April Cheapest One Way Flights to Southeast Asia

Cheapest One Way Flights to Southeast Asia (April 2026)

Please note: One of the below chosen routes transits through the United Arab Emirates. Whilst commerical flights have resumed to and from the United Arab Emirates, it is important to understand that regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to severe disruption. The situation could change at any moment. Stay up to date with our Middle East Travel Updates: Flight Cancellations & Routes article, which includes offical airline and government travel advice and updates.

Cheap flights are one of the core parts of budget travel, so it matters that you get this right.

Over the past few months, the war in the Middle East has started to affect fares. That’s just the reality of it. But it’s also part of my job to make sure you’re still getting the most for your money, regardless of what’s going on.

Last week, March 31st, me and my wife Samar flew from Manchester to Phuket with Etihad. If you’ve read my stuff before, you’re probably already calling me a hypocrite, and I get it. Saying “Etihad” alone makes it sound like I’ve gone against everything I usually say, but that’s not really what happened.

Last week and this week fall over Easter, and trying to fly the absolute cheapest, 2-3 stop routes through Europe during school holidays is near impossible. Prices get inflated fast. On top of that, airlines flying through the Middle East are still trying to fill seats despite everything going on, which creates this weird overlap where better routes aren’t priced the way they normally would be.

We paid £312 each for a 15-hour journey, including 25kg checked baggage that we didn’t even need, with just a 1-hour stop in Abu Dhabi. That’s the part people miss, because the premium route was actually the cheapest option at the time, mainly because of the school holidays and everything going on in the Middle East, and it was still very reasonably priced.

So instead of forcing a worse route just to say it was cheaper, we ended up taking the best route because it was the cheapest option available. Call it what you want, but if the premium route is coming in as the lowest price, you take it.

BudgetBro's Picks

Below I've found 3 flights which tickle my pickle, (no particular order) I will name my preferred flight at the bottom of this article.

China Eastern LDN - BKK £303.00

I found this flight on Kiwi and it's incredibly good value. Fly out of London Gatwick at a reasonable midday arriving in Shanghai 11h 30m later. With a short 2.5h layover, enough to stretch your legs and grab a cup of tea it'll be soon time to get your second and final flight to Bangkok.

Arriving into Bangkok at midday too is a real winner. This flight is one many people shouldn't overlook.

EasyJet & Scoot MAN - HKT £300.00

It's cheap with a whole day in Athens, it's whether you're up for a mini adventure?

Early start from Manchester, not ideal however arriving into Athens before midday is elite. Whole afternoon and night to enjoy a city you've potentially never been to. With hotels starting form £30 and a 30-40 min trip from the airport into the city, it might just be worth it.

The following morning an early-ish flight at 08:55, long-haul will be a back breaker on an airline like scoot followed by a not so great 6 hour layover in Singapore. You're arriving into Phuket in the morning, which is nice if your hotel is allowing early checkin?

I agree it's not the best flight but the ability to stay over in athens for nearly 24 hours, maybe a deal breaker.

Etihad MAN - HKT £319.00

Premium flight with a not-so premium fee. 50m layover, arrival in Phuket at tea time. This is the exact same flight I taken last week (slightly cheaper too).

Although the most expensive by a mere £16.00, this flight is top tier. BUT you are flying directly into a potential war zone. Let's be honest, we all need something to keep us on our toes during long-haul flights right?

Final Thoughts

As much as I am not a big fan of premium airlines and premium routes... Book the Eithad and don't bother commenting calling me a hypocrite, ok?