The main advantages to book your flight(s) with us:
- To get the best rates available at the moment of your booking, our databases are weekly updated.
- Your booking is managed by one Reservation Officer since the request until the confirmation.
- The best advice to arrange or modify your routing if one flight is full.
- Service is 7 / 7 days (Bangkok only) offered by professional staff in both office at Paris and Bangkok.
- You receive e-tickets by email- Your payment is secure, you can choice payment by credit card, bank transfer or cash.
- We can manage waiting-list and with our PRB (Pre Reservation System) you can book your flight before anyone, this is very convenient during high season.
- Our Golden Flights Packages (Flights, Hotel and arrival Transfers) offer to you the most easy and convenient way to visit Lao
- Personal advice and help will be provide to you by Reservation Officer in charge of your booking
- You will be informed if main modification in your booking (time, changing route, cancel flight)
- And more in future to continue to serve multi thousands of passengers each year

The Jewel of The Mekong

The Geography

The Lao P.D.R. is located in the heart of the Indochina peninsular, in Southeast Asia. It lies between latitudes 14-23 degrees North and longitude 100-108 degrees East.

It is the only Southeast Asian country without direct access to the sea, and shares a 505 kilometers border with China to the North, 435 kilometers border with Cambodia to the South, 2,069 kilometers border with Vietnam to the East, 1,835 Kilometers border with Thailand to the West, and 236 kilometers border with Myanmar to the Northwest. The country stretches from north to south 1,700 kilometers. At its widest point the country stretches from East to West over 500 kilometers, whilst at its narrowest it is 140 kilometers. wide.

Laos total land size 236,800 square kilometers. The terrains are characterized by mountains, and plains. The mountains and plateaus make up three-quarters of the total area. This area is divided into three distinct regions.

The northern region is dominated by high mountains rising to an average height of 1,500 meters. The highest mountain is Phou Bia at 2,820 meters in Xiengkhouang province. The Phou Luang (Annamite range) stretches from southeast on the Phouane Plateau down to the Cambodian border. The Phouane Plateau in Xiengkhouang province is one of three plateaus in the range, the others are the Nakai Plateau in Khammouane province, and the Boloven Plateau in Southern Laos, 1000 meters above sea level.

The plain region consists of large and small plain areas distributed along the Mekong River. The main one is the Vientiane Plain, this is the largest plain, situated on the lower reaches of Nam Ngum River. The Savannakhet plain on the lower reaches of the Se Bang Fai and Se Bang Hieng rivers, and the Champasak plain on the Mekong River, stretching out to the Thai and Cambodian borders. Blessed with rich and fertile soil, these plains represent one quarter of the total area known as the "granaries" of the country.

The Lao PDR is crises-crossed with a myriad of rivers and streams. The largest the Mekong River flows for 1,865 kilometers from the North to the South. Rivers and streams provide great potential for hydropower development and 51% of the power potential in the lower Mekong basin is contained within Laos.

The Mekong flows through 1,865 kilometers of Lao territory and 1,500 kilometers of the river forms the major portion of the border with Thailand. 60% of all the water entering the Mekong river system originates in Laos.

The three highest mountains in the country are all located in Xieng khuang province they are Phou Bia at 2,820 meters, Phou Xao at 2,690 meters, and Phou XamXum at 2,620 meters. The Lao word for mountain is Phou.

Checking In

Passengers should ensure to check-in by the following times:

Open time

• - International flights: at least 2 hours prior to scheduled departure time.
• - Domestic flights: at least 1.30 hours before scheduled departure time.
  
  If you do not check in by the check-in deadline you will not be able to travel on the flight. Depending on your fare conditions, a failure to check-in on time may also result in:
• - making your ticket invalid for travel or becoming non-refund in case there are restrictions on changes. You will need to make a new booking and purchase a new ticket.
• - paying change fee, and/or fares difference for the new applicable fare.

You should carry your traditional paper ticket or Itinerary Receipt (or E-ticket) at all times for both international and domestic flights.

Carryon Baggage

General conditions

Each passenger can carry onboard a free baggage allowance : one piece for Economy class passengers. Each piece has a maximum weight of 7kg and the sum of three dimensions shall not exceed 115 cm (30 cm x 60 cm x 18 cm) or (12 x 24 x 7 inches). Lao Airlines may refuse to carry unchecked baggage and may require the passenger to check his baggage in case it exceeds the quantity, weight and dimensions as specified above.
In general, Lao Airlines adopts the international standard hand baggage policy. Individual carriers may, however, apply a different hand baggage allowance. If your journey involves a connection to other carrier(s), you are advised to check with these carriers for details of their policies and ensure compliance.

Additional items could be carried on board

In addition to free baggage allowance, each passenger may carry, without additional charges, the following personal objects for use during embarking, disembarking or onboard, provided that such objects are retained by passenger's custody:

• - A handbag, pocket book or lady's purse, i.e., which is appropriate to normal traveling dress and is not used as a container for the transportation of articles which would otherwise be regarded as baggage;
• - An overcoat, wrap or blanket;
• - An umbrella or walking stick (except one with metal-filled sharp pointed end)
• - A reasonable amount of reading materials for in-flight reading only;
• - Infant's food for consumption in flight;
• - Infant's carrying basket or bassinet;
• - A fully collapsible wheel chair.
• - A pair of crutches and/or braces or other prosthetic device for the passenger's use.

Restricted Items

For safety reasons, dangerous articles such as those listed below must not be carried in passenger's baggage:

• - Compressed gases(flammable, non-flammable, and poisonous) such as butane, oxygen, propane, aqualung cylinders.
• - Corrosives such as acids, alkalis, and wet cell batteries.
• - Etiologic agents (bacteria, viruses, etc.)
• - Explosives, munitions, fireworks, and flares
• - Flammable liquids and solids such as lighter or heater fuels, matches and articles which are easily ignited.
• - Radio-active materials
• - Oxidizing materials such as bleaching powder, peroxides.
• - Poisons such as arsenic, cyanides, insecticides, weed killers.
• - Other restricted articles such as mercury, magnetized material, offensive or irritating materials. Medicinal and toilet articles in limited quantities which are necessary or appropriate for the passenger during the journey, such as hair sprays, perfumes and medicines containing alcohol may be carried.

If any of these articles are found in a passengers carry-on luggage, the articles will be confiscated by security, and will not be returned to the passenger. Lao Airlines will not assume any responsibility for confiscated articles.

Checked Baggage

Checked Baggage Allowance Information to updated soon

Baggage restrictions & disclaimer

Disclaimer

Lao Airlines will not be responsible for damage of baggage due to force majeure including but not limited to act of God, war, strike, trade embargo...

Lao Airlines will not responsible for damage due to items or objects inside the passenger’s baggage. In case items contained in the baggage of customers led to the damage of Lao Airline’s assets or other passenger’s baggage, the passenger must compensate all the damage and loss that Lao Airlines has to bear due to the that damage.

Lao Airlines will not responsible for damage of fragile, perishable items, money, jewelry, note, bond or any valuable documents, passport, identity paper, sample contained in the checked baggage whether Lao Airlines knows passenger put those items or objects in their bags or not. Lao Airlines will not responsible for handling complaint sent after time limits for claim.

Lao Airlines will not responsible for compensating for any damage which is discovered outside the baggage claim area or in case Lao Airlines is not informed about the damage right at the baggage claim area.

Responsibility of Lao Airlines for baggage attached limited release tag

• - For baggage rejected at gate due to overweight or oversize and attached limited release tag, Lao Airlines will not responsible for paying the delay compensation.
• - For the baggage attached limited release due to damage, improper coverage, fragile, perishable, … Lao Airlines will not responsible for any complaint of damage which has been waved of responsibility

Dangerous goods

Dangerous Goods are commodities which have potentially hazardous characteristics including not only the obvious substances such as acids, radioactive materials, poisons and explosives but also certain unlikely items such as magnets, wheelchair with wet-cell batteries, breathing apparatus with compressed gas cylinders, bull semen packed in dry ice, pesticides, etc.

Articles and substances which are classified as dangerous goods, except those, which are forbidden for transport by air, must be shipped as cargo under special packing requirements and handling procedures. However, some articles/substances may be accepted as carry-on or checked baggage.

Please contact Lao Airlines booking offices and agents for the details.

Fragile items

Fragile items, such as: glass products, liquors etc., should not, in principle, be accepted as checked baggage, however, if passenger insists, owing to his unsuitable size of baggage (for loading on cabin), such items may be accepted as checked baggage only at the owner’s risk.

Perishable items

The items listed below are considered perishable:

• - Fresh or frozen foodstuff, such as: fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, poultry and bakery products.
• - Floral and nursery stock, such as flowers, fruits and vegetable plants.
  Cut flowers and foliage, such as: floral displays

In principle, perishables are not accepted as checked baggage. However, in some instances a perishable item may not be suitable to be carried in the cabin, and rejection of carriage may seem impractical, such items may be accepted as checked baggage at the owner’s risk.

The container of the perishable must be firmly packed. The packing should be ensured that there is no loss of contents or damage to other baggage.

The passenger should be reminded of the relevant quarantine regulations and that no refund shall be made against excess baggage charges paid in case of confiscation either at the station of origin or destination.

Perishables (such as: durian, salted fish, shrimp etc.) that have strong smell will not be allowed to be carried as checked and unchecked baggage. However, if such kinds of perishables are firmly packed so that they cannot be smelled, they may be accepted as checked baggage.

Liquid

Each passenger is allowed to carry the capacity of liquids not greater than 100 ml with them or in his/her cabin baggage on board the aircraft. Exemption shall be made for liquids, gels and aerosols including medications, baby milk/foods and special dietary requirements or liquids purchased either at airport duty free shops or on board aircraft.

All liquids are required to be carried in bottles, vials or containers with a capacity not greater than 100 ml and be completely closed. Such bottles, vials and containers must fit comfortably within the transparent plastic bag; only one transparent bag per passenger is permitted.

Medications have to be accompanied by prescriptions which clearly state the name and address of the doctor who prescribed the medicine, the full name of the person on the air tickets or boarding pass in case of electronic ticket. Baby milk/foods have to be accompanied by the baby when taken on board the aircraft.

The liquids purchased either at airport duty free shops or onboard the aircraft are exempted from the above limitation of capacity provided that such liquids are packed in a transparent sealed plastic bag provided by the seller, that is tamper-evident. The proof of purchase at airport duty free shops, or on board aircraft has to be displayed satisfactorily with the name of the shop and date of purchase without the opening of the bag.

Valuable items

Checked baggage shall not include money, jewelry, precious metals, silverware, negotiable papers, securities or other valuable items, business documents, passports and other identification document or samples.

Baggage Security Check

For safety and security reasons, the carrier may request passengers to permit a search of their person and baggage, and may search the passengers’ baggage in their absence if they are not available for such permission to be sought, for the purpose of determining whether they are in possession of, or whether their baggage contains any prohibited or limited items. If passengers are unwilling to comply with such a request, the carrier may refuse to carry them or their baggage. In such case, the carrier will not accept liability for the carriage of passengers and their baggage, except by refunding the ticket(s), applying the carrier’s current regulations.

Passport Info

Passengers must possess a valid passport for international travel for the duration of your trip required for checking-in and for immigration purposes.

Upon your departure from Laos please have present your valid passport, boarding pass and a completed
Arrival - Departure Declaration at the checkpoint for passport control.

Visa

For international passengers travelling into Laos, visas are required for everyone with the exception of Japanese and ASEAN visitors. Passengers may obtain a 30-day visa on arrival at all three international airports (Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Pakse). Passengers are encouraged to have with them one(1) passport size photo for the visa on arrival form.

You may require a visa for travel to some destinations. It is the passengers responsibility to obtain the proper visa. You must have a valid passport for the duration of your trip and the expiry date must be acceptable in all countries you enter. Additional information regarding the passport and visa requirements is available at the embassy of the country or countries you will be traveling to.

Meals

Vegetarian meals are available upon request. Please give advanced notice if a vegetarian meal is required. It is recommended that passengers make their request at least 24 hours in advance.

Children

Passengers between 24 months of age and 12 years of age are considered to be children and will be charged the 75% of the regular adult airfare.

Passengers with disabilities

Lao Airlines offers wheelchair service those who have difficulties walking or moving on their own. We ask that passengers who require this service advise the booking agent 3 days in advance of your flight, but is not mandatory.

International Airports

• - Wattay International Airport in Vientiane
• - Luang Prabang International Airport in Luang Prabang.
• - Pakse International Airport in Champasack.

A departure tax of 10 US$ is levied for international flights while 5,000 Kips is levied for domestic flights.

Border Checkpoints

• - Chine - Laos
• - Mohan - Botene, Younan to Luang Namtha Province.
• - Xiangkok Boadlanding on Mekong River in Laungnamtha Province. (no visa on arrival)

Thailand - Laos

• - Nongkhai - Friendship Bridge in Vientiane. Open daily from 06:00 am - 10:00 pm.
• - Chiangkhong - Houixay, Chiang Rai to Bokeo Province
• - Nakorn Phnom - Thakhek in Khammouane Province
• - Mukdahan - Savannakhet in Savannakhet Province.
• - Chongmek - vangtao, Ubol Ratchathani to Champasack Province.

ViVietnam - Laos

• - Taichang - Sobhun Laichau to Phongsaly Province. (no visa on arrival)
• - Nameo - Banleui in Huaphanh Province. (no visa on arrival)
• - Nameo - NamKan,Nge An to Xiengkhoang Province
• - Napao - Chalo, Quangbinh to Khammouane Province
• - Keoneua - Nampao (Lak Sao)Hatinh to Borikhamxai Province
• - Laobao - Dansavanh, Quang Tri to Savannakhet Province.

Transportation and Communication Services

Laos is a convenient hub for travel in the Indochina region, Lao Airlines, Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways, Vietnam Airlines, China Yunnan Airlines. These airlines offer a range of scheduled flights to Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Hochiminh City, Hanoi, Chiang Mai, Kunming and Jinghong. Lao Airlines flight offers regular services to all provincial capitals.

Sealed all-weather roads link most provinces, although travel by boat along Laos' extensive river network is necessary for some areas and is a scenic option for the more adventurous traveler. For short trips, k-tuks and jumbos are a convenient and inexpensive mode of transportation. Taxis can be booked or found at the Morning Market. Fares for public transport should be negotiated before journeys commence. Hire of cars, motorcycles and bikes can be arranged through rental companies and at some hotels.