TominScotland - 12/01/2012 11:09 GMT
This review relates to a return journey on Lao's domestic network between Vientiane and Xieng Khouang, a 30 minute hop to the Plain of Jars.
Check in was through Vientiane's domestic terminal (the old international facility) which is basic but has a cafe which serves wonderful snack lunches.
The name on my ticket (bought by a third party through a local agent) used Tom instead of my passport name of Thomas but gentle persuasion by my Lao colleague overcame this problem in a way that I would not hope for in Europe.
Security was brief and light touch and we waited in the departure holding area for the flight, which did not board until some 15 minutes after scheduled departure. Without an understanding of Lao, it would not be easy to find out what was happening.
We boarded across the apron to the aircraft and found our seats with ease - reasonable legroom and overall comfort. We took off some 30 minutes late. Service was water and the most divine fruit crisps I have encountered.
Landing was a few minutes late at a remote and bleak airport, a former Russian base with two huts, one the terminal and the other a cafe. Foreigners need to show their passports at a control office in the terminal, even though this is a domestic route. We were soon on our way into town.
Our return the next day was similar. Check in was fine and security quick. Boarding was delayed because the flight and cabin crew went landslide for their lunch in the cafe and returned to the aircraft ahead of us loaded with packages, presumably of food. The service was the same as outbound and arrival in Vientiane was only 5 minutes late.
