Comparing budget flights with Nok Air and Air Asia

Sometimes I’ve been guilty of falling in love with a product and/or service to the point where it blinds me from trying something else. When it comes to flying around select destinations in Asia, I’ve been a huge fan of Air Asia for years. Almost exclusively I’ve flown with Air Asia – on both long and short haul flights – whenever I haven’t taken more local forms of transportation such as trains or buses.

As a traveller that seeks value over comfort, I’ve come to appreciate being able to take flights (when booked well in advance) that costs a mere fraction compared with major airlines. In certain cases, I’ve found flights with Air Asia that were far cheaper than taking either the bus or train!

Recently, I was forced to look at flights with another carrier when the route I was looking for, a flight from Chiang Mai, Thailand to Penang, Malaysia, was fully booked. With an impending Visa run just mere days away, I had yet to book a flight out of Thailand.

I had heard about Nok Air, from several friends who had flown with them before; although, they had mentioned positive things about their experiences flying with Nok Air, I had yet to really consider them for my own personal connections.

Scrambling last minute, I was initially disappointed when I noticed they also didn’t have any available flights from Chiang Mai to Penang. Randomly, I started thinking of destinations in the southern part of Thailand that were close to the Malaysian border; Hat Yai and Krabi immediately came to mind.

When I discovered that a flight from Chiang Mai to Hat Yai, on a promo fare, would cost less than half of the price of a train ticket I immediately pounced. Not knowing what to expect, concerns about safety, service and reliability from this ‘new’ airline crept into my mind as time grew closer to my departure.

Now that I’m writing this post from Phuket, Thailand, having just completed my Visa run to Penang, Malaysia, I’ve only got overwhelming positive things to say about Nok Air. When compared to flights I’ve taken in the past with Air Asia, three things really stand out:

source: Samuel and Audrey on YouTube

FREE WIFI IN THE AIRPORT

Free wifi in the airport? For those accustomed to flying out of the highest rated airports in the world, such as Changi International Airport in Sinagore or Incheon International Aiport in Korea, free wifi has been in play for years; however, for those in North America – or flying with budget airlines – waiting for delayed flights can be excruciatingly painful without a wifi connection.

What I loved about Nok Air, is that they had free wifi for customers waiting to board their flights. To connect, it didn’t require any fancy password or login id; I just simply had to enter my boarding number and within seconds I was surfing online.

FREE LUGGAGE

Another huge bonus was that I didn’t have to pay extra online (or at the check in counter) for luggage. Because our bag was under 15 kg it was free to have it checked. When booking flights with Air Asia, I always find it a bit misleading when I have the fare etched out in my mind and then suddenly the extras (such as luggage) tack on a significant amount more.

SNACKS ON BOARD THE PLANE

Now the real kicker was having a surprise snack and beverage on board Nok Air! I’m used to having to purchase overpriced tiny portion meals from Air Asia; and in the rare case that I actually do decide I’m hungry enough to fork over money for something to eat,

I end up paying more money out of pocket. Although the snack on Nok Air was merely nothing more than a couple of coconut pastries filled with raisins along with a water, I felt as though I was a valued customer.

Air Asia Information For Travelers

AirAsia is well-known for offering budget-friendly flights across Asia and beyond. With an extensive network covering over 165 destinations, it’s a popular choice for travelers looking to explore the region without breaking the bank. The airline frequently offers promotional fares, so keep an eye out for deals that can make your journey even more affordable.

Booking and Baggage

Booking with AirAsia is straightforward, with a user-friendly website and mobile app. However, it’s important to note that the base fare often covers only the seat; additional services like checked baggage, meals, and seat selection come at an extra cost. To avoid surprises, consider purchasing a bundle that includes these extras, or add them individually during the booking process.

• Check-In: You can check in online, via the app, or at the airport. Online check-in is recommended to save time and avoid long queues.
• Baggage Policies: AirAsia’s baggage policies are strict. Make sure to adhere to weight limits and pre-purchase any additional baggage allowance you might need. Overweight baggage fees at the airport can be steep.

Onboard Experience

While AirAsia is a low-cost carrier, the onboard experience is comfortable for short to medium-haul flights. The seats are compact but adequate, and the airline offers a range of in-flight meals, snacks, and drinks for purchase. For entertainment, you can bring your own devices, as seatback screens are not available on most flights.

• Pre-Order Meals: To ensure availability, it’s best to pre-order your meals when booking your flight. The menu includes a variety of Asian and Western dishes.
• Seat Selection: If you prefer a specific seat, such as one with extra legroom or near the front, it’s advisable to select it in advance for a fee.

Tips for a Smooth Journey

• Arrive Early: AirAsia flights can be busy, so arriving at the airport early is a good idea, especially for international flights.
• Travel Insurance: Consider purchasing travel insurance, either through AirAsia or separately, to cover any unforeseen circumstances such as cancellations or medical emergencies.
• Stay Updated: Flight times can change, so regularly check your flight status on the AirAsia app or website.

Nok Air Information For Travelers

Nok Air is a popular low-cost airline in Thailand, known for its cheerful branding and budget-friendly fares. The airline primarily operates domestic flights, connecting major cities and regional hubs across the country. With a few international routes, Nok Air is a convenient choice for exploring Thailand without spending a fortune.

• Booking and Extras: Booking is simple via their website or app. While the base fare is affordable, additional services like checked baggage, seat selection, and in-flight meals are available for an extra fee. Be sure to add these services during booking to avoid higher charges at the airport.

Flexible Travel Options

Nok Air offers flexibility with a range of fare options to suit different needs. From basic fares for those traveling light to more inclusive options that bundle services like extra baggage and seat selection, there’s something for every type of traveler.

• Check-In: Passengers can check in online, via the app, or at the airport. Online check-in is recommended to save time and ensure a smooth experience.

Onboard Experience

The onboard experience with Nok Air is comfortable for short flights, with friendly cabin crew and clean, modern aircraft. Although the airline doesn’t offer in-flight entertainment systems, passengers can purchase snacks and drinks on board or bring their own.

• Comfort and Service: While seating is standard for a budget airline, the service is often highlighted for its friendliness and efficiency. The bright, cheerful branding of Nok Air extends to its cabin crew, making for a pleasant flying experience.

Tips for a Smooth Journey

• Early Arrival: It’s advisable to arrive at the airport early, particularly for domestic flights, to allow ample time for check-in and security.
• Baggage Allowance: Be aware of Nok Air’s baggage policies and consider pre-purchasing extra baggage if needed to avoid higher fees at the airport.

AirAsia vs. Nok Air: Which Budget Airline Suits Your Needs?

Route Network and Destinations

AirAsia boasts an extensive network, covering over 165 destinations across Asia and beyond, making it ideal for both domestic and international travel. Nok Air, on the other hand, primarily focuses on domestic routes within Thailand, with a few international connections, making it perfect for exploring the country in depth.

Pricing and Fare Options

Both airlines offer competitive pricing, but their fare structures differ. AirAsia often starts with a basic fare and charges extra for services like baggage, meals, and seat selection. Nok Air also has a tiered fare system but tends to include slightly more in its higher fare categories, such as additional baggage or more flexible tickets.

Onboard Experience

AirAsia’s onboard experience is fairly standard for a low-cost carrier, with compact seating and meals available for purchase. Nok Air, while similar in many ways, is often praised for its cheerful branding and friendly service, adding a touch of warmth to the experience. Both airlines lack in-flight entertainment, so be sure to bring your own devices.

Baggage Policies

Baggage policies are crucial when flying budget. AirAsia’s baggage allowance is strict, with fees for extra luggage if not pre-purchased. Nok Air also has weight limits, but their higher-tier fares sometimes include additional baggage, making it slightly more flexible for travelers with more luggage.

Customer Service and Punctuality

Both airlines are known for their reliable service, though AirAsia, given its larger network, may experience more frequent delays due to its extensive flight schedule. Nok Air generally maintains a good record for punctuality, especially on its domestic routes.

Which Airline to Choose?

• Choose AirAsia: If you’re planning to explore multiple countries across Asia or need a budget-friendly option with a wide route network.
• Choose Nok Air: If your focus is on traveling within Thailand and you prefer a slightly more personable service with a touch of local charm.

How to Actually Choose Between Nok Air and AirAsia

Once you’ve flown both airlines a couple of times, you start to realise it’s not really a “which one is better forever” question. It’s more:

• Where are you going?
• How much stuff are you hauling?
• How allergic are you to surprise fees and grumpy airport mornings?

Sometimes AirAsia is absolutely the right call. Other times Nok Air makes your travel day feel a lot less stingy and a lot more human, even if the price is roughly the same.

Think of them as two tools in your Southeast Asia kit. The trick is knowing when to reach for each.

Start With Your Route: Network vs. Niceness

Before you get lost in snack comparisons and colourful liveries, zoom out and look at your route. That alone will often decide it for you.

Where Each Airline Tends to Shine

Here’s a simple way to think about it, especially if you’re bouncing around Thailand and neighbouring countries:

If your plan is to go deep into Thailand and fly weird little domestic routes, Nok Air gets very attractive.

If you’re stringing Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Bali, and maybe Manila into one trip, AirAsia’s web of routes is hard to beat.

Don’t Just Look at the Fare: Look at the Real Cost

Budget airlines are masters of making the headline price look beautiful and the checkout screen feel like taxes. You can absolutely get great value out of both, but only if you’re honest with yourself about how you travel.

The “Real Price” Checklist

Before you hit pay, ask yourself:

• Am I definitely checking a bag?
• Do I care where I sit, or am I happy to be wedged into the middle?
• Am I flying at a time when I’ll definitely want food?
• Which airport am I flying into and out of, and how much does that transfer cost?
• Is there a sneaky payment or “convenience” fee added at the end?

If you add all of that up before you emotionally commit, you’ll often find the “cheaper” airline isn’t actually the cheaper option once you travel the way you really travel.

Example: Thailand Domestic Hop

Imagine you’re flying Bangkok–Chiang Mai with a checked bag, at a sane daytime hour:

• AirAsia might have the lowest base fare.
• Nok Air might include a small bag allowance or toss in a snack, or have a slightly better departure time.

Once you add:

• Checked baggage
• Seat selection (if you care)
• Airport transport to the correct airport
• Food you’d end up buying on board

…it’s very normal to see a “more expensive” Nok Air ticket suddenly become the better value.

On the flip side, when AirAsia runs one of its aggressive sales and you’re travelling light, it can be unbeatable. That’s when you grin, accept the no-frills reality, and ride the promo wave.

Airports, Timing, and Making Your Travel Day Less Painful

One thing people forget when comparing fares is the airport itself. In Thailand, this matters a lot.

Bangkok: Don Mueang vs. Suvarnabhumi

Most budget flights (for both carriers) run out of Don Mueang (DMK) rather than Suvarnabhumi (BKK).

For you, this means:

• Double-check which airport you’re flying from before you book your hotel.
• Factor in Bangkok traffic to your departure time.
• Avoid super-tight connections between DMK and BKK unless you enjoy sweating through your shirt in the back of a taxi.

Domestic Connections and Visa Runs

If you’re doing the classic visa run dance, you’ll probably be piecing together things like:

• Chiang Mai → Hat Yai (flight)
• Hat Yai → Penang (minivan / bus)
• Penang → somewhere else (maybe another low-cost flight)

In those situations:

• Nok Air can be brilliant for the Thai domestic leg: decent times, checked bags, smoother vibe.
• AirAsia might then handle the international hop (Penang → KL, KL → wherever).

Give yourself a buffer between legs, especially if you’re on separate tickets. Budget airlines are not going to hold a plane because your previous budget flight landed late.

A safe rule:

• Separate tickets? Aim for 3–4 hours between flights, minimum.
• Overland border in the mix? Consider overnighting at least once instead of trying to be a hero.

At the Airport: Check-In, Wi-Fi, and Queue Survival

The ground experience can make or break your mood before you even see the plane.

Check-In Strategy

Both airlines let you check in online, and you really should:

• It saves time in the queue.
• It gives you at least some control over seat choice.
• It reduces your stress if the airport is chaotic.

What I’ve noticed over the years:

• AirAsia queues can get long at peak times, especially on popular routes and holidays. If you’re checking a bag, don’t cut it fine.
• Nok Air queues exist too, but the vibe tends to be slightly more relaxed and a bit less “cattle herding”.

Wi-Fi and Waiting Time

Those little Nok Air touches like Wi-Fi in the boarding area make a long wait feel shorter. Being able to catch up on work, download offline maps, or message people while you wait is huge.

If you know you’re going to be stuck in a more bare-bones domestic terminal:

• Download podcasts / Netflix episodes before you leave your hotel.
• Carry a power bank – outlets are often limited and already occupied.
• Pack at least a small snack and water, even if your airline usually gives you something.

In the Air: Seats, Snacks, and Sanity

Neither of these airlines is pretending to be a full-service carrier. You’re not getting lie-flat seats, nor is anyone carving roast beef in the aisle. But there are still small differences you feel on a 2–3 hour hop.

What to Expect on Board

• Seating – Compact on both. You’re trading legroom for price. If you’re tall, consider paying for an exit row or bulkhead when it’s not outrageously priced.
• Cabin vibe – AirAsia often feels like a flying bus: efficient, in-out, everything extra costs. Nok Air leans into a more playful, colourful feel, and that does rub off on the atmosphere.
• Food –
  • AirAsia: solid paid meals, especially if you pre-order; good for longer routes.
  • Nok Air: the joy of that little free snack and drink can’t be overstated when you’re used to being charged for every peanut.

DIY Comfort Kit

To stay sane on either airline, throw these into your daypack:

• Refillable water bottle (filled after security)
• Light scarf or hoodie (cabin temps can swing from sauna to meat locker)
• Earplugs and/or noise-cancelling headphones
• Offline entertainment: playlists, podcasts, downloaded shows, Kindle books
• A small snack you actually like: nuts, chocolate, fruit, whatever keeps you human

If you treat the flight as a mini digital detox with snacks and a good audiobook, the lack of in-seat entertainment becomes a non-issue.

When Things Go Wrong (Because Sometimes They Do)

Budget airlines are built around tight turnarounds and squeezing maximum use out of each aircraft. That’s how you get the low fares. The trade-off is that disruptions ripple quickly.

Delays and Schedule Changes

You’ll see stories about both airlines having:

• Delays
• Gate changes
• Occasional cancellations, especially in stormy season

To protect yourself:

• Avoid booking last flight of the day if you absolutely must be somewhere by morning. Earlier flights give you wiggle room.
• Don’t plan life-changing events (visa expiry, big job interview, onward long-haul flight) right up against a single budget flight.
• Consider simple travel insurance that covers missed connections and delays.

Customer Service Reality

Staff on both Nok Air and AirAsia can be kind and helpful, but they’re bound by the same rules:

• Separate tickets = your problem if you miss the second leg.
• Weather or air-traffic delays = limited compensation.
• Major disruptions = lots of confused, annoyed people talking over each other at the desk.

In those moments, being calm, polite, and prepared with your own Plan B often gets you further than any loyalty to the brand.

Using Budget Flights to Build a Bigger Southeast Asia Trip

If you’re not just bouncing between Bangkok and Chiang Mai, but building a whole multi-country loop, these airlines become your matrix.

Classic Ideas Using Both Nok Air and AirAsia

1. Thailand Deep Dive with a Side of Malaysia

• Fly into Bangkok on a long-haul with any airline.
• Use Nok Air for:
  • Bangkok → Chiang Mai
  • Chiang Mai → Hat Yai
• Overland: Hat Yai → Penang (bus or minivan).
• Use AirAsia for:
  • Penang → Kuala Lumpur
  • KL → back to Bangkok or onwards to another country.

You get:

• Northern Thailand culture and food
• A proper Thai–Malaysian border run
• A taste of Malaysia’s mix of Chinese, Malay, and Indian food

2. Short Thailand Holiday With Maximum Time on the Beach

• Nok Air or AirAsia: Bangkok → Krabi or Phuket
• Local transfers to your island / beach base
• On the way back, choose the airline with the best departure time that lets you squeeze in a last swim without risking your flight.

For this kind of quick trip, you’re often better off paying a bit more for a reasonable mid-day flight than nabbing a rock-bottom fare at 6:00 a.m. that destroys your last night and requires a 3:30 a.m. alarm.

3. Backpacker Circuit on a Budget

If you’re stringing together something like Bangkok – Siem Reap – Kuala Lumpur – Bali – back to Thailand, AirAsia’s network is your friend. But Nok Air might still handle your domestic Thai hops at the beginning or end.

• Use one airline (often AirAsia) to chain together the big jumps.
• Sprinkle in Nok Air for Thai domestic connections as needed.

Just decide early whether you’re going to:

• Keep everything on a few big AirAsia bookings (simpler, fewer PNRs), or
• Mix and match, but give yourself generous transfer windows.

Practical Booking Checklist (So You Don’t Swear at the Checkout Screen)

Before you commit to either Nok Air or AirAsia for your next trip, run through this quick checklist:

1. Route and Airports

• Am I okay with flying from Don Mueang instead of Suvarnabhumi, or vice versa?
• Is the arrival airport convenient for where I’m staying?
• If I’m connecting, are both flights from the same airport?

2. Baggage

• What do I realistically pack? Cabin only, or am I lying to myself?
• How much does checked baggage actually cost on each airline for my dates?
• Is one airline quietly including a small checked allowance that makes the fare much better value?

3. Timing

• Will I be a zombie for a 6:00 a.m. departure?
• Is it worth paying a little more for a midday or early afternoon flight?
• Do I have at least a couple of hours’ buffer if I’m making an onward move the same day?

4. Extras I Actually Care About

• Seat selection: do I care enough to pay, or can I roll the dice?
• Food: am I likely to buy a meal on board anyway, or can I eat before/after?
• Payment fees: is one airline adding a nasty surprise at the end?

5. Vibe and Experience

• If prices are similar, which airline will make that two-hour hop feel less cheap in the worst sense of the word?
• Is this a day when a little snack and a kinder atmosphere matter more than saving a couple of dollars?

If you slow down for five minutes and answer these honestly, you’ll make better calls, and your experience with both Nok Air and AirAsia will feel intentional rather than like you got tricked by a headline fare.

In the end, both airlines are just tools. Use AirAsia when you want to crisscross half the region on one ticket. Reach for Nok Air when you’re mostly bouncing around Thailand and want your budget flight to still feel a tiny bit like you matter.

CONCLUSION

Overall, I was so thoroughly impressed with the service of Nok Air, not to mention the silky smooth flights, that I’m going to consider them AHEAD of Air Asia on routes in and around Thailand and nearby borders.

Although, I’ll likely price compare with Air Asia, and ultimately select the best value flight, if it is anywhere close to a tie I’m going with Nok Air hands down. I’ve found that it’s the little things, such as free wifi and a small snack, that can make the world of a difference when flying from point A to B.

Moreover, I realize budget airlines often come with reduced service, or as they say in the industry ‘with no frills’; however, I think that there is a difference between being frugal (or value conscious) with your service versus being flat out stingy.

I feel that Nok Air scores much higher in this area than Air Asia and it has consequently won me over as a customer.

Have you ever flown with Nok Air or Air Asia? What was your experience like?

How about your experiences flying with different airlines? Have you been as ridiculously stubborn and loyal as I’ve been in the past? What sort of things do you value when flying?

Let me know in the comments! 🙂