Above: The Chinese-made Xian MA60 aircraft.
I travel from Xieng Khouang to Luang Prabang today. It was was meant to be a half-hour direct flight departing at 1340.
But it turned out be two flights and a 2h20 transit in Vientiane (totalling over 3h30). Because I had booked about 6 months in advance, the airlines’ schedules had changed and the flight no longer operated. Fortunately I was notified of this about 10 days ahead and didn’t turn up for the original flight which was also an hour earlier. Worse things have happened in my travels. It still beats 10h on a bus!
There was a little hassle while transiting in Vietiane … the airline staff were confused that while I had a reservation I didn’t have a e-ticket coupon for that sector (for those of you who work in travel). I had to explain the situation to a few people before I would be accepted for the flight. Just as well I carried a printout of the original itinerary and schedule change advice.
My first flight was operated by a Chinese-made Xian MA60 aircraft which has a mixed reputation. The second was a more conventional ATR aircraft from Western Europe. They didn’t really feel that different. If anything, the Chinese plane was probably newer and quieter.
Arriving at Luang Prabang at 1810 I took a tuktuk to the Vilay Guesthouse in town. But it broke down in the darkest possible road. The driver rang for a scooter to pick me and my baggage up (me as pillion and the baggage between his legs).