Straight to the Pad Thai: Norse’s New Direct Manchester to Bangkok Flights

Mr Plane Guy
Jul 7
9 min read

Updated: Oct 13

Straight to the Pad Thai: Norse’s New Direct Manchester to Bangkok Flights

By Mr Plane Guy, Travel Blogger and Flight Expert

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support my travel blog and allows me to continue creating useful content. Thank you for your support!

If you’ve ever tried to book a flight from Manchester to Bangkok before, you’ll know the drill: a cheeky connection through Dubai, Doha or Istanbul, a hefty layover, and at least 14-16 hours of your life gone before you even see a mango sticky rice. Well… good news, Northern jetsetters: Norse Atlantic Airways has just made your Thai dreams a whole lot easier and cheaper.

From 26 November 2025, you can finally fly direct from Manchester to Bangkok, thanks to Norse Atlantic’s shiny new winter route. The airline is also expanding with new direct flights from Oslo and Stockholm to Phuket, and they’re already selling tickets for their upcoming London Gatwick to Bangkok route too.

So if you’re plotting your escape to the Land of Smiles this winter, here’s everything you need to know about Manchester’s newest route to Asia, plus tips on Bangkok’s must-dos, how to get around once you land, and why you might want to throw a travel blanket into your Amazon basket before you board.

Can I Fly Direct From Manchester to Thailand Now?

Yes! Finally Norse Atlantic is launching a weekly direct service between Manchester and Bangkok, making Manchester the only UK airport outside London offering direct flights to the Thai capital. That means no connections, no hanging around in Gulf terminals, just a straight shot to the Pad Thai. For tips on flying to Thailand in style without overspending, check out ‘Swap Grey Skies for Thai Sunshine.’

Flight details:

Departs Manchester (MAN): 23:30 every Wednesday
Arrives Bangkok (BKK): 18:00 the next day
Return flight departs Bangkok: Thursdays at 20:00, lands Manchester at 02:15 on Friday
Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

You can already book tickets now for travel between late November 2025 and March 2026 perfect timing for a winter getaway.

Check out all the amazing Norse Atlantic prices and availability, Here on Skyscanner

How Long Is the Flight From Manchester to Bangkok?

Good question and yes, it’s long.The Manchester to Bangkok flight time on Norse is scheduled at 11 hours and 30 minutes eastbound, and just under 13 hours on the way home, thanks to headwinds.

So if you’ve been googling things like:

How many hours is a flight to Thailand from Manchester? Answer: around 11.5–13 hours direct.
Manchester to Thailand distance? Roughly 6,000 miles (9,600 km).
Manchester to Bangkok distance? Same answer, as Bangkok is the main hub.

And if you’re wondering if this is faster than the usual one-stop routes with Emirates or Qatar, absolutely you can save yourself several hours of faffing about.

Why Norse Atlantic Is Making Waves

This is more than just another airline adding seats to Bangkok. Norse Atlantic has built its brand on affordable long-haul flights, and this move is a clever one — Manchester has a huge Thai community and loads of leisure travellers heading to Southeast Asia every year, and until now they’ve been forced to connect through London or the Middle East.

As Manchester Airport’s MD Chris Woodroofe said:

“This new route will make a huge difference by meaning people can get there directly from the UK’s global gateway in the North.”

And Norse CEO Bjørn Tore Larsen summed it up even better:

“We don’t just follow demand – we unlock it.”

Alongside Manchester–Bangkok, Norse is also launching:

London Gatwick to Bangkok (starting this winter)
Oslo to Phuket
Stockholm to Phuket

Basically, Thailand just got a whole lot closer for travellers in the UK and Scandinavia.

Flying Norse: What’s It Like?

If you’re new to Norse, here’s what to expect onboard:

Economy

Norse offers a basic but comfortable economy cabin, with standard 31-inch seat pitch, in-flight entertainment screens, and food & drinks available for purchase. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s more than good enough for the price and you’re on a 787 Dreamliner, which means quieter engines, bigger windows, and better cabin pressure.

Premium

If you want to treat yourself, Norse’s Premium cabin offers extra legroom (43 inches), wider seats, two checked bags included, priority boarding and meals.

What About Luggage?

Norse has strict baggage rules, so read up before you rock up.Here’s the quick version:

Economy Light: 1 underseat personal bag item + 1 carry-on (10kg)
Economy Classic: 1 underseat personal bag item + 1 carry-on (10kg)
Economy Flextra: same, but with one checked bags
Premium fares include more generous luggage limits

Get the full lowdown here:

Blog Post: Norse Atlantic carry-on luggage rules explained

What’s the Allowed Size for a Carry-On Bag?

Here’s the current 2025 policy, straight from the Norse Viking playbook:

Norse Economy Cabin

Personal Item: 40 x 30 x 15 cm (no weight limit, must fit under the seat)
Carry-On Bag: 56 x 45 x 25 cm, max 10kg (22lbs)

Norse Premium Cabin

Personal Item: 45 x 36 x 22 cm (no weight limit)
Carry-On Bag: 56 x 45 x 25 cm, max 15kg (33lbs)

Important note: These dimensions include wheels and handles. If you’re even slightly over, staff will notice.

How Strict Is Norse on Personal Items?

In a word? Strict. Norse doesn't let anything slide even your "oh-it’s-just-a-little-laptop-bag" personal item is likely to be weighed and assessed.

Make sure your bag is soft-sided, squishable, and doesn’t bulge out of the dimensions listed above.

My go-to personal item is the Cabin Max Metz 20L it’s comfy, compact, and fits every time.

Cabin Max METZ 20L Underseat Bag (40 x 20 x 25 cm)

Now this bag actually fits Ryanair and Wizz Air that have stricter and smaller free personal baggage allowance you can get the bigger option 30L 45 x 36 x 20 cm to fly with Norse airlines.

You can find more information about this bag Right Here

The Cabin Max METZ 20L is my go-to under seat bag for Norse flights. It’s perfectly sized for Norse airlines free personal item allowance and comes packed with features:

Lightweight and Durable:Weighs only 500g, making it easy to carry around even when fully packed.
Comfortable for Travel: Extensive padding ensures comfort, whether you’re navigating airports or exploring your destination.
Organised Storage: Multiple compartments, including a front organiser pocket for travel documents, pens, and tickets, make staying organised a breeze.
Eco-Friendly: Made from recycled plastic bottles (Rpet polyester), it’s a sustainable choice for eco-conscious travellers.

This bag is also compatible with most major airlines, making it a versatile travel companion beyond Norse.

It comes in so many different colour options

Top Tip: Use a soft-sided holdall or backpack like the Cabin Max Metz 30L (45 x 36 x 20 cm). These can be slightly compressed if needed by pulling in the straps at the side.

Of course you can also find all of the Cabin Max Metz range on Amazon.

Mr Plane Guy’s Tip: Before your flight, weigh your bag at home and measure dimensions with a tape measure.

Bonus Tip: I put an AirTag in my suitcase its such good peace of mind! Here is to a link of one on Amazon.

Need a hotel for your next trip? I always start with Trivago – it compares prices across all the major booking sites, so you can find the best deal in seconds. Whether you're after a boutique hideaway or just somewhere clean to crash near the airport, it's a no-brainer. Give it a try and thank me later when you've saved enough for extra airport lounge snacks.

Check out all the amazing Norse Atlantic prices and availability, Here on Skyscanner

What Are the Lounges Like at Manchester Airport?

If you’re flying Norse out of Terminal 2, treat yourself to a lounge before you go

especially if you’re in Economy and don’t fancy spending two hours in a crowded gate area. Manchester Airport has some solid lounges you can pre-book, including:

Escape Lounge (T2): Good value, decent hot food, and usually plenty of space.
1903 Lounge (T2): A little more premium, with better drinks and runway views.
Aspire Lounge (T2): A solid all-rounder.

Exclusive Offer: I was kindly given a 30% off LINK for a Priority Pass, to share with you.

Lounge Access Before You Fly

Before you jet off, why not start your trip in style? Priority Pass gives you access to over 1,700+ airport lounges around the world and I’ve secured a 30% discount just for my readers.

Normally £69/year
With my code: just £48
Includes food, drinks, Wi-Fi, and comfy seats far from the gate chaos

Use my link to get your pass :Take a Look Here If you're flying from Manchester Airport.

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Top 5 Things to Do in Bangkok

So you’ve landed after 11 hours and you’re buzzing to explore — what should be on your Bangkok hitlist?

Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew – Iconic, glittering temples.
Wat Arun at sunset – One of the most beautiful riverfront views in the city.
Chatuchak Weekend Market – A maze of street food, souvenirs and clothes.
Khao San Road – Backpacker central for nightlife and cheap eats.
A rooftop bar – Sky Bar at Lebua or Octave Rooftop for stunning city views.

How to Get From Bangkok Airport to Thai Resorts

Once you land at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), you’ve got tons of options to reach your final destination:

Bangkok City Centre: Airport Rail Link (fast & cheap), taxi (around £10–15), or private transfer.
Chiang Mai: Domestic flight (1 hr 15) or overnight train for the adventurous.
Krabi: Direct domestic flight (1 hr 20) from BKK or DMK.
Koh Samui: Fly Bangkok Airways direct from BKK or combine bus & ferry.
Pattaya: About 2 hours by taxi or pre-booked shuttle.

Bangkok’s airports are well connected, so onward travel is super easy whether you’re heading north to the mountains or south to the islands.

How Does Norse Compare to Emirates or Qatar?

If you’re used to the bells and whistles of Gulf carriers, Norse is definitely a more “no-frills” experience, but the big draw is that it’s direct and affordable. No connections, no double jetlag, just you, a Dreamliner, and Bangkok in under 12 hours.

And yes, if you’re searching Manchester to Bangkok Emirates, they’re still an option, but you’ll have to change in Dubai and pay more.

Blog Post: This is Why I Hated Emirates Premium Economy Onboard Their New A350

Can You Fly Direct From the UK to Bangkok?

You sure can now, with Norse from Manchester or London Gatwick. In addition, Thai Airways runs direct flights from Heathrow, but prices tend to be higher.

Tip: Norse doesn’t provide free headphones, so bring your own or purchase onboard.

Check out this genius product that allows you to use your AirPod's with the inflight entertainment on Norse Airlines and many other airlines!

Blog Post, Big News: Norse Atlantic Airways Now Includes Carry-On in Economy Light

Why This Route Matters

This isn’t just another winter sun flight. Norse opening up Manchester–Bangkok means northern travellers finally have a direct gateway to Thailand without traipsing down through London. It’s great for visiting family, great for winter escapes, and it’s proof that Manchester Airport is holding its own as a proper global hub.

For those keeping track, Manchester now also has new direct flights to Mumbai (via Norse & IndiGo) so keep an eye on the airport’s ever-expanding long-haul map.

Packing Tip: Bring Your Own Blanket

One thing Norse doesn’t give you? A blanket or pillow. If you don’t fancy freezing through the Arctic air over Siberia, grab yourself a compact travel blanket on Amazon before your trip. I’ve popped my favourite pick here:

👉 Buy a lightweight travel blanket on Amazon

grab the EverSnug 2-in-1 travel blanket and pillow. It’s warm, compact, and clips right onto your carry-on – trust me, your future self at 35,000 feet will thank you.

Buy it HERE