Lao Airlines at Luang Prabang Airport

Lao Airlines at Luang Prabang Airport

Lao Airlines - Xian MA60 plane in Vientiane Airport

Lao Airlines which is based in Vientiane is the national airlines of Laos. Established in 1976, the Lao Airlines are wholly owned by the Lao Government and has a fleet of 4 Xian MA60 and 4 ATR-72 planes which service local and international routes. From Vientiane, you can easily fly to neighboring countries or to Luang Prabang with Lao Airlines.

As for me, when I took a trip to Laos from Malaysia using AirAsia. From Vientiane, I wanted to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang and there were only 3 choices. A slow boat ride that took almost 2 days (US$4-6), a bus ride through the mountains that took about 10 hours (US$10-12) or fly there with Lao Airlines which only took 45 minutes (US$140). With not wanting to waste any time, I booked the Lao Airline flight to Luang Prabang.

Lao Airlines - Interesting notices at the airport

Vientiane's International Airport has only two terminals. The all new Wattay International terminal and the old run down domestic terminal. To travel locally within Laos, you would be going (a short 5 minute walk next door) to the domestic terminal which was quite interesting for me. All kinds of signs and notices were found on the old styled boards. One that caught my eye was about what kind of guns are allowed on board.

Lao Airlines - Snack box on flight

For my flight to Luang Prabang, our plane was the China-made Xian MA60 Turboprop plane which costs about US$12.5 million. The plane can seat 60 passengers and has a maximum speed of 514 km/h. It was reasonably comfortable and a smooth ride to Luang Prabang. The snack that was provided was rather odd as I received a box with a bun and a Mandarin orange inside. Oh well, for a 45 minute flight, it was quicker than you expected.

Scene of Luang Prabang town from the plane

Just before arrival at Luang Prabang's airport, you could see the entire Luang Prabang town from a few hundred feet above. Also, the Luang Prabang airport is pretty small and when you exit, tuk tuks and hotel representatives would be waiting for you.

Is it safe to fly Lao Airlines? Well, from the amazing track record they have, there has not been one accident involving any of the Lao Airline planes since the year 2000. Also in 2007 and 2008, Lao Airlines received 2 awards related to service improvement and also on-time operation of flights. I would use the airlines anytime after flying twice with them.

Visit the website of the Lao Airlines

Lao Airlines address and telephone numbers;

Vientiane
02 Pangkham Street, P.O BOX 6441
TEL : ( 856- 21 ) 212057
FAX : ( 856 21 ) 212065

Ticketing and Reservations

Tel : ( 856 – 21 ) 212051-54
Fax : ( 856 – 21 ) 212056
Email : reservation@laoairlines.com
ticketing@laoairlines.com

Airport Office

Tel : ( 856-21 ) 512028 (Wattay International Airport )
Tel: ( 856-21 ) 512 000, 512 004 (Wattay Domestic Airport )
Tel ( 856 -30 ) 5256921

Luang Prabang (LPQ)

Town Office
Tel : ( 856-71 ) 212172
Fax : ( 856-71 ) 212406
E-mail: addy@laoairlines.com

Airport Office
Tel : ( 856 - 71) 212173
Fax : ( 856- 71 ) 252264
Email : lpq@laoairlines.com

~ David Jr

Like this article? Spread this word to your Friends and Peers