Air, and it’s basically the same experience except for a bit of Thai flavor. With about a dozen destinations in Thailand, as well as flights to neighboring countries and connections into the wider VietJet network, it’s a handy and inexpensive option for this part of Southeast Asia.

The basic onboard experience is no-frills, but with great value fares and upgrade options galore for more space and a nicer experience. Here’s a complete guide to flying Thai VietJet Air, including my expert tips for the airline.

The Thai Vietjet Air model

Thai VietJet Air flights are really inexpensive whether you’re flying domestically, to neighboring countries, or on slightly longer flights to Taipei or the 3 available destinations in Japan: Fukuoka, Okinawa and Osaka Kansai.

If you’re familiar with the larger Vietnamese sister company VietJet Air, the Thai VietJet Air experience is similar. Overall the airline experience at the airport and onboard is quite similar to what you’ll find on board other regional low-cost carriers, too.

If you only need a basic seat and a personal item to take with you, you’ll fly pretty cheaply. Additional fees apply for options like baggage, food or seat reservations – and, crucially if you’re taller, for extra legroom – but are typically well priced.

Unusually for a low-cost carrier, Thai VietJet Air is based at Bangkok’s main international airport, Suvarnabhumi – that’s the newer one, where the airport code is BKK, as opposed to the older airport closer to town, DMK. Many low-cost carriers use DMK, so that’s something to be aware of if you’re thinking of building your own connection – you’ll need to get between the 2 airports yourself.

Thai VietJet Air classes of travel and fares

Thai VietJet Air is all-economy onboard all Airbus A320 and A321 planes. As a low-cost carrier, you’d be right in thinking that you can upgrade the Thai VietJet experience for a bit of extra cash. When booking, be sure to pay close attention to whether you’re reserving Thai VietJet or Vietnamese VietJet – some benefits of the more expensive fares are only applicable to Thai VietJet.

When you book, you’ll have the choice of 3 fare bundles: Eco, Deluxe and SkyBOSS, which is possibly my favorite ever name for an airplane ticket. Note that Business fares are only offered if it’s actually one of the Vietnamese VietJet Air flights, where there is a business class with lie-flat seats. Thai VietJet Air does not yet have any planes with a business cabin.

The cheapest fares are called Eco and come with one allowance: 7 kilograms (15.4-pounds) of carry-on luggage. That’s it. Delight in how much money you saved and speed through the airport without bothering with any bags – or purchase additional upgrades and allowances individually when booking.

The Deluxe fare is probably what most overseas visitors will want and it gets you a few extra benefits: a 20-kilogram (44-pound) checked bag, a regular seat selection and the option to change your flight paying only the actual fare difference of the new flight.

Be aware that the checked bag allowance is a bit less than a standard international piece of checked baggage, so I recommend weighing your bag at home to avoid fees. You also get a priority check-in lane as a Deluxe passenger on Thai VietJet Air (not Vietnamese).

SkyBOSS privileges

Want to fly like a boss? SkyBOSS comes with more carry-on allowance (10 kilograms or 22 pounds), a 30-kilogram bag (66 pounds) plus a golf bag that can weigh up to 15 kilograms (33 pounds). Also, priority seat selection, airport fast-track security (if available), a priority check-in line, lounge access (if available), free food and beverages and a private car to or from the terminal when the plane is parked at a remote stand.

As a reminder, you can buy pretty much all of that separately if you prefer, but I like the variety that SkyBOSS offers and I prefer having all of the amenities grouped together.

Thai VietJet Air seats

All seats on all Thai VietJet Air flights are economy, and they sure do pack them in to get those cheap tickets. I recommend looking at seats with a bit more space for just about everyone unless you’re very small.

Your choices include an extra legroom seat, an emergency exit row, a Hot Seat in rows 1 through 5, or one towards the front or back of the plane.

If you want an emergency exit seat, you’ll need to be between the ages of 16 and 65, not be pregnant, be mentally and physically healthy enough to assist the crew in the event of an emergency, not be traveling with kids or anyone requiring assistance and be able to understand crew instructions.

Your options are set out clearly when you book your flight – click on the little seat icon and it’ll show the pricing. On board the A320, all seats are in a 3 x 3 layout. I usually recommend a Hot Seat, partly because most folks won’t choose these so you’re more likely to have no neighbor next to you and gain a little extra space without booking an extra seat.

On the A321, it’s mostly a 3 x 3 configuration but there are 2 rows of 2 x 2 near the exits. These are an aisle-window exit row combo that can be pretty great if you’re traveling with one other person. But the real gems are the aisle seats in the exit row immediately behind, which have almost infinite legroom with no seat directly in front.

The other hack I like for extra space, especially if traveling with someone else, is to buy an extra seat for more elbow room, the extra under-seat storage of the extra seat, and the extra seat tray table for cocktails.

Check-in and airport experience with Thai VietJet Air

Most flights offer online check-in opening 24 hours before your flight. If I haven’t picked a seat at booking, I’ll set an alarm so that I have first pick of the seats that are left when check-in opens.

Unlike some low-cost carriers, you won’t be charged an airport check-in fee but there are likely to be lines, which can be fairly hefty at larger airports. If you’re thinking of using airport check-in, you might want to consider a ticket or upgrade that gets you priority line access to avoid this backup.

Thai VietJet Air will offer you lounge access at some airports, and this can be a nice upgrade for a bit of peace, air conditioning and a refreshing beverage. Do a bit of web sleuthing, though, to figure out whether it’s the best lounge that you can buy your way into – and be aware that if you have a Priority Pass card or something similar, you might already have access to that lounge or another one at the airport.

You probably won’t be connecting with Thai VietJet Air. As a low-cost carrier it isn’t really set up for that, although it’s possible, especially when connecting with Vietnamese VietJet Air.

If you do, be really clear about what the airline offers in terms of checking your luggage all the way through, as well as whether they’re obligated to put you on the next flight if you miss your connection. Always know where you need to collect your bag and allow extra time in transit if it needs to be done during your connection, which is likely.

Thai VietJet Air food and in-flight entertainment

No-frills means no-frills in terms of in-flight entertainment, in-flight Wi-Fi or power. It’s bring-your-own for all of those. As for food and drink, there’s better news – it’s inexpensive and can be delicious if you choose right. You can preorder if you want to be sure of what you’re getting on board.

If you’re hungry, steer yourself towards Thai food rather than the tuna croissant or white-bread sandwiches. The spicy basil chicken is my favorite, while the shrimp pad Thai and vegetarian fried rice are also go-tos. Don’t sleep on the crispy fruit slice chips – these are absolutely amazing, and you can usually find them in mango, pineapple and longan versions (my favorite).

The Thai VietJet Air drink selection is great and you definitely won’t go thirsty. Sample widely – the brown sugar Thai tea is incredible and there are a couple of different options available. The desserts are also brilliant and made in conjunction with the After You dessert café that has branches all over Thailand. You’ll also find some good local beers like 333 and Chang.