Bulgarian low-cost airline GullivAir has announced new direct weekly flights from Sofia to both Bangkok and Phuket, starting November 5, 2026. The routes mark the airline’s first foray into Southeast Asia and give Bulgarians — and travellers connecting through Sofia — a direct link to Thailand’s two most visited destinations.
What the New Routes Offer
GullivAir will operate both routes with a weekly frequency from Sofia Airport (SOF). The Sofia–Bangkok Suvarnabhumi route and the Sofia–Phuket International route launch simultaneously on November 5, timed to coincide with the start of Thailand’s high season when temperatures drop and beach conditions peak.
GullivAir positions itself as a leisure carrier, meaning fares are likely to be competitive for package holidays and independent travellers alike. The airline currently serves primarily Southern European and Middle Eastern leisure destinations, making this Thailand expansion a significant step.
What This Means for Travellers
For travellers in Bulgaria and the Balkans, the routes remove the need for a connecting flight through hubs such as Istanbul, Dubai, or London. Direct flight time between Sofia and Bangkok runs approximately 10–11 hours; Sofia to Phuket is slightly longer at around 11–12 hours.
For Bangkok visitors, the direct arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport means easier onward connections to the wider country, including trains north to Chiang Mai and ferries to the Gulf of Thailand islands. For those heading straight to Phuket, the direct option cuts out the Bangkok stopover entirely.
Booking transfers between Bangkok Airport and the city is worth arranging in advance — see our guide to Bangkok airport transfers for options and costs.
Why This Matters for Thailand Tourism
Thailand welcomed approximately 40 million international visitors in 2025 and has continued to see strong European demand. European carriers such as easyJet (via partner airlines) and Wizz Air have added or discussed routes in recent years, but direct service from Bulgaria remains rare.
The timing ahead of high season (November through March) is deliberate: travellers booking these flights can expect reliably dry weather across most of Thailand, with the best beach conditions at destinations including Phuket, Koh Samui, and the Andaman coast.
How to Book
GullivAir tickets can be booked via the airline’s website. As of publication, no codeshare arrangements have been announced, so travellers connecting from elsewhere in Europe will need to manage their own connection to Sofia.
You can also compare flights to Thailand across other carriers to find the best connection into Bangkok or Phuket for your route.
We will update this article if additional frequency is added or if the launch date changes.