How to Book Travel on Lao Airlines

Lao Airlines is the national airline of Laos. It's based out of Vientiane at the Wattay International Airport. Follow these steps to book either domestic or international travel to or from Laos on Lao Airlines.

Things You'll Need

• Return ticket pre-booked
• Computer with Internet access
• Valid passport and visa
• Valid credit card

Instructions

Book Your Ticket on Lao Airlines

1. Currently, there is no way for English speakers to book travel directly with Lao Airlines, either by telephone or over the Internet. If you can speak the language, call Lao Airlines' reservations number at 011 ([phone].

2. Book your travel plans with a travel agent. Travel agencies will circumvent the language problem and do all the necessary work for you, for a fee. You may have to search a bit before you find an agency familiar with Lao Airlines. Mainstream agencies will not recognize smaller airlines.

3. Visit the Lao Airlines Web site (see Resources below). The website is not too informative; but it does have a functional timetable for Lao Airlines flights. Check out what days and times you can fly. You'll also be able to find a list of fares that Lao Airlines charges for these flights.

Choose a Departure City and Destination

1. Fly international to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Kunming or Siem Reap from Laos on Lao Airlines. International flights will depart and arrive from the Wattay International Airport in Vientiane. Some international flights are available from Luang Prabang or Pakse in Laos, too.

2. Fly domestic between 10 different cities in Laos. Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Pakse are the main hubs for domestic flights, too. Most domestic flights will depart or arrive in one of those cities. Vientiane will have to the largest number of flights available.

Tips & Warnings

• Arrive at the airport at least a couple hours in advance to make sure you pass through security in time for your flight.

• Check in for your flight at least an hour prior to departure. Some airlines will not allow anyone to check in after a certain time.

• Pack lightly to avoid extra charge on heavier luggage. Lao Airlines's policies are not stated, but the usual airline limit for free baggage is 44 lbs.

• All phone numbers include the U.S. international prefix "011." When calling internationally outside the United States, substitute that "011" with "00."

• All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.

• This airline does not offer an online booking feature.

• Make sure you book a return flight before entering Laos. To enter the country, U.S. citizens are required to have a valid passport, a visa and a return ticket that's scheduled within the visa's allowed duration.

• Over the past 30 years, because Lao Airlines was so often flying into small country towns, the airline has accumulated a bad safety record. However, in recent years, upgrades in planes and air fields have significantly increased safety. Fly at your own risk.