Thailand (Air India flights)

villa2010

Hi all,

Just wandering if some amazing travel Gurus could offer some advice!

We are hoping to on holiday to Thailand in the summer. We have seen some good flight via Air India. Has any one had any experience of travelling with Air India would they recommend them?!

Also we could have the option of getting some cheaper flights via smaller online travel companies such as holiday genie and 9flights the reviews have not been that great and prices seem too good to be true.

We are planning on going to Thailaind for 12 days if any one could offer some advice on what to see and where to go that would be amazing.

Thanks all, we look forward to advice and recomendations.

Mr_Wang

villa2010 wrote: »

Hi all,

Just wandering if some amazing travel Gurus could offer some advice!

We are hoping to on holiday to Thailand in the summer. We have seen some good flight via Air India. Has any one had any experience of travelling with Air India would they recommend them?!

Also we could have the option of getting some cheaper flights via smaller online travel companies such as holiday genie and 9flights the reviews have not been that great and prices seem too good to be true.

We are planning on going to Thailaind for 12 days if any one could offer some advice on what to see and where to go that would be amazing.

Thanks all, we look forward to advice and recomendations.

The general feeling from everyone Ive ever met who have flown AI (myself included) is that...

Air India International = Fine
Air India domestic = Don't even think about it.

My last two AI domestic:

1. 9hr Delay because no one would pay for the fuel
2. Cancelled and refunded 2 days before the flight meaning a rebook was expensive.

What to see and do:
http://thesummerholidayofalifetime.blogspot.co.uk/2010/08/there-was-real-doubt-whether-or-not-to.html

villa2010

Thanks for that info, The flights would be international so fingers crossed!!!

socrates

Several of my friends have used them - consensus is:

Never again!!

Look at Etihad, Qatar and Emirates for in-direct flights - look at short lay over times - as its a long journey and you only have 12 days - you do not want to lose a full day of your holiday recovering

EVA for direct flights - if you can play around with your dates they have some cheap options

Try Skyscanner and Travel Supermarket

Doshwaster

villa2010 wrote: »

Thanks for that info, The flights would be international so fingers crossed!!!

I would also add:

Connection in Delhi: No problems. The new international terminal is great.
Connection in Mumbai: Don't even think about it.

The only catch is that if you have a long connection you cannot leave the airport without a visa.

For non-direct flights to Bangkok, Emirates would be my first choice but Air India are improving quickly as a long haul carrier and are getting more competitive for routes to SE Asia.

Bob_the_Saver

I did use Air India last year on a domestic flight as they were the only airline on that route and I wasn't connecting to another flight for 3 days.
I have to say in spite of my doubts it was a punctual, pleasant and very cheap flight. Saying that they would still be at the bottom of my list by choice.

Voyager2002

My comment on Air India: avoid at all costs. However, my information is out of date by at least five years, so I suggest you browse sites like AirlineQuality.

The 'unbelievable' prices you have seen from smaller travel agents probably do not include tax. Do a full price comparison well before you buy; do NOT book late at night or when drunk; double-check everything immediately before pressing the 'buy' button; remember that if anything goes wrong there will be zero customer service and hope of a date change or refund, so get decent insurance immediately.

PompeyPete

Me and the missus are flying with Oman Airways from LHR to BKK via Muscat this Wednesday night.

I booked on-line direct with Oman Air as it was only £5 more (£524pp inc taxes and 20Kg) than booking via an agent. I was able to choose our seats for both the outward and return legs during the booking process.

Muscat is the hub for Oman Airways. We've only got 90 minutes between connections on the outward flight, and 60 minutes on the return one.

Here's the link from Airline Quality on Oman Aiways...

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

On our most recent flights, Emirates have probably been the best, but we don't like the madness of Dubai Airport.

We enjoyed EVA air because the flights were direct, but the food wasn't much cop.

Etihad in the air were fine, but I never want to suffer their ground staff at Abu Dhabi again. Headless Chickens!

Doshwaster

Voyager2002 wrote: »

My comment on Air India: avoid at all costs. However, my information is out of date by at least five years, so I suggest you browse sites like AirlineQuality.

Airlines can change a lot in 5 years. Air India are making huge improvements on their international services and while they still may be behind the likes of Emirates, they are catching up quickly with a a fleet of new aircraft and the new international terminal at DEL is world class. If you can get an A380 service from Emirates then they are fantastic but some of their 777s are starting to show their age.

Whether I would fly with them to BKK would depend on the price difference over the Gulf carriers and if any of the direct routes have special offers.

villa2010

Thanks all, some really usefull feedback, its really appreciated!

Has any one been to Thailand in the summer months, could any one recommend where are places to go and avoid?!

Mr_Wang

villa2010 wrote: »

Thanks all, some really usefull feedback, its really appreciated!

Has any one been to Thailand in the summer months, could any one recommend where are places to go and avoid?!

The North is the wettest, East coast the driest and the West is a mixture.
But really when it rains its not for long (usually!)

Driest place - And my fav Thai isle is Koh Samet.