In this guide
Only two airlines fly into Paro: Drukair, the national carrier, and Bhutan Airlines, a private airline. Whichever way you come in by air, your last flight will be with one of them. They fly similar planes into the same airport, so for most travellers the choice comes down to where each one flies from and on which days.
We book flights on both, so we have no reason to push one over the other.
The short answer
Choose by route and date first. If both airlines fly your route on the day you need, compare the fare and the departure time. Drukair has more routes, including Singapore, Dubai, Dhaka and the domestic flights inside Bhutan. Bhutan Airlines covers the busiest routes, Bangkok, Delhi, Kolkata and Kathmandu, and often gives you a second option on those days.
At a glance
| Drukair | Bhutan Airlines | |
|---|---|---|
| Owner | Government of Bhutan | Private (Tashi Group) |
| Flying since | 1983 | 2011 |
| Main aircraft | Airbus A319 and A320neo | Airbus A319 |
| Cabins | Business and economy | Business and economy |
| Flights inside Bhutan | Yes | No |
Where each airline flies
Routes and frequencies change by season, so check the current schedule for your date. As of late 2026:
Drukair flies from Paro to Bangkok, Delhi and Kathmandu daily, and to Kolkata four times a week. It also flies twice a week to Bagdogra, Guwahati, Dhaka, Dubai and Singapore. The Singapore flight stops in Guwahati. In December to February there's a seasonal service to Bodh Gaya, the Buddhist pilgrimage site in India.
Bhutan Airlines flies from Paro to Bangkok, Delhi, Kolkata and Kathmandu. Check its timetable for the days each route operates.
Which one suits you depends on where you start:
- From Australia, Europe or North America, you'll usually connect in Bangkok, Delhi or Singapore. Both airlines fly from Bangkok and Delhi, and only Drukair flies from Singapore.
- Coming through the Gulf, Drukair's Dubai flight saves you a second connection.
- If you're combining Bhutan with Nepal, both airlines fly Kathmandu to Paro. On a clear day you can see Everest from this flight.
- From northeast India, Drukair flies from Bagdogra and Guwahati. Both are close to the land border at Phuentsholing too, if you'd rather drive in.
Flights inside Bhutan
Only Drukair flies domestic routes. From Paro it flies to Bumthang in central Bhutan, Yonphula in the east and Gelephu in the south, a few times a week. On a longer trip, a flight back from Bumthang saves a full day of driving. The domestic planes are small and the flights depend heavily on the weather, so we always keep a road plan in reserve.
Baggage
Both airlines allow around 30 kg of checked bags in economy and 40 kg in business on international flights. Drukair's domestic flights allow 20 kg in economy. Some Bhutan Airlines sectors, such as Kathmandu, have been listed with a lower allowance, so check the allowance printed on your ticket.
If you're connecting from another airline on a separate ticket, its allowance may be lower than the Bhutan leg. Pack for the smaller of the two.
Seats, service and the landing
On board there's little to choose between them. Both fly Airbus narrow-body jets with a small business cabin. The approach into Paro is the same for both: a daylight landing in a narrow valley, flown by a small group of specially trained pilots.
For the mountain views, sit on the left side flying into Paro from Kathmandu or Delhi, and on the right on the way out.
Delays and changes
Paro has no night flights, and weather often moves flights on both airlines, most of all in the monsoon. Keep a spare night at your gateway city before a long-haul connection home, and don't book a tight onward flight on the same day.
If you book separate tickets, your other airline may not cover a missed connection caused by a delay on the Bhutan leg.
How to book
You can book directly with Drukair or Bhutan Airlines, or through a travel agent. Paro flights have few seats and fill up early in the spring and autumn festival seasons, so book once your tour dates are fixed.
We book flights on both airlines. When you plan a trip with us, tell us your gateway city and dates and we'll find the flight that fits your itinerary, whichever airline it is. For gateway cities and the overland route from India, see our guide on how to get to Bhutan.
Official sources
- Drukair: destinations and routes
- Drukair: current flight schedules
- Drukair Singapore: baggage allowance
- Bhutan Airlines: routes, fares and schedules
Check the official rules and schedules for your nationality and travel dates before making fixed bookings.
