CheshireTom

The Thai revised schedule was put out before the comments made by its executives. The up-to-date situation is ........................ Non-stop Asia-US flights cause a headache for THAI Wednesday, February 28, 2007 Thai Airways International (THAI) is stuck in a quandary. The non-stop flights to the United States have been operating at a loss despite the high load factor on each flight. This has been creating problems for THAI executives with options such as terminating the services, using stopovers or changing to a more economical aircraft model not really able to stem the losses that the route is making despite achieving 80 to 90 per cent load factor on each flight. “Our US flights are not doing so well and we are taking a hard look to find a good way out,” said THAI president Apinan Sumanaseni. It has been suggested that the Bangkok-New York flight could include a stopover in major Chinese cities such as Beijing or Shanghai while the Bangkok-Los Angeles flight could stop in South Korea. But such an option still does not guarantee that the airline could recoup its losses because the price competition on Asia-US flights among international carriers has been fierce. This is mainly because THAI is not the only airline operating these routes at a loss – it has been reported that Singapore Airlines’ Singapore-New York non-stop flight is also in the red. As one executive commented: “Whatever way you choose, non-stop or with a stopover, you don’t make money Not really a situation to give anybody any confidence in booking with them for a few months down the road knowing that their non-stop might actually end up via Beijing.

The first one is due for delivery in Sep 2010.

As Sabang quite correctly said, both Airbus and Boeing will be having their cases heard at the WTO where, most likely, they will both be found to have been in receipt of prohibited subsidies under the WTO's rules. Beyond that, the likely outcome is that the US will do what it always does when international rulings don't suit it ......... simply ignore the ruling and if that stuffs the WTO so be it ........ exactly the same principles they are adopting at the moment into the WTO rulings on their massive farming subsidies. At the end of the day why should the EU give a fuck about what the US, or anybody else, thinks about how it does business. The whole point of the original EC was to create a trading block that was strong enough to give the finger to America's corporate greed, corruption and manipulation of the world's markets. That it is now able to do so is testimony to the EU's success despite its growing pains and many faults in the comparitively short time it has been in existence. The US makes no apologies for protecting and promoting its own corporations; neither should the EU. As consumers we should be grateful that Airbus has forced the world's airline industry to produce better and better products more efficiently, just as Nokia has done in the mobile phone market, Japanese car makers have done in the auto market, Korea has done in the shipbuilding market etc, etc. Despite what the US may think its days of disproportionate influence are receding rapidly with the emergence of other market alliances and in the future the EU's main trading partners will lie to the east rather than the other side of the Atlantic.

It's full of discounted tickets. The airlines make their cash from premium services (first/biz) for which there is scant demand between the US and BKK. However, there is a significant demand between the US and Japan/Korea and between BKK and Japan/Korea.

The English language version of ebookers German site is as good as any. http://www.ebookers.de/index.html?VERSION=DE&LANG=EN

The International Passenger Handling Tax is 700 Baht but is now included in the ticket price. No need to visit the booths or machines on departure to purchase the payment slip.

What happened with the Dreamlifter then? It was due certificication in December last year but as of now there is no indication when that will happen. It looks like a brick and unfortunately flies like a brick, hence no certification from either the US or EU. One can assume that it underwent the same computer simulation as the 787. I think Boeing promised wi-fi entertainment on the 787 ........... that has been ditched simply because they can't deliver what they said they could.

The difference at this point in time is that the A380 has been built, is currently flying and has gained its certification from both the US and EU regulatory bodies. The 787 has only undergone computer simulation which is far removed from actually getting a product fit to fly passengers. I look forward to flying on the 787 but it is naive in the extreme to believe that there will not be significant obstacles to overcome, both within Boeing and its partners, between now and the thing entering commercial service.

Surely she'll need a 380!

cowboy, There is the small matter of United and Chapter 11 that may have influenced the fact that it hasn't ordered any 787s!! LOL.

echster, A couple of points. TG, as things stand at the moment, doesn't have fifth-freedom rights to fly pax/freight between China and the US so they would have to re-enter mature markets such as Incheon/Narita and re-establish themselves. That would take time. There is also the question of crew duty time on the ultra long-haul routes being inefficient because the aircraft effectively have to be double-crewed. Unless you have the right number of premium pax paying premium rates (such as SQ manages on the SIN-US non-stops) then Thai, or any other airline that fancies trying to do US-BKK non-stop, was always going to struggle. Hilly, There is no duty or VAT on aviation fuel in UK.

The cessation of the Gatwick service was announced along with the other changes to Etihad's summer schedule. They have increased their Heathrow service to double daily which should now connect with both the daily flights to/from Bangkok.

You answered your own question. I bet some of the straight GoGo owners wished their business was as healthy as some of the Boyztown clubs.

The programme hasn't yet been confirmed. When it is, it will appear as a link on the TAT website. http://www.tatnews.org/events/events/2007/mar2007.asp

Yep, USD50 for 2,000 miles.

Python, The distance from Gatwick to Dubai is slightly over 100 miles less than what it is from Manchester and Newcastle so unfortunately you need to make 6 trips to earn the 75,000 miles required. The miles are valid for three years so if you made two flights a year for three years (you need to make at least two flights each year to attain/retain the silver membership) that would cover you. Full details are at: https://www.skywards.com/index.aspx Regards, Tom

You'll get your miles credited .......... it's just the mileage calculator on the Skywards site hasn't been updated as yet to include Newcastle. From MAN it's around 13,080 k miles MAN-BKK return whilst you are a blue card holder and 16,350 miles when you get silver status. The distance from NCL-DXB is only a couple of miles less. So your mileage accumulation should be something like: Trip 1 (Blue Card holder) - 13,080 miles Trip 2 (Blue Card holder) - 13,080 miles Trip 3 (Silver Card holder) - 16,350 miles Trip 4 (Silver Card holder) - 16,350 miles Trip 5 (Silver Card holder) - 16,350 miles That's 75,120 miles accumulated and you need 75,000 for a freebie return in economy.

Assuming you make at least 2 round trips each year in economy you would need to make 5 trips to earn the 75k miles needed for a return economy ticket (based on flying from MAN, NCL isn't on the skywards system yet).

Malaysia for the ex-pat community, cost of living, variety of cities/islands/up-country, infrastructure, language and ease of access via KL and Air Asia to just about anywhere in the region. Singapore would be second choice (HK is suffering from ridiculously poor air quality) but too many of the ex-pats there have over-inflated ideas of their own self-importance.

Just got this from Etihad and it should save some guys a few Euros ......... not to mention bypassing the nightmare that is Heathrow Abu Dhabi: Etihad Airways will begin non-stop flights in August between Abu Dhabi and the Irish capital Dublin. Flying a three-class Airbus A330-200 aircraft, the new four-times-a-week service will link Ireland with one-stop connections to Sydney in Australia and major cities in Asia, including Bangkok and Manila. Bertie Ahern, the Prime Minister of Ireland, said: “Etihad is to be complimented for taking this opportunity and I have no doubts that its confidence will be rewarded. This new route will mark a further deepening of our relations with the Gulf region and Asia. I am particularly pleased that Irish travellers will have their first one-stop travel option to Australia.” James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive, said: “This new air link between the capital cities of Ireland and the UAE brings together two thriving economies. It will also offer quick and easy transfers at Abu Dhabi for Irish business travellers and holiday makers to reach Asia and Australia. Plus, Abu Dhabi, as the capital city of the UAE, also opens up the country’s seven emirates, including Dubai.” Declan Collier, chief executive, Dublin Airport Authority, said: “We’re delighted to welcome and support this new service following many months of detailed discussions between Etihad and the airport. The launch of this high quality service underpins Dublin airport’s commitment to developing new long-haul routes into and out of Ireland for business and leisure travellers.” Starting on August 3, Etihad’s flight EY045 will operate Mondays and Fridays, departing Abu Dhabi at 02.05 hrs, arriving at Dublin at 07.35 hrs. The flight returns the same day, with EY042 departing Dublin 10.15 hrs, arriving Abu Dhabi at 20.35 hrs. The second flight, EY041 will operate Saturdays and Tuesdays, departing Abu Dhabi at 13.55 hrs and arriving in Dublin at 19.25 hrs. The return flight, EY408 departs Dublin at 21.10 hrs, arriving Abu Dhabi at 07.30 hrs the following day. All times are local.

Baz, The aircraft is in a 3-3-3 configuration in economy (ABC-DEG-HJK) EVA 777 Seat Map

She'll come in handy if you do a nativity play this year ............ just got to find three wise men now!

No ............. unless they are taking one of the stopover packages and exiting the airport.

Thai doesn't have personal TVs in economy on any of its 747s .

Air Asia should be announcing details of their KL-UK service soon. Get in early for the cheapies.