Booking Thai Airways - confused!

littlereddevil

shaunskankdog wrote: »

I have never flown Thai Airways but would love to...A bit out of my price range at the mo. I know however that I can get to Hong Kong from Barcelona or Madrid for £422 with BA next Feb/Mar.......but just booked tickets....Mad-Hkg and back from Mnl to Lhr for £375 with Air China.....2 Feb - " Apr and avoiding bank hols...Sometimes better to book form other European airports esp Madrid, Barcelona Rome or Milan...or the varying combinations....esp via Kayak.

You flown with Air China before?

richardw

There's the A380 factor aswell.

hanwellmike

Doshwaster has given good advice. Personally I would wait until you have the opportunity to take advantage of a sale. In the past I have used BA, Thai and Eva Air from LHR to BKK and there is little to choose between them so I usually book on price. Last few trips I have been using EVA Air. I have found BA usually the dearest except when they have a sale.

Final thing to consider is that booking direct with the airline (rather than thru an agent) can be advantageous if dates need changing. Unfortunately I have found Thai Air quite expensive on their website compared to the agents while BA tend to have their best prices on their website. But in general hold off a while and keep checking the sites like Kayak, EBookers etc. Keep an eye out for Etihad flights as well..

jnofrills

Gosh thanks everyone ... so much advice and many options!

After having our booking to Thailand cancelled back in 2010 due to a double whammy of protests (FO advising against travel) and the volcano problems I feel more protected booking it as a package through an agent.

I have a feeling tho, that once we have been, we will have more confidence to give diy a go! Will make a note of westeasttravel for future reference.

All this info has certainly been an eye opener for me. Thanks all.
J

Doshwaster

richardw wrote: »

There's the A380 factor aswell.

If you fancy a ride on an A380, Emirates is worth a look. They are typically cheaper than flying direct and a 2 hr stopover in Dubai can be quite a welcome break in order to freshen up and stretch your legs.

annie_d

We have just booked to Bangkok via Singapore with Air France. My husband spent hours and hours and hours looking for the best option.

annie_d

Oops! Did the 380 last year and it was wonderful! Well worth it.

richardw

richardw wrote: »

There's the A380 factor aswell.

I was referring to Thai Airways A380s and changes/uncertainties with regard to their route deployment in Winter 2012/13.

Doshwaster

richardw wrote: »

I was referring to Thai Airways A380s and changes/uncertainties with regard to their route deployment in Winter 2012/13.

Ah yes. I get your point.

Doshwaster

annie_d wrote: »

We have just booked to Bangkok via Singapore with Air France. My husband spent hours and hours and hours looking for the best option.

Hmmm. That seems an odd routing - and I'm struggling to see how spending over 10 hours on Air France can ever be described as the "best option"