Superdeals: 40–80% off flights from Australasia to Thailand

Direct flight routes to Thailand

Non-stop flights from Australasia to Thailand are limited but available from major cities.

• Sydney – Bangkok: Thai Airways, 9h 20m
  
• Melbourne – Bangkok: Thai Airways, 9h 10m
  
• Perth – Bangkok: Thai Airways, 7h 15m
  
• Brisbane – Bangkok: Thai Airways (seasonal), 9h 05m
  

Layover/stopover options

Singapore Changi (SIN): Hub for Singapore Airlines with typical connection times of 2-3 hours. Features free city tours for longer layovers and the world-renowned Jewel complex for transit passengers.

Kuala Lumpur (KUL): Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia hub offering competitive fares. Average connections of 3-4 hours, with efficient aerotrain system between terminals.

Jakarta (CGK): Garuda Indonesia’s hub with 3-5 hour typical connections. Less popular but often cheaper alternative with good regional connectivity.

Time vs money

Direct flights typically command premium prices but save 4-8 hours of total travel time. Layover options through Southeast Asian hubs usually offer 25-40% savings compared to direct flights.

Tips and recommendations

• Book layover flights on a single ticket rather than separate bookings to ensure protection against delays and missed connections.
  
• Consider overnight layovers in Singapore or KL for better fares and chance to explore another destination.
  
• Mid-week departures typically offer better pricing for both direct and layover options.
  
• Thai Airways often releases direct flight sale fares 3-4 months before departure.
  
• Singapore Airlines’ stopover packages can make a layover in Singapore more economical than direct flights.

• Scoot’s new Perth-Bangkok direct route offers fares up to 40% lower than full-service carriers, with the basic FlyBagEat bundle including 20kg luggage and meals. The 787 Dreamliner features upgraded seats with 31″ pitch in Economy, while their ScootPlus premium cabin provides 38″ pitch at prices comparable to regular Economy on traditional airlines.
• Flying via Singapore on Jetstar from Adelaide, Melbourne, or Gold Coast creates significant savings over direct routes to Bangkok, with typical layovers of 2-4 hours at Changi. Jetstar’s connection protection program ensures rebooking on the next available flight if delays occur, while their 787s offer comparable comfort to full-service carriers.
• The AirAsia X route from Auckland to Bangkok via Gold Coast provides the most economical option from New Zealand, with Premium Flatbed seats available at prices lower than Economy on traditional carriers. Their A330-300s feature upgraded cabin pressure and humidity systems, reducing jetlag on the long-haul segments.
• Vietnam Airlines’ new Hanoi connection from Melbourne and Sydney offers competitive fares to Bangkok with a short stopover, utilizing their modern A350 fleet. Their generous 32″ pitch in Economy and upgraded catering make the indirect routing more palatable, while providing access to Vietnam Airlines’ frequent Bangkok shuttle services.
• For Western Australia residents, Thai AirAsia’s Perth-Phuket route with onward domestic connection to Bangkok often beats direct flight pricing by 25-30%. The total journey time increases by only 2 hours compared to direct options, while providing an opportunity to break the journey in Phuket.

1. Booking only through full-service carriers Budget airlines like Scoot, Jetstar, and AirAsia often offer significantly cheaper routes to Bangkok and Phuket from Australian cities, sometimes at less than half the price of traditional carriers.
2. Flying into the wrong Bangkok airport Many travelers don’t realize Bangkok has two airports (Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang) and fail to check which one their flight uses, potentially causing missed connections or lengthy cross-city transfers.
3. Overlooking shoulder season deals Booking during peak season (December-January) means paying premium prices, while shoulder season (May-June or September-October) offers similar weather conditions with substantially lower fares.
4. Ignoring stopover opportunities Direct flights to Thailand can be expensive, but travelers often miss the chance to break up their journey with a free or low-cost stopover in Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, which many airlines offer.
5. Booking too early morning departures from Australia Selecting 6 AM or earlier departures from cities like Sydney or Melbourne often requires expensive pre-dawn airport transfers and risks missed flights due to limited public transport options.

Singapore Airlines

Best for: Superior service quality and comfort even in Economy Class.

Serves Thailand from 9 Australasian airports, with main departures from Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. All flights connect through Singapore with efficient 2-hour layovers. Economy passengers enjoy generous 32-inch seat pitch, award-winning entertainment system, and high-quality Asian and Western meals with complimentary wine. Consistently rated above 4.5/5 by passengers for Economy Class experience.

Thai Airways

Best for: Most direct routes and authentic Thai hospitality from departure.

Operates from 7 Australasian cities, primarily Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth with direct flights to Bangkok. Economy Class offers 32-inch seat pitch, Thai-inspired cuisine, and signature friendly service. Their purple and gold color scheme and orchid service touches create a Thai atmosphere from boarding. Passenger ratings average 4.2/5 for Economy flights.

Qantas

Best for: Generous baggage allowance and frequent flyer benefits for Australasian travelers.

Serves Thailand from 6 Australian cities, mainly Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, with connections through Singapore. Economy passengers receive 30kg baggage allowance, updated dining menus, and access to extensive entertainment options. Recent aircraft updates have improved seat comfort. Maintains a solid 4/5 passenger rating for Thailand routes.

Emirates

Best for: Premium Economy Class experience and entertainment options.

Flies from 5 major Australasian hubs, primarily Sydney, Melbourne, and Auckland, connecting through Dubai. Despite longer layovers, offers superior inflight entertainment with 4,500+ channels, comfortable 32-inch seat pitch, and multi-course meals with regional influences. Economy Class consistently rated 4.3/5 by passengers, particularly for entertainment and meal quality.

Savvy travelers can save significantly on flights from Australia and New Zealand to Thailand by strategically using regional Asian carriers instead of booking directly with major airlines.

Key benefits of the regional airline strategy

1. Lower base fares: Airlines like AirAsia, Scoot, and Jetstar Asia typically offer more competitive pricing than full-service carriers
2. Flexible routing options: Breaking your journey in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, or Jakarta can lead to substantial savings
3. Promotional fare access: Regional carriers frequently run sales targeting specific routes within Asia

How to implement this approach

Book your journey in segments: first, secure a flight to a major Asian hub like Singapore or Kuala Lumpur using airlines such as Jetstar or Scoot. Then, book a separate ticket to Thailand using a regional carrier like AirAsia or Thai Lion Air.

Important considerations

Allow sufficient connection time between flights when booking separate tickets. Remember to factor in baggage fees and airport transfers, as budget carriers often use secondary terminals. Despite these additional considerations, savings can typically range from 30-50% compared to direct routes on full-service airlines.