Royal Nepal Airlines

[WashingtonQ]

Hello,

I am in the process of finding a plane ticket to Nepal for early October. I've read that Royal Nepal Airlines is notoriously unreliable, both in Lonely Planet, from my travel agent and a friend. Problem is, the tickets are significantly cheaper than flying on Thai Air. Suggestions, thoughts? Should I purchase the cheaper tickets on RNA and take the risk, or go for more cost but reliability on Thai Air?

Thanks,
Q :)

[Sharon]

I guess it depends on your schedule. If it doesn't matter when you get there or leave and you don't mind any inconveniences then book RNA. Personally I like to get there and spend my time in Nepal rather than trying to get there.

[Oli]

Nepal Airlines (no longer "Royal") have a rather poor reputation for good reason. They have only two long haul planes and they struggle to keep them in service.

Here is news (Sept'07) of how they dealt with a technical problem...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6979292.stm
http://www.pokharacity.com/rss.php?subaction=showfull&id=1189363496

...with engineering safety standards like that then its amazing that any other country will let this airline enter their airspace. :eek:

It is worth paying a bit extra to fly with an airline that you can trust to be reliable and not risk your life to cut costs.