Cambodia Angkor Air

Flew from BKK to PNH It was a pleasant flight with a new aircraft and warm hospitality of cabin crews. Went beyond my expectation!

Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap with Cambodia Angkor Airlines. Plane was an A320 which was new or refurbished. We enjoyed the flight and have nothing but praise. Plane moderately full comfortable as planes go and service was very good. As we were on a tour cannot comment on price of seats etc. No issues with overhead locker space etc.

SGN-REP. Short flight on ATR 72 turboprop plane. Brand new with comfortable seats and excellent service. No food but bottles of water handed out. Would recommend.

PNH to REP. Only a short hop but great little carrier with new aircraft pleasant service and good quality snack.

SGN-REP on new A320. Boarding was easy inflight service excellent. My only negative issue is when I was booking the flight online I had to buy a business class ticket as it showed no coach availability. Imagine my surprise when boarding to see only about 40% of coach filled.

Flew Siem Reap to Phnom Penh on the ATR72. Be warned as a backpacker (or anyone who travels with carry on luggage only) that the overhead compartments fit nothing much bigger than a handbag. So you'll be nursing your bag under your feet or on your lap for the flight. The way the seats are constructed (2+2 layout) also means you can't stow your bag under the seat in front in the window seats. Not sure how well maintained the plane is either crossed my fingers and hoped for the best really. Luckily this flight is a very short one and landed quite early. Captain and cabin crew very friendly and free drinks served on a very short 30 min flight a welcome touch in the hot humid weather. The flight did have something i haven't experienced on a plane since the 1980s - the distinct smell of cigarette smoke!

This is the latest in attempts by Cambodia to establish its own airline but this time round it is jointly owned and probably effectively managed by Vietnam Airlines. I flew on its ATR-72 one of the oldest of such models in operation and clearly a plane "leased" or "lent" by Vietnam Airlines from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh return. The flight from SGN had 10 passengers and the return flight from PNH 5 passengers but apart from very small passenger numbers nothing to complain about apart from price (lowest R/T fare is US$211 for a 35 minute flight but does not include US$25 passenger service charge ex PNH). CAA also has a A-320 at its disposal and its flights cvan be booked and paid for on Vietnam Airline's quite user friendly website.