Hi, all! Thanks much for the great advice on Myanmar; the posts and TR's I've read have been invaluable in planning our oh-too-short trip to Myanmar in early January 2013. I've been able to book all hotel and air travel independently on each company's respective websites with one exception: our return flight from NYU to RGN on Air Bagan.

I checked all the airlines I was aware of (Air Mandalay, Air Bagan, Asia Wings, Air Yangon, Air Mandalay, Air Kanbawza) and while I understand flight times change frequently, Air Bagan was the only one showing an early AM departure on January 6. So, for the past six weeks I've been desperately trying to book two seats on that flight by every means I could think of (submitted ticket requests through their online form, emailed the travel agencies listed on the Air Bagan website, and emailed and submitted online forms with several of the favored travel agencies talked about here: Santa Maria, Myanmar Shalom, etc. I did get ahold of Sammy at Myanmar Shalom by phone (he's based in NYC) , and while he was extremely friendly and helpful, he was unable to book the flights. He said the combination of internet issues in Myanmar and the influx of tourists is the reason for the lack of response, and I should just keep trying. I understand agencies may not want to put much time into a client who needs only two tickets, so I've offered to pay commissions on the hotels we've already booked, as well as book guides and tours, etc. and still no response.

So, to the seasoned Myanmar travelers, I'd greatly appreciate any guidance or advice as to (a) whether we'd be foolish to wing it (pardon the pun!) and just try to get tickets when we arrive, 4 days in advance of the flight we need, and/or (b) whether there's anything else I should be doing to book these seats.

Thanks again for any help! Truly appreciate it!

Melissa