Flight Information for Laos
International Flights to Laos
There are currently no direct flights from the UK to Laos. The most direct way of flying to Laos from the UK is by using Thai Airways who have 2 flights daily from London to Bangkok and connecting on to Vientiane. Other carriers that connect through to Vientiane from Bangkok are British Airways, Qantas and Eva Airways. Bangkok Airways, Vietnam Airlines and the national carrier, Lao Airlines link the capitals of the regions.
Thai Airways flights from United Kingdom to Laos
www.thaiair.com
Thai operate 1 flight daily between London Heathrow and Vientiane that connects straight through via Bangkok. It departs London Heathrow at 11:50 arriving Bangkok early next morning and, after a pause, connects with another Thai flight for the 1hr 10minute flight on to Vientiane. Total flight duration around 13hrs 55 mins. There is one more, overnight flight, however this requires a wait of several hours in Bangkok and increases the journey time to 16hrs 15mins.
British Airways flights from United Kingdom to Laos
www.ba.com
British Airways’ once-daily flight leaves London around 21:30hrs and arrives in Bangkok next day around 15:40hrs. After a wait of around 4 hours it connects with a Thai Airways flight (code shared with Laos Airlines) for the hop to Vientiane. Total flight duration 16hrs 15mins.
Qantas Airways flights from United Kingdom to Laos
www.qantas.com.au
Qantas’s once-daily flight follows the same pattern and timings of the BA flight, leaving London around 21:30hrs and arrives in Bangkok next day around 15:40hrs; similarly after a wait of around 4 hours it connects with a Thai Airways flight (code shared with Laos Airlines) for the hop to Vientiane. Total flight duration 16hrs 15mins.
EVA Airways flights from United Kingdom to Laos
www.evaair.com
As with BA and Qantas, EVA Airways operates a once-daily flight from London Heathrow for the overnight journey to Bangkok and on to Vientiane. It follows the same timings.
Domestic Flights in Laos
Laos Airlines, the national airline, is also the main carrier for domestic flights within Laos. Currently Laos Airlines has domestic flights from Vientiane and Luang Prabang to Houei Sai, Luang Namtha, Oudomxay, Pakse, Phongsaly via Luang Prabang, Sam Neua, Sayaboury and Xieng Khuang.
The UK government has for some years had concerns about the safety and maintenance of Lao Aviation Aircraft, saying, “Prospective air travellers should be aware of doubts about the maintenance procedures of internal flights. Travel by Lao Airlines is strongly discouraged except on the ATR 72 aircraft and the Airbus 320. Yuen-7 and Yuen-12 aircraft should be avoided whenever possible. Since 2000, there have been several deaths as a result of domestic air accidents on Yuen-12 aircraft in Laos”.
Laos Airlines flights in Laos
www.laoairlines.com
