Lufthansa:
Stavanger – Bergen : Dash 8-400
Bergen – Munich : Airbus A220-300
Munich – Bangkok : Airbus A350-900
Thai AirAsia:
Bangkok – Roi Et : Airbus A320-200 (A320ceo)
First flight: Stavanger to Bergen
Stavanger Airport, Sola is Norway’s oldest civilian airport, opened in 1937 and located 15 km southwest of Stavanger and 10 km northwest of Sandnes in Rogaland.
De Havilland DHC-8 Dash 8-400 (DH8D LN-WDI) – Widerøe
Seating up to 90 passengers, the Dash 8-400 (often called the Q400) is the highest capacity turboprop on the market today and has the lowest unit cost.
This plane features an active computer-driven “noise-canceling system” built right into the airplane’s cabin walls.
Known as the ANVS (Active Noise and Vibration Suppression) system, it uses hidden microphones to listen to the loud thrum of the massive turboprop engines and automatically fires opposing vibrations through the cabin paneling. This high-tech trick effectively neutralizes the classic propeller roar.
I did not have a windows seat for this flight, so no pictures….
Flight time from Stavanger to Bergen was 29m (Source: AirNav)
Second Flight: Bergen to Munich
Bergen Airport (BGO)
Bergen Airport, alternatively Bergen Flesland Airport or simply Flesland Airport, is an international airport located at Flesland in the city and municipality of Bergen, Vestland, Norway. Opened in 1955, it is the second-busiest airport in Norway.
It also doubles as a key base for helicopter flights out to North Sea oil platforms, alongside its regular passenger traffic.
Airbus A220-300 (BCS3 YL-BTB) – airBaltic
The Airbus A220-300 is a narrow-body jet originally developed by Bombardier before Airbus took over the program. What makes it stand out is its 2-3 seating layout – narrower than the typical 3-3 economy configuration on similar-sized jets.
The Oversized Windows: Because it was designed from a clean sheet for passenger comfort, it features the largest windows of any single-aisle aircraft in the sky, flooding the cabin with natural light.
The “Middle Seat” Win: To fix the dreaded middle-seat experience, the A220 features a unique 2-3 seating layout where the middle seats are engineered to be one inch wider than the aisle and window seats.
I had a window seat with a great view of the clouds.
For this trip the flight time from Bergen to Munich was 1h 55m (Source: AirNav)
Third flight: Munich to Bangkok
Munich Airport (MUC)
Munich Airport is Germany’s second-busiest airport and consistently ranks among the best in the world, known for its cleanliness, efficiency, and even an on-site brewery – the airport has its own beer garden, complete with a working brewhouse.
It’s also a major hub for Lufthansa and serves as a key gateway connecting Europe to destinations across Asia and North America.
After landing in Munich, it took about 10-15 minutes – including passport control – to reach the gate for the Bangkok flight.
Airbus A350-900 (A359 D-AIXO) – Lufthansa
The A350 is uniquely designed to be both one of the fastest widebody planes in the sky at cruising altitude, yet one of the slowest during its landing approach.
Its curved, drooping wingtips flex up to four metres in flight, a design that boosts fuel efficiency and gives the aircraft its distinctive silhouette.
Flight time from Munich to Bangkok: 10h 19m (Source: AirNav)
Flight Experience & Seat Issues:
The flight was not without its problems. The meal option I wanted was available on board, but unfortunately there were not enough portions left when the meal service reached my seat.
The more frustrating issue was with my seat: the recline button got stuck, meaning the seat would recline whenever I leaned back against it, making it difficult to sit comfortably without constantly adjusting my position. I brought this to the attention of the cabin crew, but they were unable to fix it or offer an alternative seat.
And I even paid extra to get that seat! 🙂
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
Suvarnabhumi Airport is the main international airport serving Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. It is one of two airports serving Bangkok, the other being Don Mueang International Airport.
The airport features one of the world’s most unique sports facilities hidden right on its property: a massive, world-class 23.5-kilometer (14.6-mile) cycling track that loops completely around the airport’s runways.
After landing at Suvarnabhumi, it was a bit of a walk to arrival immigration. There was a line, but the officers worked efficiently, so it didn’t take too long. Once through, I headed to baggage claim to pick up my checked luggage. Like on my last two trips to Thailand, the suitcase came out damaged.
Airport Transfer in Bangkok: Suvarnabhumi to Don Mueang
A free shuttle bus connects Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Muang (DMK) airports for transit passengers. At Suvarnabhumi, it is located on the 2nd floor arrivals area outside Door 3. It’s a free, reliable option, but if your connection is tight, a taxi is the safer bet.
I got on the bus just in time. Missing it would have meant a 30-minute wait for the next one.
Airport Shuttle Bus
To use the free AOT shuttle bus between Don Mueang (DMK) and Suvarnabhumi (BKK) airports, you must be a transit or transfer passenger with an onward flight on the same day or early the following morning
Before you can board, staff will inspect your proofs of travel:
Flight Ticket / Boarding Pass: Proof of your connecting flight (ticket, e-ticket, itinerary, or boarding pass) departing from the destination airport.
Identification: Your original passport or Thai national ID card.
Name Match: The name on your ID must match the name on your flight ticket
Fourth flight: Bangkok to Roi Et
Don Mueang International Airport (DMK)
Don Mueang International Airport is Bangkok’s older airport, located north of the city center. Originally opened in 1914, it served as Bangkok’s main international gateway until Suvarnabhumi Airport took over that role in 2006. Don Mueang reopened for commercial flights in 2007 and today operates primarily as a hub for low-cost carriers, including AirAsia, Nok Air, and Thai Lion Air.
Don Mueang airport has an active, full-scale 18-hole golf course located directly between its two parallel runways.
Airbus A320-200 (HS-BBR) – Thai AirAsia
Ever since Airbus launched its single-aisle jetliner family with the A320, it has set the standard as the world’s most comfortable short-to-medium-haul aircraft – which is just one of the many reasons why it’s also the most successful aircraft of all time.
It was the world’s first commercial jetliner to use fly-by-wire flight controls, a revolutionary technology where pilot movements are translated into electronic signals via a joystick (sidestick) rather than physical cables and pulleys.
Once again, I had a window seat, and a good view of Bangkok lit up at the rainy night.
For this trip, the flight time from Bangkok to Roi Et was 47 minutes, with a 52-minute delay (Source: AirNav)
Roi Et Airport (ROI)
Roi Et Airport is a small regional airport serving Roi Et province in Thailand’s Isaan region, offering a quieter, low-key alternative to the country’s busier hubs. It currently has just one route, connecting to Bangkok (Don Mueang).
The airport started out as a military airfield under the Royal Thai Army before opening to civilian flights in 1999.
We landed at Roi Et in the rain. For the short walk from the plane to the terminal, staff handed out umbrellas so passengers didn’t get too wet.
Rainy season
Late September is right in the middle of Roi Et’s rainy season, which typically runs from May through October, with July, August, and September being the wettest months, seeing up to 25 rainy days.
Trip summary
– Total door-to-door travel time: 27,5 hours
– Paid extra for a seat on the Munich–Bangkok flight, but it didn’t work
– Didn’t get the meal I wanted on the Munich–Bangkok leg
– Suitcase arrived broken
All in all: okay – could be worse…