Information and websites for Air Travel in Asia.

I have had a few emails from people asking what is the best airlines to use for both budget and business travel. I have put together a list of airlines and websites that I have personally used and recommend when it comes to travelling around the region. I have also given a little bit of information regarding each from my own personal point of view.

Air Travel - 

ZUJI  - Is an excellent flight comparison website, caters to many different locations and if you are looking to fly outside of Asia from an Asian location, it is also probably the best there is. It will also direct you to certain sites depending on your location and focus on that currency, which can be changed. They usually list every major and most budget airlines too, giving you a good all round picture. 

AIR ASIA - Probably the best budget airliner there is in the region at the moment, excellent if your planning advanced travel and can be selected by region, you have Air Asia for Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. However the airline serves all major airports through out the region, it is also one of the few airlines that fly daily to Laos from South East Asia.

TIGER AIRWAYS -  Singapore's budget airliner. Serving the majority of Asia Pacific it is extremely decent and very well priced. Probably my personal choice if I am going to try book a last minute weekend trip as their prices do not seem to climb all that much when it comes to last minute travel.

JETSTAR - Jetstar are an Aussie carrier that have an extremely good airline network throught out the continent. My personal choice for longer haul international travel and because they have the best routes to Vietnam (they bought over a Vietnamese budget carrier) they are extremely useful for business and pleasure travel. Probably my favorite of the budget liners.

SILK AIR - Singapore Airlines budget carrier. They are probably not considered budget by normal standards as you get food and free drinks on this plane and their prices reflect it. Usually coming with baggage allowance too, it is an excellent choice for business travel.

DRAGON AIR - Pretty much the same as Silk Air but for Hong Kong and Cathay Pacific. Tends to stick more to the Far Eastern and internal China routes, but again a very decent carrier for the money. They also offer routes the other mentioned companies do not to places in Taiwan, China, Japan and Korea.

National Carriers - 

It might seem pretty obvious to some, but others may not be aware of who is the national carrier for each location, and what is the best way to get to their site. I have provided that exact information and hope you find it useful.

SINGAPORE AIRLINES - If you click the link, you will be taken to Singapore Airlines. Probably the best carrier in the world at the moment, and their prices reflect so. However, cannot be faulted for the wealthy business traveller.

MALAYSIAN AIRLINES - National carrier for Malaysia. Flies from the relatively new but super impressive KLIA airport. Has an excellent reputation and fantastic service. Sometimes it is possible to get good prices if you catch the sales.

CATHAY PACFIC - The national airline for Hong Kong. Completely faultless when it comes to value for money and comfort in the air. Even economy class is better than most global airlines and with Hong Kong being 4 hours from any Major capital airport in Asia Pacific they are an excellent choice for getting around the region. They also have fantastic international flights that will take you almost anywhere globally.

THAI AIRWAYS - Good airline and has a cracking domestic schedule too. Can't be faulted for both service and price. Flying from Bangkok mostly you can reach almost anywhere throughout the region.

VIETNAM AIRLINES - For me one of the best value for money national carriers in the world, never mind Asia. Their prices are very decent for all classes and value for money is an understatement. My only fault would be their schedules outside of Asia need to be expanded however they are a growing airline. They also have a very good domestic schedule flying you in and out of places in Vietnam no other airlines can.

GARUDA INDONESIA - Making a comeback Garuda are trying to repair what is an extremely terrible record for not only them, but Indonesian airlines in general. They have recently expanded their whole fleet with brand new plane and looking to pick up tonnes of new routes. I have heard nothing but good reviews for the recently revamped airline and look forward to flying with them. 

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES - Shit.

JAPAN AIRLINES - Good, no complaints. there is many choices for flying in and out of Japan and around the country its self. I would probably look to use ANA before using JAL but both are similar priced. I think the recent issues they have had when it comes to almost going bust means they are probably looking to lower their prices however.

KOREAN AIR - Excellent airline, great service and usually good value for money if you want to travel internally. Internationally they have stiff competition from Asiana but if I was going to visit Korea or travel in Korea it would be the airline of choice for me.

EVA AIR - I would choose EVA over a budget airliner to get to Taiwan. I have flown with them a few times now and I must say they are value for money, both in business and economy. Have decent international routes and good for getting around Taiwan as well. If you fancy another choice however, you can always check out CHINA AIRLINES

AIR CHINA - I am often asked which is the best airline in China to use... Well to be fair there is lots of them and they are all pretty crap. China is such a vast country with so many international and local airlines that I would be here all day explaining them to you. Air China however is a good place to start.

MONGOLIAN AIRLINES - Really the only option to fly internally in Mongolia, if you plan to do so. Internationally they are probably better value for money than airlines flying into Mongolia. personally have never tried them but I hear only good things from the few I know that have.

AIR KORYO - People are becoming more interested in travelling to North Korea. If you click this link you will be taken to contact information for the North Korean's national carrier Air Koryo. They also arrange the tours and visa's in and out of the country. Very good link to have if this is something that is of interest to you.

I understand I have missed out some locations and carriers but if you want to reach places like Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar etc etc you can use one of the budget airliners or national carriers. I hope the information above is at least helpful and enjoy your travels!