Buddha Air vs Nepal Airlines: Which Should You Book? 

In Nepal also, domestic flights are an important mode of transportation that connects various remote regions, making traveling safe, comfortable, and reliable. With the introduction of air transportation in Nepal from 23 April 1949 where the first aircraft landed in Kathmandu, the country began domestic operations from 1958 AD. From that date to the present, numerous domestic airliners have been operating by providing flight services in many destinations within Nepal. Among these airlines, Nepal Airlines Corporation and Buddha Air are two main service providers operating in various regions. But which is the best airline in Nepal among the two?

In this blog, we compare the domestic routes, service quality, reliability of service, travel experience, pricing, and network strength of Nepal Airlines and Buddha Air to determine the best airline among the two. The criteria such as safety records, on-time performance, and convenience that these airlines provide are also explained.

Buddha Airlines Vs Nepal Airlines

Feature	Buddha Air	Nepal Airlines
Type	Private Airline	Fully state-owned national flag carrier of Nepal (formerly Royal Nepal Airlines)
In operation since	October 11, 1997	July 1, 1958
Route focus	Major trunk routes (high-volume routes) and cities	Remote and mountainous STOL regions
Common Aircrafts	ATR 72-500 and ATR 42-320	De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter (Series 300).
Domestic Network	More than 43 domestic routes, including mountain flights and geographically remote locations like Tumlingtar	More than  25 route connectivities, including major hubs and remote destinations like Talcha, Taplejung, Simikot, and many more
Flight Frequency	High frequency	Low to moderate
Ticket Pricing	Moderate to high depending upon season and destinations	Moderate and affordable in comparison
On-Time Performance	Has high record regarding on-time performance	As most routes are remote and geographically difficult, the performance depends upon weather and route conditions
Baggage Allowance	Standard Domestic Allowance	Standard Domestic Allowance
Best For	Frequent Travelers for convenience in trunk destinations	Budget-conscious traveler traveling in remote and mountainous regions

Flight Routes and Frequency 

Both domestic operators play an important role in air connectivity in various regions of Nepal. While Buddha Air operates in trunk routes or major destinations, Nepal airlines focuses on mountainous and remote airstrips. 

Buddha Air

Buddha Air operates on more than 43 domestic routes and is the leading airline in terms of daily domestic flight operations in Nepal. The airline operates more than 150 flights daily on major routes, including:

• Kathmandu to Pokhara
• Kathmandu to Bharatpur
• Kathmandu to Simara
• Kathmandu to Nepalgunj
• Kathmandu to Bhadrapur
• Kathmandu to Dhangadi

These routes are highly popular for business, tourism, and frequent travelers in Nepal. 

Nepal Airlines

Nepal Airlines operates in more than 25 destinations with a focus on remote airstrips and geographically challenging regions. With major hubs in Pokhara, Bhairahwa, Biratnagar, and Kathmandu, the flights operate to connect Nepal with locations where road connectivity is challenging. In terms of frequency, Nepal airlines operate 2 to 3 times a week in remote locations and on mission-driven networks. 

Ticket Pricing and Booking Process 

In terms of ticket pricing, Buddha Air offers moderate to high ticket prices due to their premium service and frequent flight schedules. Meanwhile, Nepal airlines sets an introductory price that is affordable in comparison to the route it operates. While availability of Nepal Airlines is limited, they offer affordable pricing in government-supported and less competitive routes.

Regarding the ticket booking process, you can quickly book tickets via online booking platforms like Flights Nepal or choose the airport ticket counter. For safe reservation of tickets, we suggest booking tickets via online ticket booking platform as they are the quickest, easiest, and reliable method that allows you to book tickets while also comparing prices and times and choosing various airlines.  

On-Time Performance and Flight Delays 

Before determining on-time performance and flight delays, it is important to know that the weather of Nepal and major high-altitude routes have a high chance of delay. As Nepal Airlines focuses on such routes, you should expect frequent delays due to poor weather and the condition of remote airstrips. Meanwhile, Buddha Airlines has a reputation for punctuality due to efficient management and focus on trunk routes in Nepal.

Safety Record and Customer Service 

Both Nepal Airlines and Buddha Air have managed to maintain professional standards and safety in Nepal. Nepal Airlines has decades of experience in Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) operations, and Buddha Air has a high focus on safety and strong customer service by providing flexible booking, frequent offers, and services in Nepal. 

Conclusion 

Both Nepal Airlines and Buddha Air play important roles in connecting major and remote destinations of Nepal. While Nepal Airlines focuses on remote regions and has expertise in STOL operations, Buddha focuses on fast, frequent, and convenient travel between trunk routes in Nepal. 

Regarding the best airline among them, the answer depends upon your destination, budget, and travel priorities. If you want to travel in a remote location in Nepal or are searching for budget travel regardless of time, Nepal Airlines can be the best for you. For quick and fast travel to trunk destinations, Buddha Air can be your ideal airline.

If you are planning to travel to any domestic destination in Nepal via Buddha Air or Nepal Airlines or any airline in Nepal, contact Flights Nepal. Flights Nepal is the leading flight booking site in Nepal that offers the best rates while also allowing you to compare schedules, ticket prices, and offers between airlines