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Flights

• 5 Star Luncheon

  Well we were given a break from flying this afternoon. Myself and the other pilots were invited to join the first of many lunches attended by the members of the AIA or the Andaman Island Alliance.
  The list of GM's in attendance read like a "who's who" of 5 star resorts in the Andaman Sea area. We have the great privelige of landing at these resorts daily, but rarely get the opportunity to dine casually with our friends and discuss all the possibilities available to them through our expanding route network in this paradise we fly around. Thanks for the free lunch boss... it's back in the cockpit tomorrow, but who's complaining, I've got the nicest office window going!!

  
• Amazing Photo Flights

  If you've never been to this part of the world, it would be hard to imagine the natural beauty available to those who take part in a scenic flight in the Andaman Sea. Within 5 minutes of departing, we are over some of the barely inhabited islands off the east coast of Phuket. Enroute to James Bond Island in Phang Nga bay, we are dodging tall limestone pillers that rise like towers out of the sea, capped with lush green tops of ferns and coconuts.

  As we meander through the national park, the rivers snake off into tributaries and pools flanked on all sides by mangroves. The temptation to splash down in one of these rivers and drop in a fishing line for lunch is great, but we keep on going knowing that another great photo-op is just around the corner.

  When you've had enough of city life and tall buildings, this is the way to see the real Thailand.. with a bird's eye view in air conditioned comfort....

  
• Another Day in Paradise...

  The seas are calm and the winds are light for another smooth flight across to AoNang Beach in Krabi this morning. The customers were all smiles as we splashed down and taxied up to the floating pier at the Central Krabi Hotel and Resort. See you in a couple of days on the return.....

  
• Another day, another 60 passengers.

  The next time somebody tries to tell you there is a "low season" in Thailand, you can tell them to call me!!
  Although we are in the traditionally quiet time of the year, there a whole lote of people flying to Phi Phi,Krabi,Ko Lanta and other islands, taking advantage of the reduced rates that hotels are offering. It has been non-stop flying for the week with no end in site. If you ask me, you better book ahead because the seats are going fast and it's gonna take some time to get the new seaplanes delivered here....

  
• Back in the Air

  Routine trips today. West coast of Phuket was was calm as the east winds were blowing. The giant Buddha statue gazing down on Phuket City was shrouded in mist as the temperature was 25 and the dewpoint 24 celcius on the surface. More smiling faces from some longtime visitors to the area who were here last 2 years ago. They spent 5 hours getting to Ko Lanta then... took us 25 minutes today, they promised to see us again when they return from Sweden.

  
• Busy July

  It's been a few weeks since the last entry here, and for good reason. Myself and Philip have been flying non-stop, getting busier by the day. Tomorrow is Philip's television debut as Destination Air's seaplane will be featured in an upcoming music video.. details to be released soon !! As for me, I'll be doing the scheduled stuff including Phi Phi, Ko Lanta, Krabi Airport and Ko Mook with some sight-seeing thrown in for a change of pace. Make sure to book early, the seats are selling fast and the boat rides are long around here...

  
• Easy Day...

  Just another day in paradise.. pilots are doing paperwork today as the engineers inspect, clean and tweek the aircraft to perfection. These guys deserve the credit for keeping us flying in safety and style. The Destination Air maintenance crew is second to none and I would be the first one to take my grandma flying in our top notch machines. Thanks gents.

  
• Ko Mook in Style

  Today I had the pleasure of flying Mr. Fred Varnier, GM of the exclusive Amanpuri Resort here in Phuket. Along with his Executive Chef and Villa Revervations Manager, they travelled to the island of Ko Mook for a day of sand and surf. They reported that the snorkeling in Emerald Cave was magnificant and the water was crystal clear. According to the threesome, a delicious lunch at Siviali Resort on the east side of the island was the topper to a stunning day. On the way home, a low-level photo op at Phi Phi seals the deal... they'll be recommending us to their 5 Star guests without hesitation!!

  
• Ko Racha Diving

  Some more longtime island visitors today. A group of three gents from Singapore who call The Racha, their "second home". They usually spend 2 1/2 hours from Phuket airport to get to their hotel by way of limousine and speedboat transfers, today it was 18 minutes to the front door. They will base themselves here and do day dives to some "unbelievable locations". Now who's jealous...?

  
• Koh Lanta Transfer

  Our guests today are leaving Pimilai resort and are all smiles as they board the seaplane for the 35 minute flight back across the sea to Phuket. After departing from the water at the "Old Town" in Lanta, we climb in a westerly heading over Phi Phi and Yao Yai enroute to landing at the airport at the north end of Phuket Island. The weather was perfect and smooth which always makes for happy riders.

  
• Krabi Airport to Phuket

  Yesterday was the the return journey for two happy customers who were just coming back from visiting friends near Krabi. They were picked up at their resort last week and dropped at the Krabi airport where they transferred by taxi to the friends villa. As we flew over the PhangNga National Park enroute to Phuket, the man, who is also a pilot, expressed his pleasure with our service and explained that we had saved him a total of about 8 hours of travelling altogether and would be a regular customer for life. Makes my job easy to have such grateful passengers!!

  
• Life in the Fast Lane..

  When you are travelling by seaplane, there is only one lane... OURS. As the only operator of small aircraft in southern Thailand, we have the luxury of unobstucted travel from point A to point B.
  We recently made a trip to Surin Island as a special favor to the Minister of the Environment who was there to greet Her Majesty the Princess. It was a fantastic success for all concerned as we were able to deliver the Minister and her party in a fraction of the time that it would have normally taken by bumpy speedboat. We were delighted to hear that they requested us especially for the trip beacause of our eviromentally friendly aircraft to be flown into the sensitive and highly restricted national park.
  We have amazing plans to provide charters to both Surin and the Similan Islands where the diving is utterly breathtaking. From Phuket to Similan in 25 minutes, what could be better?

  
• Magical Phi Phi

  Today we were at Ko Phi Phi Don for a few touch and go's and lots of photographs. As we cruised along the shoreline, the locals and tourists alike were waving to us to come and join their beach Bar-B-Q. I would have to take a rain check as I had several government officials on board and they were all business today. With their mission complete, we made the 18 minute journey back to Phuket over Ko Yao Yai and Ko Nakha Noi, a couple of the beautiful islands off the east coast. "Cleared to land runway 27" works for me... just in behind the Thai Airways 747.

  
• National Geographic and other notables...

  What a Season!! It looks amazing from my angle. Hope everybody is enjoying the beaches, snorkeling, diving and boating as much as it looks like you are! Here at Destination Air things are going well. Don't forget you can charter the airplane and just go for a pleasure ride. This part of the business is picking up and we can take you wherever you want to go... want a picture of your property from the air? Only here for a short period and want to see it all?.. forget the taxis and longtails,I can take you to what you want to see at 160 MPH in air conditioned style. We have 10 landing locations around Phuket and can most likely pick you up at your front door.
  As mentioned, National Geographic has made use of our service this month so look for some outstanding aerial pictures of Phang Nga Bay in the coming issues. We have also have had the privelidge of transporting some very influential and distinguished customers, both in terms of Thai Government Officials and foreign diplomats and billionaires. As usual, smiles prevailed and we are now proud to consider them part of the many that see Destination Air as the only way to view this beautiful part of the world....

  
• Rainbow at Sivilai

  It was a quick trip down to Ko Mook this afternoon. The tailwind pushed us past Phi Phi and over Ko Lanta in under 40 minutes. The fishing boats were out in full force gathering up the squid and prawns that make the Thai cuisine as fresh and delicious as you could imagine. We circled a small rain shower that was drifting by Ko Kradon on our way down for landing on the east side of Ko Mook. A slight ripple on the sea made for perfect touchdown conditions as the cameras were snapping at the awesome rainbow formed just to the west. I was sorry I forgot my camera as the blue water and jagged rock cliffs framed the multi-coloured bands perfectly... no leprechauns here though!!

  
• Sunshine and Tail Winds

  Another picture perfect day today as we depart Phuket International for Phi Phi Island, just 15 minutes away by seaplane. We pull up to the floating platform anchored just at the reef's edge and wait for the traditional 'Thai Longtail' to come and collect our group of passengers, some are very excited and awed by the experience, others just speechless at the short but breathtaking ride they have just had. A quick 10 minutes over to Ko Lanta and then a 25 minute stretch back to Phuket by way of Phang Nga National Park and James Bond Island.

  
• Sunshine Destinations

  There are too many locations to choose from when looking for that perfect getaway here in the Andaman Sea. Secluded Yao Noi or hopping Ao Nang, Ko Lanta for sheer quiet solitude or to Phi Phi Don for the quintessential southern experience. Longtail boats and smiling local faces are the common denomenator when thinking of this part of the world. There's only one way to know what it's all about...

  
• Thailand Treasures

  We are back in the sunshine these days and anticipating the lead up to the very busy Summer Season. The passengers are all captivated by the scenery and taking home their own little treasures on their digital cameras.
  The airplanes are running smooth as our engineers spend their evenings tweeking,cleaning and meticulously detailing every aspect of the machines. What a joy to fly in such a beautiful environment in the best aircraft money can buy..
  Today was about 30 degrees with a light breeze of 5 knots from the west, just perfect for touching down on the sea and taxiing up to the beach... stay tuned for the next adventure.

  
• Year Round Operations

  As the seasons change in Thailand, so do we here at Destination Air. We have already started to implement our Monsoon Season landing locations in some spots and will be adjusting our pontoons accordingly over the coming weeks.
  By the end of this month, we will be safely operating in all of our regular destinations with the exception of only a very few. West winds dictate that we abandon places like Patong and Bang Tao for a short few months while we will continue to service Phuket from the airport and Chalong Bay.
  We have the flexability at almost all our 40+ approved locations to find a place to safely land for charter operations and in only rare circumstances will we have to adjust and arrange for a short ground transfer to your final destination.

  
• Zig Zaggin' The Andaman

  It's amazing the ground (or ocean for that matter) you can cover at 160 miles per hour in a seaplane. Today's routings were: Phuket Airport to Ko Lanta to Phi Phi to Krabi Airport back to Phuket Airport to AoNang to Phi Phi to Ko Lanta to Krabi Airport to Phi Phi back to Krabi Airport to AoNang and back to Phuket... and that was before lunch time!!

  In the afternoon, among other transfers, we did 1 hour of sightseeing over PhangNga Bay, James bond Island, Phi Phi and Phuket Islands. The Australian gentleman beside me figured he had "a couple hundred" photos to take home of some truely extra ordinary scenery. From coral reefs to limestone pillars, white sand beaches to rocky shorelines, this area literally has it all for those looking to capture some unique photos.

  

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