93 replies to this topic

[Tomas]

Am booking flights to Bangkok later this evening, and am stuck between two airlines. Also I thought it would be good to have a main thread for all airlines to help people make their choice when travelling longhaul to Thailand. As we all know flights seem to be getting more expensive so its worth it to help other people out to get good value.

I was going to book with Airfrance from Dublin to Bangkok for €710, I think thats about $980us, but another option has appeared on the website I usually use ebookers.com and its with China Airways for €670/$925us. I have never flown with either airline, as I would normally prefer to fly with Etihad, who I would consider one of the best I have flown with in the best, but they are abit out of my price range. But the Airfrance and China Airways flights are much the same as they both arrive at midday in Bangkok.

Just hoping some board members have flown with these in the past and could recommend who is best regarding inflight service mostly and reliablity (delays and lost luggage)

Cheers

Edited by sixtyeightplusone, 11 March 2011 - 07:58 PM.

[Jason_Bourne]

68+1, I would take a major Asian carrier over AirFrance every time. SkyTraxx gives both AirFrance and China Airways a Four Star ranking, but China Airways gets higher reviews for economy than does AirFrance.

[bullseye_maco]

I have found a flight with 2 stops (through Heathrow and Delhi) withm BMI+Jet Air for 613 euros or a flight with 1 stop with Swiss through Zurich for 636 euros or with SAS through Copenhagen for 668 euros Your cited price with Air France is good. Personally, I would prefer Emirates. Try to combine your flight through Heathrow or Frankfurth with Emirates.

Edited by bullseye_maco, 11 March 2011 - 08:08 PM.

[Tomas]

I have stopped over in Heathrow on 2 trips and my luggage was lost 3 times. Twice coming home, and once going to Bangkok. It might have something to do with the size of heathrow and the short layer over time for my flights. After that I would try to avoid stopping over in Heathrow.

Thanks for the tips guys. Am looking at SkyTraxx now JB and Bullseye I flew with swiss air before and found them very good, but for some reason they were not showing up on ebookers. SAS is on ebookers but at €880.

[Tomas]

After reading reviews on SkyTraxx I ended up booking with China Airways, from Dublin to Bangkok for €659/$914us which is great value.

[Beerlao]

went with china airlines last time and they werre ok - there is not much choice from ireland - tried etihad the time
before but not too impressed there - the leg from dublin to abu dhabi is very long.
maybe the new terminal will attract a new airline which could improe things - would be nice to have emirates - they
seem to fly from all over the UK but not dublin so far.
perhaps we should lobby ryanair to do a direct flight to pattaya !!!!

[Tomas]

My last trip I went with Thai Airways with a short stop over in Heathrow. I didnt enjoy the flight as they had no inflight entertainment and my luggage was left in Heathrow and spent my first day/night without a camera and stuff.

Flown Long haul with KLM, Swiss, Etihad, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Lufthansa, and Gulf Air. I would say for the DUB-BKK route Etihad would be the best, and if booked early a return can be picked up for €700. Singapore Airlines are very good also. I went with them from Heathrow to Singapore and found them to be great. Although my luggage was lost in Heathrow, again. Was on the way back though so wasnt too much of a hassle.

[duke007]

I have flown with BA, Emirates, Etihad, KLM, Malaysian, Qantas, Qatar and Thai to Thailand

Thankfully as I live only a 20 minute drive from Manchester Airport I dont have to put up with Heathrow (which is a fuckin pain imho) and so have the choice of either Emirates, Etihad or Qatar which are all great Airlines, have excellent entertainment systems and good Flight times.

I nearly flew with Air France last trip (Jan 2011) as the price was cheap, but after doing a lot of reading and research decided against it because of all the very bad reviews and ratings and so chose Etihad again.

A few friends of mine have flown with China Airlines and have had no problems.

So personally I think you have made the right decision 68+1

Edited by duke007, 12 March 2011 - 01:07 AM.

[Secrets]

I fly with so many different airlines and for me is only important to arrive in BKK. Everything else does not bother me.

[Tony2103]

duke007, on 12 March 2011 - 12:51 AM, said:

I have flown with BA, Emirates, Etihad, KLM, Malaysian, Qantas, Qatar and Thai to Thailand

Thankfully as I live only a 20 minute drive from Manchester Airport I dont have to put up with Heathrow (which is a fuckin pain imho) and so have the choice of either Emirates, Etihad or Qatar which are all great Airlines, have excellent entertainment systems and good Flight times.

I nearly flew with Air France last trip (Jan 2011) as the price was cheap, but after doing a lot of reading and research decided against it because of all the very bad reviews and ratings and so chose Etihad again.

A few friends of mine have flown with China Airlines and have had no problems.

So personally I think you have made the right decision 68+1

I flew Lufthansa to Frankfurt and then to Guangzhou China, I like Lufthansa's standard of maintenance having worked for them and if I have to have a stop over then prefer it to be in Europe/western country. Anyone know if they fly to Thailand?

[Tomas]

Yeah Lufthansa have flights to Thailand, but they can be abit pricey compared to some other airlines. But its probably a case of you get what you pay for as the service on the one time I flew with them was very good.

[StayTLted]

sixtyeightplusone, on 11 March 2011 - 07:57 PM, said:

Am booking flights to Bangkok later this evening, and am stuck between two airlines. Also I thought it would be good to have a main thread for all airlines to help people make their choice when travelling longhaul to Thailand. As we all know flights seem to be getting more expensive so its worth it to help other people out to get good value.

I was going to book with Airfrance from Dublin to Bangkok for €710, I think thats about $980us, but another option has appeared on the website I usually use ebookers.com and its with China Airways for €670/$925us. I have never flown with either airline, as I would normally prefer to fly with Etihad, who I would consider one of the best I have flown with in the best, but they are abit out of my price range. But the Airfrance and China Airways flights are much the same as they both arrive at midday in Bangkok.

Just hoping some board members have flown with these in the past and could recommend who is best regarding inflight service mostly and reliablity (delays and lost luggage)

Cheers

www.seatguru.com
This should help you decide.

[Frenchsaluki]

From Nice I fly with Emirates and make a stop in Dubai to visit friends, then Bangkok.
From Montpellier I go with Air France via Paris to Bangkok.
Both Airlines have a good Frequentflyer/Bonus Program.

[LBHunter]

Cathay Pacific, Thai and Singapore...

Edited by LBHunter, 21 March 2011 - 01:02 AM.

[Ashoka]

LBHunter, on 21 March 2011 - 01:02 AM, said:

Cathay Pacific, Thai and Singapore...

Agreed, but I'll add one more.. Korean Air

[Tomas]

Bump.

I need abit of advice/help guys. I booked a flight to Thailand with China Airlines and I got a email from them today, that I am only after reading there now. So I wont be able to contact them until sometime tomorrow. Could anyone give me a heads up as to what this is about, and if I am going to have to fork out anymore money for my flight?

Thanks

Quote

Dear passenger,

This email to advise you that unfortunately your reservation with China
Airlines has been affected
by schedule changes.

Please contact your local China Airlines office at the earliest
opportunity to discuss rebooking options.

Many thanks

China Airlines UK Branch Office

3rd Floor, West Wing, Hyde Park Hayes 3 (HPH3), Millington Road, Hayes,
Middlesex, UB3 4AZ
Tel: 44-20-85873688

[Tony2103]

sixtyeightplusone, on 07 April 2011 - 12:48 AM, said:

Bump.

I need abit of advice/help guys. I booked a flight to Thailand with China Airlines and I got a email from them today, that I am only after reading there now. So I wont be able to contact them until sometime tomorrow. Could anyone give me a heads up as to what this is about, and if I am going to have to fork out anymore money for my flight?

Thanks

I would guess they have canceled the flight due to several possible reasons, the route has been deemed unprofitable and dropped the route or schedule, or an airport is experiencing time slot delays due to work and some take off slots have been canceled.

[Tomas]

The flight is not until June and I dont think they have cancelled it as the exact same flight is showing up on the china airlines website, but at 130euro extra.

Thanks for your post Tony, much appreciated.

[schalke04]

For me Eva Lhr-Bkk mainly because of economy plus (Elite Class) 38" seat pitch compared to 33" in economy. Costs more of course but worth it for long haul flights without having to pay Business Class fares.

[grakallen]

I've had about 20 trips Europe <-> BKK via ThaiAir the last 6-7 years. I'm happy with them and pay 700-1200 euros for economy seat. Once in a while I get premium economy or business but it is hardly worth it unless there is a really good offer.