Kazakhstan airline’s new route to Phuket takes off in October

Kazakhstan airline Air Astana announced the launch of direct flights from Astana to Phuket, with the first flight taking off on October 26. This exciting new route adds to Air Astana’s existing Almaty-Phuket service, which is also getting a boost with daily flights starting the same day.

Travellers from Astana can now look forward to jetting off to Phuket three times a week, with flights departing every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 9.40pm. You’ll touch down on the paradise island at 7.45am the next day—plenty of time to catch a stunning Thai sunrise.

The return leg from Phuket departs on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays at 9.30am, landing back in Astana at 4.10pm local time. The outbound flight will have you airborne for eight hours and five minutes while the return journey takes slightly longer at eight hours and 40 minutes.

Comfort is key on these long-haul flights, and Air Astana has you covered. The new Phuket flights will be operated by the state-of-the-art Airbus A321LR aircraft.

Passengers in business class can enjoy fully lie-flat seats, making the journey as restful as possible. Meanwhile, those in economy class won’t miss out, with ergonomic seating and individual entertainment screens ensuring a pleasant trip for all, reported Asian Aviation.

In related news, Etihad Airways is set to elevate the travel experience between Abu Dhabi and Phuket, unveiling plans to launch flights on the Airbus A321LR, featuring flatbed business class seats, from August 2025. The airline’s booking engine has already confirmed these details, showcasing its ambition to connect the UAE with the tropical paradise of Thailand in unprecedented comfort. The inaugural flight on this route is scheduled for August 1, 2025, under the flight numbers EY414 and EY415.

In other news, passengers can enjoy the Fly for Just 100 Baht promotional fare on domestic and international routes operated by VietJet Thailand. The domestic network includes flights from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi International Airport) to popular destinations such as Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Krabi, Hat Yai, Surat Thani, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, and Ubon Ratchathani.