Small is beautiful at Asia's Boutique Airline

PERHAPS the best thing about Koh Samui, is getting there, on a small plane, cheerily emblazoned with destination prints, and those wide-welcome Thai smiles from the crew. Asia's boutique airline Bangkok Airways (www.bangkokair.com), pert yet professional, replaces fuss with fun, an ideal tonic for weary holidaymakers. Step into the award-winning airline-run Samui Airport and you are transported to another world, of driftwood chairs, sea breezes, and thatch-roof pavilions.

Voted “Asia’s best Regional Airline” for six years by Skytrax, Bangkok Airways flies to Samui from Bangkok, Hong Kong and Singapore. Samui is an island escape that just became easier. Scratch the sand and find a spa. Here, the most active denizens are the coconut-plucking monkeys. Enjoy the family-friendly fare or the full moon parties on Koh Phangan.

With a pedigree going back to 1968, its stride has become ever more jaunty with a modern fleet comprising eight 70-seater turbo-prop ATR 72-500s, six Airbus 319s, and three 162-seat fly-by-wire A-320s, all operating out of the Bangkok hub. In addition to several Thai destinations like Chiang Mai, Phuket and Trat, fly to Samui direct from Bangkok, Hong Kong and Singapore. Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Luang Prabang, Yangon and Maldives flights depart from Bangkok. An Etihad codeshare links Muscat and Abu Dhabi.

There's Blue Ribbon Club business class on select routes and frequent flyer fun from FlyerBonus, now teamed up with airberlin and Etihad. As a Priority Member pick up 10kg extra baggage. Get 250 points for Premium with extra perks. This is a small airline with a big dream. Slow down to get the big picture.