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Thai Lion Air (SL) Guide

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Low-cost flights from Bangkok Don Mueang across Thailand and to Asia, fleet, fares, baggage, check-in and how to find cheaper Thai Lion Air fares. Ask a question
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In short

Thai Lion Air is the Thai low-cost arm of the Lion Air Group, based at Don Mueang International in Bangkok. Boeing 737s fly to about 50 destinations in Thailand, China, India, Indonesia, Taiwan and Japan, good for budget trips around Thailand and the region. It is not in an alliance and lists no loyalty programme. All seats are Economy.

Thai Lion Air is a low-cost airline in the Lion Air Group, based at Bangkok’s older Don Mueang airport.

Please note: bookingMentor is an independent travel service and is not affiliated with Thai Lion Air. Routes, schedules and baggage rules change, so always confirm the details of your booking with the airline.

What to expect

Thai Lion Air is a low-cost airline based at Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) in Bangkok and an associate of Indonesia's Lion Air Group. It flies Boeing 737s within Thailand and to about 50 destinations across Asia, and suits budget travellers heading from Bangkok to cities such as Chiang Mai, Phuket and Hat Yai or on short international hops.

Thai Lion Mentari and the Lion Air link

The airline's legal name is Thai Lion Mentari Co. Ltd. It operates with Thai partners as an associate company of Lion Air, so it is a sister carrier of Lion Air, Batik Air and Batik Air Malaysia. The head office is in the Don Mueang district of Bangkok, and the chief executive is Atsawin Yangkiratiwon.

The first Bangkok to Chiang Mai flight in 2013

Thai Lion Air made its first flight on 4 December 2013, from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, and began full service the next day. Six days later, on 10 December 2013, it signed an agreement with Malindo Air, now Batik Air Malaysia, allowing both carriers to fly Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok.

Bases in Bangkok and Taipei

Don Mueang is the main base, and Chiang Mai is also marked as a base. Thai Lion Air also has a base at Taipei Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan, where it flies routes to Japan that do not touch Thailand, including Taipei to Okinawa, which was kept for the winter 2026 season.

Where does Thai Lion Air fly?

The network covers about 50 destinations. Inside Thailand it links Bangkok with the main tourist and regional cities. Abroad it serves China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, India, Nepal, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and the Philippines. A Delhi route was scheduled to start on 14 November 2025. Many routes have been dropped over the years, and seasonal changes are common on Japan and Korea flights, so check the timetable for your dates.

Interline agreements with Lion Air and APG

Thai Lion Air is not in a global alliance. It has interline agreements with its parent Lion Air and with APG Airlines.

Getting to Don Mueang

Don Mueang is Bangkok's older airport and serves many low-cost airlines. Thai Lion Air does not use Suvarnabhumi, the city's other main airport, so anyone arriving there on another airline has to travel across Bangkok to reach a Thai Lion Air flight.

Fact-checked by the bookingMentor Travel Desk Reviewed · Updated when rules or prices change

Checked against trusted sources:
Thai Lion Air official website

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  1. Thai Lion Air official website
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Good to know

  • AllianceNone
  • Founded2013
  • Online check-inYes

Everything you should know

Airline codes

SL · TLM

IATA · ICAO · callsign “MENTARI”

Look for SL in front of the number on your ticket: that prefix marks a flight sold under the Thai Lion Air code. Enter SL and the number to follow a Thai Lion Air departure.

Key facts

Network

About 50 destinations

Thailand · China · India · Indonesia · Taiwan · Japan

Thai Lion Air flies from Don Mueang to Thai cities and to China, India, Indonesia, Taiwan and other Asian countries.

Destinations

Good to know

Thai Lion Air flies from Don Mueang (DMK), not Suvarnabhumi (BKK). Make sure you go to the right Bangkok airport. Official website: lionairthai.com.

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At a glance

Thai Lion Air (IATA: SL, ICAO: TLM) is a Thai low-cost airline of the Lion Air Group, founded in 2013 and based at Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok. It flies about 28 Boeing 737-800 and 737-900ER aircraft to around 50 destinations in Thailand and Asia.

Key facts about Thai Lion Air
HeadquartersDon Mueang, Bangkok, Thailand
Fleet typesBoeing 737-800, 737-900ER
Official websitelionairthai.com

Flight routes

Destinations and routes

Direct routes
Thai Lion Air serves the places below according to its published network. Routes are added, paused and rescheduled, so confirm the current Thai Lion Air timetable when you search. Search flights

Thailand

Bangkok (DMK) departures14 destinations

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Fleet and aircraft

The fleet is all Boeing 737: 20 737-800s with 189 seats and eight 737-900ERs with 215 seats, according to Wikipedia's August 2025 table, 28 aircraft in all. Airbus A330 widebodies and Boeing 737 MAX 9 jets flew with the airline earlier and have left the fleet.

  • Boeing 737-800 Narrow-body · 20 Domestic and regional routes, 189 seats
  • Boeing 737-900ER Narrow-body · 8 Busy routes, 215 seats

Cabin classes

Thai Lion Air sells an Economy cabin. Seat selection, meals and extra baggage are paid add-ons on most fares.

Economy All flights

Low fares, paid extras

Cabin bagChecked bag on some faresFood for purchase

Frequent flyer programme

Details of the Thai Lion Air loyalty programme are being added Add your membership number when you book to earn miles.
Join on the airline's site

Baggage allowance

On Thai Lion Air, the bag allowance follows your fare type, cabin and route, and the exact figure is printed on your SL e-ticket.

Checked baggage
On your e-ticket
Cabin baggage
Depends on fare
Extra bags
Cheaper before you fly
Power banks
Cabin bag only

Checked baggage depends on the fare and route. Check your booking and add bags in advance if needed.

Pro tip: Leave a long gap if you connect between Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, and check the bag allowance for your ticket on lionairthai.com before you fly, since some fares include only cabin baggage.
Travel day

Online Check-in

Thai Lion Air check-in comes down to four steps, from checking in online to dropping your bags at Don Mueang International.

  • Online check-in available
  1. Step 1

    Check in online

    Where your flight allows it, check in on lionairthai.com or app with your surname and booking reference or e-ticket number.

    Booking ref + surname
  2. Step 2

    Prepare your documents

    Before leaving for the airport, check that your passport is valid and that you hold any visa or entry document needed at the other end of your Thai Lion Air flight. Domestic SL passengers should bring a photo ID the airline accepts.

    Passport · visa · ID
  3. Step 3

    Arrive early

    Each airport has its own Thai Lion Air check-in and bag-drop deadline, listed in your booking. Allow extra time for busy terminals and international SL departures.

    Well before departure
  4. Step 4

    Drop your bags

    Thai Lion Air desks and bag-drop points take your hold luggage. Keep the bag-tag receipt with your boarding pass until the bags come off at the end of your SL trip.

    Thai Lion Air counter
Departing from Bangkok? Terminals, lounges, food and transport at Don Mueang International, all in one guide.
Bangkok Airport guide Check in with Thai Lion Air
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Cheap tickets

How to find a cheaper Thai Lion Air fare without giving up the bag or seat you need.

  1. 01

    Look across the week

    Thai Lion Air fares are often lower on midweek departures. Search a spread of dates around your trip to find the cheaper days.

    Midweek flights
  2. 02

    Avoid peak seasons

    Songkran (mid-April), New Year and Chinese New Year are the busiest times in Thailand.

    Songkran & New Year
  3. 03

    Compare Thai Lion Air fare types

    Look at the next Thai Lion Air fare up: if it bundles a hold bag or easier changes, it may beat the basic fare plus extras.

    Baggage & changes
  4. 04

    Check the airport

    Thai Lion Air uses Don Mueang. Compare fares with airlines at Suvarnabhumi, but allow for the airport you need.

    DMK vs BKK

  5. Ready to compare fares?

    Search Thai Lion Air alongside every other airline on your route, with flexible dates.

    Search Thai Lion Air flights

Reviews and questions

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Everything travellers ask before flying Thai Lion Air.
Answers checked against Thai Lion Air’s official sources and public aviation references, and reviewed each season.

Getting there

Thai Lion Air uses Don Mueang International Airport, the older Bangkok airport that serves many low-cost airlines. It does not fly from Suvarnabhumi. If you have a connection at the other airport, allow several hours to travel between them.

General