Trip Report: Bangkok Airways ATR 72-600, Ko Samui (USM) to Phuket (HKT)

KO SAMUI — This report covers my experience aboard Bangkok Airways (PG) flight 251 from Samui Airport (USM) to Phuket International Airport (HKT) on October 5. The service was a short morning domestic hop between two of Thailand's best-known island destinations, operated by an ATR 72 turboprop.

Samui Airport

Samui’s open-air terminal is one of the more distinctive in the region. In the early morning, the conditions were comfortable and not too hot, though I could imagine the experience changing considerably by midday once the tropical heat sets in. The design suits the island setting well and sets a relaxed tone before a flight.

The airport also offered complimentary coffee, juice and croissants for passengers waiting to depart. It is a small touch, but it made the wait feel like hospitality rather than a formality, and it is not something many airports of this size bother to provide.

Boarding

Rather than walking or taking a standard apron bus, passengers were taken to the aircraft by a tram-style vehicle. It was comfortable and a step above a typical ramp bus, similar in feel to the transport at a theme park, though not quite luxury. It was an unexpected and enjoyable way to cover the short distance to the ATR.

The Aircraft and Cabin

The aircraft was an ATR 72-600 registered HS-PZC, in the usual 2-2 turboprop layout. I sat in 8A, a window seat. The cabin was well presented for a short regional sector, and the flight carried the calm, unhurried feel that Bangkok Airways has built its brand around.

Departure and Flight

PG 251 was scheduled to depart at 08:00 and pushed back 17 minutes ahead of schedule. The flight time was short and the conditions were excellent throughout, with clear skies and pleasant weather at both ends of the route.

Onboard Service

The service was the pleasant surprise of the morning. For a flight of this length, I was not expecting anything, yet the crew handed out a boxed sandwich and a bottle of water. Combined with the refreshments in the terminal, it made for a generous offering on what was essentially a one-hour sector.

Arrival in Phuket

PG 251 arrived at Phuket 27 minutes ahead of its scheduled 09:00 arrival, a welcome gain on a morning that had already started early. Unlike the tram ride at Samui, the arrival was at a bus gate, with passengers taken from the aircraft to the terminal by apron bus. The weather was great on arrival.

Conclusion

This was an easy and enjoyable flight. The open-air terminal, the free refreshments, the tram to the aircraft and the boxed sandwich onboard all added up to a product well above what the sector length suggests. Add to that a departure 17 minutes early and an arrival 27 minutes early, and Bangkok Airways makes a strong case for itself on the Samui–Phuket route.