This particular plane had been christened Small Yella Fella (in lettering on the side of the plane) and, designed for short to medium routes, it is little with a huge advantage: Its 112 seats are in a two-by-two configuration, eliminating the dreaded middle seat.
A smooth two hours later, we touched down in Koh Samui, Thailand, to a welcoming fanfare of a water canon parade, officials holding a banner, and flower garlands placed around the necks of every single passenger.
This, combined with the powerful effect of Koh Samui’s al fresco airport designed to look like an 80s tropical resort complete with thatched roofs, bean bags and golf buggies, succeeded in immediately putting me in a holiday mood, in a destination widely known as a Thai island paradise.
