Which airline LON-BKK? Done the research, just want some views

pin

I'm looking at going to Bangkok in May. I've done the research on flights, etc, but just want some views on the airline options.

Etihad comes in at £380. This is the cheapest. Also flies to and from Gatwick (closer to home for me) via Abu Dhabi. However not heard too many good things from them. Also they have not as yet taken delivery of their new 777's and are apparantly still hiring charter planes.

Thai Air comes in at £412 in econ. Its direct. I have used them once about 4 years ago, could not really complain. However no seat back IFE, any change there?

Eva Air comes in at £415 in econ, again direct. Have not used them, however they seem to have a decent reputation.

Cathay comes in at £460 in econ, via Hong Kong. Have only ever flown business class with them (which was very good IMHO). I do hear econ is good though. I've got BA silver (One World Sapphire), which means if I go with CX I get business class check in, priorty boarding and access to the CX lounge even though I'm going econ. I also get BA miles on this flight. However the flight is slightly longer than Thai and Eva, due to going via Hong Kong.

China Airways comes in at c.£800 in business via Amsterdam (but direct from Amsterdam to Bangkok). Seems to be a good airline from the reviews, but don't know too much about them. Big problem is the stopovers in Amsterdam are pretty long (but not long enough to pop out into town).

Qatar comes in at £1,068 in business via Doha. This is a very good business class fare. Have flown with them econ and they were great. I hear their business class product is pretty good as well.

BA/QF (which would have been my preferred choice due to BA status) are coming in at nearly £700 in econ and £2,500 in business, so they are out.

Any views / experiences on any of the above.

Assistance greatly appriciated!!

davidlizard

Suggest have a look at this site for customer reviews on airlines:

http://www.airlinequality.com/Forum/seats.htm

Do bear in mind, people who take the trouble to post here probably do so as they are a bit aggrieved so the picture painted by the various customer reviews is probably distorted slightly.

If you click round the site, there are pages on how big the seats are and how good the grub is.

Flew Thai a couple of years back all the way to Auckland but via Bangkok - nothing to complain about. Legroom good (as economy goes) service great, food not that good (IMO).

Enjoy your trip,

Dave

pin

Cheers. Don't worry, know airline quality very well and have been searching there!

johnnycab

pin,

I have read a fair number of your posts, and understand you are a seasoned traveller. So, I tenatively offer some of experience, which might add another airline to your list.

Personally, I would not be tempted to fly with Etihad or China Airways for some of the obvious reasons. However, I would probably try to fly with Thai next time, as I have heard some good things; same with Eva, which has a favourable reputation. I flew with Cathay Pacific economy to Hong Kong, and did not like the whole experience i.e. rude and dis-interested check-in staff on both sides, onboard services and facilities are nothing to write about, considering the good things I had previously read.

However, I flew to Bangkok with Singapore Airlines in economy and really enjoyed the whole experience - attentive, polite and courteous staff who try to fulfil most of your requests, fantastic in-flight entertainment - you definitely will not be bored, excellent food and service, clean toilets/airplane etc. The new 777's feel really spacious, neat and calming. Also, it seems you get out BKK airport a lot quicker, unless you were flying with some of the other airlines. I will not hesitate and pick SIA over BA where the schedule allows.

There are some really good promotions available via Singapore Airlines site at present e.g. LHR-BKK £525 approx. including taxes in May. Although, the flights are via Singapore - which you can always make a stop-over and enjoy some good deals courtesy of SIA. There are also some good rates for those who want to go a bit further towards Oz or NZ.

HTH

lisahobden

I've flown to Bangkok and to Sydney with Thai Air and can't recommend them highly enough, in my opinion the service, comfort, food & entertainment is superior to BA or Virgin

pin

Thanks for the comments, especially jonnycab!!

Yep, I guess I'm a bit of a seasoned traveller. Have travelled SQ a few times (last Easter to BKK via SIN) and yes, you are right in econ it probably has the best service around. I've also been to Singapore several times, however in terms of econ the fare is still over £100 more expensive than Eva and Thai.

I have heard Ethihad has issues from planes to on ground and in air services. However I've seen pictures of their new 777's and even in econ they look very good (however I doubt this will make any difference to service).

Thai service was great when I flew with them, and also I their seat pitch is quite good for econ.

chalky_bertie

pin wrote:

I've got BA silver (One World Sapphire), which means if I go with CX I get business class check in, priorty boarding and access to the CX lounge even though I'm going econ. I also get BA miles on this flight. BA/QF (which would have been my preferred choice due to BA status) are coming in at nearly £700 in econ and £2,500 in business, so they are out.

Do you have enough BA miles to pay for an upgrade from Econ to WTP or WTP into Business, therefore making the price alot less but gaining a bit more.

pin

chalky_bertie wrote:

Do you have enough BA miles to pay for an upgrade from Econ to WTP or WTP into Business, therefore making the price alot less but gaining a bit more.

No avaiability I'm afraid, first thing I checked.

jh2004

Thai definately gets my rating,

they were superb, and managed to get upgrade

we used them from lon to bkk and then onto bali.

inflight thai green chicken curry was also bot bad for flight food!!!!

we got to bali for £405 return last june.
dont know what prices are now.seemed like a good price at the time.
JH

johnnycab

pin wrote:

Thanks for the comments, especially jonnycab!!

Yep, I guess I'm a bit of a seasoned traveller. Have travelled SQ a few times (last Easter to BKK via SIN) and yes, you are right in econ it probably has the best service around. I've also been to Singapore several times, however in terms of econ the fare is still over £100 more expensive than Eva and Thai.

I have heard Ethihad has issues from planes to on ground and in air services. However I've seen pictures of their new 777's and even in econ they look very good (however I doubt this will make any difference to service).

Thai service was great when I flew with them, and also I their seat pitch is quite good for econ.

pin, You are most welcome, I am just trying to return a favour - as your posts have been quite helpful.

IMHO, Etihad is trying to be the next Emirates, a bit too soon perhaps - but it is only a matter of time before it catches up. I am sure a lot of people here would agree that Thai should be your next choice - then you can also give us a good review!

I also found this link to ExpertFlyer somewhere on MSE, it seems like a useful service and will give it a try next time booking for long-haul flights.

Cheers

chris_k

With the prices you have been offered I would choose Thai. You get good seatpitch, 34", good food and very attentive flight attendents, and an uncomplicated non-stop flight.

Your cheapest option Etihad have received their first 777. According to information from Boeing the other 4 aircraft are not far behind. They got delayed due to a strike at Boeing and also delays with their seats. The reviews of Etihad are mixed, with the major critisims surrounding the leased aircaft. If you look at the flight schedlues you should be fairly safe if they are quoting 777 aircraft as these will be the brand new aircaft. Hopefully the aircrew will be as good as the aircraft. Etihad have also offerd very good deals on business tickets - I do not know if this is still the case.

I have heard good reviews with Eva, but have never flown with them.

Have a good trip.