Navigating Suvarnabhumi Airport: Understanding The Gate System

Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok's main international airport, is a major hub for aviation in Southeast Asia. It is one of the biggest airports in the region, covering an area of 3,240 ha (32.4 km2; 8,000 acres). The airport has a total of 120 parking bays, with 72 jet bridges and 69 remote gates. It is well-equipped to handle a high volume of passengers with its vast main passenger terminal, efficient layout, and range of amenities and services.

Suvarnabhumi Airport has 72 jet bridges and 69 remote gates

Suvarnabhumi Airport, the main international airport serving Bangkok, Thailand, is a major hub for aviation in Southeast Asia. The airport boasts an impressive 72 jet bridges and 69 remote gates, enabling it to efficiently manage a high volume of passenger traffic. This large number of gates is essential for an airport that served 60 million passengers in 2017 and was ranked as the 17th busiest airport in the world.

The airport's ability to handle a large number of flights and passengers is further enhanced by its three parallel runways, which can accommodate simultaneous departures and arrivals. The runways are 4,000 metres and 3,700 metres long, and they are complemented by two parallel taxiways. This setup allows for 64 flights per hour, with a peak capacity of 63 flights.

In addition to its impressive infrastructure, Suvarnabhumi Airport also offers a wide range of amenities and services to ensure a smooth and comfortable experience for travellers. The airport provides clear signage in multiple languages, automated people movers, and travelators to facilitate navigation and cover longer distances within the terminal.

The airport's design is focused on minimising congestion and streamlining passenger flow. With different concourses dedicated to international and domestic flights, travellers can easily transfer between them without switching terminals. The efficient layout ensures smooth transitions between areas, making it convenient for those with connecting flights or arriving at their final destination.

To further enhance the airport's capacity, a third runway is currently under construction and is expected to be completed by 2024. This additional runway will increase the airport's operational capacity to 94 flights per hour, accommodating the ever-growing demand for air travel in the region.

Suvarnabhumi Airport's vast infrastructure, efficient design, and range of amenities make it a key aviation hub in Southeast Asia, capable of handling a high volume of passenger traffic and providing a seamless travel experience.

It is one of the biggest international airports in Southeast Asia

Suvarnabhumi Airport is one of the biggest international airports in Southeast Asia, both in terms of physical size and passenger numbers. Covering an area of 3,240 ha (32.4 km2; 8,000 acres), it is the main international airport serving Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, and is a regional aviation hub.

The airport is currently the 11th busiest airport in Asia and the 17th busiest in the world, handling 60 million passengers in 2017. In January 2025, it was the fastest-growing airport in Southeast Asia by absolute seat numbers, adding over 407,000 additional seats compared to January 2024. This reflects Thailand's position as a global tourist favourite and a key transit hub. The airport's strategic importance in handling both long-haul and regional traffic ensures its continued dominance.

Suvarnabhumi Airport is also a major cargo air freight hub, being the 20th busiest in the world in 2019. It has three parallel runways and two parallel taxiways to accommodate simultaneous departures and arrivals. It has a total of 120 parking bays, with five capable of accommodating the Airbus A380. The airport has 72 jet bridges and 69 non-jet bridges, with flights also able to park at remote locations.

The airport's main terminal building, with a capacity of handling 76 flight operations per hour, co-locates the international and domestic terminals. In the initial phase of construction, it was capable of handling 45 million passengers and three million tonnes of cargo per year. However, the airport has since exceeded this capacity, handling more than 800 flights per day. Expansion plans are underway to increase the airport's annual passenger handling capacity to 125 million by 2024.

Concourse A handles domestic flights only

Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, is a major international airport, serving as a regional hub for aviation and cargo. It is one of the biggest airports in Southeast Asia, covering an area of 3,240 ha (32.4 km2; 8,000 acres). The airport accommodates both international and domestic flights, with a designated concourse for each type of flight.

Concourse A, located on the northeast side of the airport, handles domestic flights only. This separation of domestic and international flights allows for efficient passenger flow and convenient transfers between the two. The airport's vast main passenger terminal, with a capacity of handling 76 flight operations per hour, is designed to streamline passenger movement.

The terminal is divided into different concourses, with clear and multilingual signage to guide passengers to their respective gates. Concourse A is located on the second floor of the terminal, and passengers can easily access it through Entrance 2 or via automated people movers and travelators for longer distances.

Suvarnabhumi Airport is well-equipped to manage a high volume of passengers, boasting 72 jet bridges and 69 remote gates. The layout is carefully designed to minimise congestion and facilitate smooth transitions between different areas. With its efficient infrastructure, the airport has become a significant gateway for travellers to Bangkok and beyond.

The airport's name, Suvarnabhumi, means "land of gold" in Sanskrit and was chosen by the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The name celebrates the tradition of the Buddhist golden kingdom, thought to have been located somewhere in Southeast Asia.

The airport is named after the Sanskrit for land of gold

Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok's newest international airport, is named after the Sanskrit for "land of gold". The name Suvarnabhumi is derived from two Sanskrit words: "suvarna", meaning gold, and "bhumi", meaning land. Thus, Suvarnabhumi translates to the "Golden Land".

The name Suvarnabhumi has a rich history and cultural significance in Thailand and Southeast Asia. It is believed to refer to a prosperous and peaceful golden era in the region's past. Indian scholars used the term Suvarnabhumi to describe the lands east of India and south of China, encompassing modern-day Burma, Indo-China, and Thailand. This region was known for its abundant natural resources, which attracted traders and explorers from ancient times.

The Thai people associate Suvarnabhumi with an ancient kingdom that may have existed in Southeast Asia. While the exact location of this mythical kingdom is debated, it is often linked to the central plains near the ancient city of U Thong, which is believed to be the origin of the Indianised Dvaravati culture. The Thai government, through naming the airport Suvarnabhumi, celebrates this tradition and the idea of a golden kingdom.

The name Suvarnabhumi was chosen by the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, whose name includes the word "bhumi". This choice of name reflects the cultural and historical importance of the term in the region and its association with prosperity and peace.

The Suvarnabhumi Airport, with its impressive structure and role as an international aviation hub, symbolises the resurrection of the Golden Land. It serves as a gateway to Thailand, connecting the country to the rest of the world through its position as a regional aviation hub.

It is the main hub for Thai Airways International and Bangkok Airways

Suvarnabhumi Airport is the main hub for Thai Airways International and Bangkok Airways. It is one of the biggest international airports in Southeast Asia and a regional aviation hub. It is located in Racha Thewa, in the subdistrict of Bang Phli, Samut Prakan province, about 25 kilometres from downtown Bangkok. The airport is named after the Sanskrit for "land of gold", chosen by the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, whose name includes Bhumi, referring to the Buddhist golden kingdom.

Thai Airways International is the national carrier of Thailand, and Suvarnabhumi Airport is its main hub. The airline offers a range of services at the airport, including check-in counters on the 4th floor for international departures and a dedicated Row A for Royal First Class and Royal Silk passengers. Thai Airways also operates lounges in the airport, including the Royal First Lounge and the Royal Silk Lounge.

Bangkok Airways, a regional airline, also has a strong presence at Suvarnabhumi Airport, with several flights departing and arriving at the airport daily. The airline offers a range of services to its passengers, including check-in counters and lounges. Bangkok Airways also has a maintenance facility at the airport, ensuring the smooth operation of its flights.

Both Thai Airways International and Bangkok Airways benefit from the airport's extensive infrastructure, which includes three parallel runways, 120 parking bays, and 72 jet bridges. The airport also has a range of passenger amenities, such as restaurants, shops, and transit lounges, making it a convenient and comfortable hub for these airlines and their passengers.

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