CheshireTom

BongoBill, A little bit of good news with Qatar from MAN. They will add a 5th weekly flight to their schedule commencing in early Feb (the 11th I think?). The new flight departs MAN on Saturdays at 09:50 and arrives BKK at 06:50 on the Sunday. The new return leg departs BKK at 20:00 on a Friday, arriving in MAN at 06:55 on the Saturday. The aircraft used is scheduled to be a A330-200 in a two-class configuration. Tom p.s. As an aside, THG is nothing more than Lunn Poly by a different trading name. They are both part of TUI which includes Austravel, Thomson, Airline Warehouse. Portland Direct etc. To issue their tickets, ostensibly as part of a package, may be a little bit cheaper but can have significant ramifications when things don't quite go to plan.

There aren't any ..... HK is too expensive for LCCs. Get the ferry to Macao and fly AirAsia from there to Bangkok. Flights are from 1,000 Baht + taxes and surcharges. Tom

David, Try the Pavilion. It's on the side soi to the right of the Paladium (sp?) on 2nd Road, opposite Soi Zero (Regent Marina). Tom

Alan, "Agreed, Tom. It should also serve as a warning to anyone who has a connecting flight to build in SOME allowance for delays. An hour is simply far too short for a connecting international flight. On my outward journey from Edinburgh, I allow at least 3 hours between arrival and departure especially as it takes around 40 minutes or more to get to the gate in Terminal 4 from Terminal 1." There are minimum connection times for all the major hubs that show up when the agent is doing a through booking (1'40" at LHR between T2 and T3 if I remember correctly). As you rightly said, if you do separate bookings it is at your own risk. If your flight is fucked up for whatever reason you need to get the reasons in writing from the airline and a copy of your original booking reference (PNR). Without one, or both, of those any claim with your insurers is going to become a long, drawn-out affair. Tom

I think anyone who is a regular traveller will have been fucked up by one airline or another over the years. Whether it is BA or any other airline is irrelevant. What the thread does highlight is that; firstly, everyone should make sure they have a decent insurance policy in place before they travel and be aware of what is, or isn't, allowed within the terms of that policy. Secondly, be aware of what your rights and the airlines obligations are in the case of a "significant" change or delay to your travel plans. If I was at LHR and got the type of nonsense that was apparently dished up at JFK, I would have simply contacted an alternative carrier who could move me in line with my travel plans and let my insurers sort it out with the airline. All airlines will have a full history in their records of the business that you do with them, so if you are an infrequent flyer with them then their Customer Services are not going to be in a hurry to recompense you for your hardships. Tom

And better looking stewardesses. Tom

The four main players on that route are Thai, Bangkok Airways, AirAsia and Nok Air. For overall value for money I would opt for Nok Air's "Nok Plus" option. Effectively a business class product at economy class fares. To be truthful, you could make a case for each of the four and they all would excel in some areas and disappoint in others. Bangkok Airways have a good option to do a free stopover in Sukhothai so you effectively get two side trips for the price of one. Tom

EVA's cancellation charges on its discounted economy tickets are currently either 100 quid or 100% depending on the class of ticket that you have (H,V,L class etc). Your travel agent would also be within their rights to make an "administration charge" for their part. If the cancellation fee is less than 100% it will normally take 8-12 weeks to process any refund. Tom

Don Muang had been in existence as an airfield for 40-odd years before the USAF took up residence by which time it was already the region's major international gateway and home to Thai Airways. There are also at least three airports (Samui, Trat and Sukhothai) that were built, operated and owned by Bangkok Airways. Tom

You'll strtuggle to find availability in the lower priced classes for travel between 9-24 Dec. There will be better prices to be had either side of this period. Tom

Mescalito, Most airlines have a nominal weight system in place for the likes of golf clubs, surfing equipment and skis so that they don't impact so much on your overall baggage entitlement. Tom

Alan, I thought BA allowed you an additional 5 kgs for your flask and sarnies! Tom

Most airlines allow you extra baggage allowance if you have attained the upper tiers of their FF programmes. e.g Eva allows an additional 10 kg for silver card holders. With the cost of fuel as it is you can expect airlines to come down on those folk who are obviously taking the piss. Tom

Echster, Thanks for that ..... as always, it's much appreciated. UK gets the 777ER from this coming Thu so it's nice to see that both laurel and elite are huge improvements on their predecesors. Both EVA and Boeing have done well for us. Tom

taffy, The situation stuck in my mind because, up until then, I didn't realise possession of the things was illegal. On my last trip I was tempted to buy one of them or the baton things they sell alongside them. There but for the grace of God and all that ......... Best of luck come Friday. Tom

taffy. I got the e-mail as well. All the prices exclude, taxes and fuel surcharges. Given that the carriers are now charging anywhere between 60-odd and 100-odd quid for the extras it makes a bit of a nonsense to promote the basic fares. How did your escapade with the tasers finally end up? Tom

Tab, For no other reason than its one of the few English Institutions we don't already control. Tom

They have either, or. Book on their website and ask for a double ........ standard and deluxe rooms are identical except that deluxe has a bath whereas standard have a large shower. Don't opt to take their breakfast; there are much better options nearby. Other than that it is an excellent choice for value for money. Tom

e-bookers norway would appear to be as good a bet as any. Tom

BigD, "Now if they could just field an army that could win a war or at least keep the Germans at bay until we get there.......... " Who said you weren't predictable! Anyway, nice to see how easily you embrace a little bit of homophobia. Who would have thought it? Tom

LBJ, Testicles? Considering Lance had one testicle removed during his cancer treatment there must be something to be said for that hormone growth stuff after all. Tom

C'mon Baz, I know you model yourself on Kenny Burns!

Tab, "conley, aren't Scottish football supporters also responsible for the worst bigotry and racism in the British game under the guise of the Auld Firm?" Why pick on the Auld Firm? All Scottish football supporters hate the English! Tom

Emil, I'm not sure what the exception rules are with United but I'll try to find out. Thai's exceptions to the normal 100/110/125/150% rules for travel by other airlines are listed here. I don't know about Thai's US routes but from the UK V and W classes are normally heavily discounted group or package tour type bookings. Tom Edit in: The rules seem to indicate that 50% would be accrued if flying with Thai in W or V whether the ticket is for a Thai flight or a United flight operated on a codeshare by Thai.

BigD, "This being Thai they could have changed their policy." Never a truer word was spoken. I'm sure that they just make it up as they go along. The cheapest seats on Thai are W and V class. They qualify for miles at 50% of actual miles flown as shown above. Tom