Comparison of airlines & flights from Australia

[1992]

I have had a quick look on the forum and have not seen a thead about flights to BKK from AU. 

My personal experiences, all economy class :

Jetstar direct MEL-BKK : Unless you are the cheapest of cheap charlies just don't do it. You will be surrounded on a completely packed plane by other cheap charlies and you will probably be late on at least one leg of the trip. TV screen is tiny and most of the features are behind a paywall.

Thai direct MEL - BKK : Costs significantly more than Jetstar but to me it is worth it. Flights are normally not full even in high season so it is easy to get poor man's business class. Screens are big, planes are new-ish airbus and the staff are great. Food very good for airline food. 

Malaysian ADL - KUL - BKK : I did this flight around 20 years ago and it was 'mid'. About to do this flight again in a couple of months, keen to know if anyone has used Malaysian from AU recently? The price is right when compared to Thai but of course not everything is about price. 

Qantas/Finnair direct SYD - BKK : A bit disappointing this is not a true Qantas flight but it was ok. There are alternate flights out of SYD with Malaysia (cheaper, not direct) and Thai (more expensive, direct) - can anyone here compare these?

Hopefully this thread is useful. 

[Bonkabit]

4 hours ago, 1992 said:

My personal experiences, all economy class :

Jetstar direct MEL-BKK : Unless you are the cheapest of cheap charlies just don't do it. ..

Thai direct MEL - BKK : Costs significantly more than Jetstar but to me it is worth it...

Malaysian ADL - KUL - BKK : I did this flight around 20 years ago and it was 'mid'...

MEL-BKK Economy carriers are Jetstar (direct) but awful timing delay experiences on several occasions mean I am reluctant to travel Jetstar again. AirAsia flies via KL but I'd have to leave home by 0500 for the 0800 take-off from Melbourne, so that's a no-no. Scoot, the budget arm of Singapore - flown once with upgrades on Mel-Singapore legs (change planes in SIN). Good but layovers are a drawback.

There are several full service carriers.

ThaiAir is my first choice as they fly direct twice a day. Other airlines involve layovers:

SingaporeAir is excellent, but check timetable. They are currently charging under $A1000 (21,000 bahts) for return mid-January-February 2026.

Malaysia is good with change planes in Kula Lumpur. 

Two other full service airlines are:

Vietnam Airlines via Ho Chi Minh (Saigon). Overall point to point time is comparable to Singapore and Malaysia.

Royal Brunei has three return services a week but the only one for me is Sunday from Melbourne and return Saturday two or three weeks later out of Bangkok; the weekday flights involve substantial layovers. This airline has a no alcohol policy, as does Brunei itself; this has the advantage of no low life co-passengers of the sort who get boozed in the departure airport and aim to stay like that!

Check Skyscanner Flights and Search flights || ITA Matrix by Google for timetables and prices for your dates. (Sometimes Royal Brunei does not appear; if so, see Royal Brunei Airlines)

[TheArtist]

Thai has an excellent schedule between BKK and MEL. 
 

They are more expensive but you’re not treated like cattle and their service is awesome, with a recent fleet of A350 and lovely crew
 

They have my business by default for a hassle free experience 

[Macawber]

Singapore Airlines for me - standard economy class with seat selection upgrades for the long sectors. Great service, comfy seats (at least for me) and I actually enjoy the layover at Changi, especially outbound. 

[Atlas]

Sadly only Jetstar operates out on BNE (finally)... Doing my first flight with them Sunday BKK-BNE... 

I love DIRECT flights 😉

[samaus]

18 minutes ago, Atlas said:

Sadly only Jetstar operates out on BNE (finally)... Doing my first flight with them Sunday BKK-BNE... 

I love DIRECT flights 😉

Its Jetstar for me too out of Brisbane.

Its uncomfortable but direct and its been on time the last 2 times ive flown.

[oldmanemu60]

Flew "business " class with Jetstar a few weeks ago $3400 , Melbourne to BKK 

Terrible, it's more a premium economy where the seats recline  back ,

the flight was delayed, the seats awful ( I got the middle seat out of the 3 in a row)

and the food was sausage rolls and chips with a cake 

And no business lounge access

In hindsight I should of just bought 2 X economy seats for comfort 

Never again 

Edited October 21, 2025 by oldmanemu60

[1992]

2 hours ago, Atlas said:

Sadly only Jetstar operates out on BNE (finally)... Doing my first flight with them Sunday BKK-BNE...

I love DIRECT flights 😉

let us know how it goes. 

i feel for the queenslanders who limited choices out of brisbane.  

[Ah dinnae ken]

59 minutes ago, 1992 said:

feel for the queenslanders who limited choices out of brisbane.  

I have flown a number of time BNE-BKK with jetstar no problems. I know you pay for extras so work around it. The only thing I normally pay for is seat selection aisle seat and travel with cabin baggage. Im a big guy upper body so it is a matter of luck who I get sitting next to me but have plenty of leg room 5'10"

I use their free wheelchair service and find the staff freindly and obliging

 

 

[Bonkabit]

11 hours ago, oldmanemu60 said:

Flew "business " class with Jetstar a few weeks ago $3400 , Melbourne to BKK 

Terrible, it's more a premium economy where the seats recline  back ,

the flight was delayed, the seats awful ( I got the middle seat out of the 3 in a row)

and the food was sausage rolls and chips with a cake 

And no business lounge access

In hindsight I should have just bought 2 X economy seats for comfort 

 

Alternatives include:

Thai Business class, even if one-way only, the other way Economy. This is what I sometimes do; upgrade for overnight flight home BKK-MEL.

Business Class return for long leg on e.g. Singapore, Malaysia, but Economy for the 2 hours between SIN-BKK.

Royal Brunei have economical upgrade package, see Royal Brunei Airlines. Means fly out on Sunday, return Saturday; alcohol free flights.

Ps refer my post of 21 Oct, above.

[Jebb]

15 hours ago, Atlas said:

Sadly only Jetstar operates out on BNE (finally)... Doing my first flight with them Sunday BKK-BNE... 

I love DIRECT flights 😉

 

11 hours ago, Ah dinnae ken said:

I have flown a number of time BNE-BKK with jetstar no problems. I know you pay for extras so work around it. The only thing I normally pay for is seat selection aisle seat and travel with cabin baggage. Im a big guy upper body so it is a matter of luck who I get sitting next to me but have plenty of leg room 5'10"

I use their free wheelchair service and find the staff freindly and obliging

 

Like almost everyone I have a Jetstar horror story but have used the BNE/BKK direct flight the last three times I have travelled. Buy the TV package, get a meal and a good seat. Three movies later and you are just about there. Also Thai crew is a huge bonus. No stops so less likelihood of a delay.

[Atlas]

15 hours ago, oldmanemu60 said:

and the food was sausage rolls and chips with a cake 

You have to be kidding ?? 🤔

[The Serpent]

Quote

Malaysian ADL - KUL - BKK : I did this flight around 20 years ago and it was 'mid'. About to do this flight again in a couple of months, keen to know if anyone has used Malaysian from AU recently? The price is right when compared to Thai but of course not everything is about price. 

 I have only flown with them in BC

Can't fault the service, wasn't exceptional but also there was also no negative's, a solid 7/10

They now use mostly the A3330neo planes on the MEL to KL leg, which is a really nice plane

 

[Bonkabit]

On 21/10/2025 at 23:43, oldmanemu60 said:

Flew "business " class with Jetstar a few weeks ago $3400 , Melbourne to BKK ...

Never again 

For curiosity I turned up ThaiAir on Google Flights.

Business Class return Melbourne-Bangkok, out 18 Jan '25, return 2 Feb. is shown at $A3938, 16% more than the $3400 you paid on Jetstar. Malaysia via KL is $3498.

I'm yet another 'Never Again' on Jetstar International (regular time delays).

Currently I'm tracking fares for Jan- Feb. Royal Brunei with short layovers in Brunei looks to be the best value in Business, flying out from MEL Sunday and returning Saturday

[oldmanemu60]

38 minutes ago, Bonkabit said:

Feb. is shown at $A3938,

And you don't get business lounge either 

[Jagaar]

I live in Adelaide.

Have flown Adelaide/Sydney/Bangkok when it was a Qantas Aircraft, just after covid restrictions were lifted.

Both the Sydney/Bangkok outbound and return flights were delayed. Missed connection in Sydney and had to wait extra 4 hours. Plane,Food and seat ok. But due connection issues and change of terminal oh and cost there are better options.

Singapore Airlines. Adelaide/Singapore/Bangkok and return. Have travelled twice using this service. On time. Singapore connection under an hour and no problem. Prefer the A350 over the current 787.

Current issue with Singapore Airlines is the long layover time in Singapore on return. (not every day however)

Last trip I flew Malaysian. Under 2 hour connect time in Kuala Lumper both directions.  A330 to/from KUL to ADL and 737 KUL/BKK and return. 737 is not great, but it's only a couple of hours.

Malaysian are increasing their services to Adelaide and going with the new neo aircraft, so on price and convenience it will be my choice next trip.

Other alternatives exist. Cathy Pacific via Hongkong or go to Melbourne and connect with Thai, Jetstar etc from there.  

[1992]

I'm in progress from ADL to BKK via KL with Malaysia. Wouldn't recommend this flight. Was initially delayed and then missed connecting flight. Almost zero guidance from the airline re luggage, hotel, transport etc. Almost missed the second flight because of their shuttle bus running an hour late. Had my name called on the PA system! 

I've been in transit for over 24 hours and another at least 3 hours to go. 

Apart from all of that the seats on the plane seem way more cramped than on the same model Airbus with Thai airways. 

[atst]

2 hours ago, 1992 said:

I'm in progress from ADL to BKK via KL with Malaysia. Wouldn't recommend this flight. Was initially delayed and then missed connecting flight. Almost zero guidance from the airline re luggage, hotel, transport etc. Almost missed the second flight because of their shuttle bus running an hour late. Had my name called on the PA system! 

I've been in transit for over 24 hours and another at least 3 hours to go. 

Apart from all of that the seats on the plane seem way more cramped than on the same model Airbus with Thai airways. 

Wow that's a lot of bad luck,KL are normally pretty good, interesting about seat size, I seem to think all planes seem more cramped now, it could be my extra 7 kilos I haven't been able to lose since putting on in covid lockdown though.

[j_omm]

After experiencing a few pretty bad flights with Jetstar/Qantas over the years , they really were terrible not at all relaxing and very cramped seat space...I decided to give Singapore Airlines a go that was a few years back and no way will I fly with Aust airlines unless absolutely no other choice on a short flight.

I often fly from Melbourne to Bali and Bali to Bangkok..Even though its a longer flight with Singapore Airlines its so relaxing enough leg room..Great food,wide bodied aircraft..Hostesses are great 25 kg check in baggage plus great entertainment all included in the fare..

I am not in a rush and am ok with Changi Airport stop overs in Singapore I also find if I book my flights 3/4 months before flying fares around A$900 + return. Melb to Bali..

No way can I go back to Jetstar/Qantas even Virgin forget it they have no idea about looking after customers.

None of my Singapore Airline flights have been cancelled all run on time ..

I also regularly fly return between Bali and Bangkok with Singapore airlines around A$450 return flights economy everything is included 25 kg baggage ,great meals good service

I have also flown with Thai airways and Malaysian air but none come close to what Singapore Airlines offer

[1992]

I am going to try Singapore in 6 months, I keep hearing how great they are. 

Should add I used fast track immigration for the first time and it was that good it almost made up for the huge delays with Malaysia. Walking straight past what looked like at least a 2 hour line was an awesome feeling. Will be using fast track every trip going forward. 

[Bonkabit]

I'm tracking fares for trip in mid-Jan: here is an update as at yesterday. Source is mostly Skyscanner.

Thai is the only full-service direct service. All the others shown involve change plane en route.

My spreadsheet formatting has fallen out a bit in copying to this site. Apologies

AIR FARES		check on THU
		w/c 18 Jan, Out – w/c 2 Feb Return	ThaiAir	Singapore	Malaysia	Vietnam
			$1,348	$1,137	$1,102
		29 Oct 25	$1,244	$1,300	$1,169	$1,250
		6 Nov 25	$1,225	$1,450	$1,373	$1,240
		13 Nov 25	$1,293	$1,639	$1,325	$1,315
		20 Nov 25	$1,383	$1,402	$1,281	$1,305
		27 Nov 25	$1,381	$1,525	$1,266	$1,313
		6 Dec 25	$1,258	$1,426	$1,221	$1,317
		11 Dec 25	$1,350		$1,253	$1,453
Ro Brunei, dep Mel 1330 Sun 18 Jan- 10hr 35 min - arr BKK 2005
Return, – arr Mel 0500 +1
Cld leave MEL Tue, Thu, Fri with no-cost o’nite in hotel in Brunei, arrive BKK +1			Business Saver $1898 (28 Nov)

[1992]

That royal Brunei business class looks like a great deal.

[mixedberrys]

I've been flying from Sydney with Qantas in economy for years. I get Qantas lounge passes with my credit card. When they changed to using Finnair planes I could still use my passes. However in July they stopped people in economy on QF295 from using complimentary passes to access the Sydney lounge.

[davidge]

‼️‼️Good News, Finnair will further strengthen its long-haul network in 2026 with the launch of daily one-stop flights between Bangkok and Melbourne, marking the first time the Helsinki-based carrier operates to Australia using its own aircraft. The new service will operate on the Helsinki–Bangkok–Melbourne route from 26 October 2026, subject to regulatory approval.

Flights will be operated by Airbus A350-900 aircraft, offering modern cabins, long-haul comfort, and full-service amenities. The southbound flight will depart Helsinki shortly after midnight, arrive in Bangkok in the afternoon, and continue onward to Melbourne, arriving the following morning. The return service will depart Melbourne in the mid-afternoon, reach Bangkok in the evening, and continue to Helsinki, arriving the next morning.
#bangkok #Melbourne #finnair

[1992]

Keen to see the pricing on this one, if it's competitive with Thai I would definitely give it a try.