I am travelling to Laos (via Bangkok) for two weeks in November. As it is a fairly short time I am flying between some towns, but am having trouble finding information about Lao Airlines. Are they ok? Also, my flight arrives into Bangkok at 4pm and I would I would like to fly to Laos that evening - to Vientiane or Luang Prabang. Can you help? Jenny Licence, London

Sunday Times travel expert Richard Green responds: It is tricky finding out much about Loa Airways. It's true that they had a pretty poor reputation a few years back, and were especially notorious for cancelling flights at short notice.

However things have improved. For a start, the airline now has some French made ATR turboprop aircraft. With an average age of about 15 years, they are a bit old, but they do have a good safety record. The snag is that airline has four Xian MA60's, turboprops too, but Chinese made, and with a slight rough and ready feel. They have only been manufactured since the late 90s, but if it's worth looking on the website and picking out the ATR-operated flights.

Lao Airways has a monopoly on domestic flights, but on the international legs into and out of the country from Bangkok, you do have a choice. Thai Airways (0870 606 0911), Bangkok Airways, and Lao Airlines fly from Bangkok to Luang Prabang and Vientiane. Going up to Luang Prabang, there isn't a connection that day after 4pm, Lao Airlines and Thai Airways have flights leaving for Vientiane in the evenings, at 18:50 and 20:00 respectively.

If your travels take you as far south as the Laotian city of Pakse, Bangkok Airways flies from there to Bangkok on Tuesdays and Fridays.

November to February is the busy tourist season, and it's festival time as well, so you should try to book in advance. Alternative Airlines can book all three airlines mentioned above, with fares from Thailand to Laos from £104, one way, and domestic flights in Laos from £45 one-way. Or try Kayak.

Times recommends

• 52 brilliant weekend breaks for 2010
• Why are UK airports so child unfriendly?
• Ditch the spas - most detox talk is nonsense