From 17 September 2026, you will be able to fly from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son again. Ezy Airlines confirmed the new route in mid July, with initial flights starting 17 September and full operations from 1 October 2026, using 12-seat aircraft, according to CityNews Chiang Mai (accessed 21 July 2026). For anyone who has stared at the 1,864-bend mountain road on a map and hesitated, this is the most useful Northern Thailand transport news of the year.
What exactly was announced?
Ezy Airlines, operated by M-Landarch Co., Ltd., will connect Chiang Mai with Mae Hong Son using small 12-seat aircraft. The airline presents the route at a launch event, EZY Connect Lanna 2026, on 14 August at the Central Chiang Mai Airport shopping centre, then starts initial flights on 17 September before moving to full operations on 1 October. On 14 July an Ezy Airlines executive and company representatives flew a 12-seat aircraft to Mae Hong Son and met provincial authorities and local tourism stakeholders, so preparations are visibly under way.
The route is part of a wider push to rebuild regional air links in the North. The Thaiger reported that the Department of Airports has allocated eight routes to Ezy Airlines to boost tourism connectivity (accessed 21 July 2026). Fares and exact frequencies had not been published at the time of writing.
Why does this matter if you are visiting Chiang Mai?
Mae Hong Son is one of the most beautiful provinces in Thailand and one of the hardest to reach. The drive from Chiang Mai takes five to six hours on a good day, over a road famous for its 1,864 curves. Plenty of travelers skip it for that reason alone, especially families and anyone who gets carsick.
A short flight changes the math. You could realistically add Mae Hong Son town, Ban Rak Thai and the Su Tong Pae bamboo bridge to a one week Chiang Mai trip without sacrificing two full days to the road. Local demand is real: a Mae Hong Son restaurant owner who joined a trial flight told CityNews that visitors frequently ask whether flights to the province are available and say they want to come.
Should you fly or do the loop by road?
Honest answer from a local operator: the road is not just a transfer, it is the trip. The classic Mae Hong Son Loop passes Pai, hot springs, viewpoints and hill villages. If you have four or more days and a reasonable stomach, the loop is still the richer experience.
The smart hybrid for 2026: travel overland one way, fly back. Take our private one-way transfer from Chiang Mai to Pai, spend a night or two there, continue to Mae Hong Son by road, then fly back to Chiang Mai in under an hour instead of retracing six hours of switchbacks.
What can you do around Chiang Mai before or after?
If Mae Hong Son enters your plan, pair it with the quieter northern corridor rather than doubling up. On the Chiang Mai side, the Chiang Dao cave exploring and kayaking day trip covers the same limestone mountain scenery that makes the far north special, without the long haul. For a completely different angle on northern geography, the Doi Inthanon and Kew Mae Pan trekking tour puts you on Thailand's highest ridge in a single day.
For broader planning help, our Chiang Mai travel guide covers seasons, transport and itineraries in one place.
What should you do right now?
Nothing urgent, but plan around the dates. If your trip lands before 17 September 2026, the road remains the only option, so budget a full travel day each way or focus on Pai instead. If you travel from October onward, pencil Mae Hong Son in and check schedules once Ezy publishes them after the 14 August launch event. We monitor northern transport changes constantly and will update this post when fares and timetables go live.
Frequently asked questions
When do the new Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son flights start?
Ezy Airlines begins initial flights on 17 September 2026, with full scheduled operations from 1 October 2026. The airline presents the route at its EZY Connect Lanna 2026 event on 14 August at the Central Chiang Mai Airport shopping centre. Frequencies and fares had not been published as of 21 July 2026, so watch the airline's channels or ask us to check current options when you plan your trip.
Is flying better than driving the Mae Hong Son Loop?
They serve different trips. The flight turns a five to six hour drive over roughly 1,864 bends into a short hop, which suits travelers who are tight on time or prone to motion sickness. The road, however, is the attraction for many people: Pai, Chiang Dao and viewpoints along the way. A popular compromise is to drive one direction and fly the other.
Can I visit Pai using this new flight?
Not directly. The flight lands in Mae Hong Son town, which sits about 110 kilometers beyond Pai by road. If Pai is your main goal, a private transfer from Chiang Mai remains the practical choice at roughly three hours door to door. The flight makes more sense if Mae Hong Son town, Ban Rak Thai or the far side of the loop is your target.
Frequently asked questions
When do the new Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son flights start?
Ezy Airlines begins initial flights on 17 September 2026, with full scheduled operations from 1 October 2026. The airline presents the route at its EZY Connect Lanna 2026 event on 14 August at the Central Chiang Mai Airport shopping centre. Frequencies and fares had not been published as of 21 July 2026, so watch the airline's channels or ask us to check current options when you plan your trip.
Is flying better than driving the Mae Hong Son Loop?
They serve different trips. The flight turns a five to six hour drive over roughly 1,864 bends into a short hop, which suits travelers who are tight on time or prone to motion sickness. The road, however, is the attraction for many people: Pai, Chiang Dao and viewpoints along the way. A popular compromise is to drive one direction and fly the other.
Can I visit Pai using this new flight?
Not directly. The flight lands in Mae Hong Son town, which sits about 110 kilometers beyond Pai by road. If Pai is your main goal, a private transfer from Chiang Mai remains the practical choice at roughly three hours door to door. The flight makes more sense if Mae Hong Son town, Ban Rak Thai or the far side of the loop is your target.
