Chiangmai Airport Airlines

Airlines at Chiang Mai Airport (CNX): Full List, Terminals & Routes

Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) is served by approximately 25–29 airlines connecting Northern Thailand to more than 28–60 destinations worldwide. Whether you are flying domestically within Thailand or arriving on an international route from Asia, this page will help you identify your airline, confirm its terminal, and find the information you need before your flight.

Airlines by Category

Full-Service International Carriers

These airlines operate scheduled international routes to and from Chiang Mai, offering premium cabins, checked baggage, and meal service. Major carriers include:

  • Thai Airways – Bangkok (BKK)
  • Korean Air – Seoul (Incheon)
  • Asiana Airlines – Seoul (Incheon)
  • China Airlines – Taipei
  • EVA Air – Taipei
  • China Eastern Airlines – Kunming, Shanghai
  • China Southern Airlines – Guangzhou
  • Air China – Beijing
  • Etihad Airways – Abu Dhabi (seasonal)
  • Malaysia Airlines – Kuala Lumpur
  • Lao Airlines – Luang Prabang
  • Myanmar Airways International – Yangon
  • Myanmar National Airlines (MAI) – Yangon, Mandalay

Low-Cost Carriers

Budget airlines dominate domestic and regional Southeast Asian traffic into Chiang Mai. Key operators include:

  • Thai AirAsia (FD) – Bangkok (DMK), Phuket, Krabi, and 11 destinations total
  • Thai Lion Air (SL) – Bangkok (DMK)
  • Nok Air (DD) – Bangkok (DMK)
  • Thai VietJet Air (VZ) – Bangkok (BKK), Phuket, and other domestic routes
  • AirAsia (AK) – Kuala Lumpur
  • Scoot – Singapore
  • HK Express – Hong Kong
  • Jeju Air – Seoul (Incheon)
  • Jin Air – Seoul (Incheon)
  • Eastar Jet – Seoul (Incheon)
  • T’Way Air – Seoul (Incheon), Busan (seasonal charter)
  • Spring Airlines – Shanghai, Guangzhou
  • Juneyao Airlines – Shanghai
  • Ruili Airlines – Kunming
  • Chengdu Airlines – Chengdu
  • Air Busan – Busan
  • Starlux Airlines – Taipei

Domestic Airlines (Thailand)

Six airlines operate scheduled domestic services from Chiang Mai Airport’s Domestic Terminal:

  • Thai Airways – Bangkok (BKK)
  • Thai AirAsia – Bangkok (DMK), Phuket, Krabi, Hat Yai, Udon Thani
  • Bangkok Airways – Bangkok (BKK), Koh Samui, Mae Hong Son
  • Nok Air – Bangkok (DMK)
  • Thai Lion Air – Bangkok (DMK)
  • Thai VietJet Air – Bangkok (BKK), Phuket

Charter & Seasonal Airlines

Chiang Mai Airport handles charter and seasonal flights, primarily from South Korea and China. Recent additions include:

  • T’Way Air – Busan (seasonal charter, January–March)
  • Kan Air – Domestic charter services based in Chiang Mai
  • Various charter operators from China during peak season

Which Terminal Does Your Airline Use?

Chiang Mai Airport has two terminals within a single building, connected by a short covered walkway (2–3 minutes on foot).

Terminal Purpose Airlines
Terminal 1 (Domestic) Domestic flights within Thailand Thai Airways, Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, Thai VietJet Air
Terminal 2 (International) International arrivals and departures Thai Airways, Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, Thai VietJet Air

Important: Some airlines, such as Thai AirAsia, operate from both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 depending on whether the flight is domestic or international. Thai AirAsia international flights (e.g., to Kuala Lumpur) may use Terminal 1, while most other international carriers use Terminal 2. Always check your boarding pass or the airport’s live flight boards to confirm your departure terminal.

Terminal Layout:

  • Ground Floor: Arrivals Hall for both domestic and international flights, check-in counters
  • First Floor: Departures, security screening, and all 10 gates (6 domestic, 4 international)

Check-In and Boarding Tips

  • Online check-in: Most airlines offer online check-in 24–48 hours before departure. Use your airline’s website or mobile app to save time at the airport.
  • Check-in counters: Located on the first floor of both terminals.
  • Arrival times: For international flights, arrive at least 2.5–3 hours before departure. For domestic flights, 1.5–2 hours is sufficient.
  • Gate closing: Boarding gates close 15–20 minutes before departure.
  • Peak hours: Morning (7:00–9:00 AM) and late afternoon (4:00–6:00 PM) are the busiest periods.

Airline Contact Information

For specific inquiries about your booking, baggage, or flight status, contact your airline directly. Most airlines have representatives at Chiang Mai Airport, and contact details are available on their official websites. Customer service desks for Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines, Bangkok Airways, AirAsia, Nok Air, and several other airlines are located inside the terminal.

For real-time flight information, use our live flight boards:

👉 View live Chiang Mai Airport Arrivals →
👉 View live Chiang Mai Airport Departures →

Need to Get to or from the Airport?

For information on taxis, Grab, songthaews, RTC buses, private transfers, and car rental, visit our comprehensive guide:

👉 Chiang Mai Airport Transportation Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

How many airlines fly to Chiang Mai Airport?
Approximately 25–29 airlines operate at Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX), connecting the city to more than 28 destinations worldwide.

Which terminal does Thai AirAsia use at Chiang Mai Airport?
Thai AirAsia operates from both Terminal 1 (Domestic) and Terminal 2 (International), depending on whether the flight is domestic or international. Domestic AirAsia flights (e.g., to Bangkok DMK or Phuket) use Terminal 1, while international AirAsia flights (e.g., to Kuala Lumpur) may use Terminal 1 or 2. Always check your boarding pass.

Which terminal do international flights use at Chiang Mai Airport?
Most international flights arrive and depart from Terminal 2 (International). This includes airlines such as Korean Air, China Airlines, EVA Air, and China Eastern.

How early should I arrive at Chiang Mai Airport?
For international flights, arrive at least 2.5–3 hours before departure. For domestic flights, 1.5–2 hours is recommended. During peak travel seasons (November–February), allow extra time for check-in and security queues.

Which airlines fly from Chiang Mai to Bangkok?
Three airlines operate the Chiang Mai–Bangkok Don Mueang (DMK) route: Thai AirAsia, Nok Air, and Thai Lion Air. Thai Airways and Thai VietJet Air serve Suvarnabhumi (BKK), while Bangkok Airways also serves BKK.

Are there direct flights from Chiang Mai to Europe?
No, there are currently no direct flights from Chiang Mai to Europe. Travelers typically connect through Bangkok, Seoul, or a Middle Eastern hub.

Which budget airlines fly to Chiang Mai?
Major low-cost carriers at Chiang Mai Airport include Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, Nok Air, Thai VietJet Air, AirAsia, Scoot, HK Express, Jeju Air, Jin Air, Eastar Jet, T’Way Air, Spring Airlines, Juneyao Airlines, and Ruili Airlines.

Is Chiang Mai Airport a hub for any airline?
Yes. Chiang Mai Airport is a focus city for Thai AirAsia, which operates nonstop service to 11 destinations from CNX — more than any other carrier. Nok Air and Thai VietJet also maintain significant operations at the airport.