marleyboy

Im pretty sure, if you book Eva through west east travel, you will get the 30 Kg allowance too? Not sure on the price though! I usually book with them. .booked the other week with them, for a short stay in September with Thai Airways, cost me £475 ish.

Ive been there a few times, with Thai friends (always leave them to do the ordering!). Always found it to be quite good, prices very reasonable too.

Ive been using them for the past few years now. Always on time (early! when taking you back to the airport!) Friendly enough decent sized cars too. Cant fault them really.....1000 baht Airport to Pattaya and 900 baht the other way around!

Likewise my last tme with Gulf Air was in the nineties. Romanian Airways? No thanks, even when I was backpacking..I wouldnt use any "Eastern European airlines!! But saying that? The first time I went to Thailand (1982) I flew with Bangladesh Biman Airlines! Jeez they werent very good at all! I did go a few years later again with Biman airlines........I think it was worse! the second time!!

Thats why i paid the money this time! I "usually" fly with Thai.........and as you say at that time of morning the immigration queue is like Trafalgar square on new years eve!

I flew out to Bangkok in January, and flew back , in March to Heathrow, this year. For the first time in 19 years! I didnt fly direct. (I usually went with Thai and sometimes Eva air)/ Thai though, charge quite a bit more for a flight over a month.......so I bit the bullet and flew with Qatar (from Heathrow) to Doha, then change planes, and fly into Bangkok. The flight departure/arrivals times were great for me...........so i thought Id give them a try. Cant fault them to be honest. Efficient, nice planes (a380 for 3 legs and one leg on a 777). Good entertainment, nice enough seats. food etc. The stopovers were pretty painless too......they were both just over an hour and a half.................so practically, off one plane and onto the next! Apart from being cheaper then Thai and Eva, they have a better "frequent fliers/airmiles thingy"! than Thai and Eva......who both have reduced the percentage of miles you get with cheaper economy tickets! Also have a great website, so can easily book/change seats etc. Would I use them again? Certainly would!

UPDATE!!!!!!! Well my luck is poxed! Used the service...cant fault it.........very pretty young lady met me after I left the plane, all was fast and very good. Only trouble was? When i saw the "queues" at immigration? (not the fast track one! but the "normal " one I mean!)........ They were the smallest queues Ive seen in 30 odd years!! I would use it again though!

I have never had anything less than great service in any shop in Thailand. To call somebody "retarded" because they dont know what you want? beggars belief.! ps Just for your information..you cant even spell the bleeding word yourself mate!! liquorice ˈlɪk(ə)rɪʃ,-rɪs/ noun noun: licorice 1. a sweet, chewy, aromatic black substance made by evaporation from the juice of a root and used as a sweet and in medicine. 2. the widely distributed plant of the pea family from which liquorice is obtained.

I "think" Gus a few people have mentioned Gazelle travel for booking China airlines.

You could well be right. I remember the time I flew with them , it was a ticket to (ultimately the Phillipines). We went to Thailand, then Hong Kong and then to Manilla...............I remember we had a long stop over in Taipei? The reason I remember this particular airline, was because its the only time in almost 40 years of flying, we had to be put up in a hotel (In Hong Kong) because of bad weather or something, which meant the Hong Kong to Manilla leg (via Taiwan!) was cancelled....and we flew out the next morning, after being put up in a swanky (well it was at the time!!! remember I was back-packing back then!) hotel in Hong Kong!!

I flew on them once (To Thailand), but that was 25 years or so ago,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,back in my back-packing days! From what i recall, they were fine...........I "think" I had to change planes in Amsterdam. I would "assume" premium economy would be fine on them.

Its immigration Im talking about!! I can honestly say. EVERY! time I go through, I have to stand and queue for what seems like hours......... Ive only ever once (in about 34 years!) been stopped at customs entering Bangkok......... the guy asked me how many bottles of whisky I had? I said one...........he said OK.......He didnt even look! Customs is a breeze.........immigration on the other hand!! Right pain!!

I have ALWAYS!!! waited a minimum of 45 minutes.......sometimes even longer, stood behind obnoxious . Therefore my bags are always waiting for me! For the sake of 850 baht? Id rather sit down and wait for me bags (maybe ) than stand for an hour or more, in a seemingly unending immigration line.......Im a Brit. we queue! properly.............lots of other nationalities have no conception of this!! They will just barge in........I cant handle this sort of crap after a long flight. I cant keep my mouth shut either! when I see some prick trying to barge their way in!! So 850 baht will be fine for me! the 850 baht is just for 1 pass........................Going back to the U.K. im that depressed/pissed off anyway? i dont seem to mind the queues.....which never seem to be long as entry lines anyway! I arrive at mid-day from Doha on the a380 so more people again to queue!!!

Being a "pauper"! (ie I always fly economy class!) from U.K. to Bangkok. I seem to get an even longer wait to get through immigration at Suvarnbhum.........The crowds are always massive EVERY! time I get there......... It pisses me off to wait (not always in an "orderly"! queue) for what seems like ages, after a long flight. So with this in mind.....I just paid 850 baht to B.F.S This will apparently get me a "fast lane" through immigration. Now , I realise you lucky bleeders who fly Business , and of course First class, get this fast lane malarkey anyway (Ive flown Business class 3 times before)..........but for us common folk...............we wait for what seems like an eternity in the airport!! So Im "hoping"! this will be a bit better.Apparently, I will be met at the gate, then led to immigration via a "fast lane". Its got to be worth 850 baht! I arrive at 12.10 the last Friday in January....(Im flying Qatar from LHR via Doha..............it will be the first time in 19 years, Ive not flown direct Ive used Thai or Eva for the last 19 years......................so even if it saves me 30 or 40 minutes or so at the airport......and I can get to Patts faster.......it has to be worth it! I will put up a report when I get back in March! PS. I got the link for this service by somebody who posted it in an "air-line " thread.............So many thanks for that!

Well I never knew that. I guess I shouldnt be "too" amazed............after all? T.I.T.!!!!!!!!

I couldn't watch the end of this video. Truly shocking. I love Thailand........but the lack of driving skills/common sense, scares the hell out of me. Crossings mean absolutely zilch to most drivers in Thailand, along with driving on the wrong side of the road etc etc. Every time I go to Thailand, road accidents are seen practically daily, sometimes more than a few a day I will see. For the amount of cops you see on "the road" (I mean at junctions/police boxes etc etc) in Thailand , the driving is in general diabolical. I have a house on the "darkside" (Soi Khaotalo) Crossing Sukhumvit Road is an ordeal . The number of cars, trucks coaches etc etc literally doing hammering through through a red light? (I don't mean "just missing" a red light........I mean when the lights have changed to red bloody ages ago!). Another thing which amazes me? Ambulances with sirens/lights on? They get NO help whatsoever by motorists, "letting them pass" etc etc. The lack of driving skills in Thailand is truly woeful.

Ive flown mainly with Thai or Eva over the last 18 years, Next time (in January) I will be flying with Qatar. Every time Ive flown Eva (and Thai!) the planes are always full! Ive never had a "bad" plane with Eva though? Maybe you were just unlucky. I also thought Eva weren't as good as they used to be,,,,,,,,,,,,,thought it was just me . Cant put my finger on why I thought they were going downhill................it just seemed as if the staff were going through the motions to me? The last few times, I flew with Thai (prefer their flight times) found them to be better than Eva.......However, as they charge quite a bit more, for trips of over a month............I am using Qatar next time...... You say you would probably use Thai next time,,,,you say you like the flight times of Eva.......so I assume you would fly out on the evening flight with Thai? If so, as far as I know, Thai use the 777 for their evening flights out of Heathrow. I also thought Terminal 2 was.......well shite really!! Ive been looking online for a "fast track" out off Suvarnbhum (I fly economy...........do don't get a fast pass sadly!). EVERY!!! time Ive gone to Thailand..............Im in the worlds longest bloody queue.......so am looking for a decent priced fast pass ..............cant seem to find anything though!

My "plan" is to retire in 2020. I have a house over the darkside....so no worries there. I "plan" to go out Early Jan, until Songkraen ! Go home to U.K. for a few months . "Hopefully"! the worst of the winter will be over and done with. I will then stay in the U.K. for a few months...........back to Thailand for August/September ish.............Then back to the U..K. for a month or two around Christmas time..then back in Jan etc etc I have some "minor" health issues, bold pressure , cholesterol , asthma . These are all under control with medication.....they don't affect my life at all really. Health insurance is a concern. It isn't cheap of course........Hence one of the reasons I will go back to the U.K. for about half the year, to keep up to date with medication etc. hospitals aren't cheap! in Thailand...............so everybody should factor this in,,,,,,,,,,,,, sure, you are probably fit and healthy now.............but nobody knows whats around the corner! If you are a bit of a workaholic....it may be a bit of a problem.............though I should imagine you could find something to do! Personally, I work shifts, weekends bank holidays Christmas etc etc.............So I cant wait to retire! I go to Thailand for 6 weeks every year now. I "like"! to go out every night............but I find I cant drink every night.............So when I go there in 2020.............I will simply go out 3 or 4 nights a week..........I can find plenty to keep me occupied in Patts....and indeed other parts of Thailand. I realise, when I go there , I wont be in "party/holiday" mode........but more? Relaxed happy and content every day!

Thanks for that firemansam. I was booked on 17J on the one 777 leg. It "looks" like a decent ish seat. Sure its near the toilets........Suits me..I can never sleep anyway, and can go when there are no queues! Only drawback is if they don't clean the cubicles often! lol! According to the seat layout....24 is in the middle? 17 J is an aisle seat of 2.....so maybe I can stretch my little legs towards the aisle! lol! On the A380 im booked aisle seats (my preference) in rows 41 and 44. There are seats upstairs in economy....but on the "map" on my booking....Im not given the option of changing seats to the "upstairs"? Probably they "keep" them and give them out at thei discretion? Also, as you say, it could well "break up " the trip by stopping half way...............ish!

Ive only gone biz class 3 times. Once over 2o odd years ago, I got "upgraded!" at Gatwick, on Phillipine airlines....................ended up getting pissed on 12 or 13 glasses of champers! (that stopped at Frankfurt and Karachi I think). Also got upgraded twice, about 14 -15 years ago, from Heathrow using Thai. In those days, I went usually twice a year.Then you would have "equal mileage!" on all your tickets, regardless of how much they cost.....(unlike now! where you only get maybe a quarter of qualifying "points" on their lower priced econ. tickets...............Eva do the same). Obviously, Biz class is wayyyyyy! better than economy, but personally I cant justify (to myself that is!) me spending up to 3 times more on Biz class! I think I just think what I could do with the extra money!!! I "convert" it into baht, in my mind............and its a lot of baht! Thinking about it, Im pretty sure I only have an hour and a half ish, in both directions at Doha.............so will have to get a move on! Quick visit to the toilets will probably be my limit!

Cheers for that. I have got the 777 for one leg only. The others all use the a380. Reading reports, some flights use the 787? That gets a big thumbs down! I may even get to like stopping........I mean its about 6 ish hours and then stop then about 7 ish hours onto Bangkok......so it may be less boring?! I assume, the "transit" in Doha airport is painless and easy?! With Eva it was only 20kgs too....its 30kgs with Qatar............ Cheers.

Well as per title really! I booked my ticket (yesterday). For my next trip, for the end of January. For the last 18 years, Ive always gone direct (from Heathrow that is) using mainly Thai Airways or Eva Air. I "prefer" Thai, purely because their departure times, for me anyway! , are better than Evas. I went in Jan. this year on Thai. As I was going for over a month (6 weeks), the cheapest fare I could get was £720 ish................I could have got Eva for about £150 cheaper...........but I chose Thai for their departure times. I have managed to book off from work the time I want. I wanted to go with Thai but I know the cheapest I will get will be over £700!........so I thought I would try another airline. I ended up using Qatar. I booked through their own website (I realise, I could have got it a few quid cheaper using other places). I paid £482. The departure times are great (for me!). 3 in the afternoon from Heathrow. More or less (I think an hour and a half ish , frpm arr. and dep. in Doha airport). Arrival into Bangers at mid-day. Coming back.....20.45 from Bangers, again an hour and a half ish in Doha, then arrival at 6 in morning in Heathrow. I joined their frequent flyers club (I realise I wont get much benefit from this until I retire......the I will go 2 or 3 times per year......so could come in useful then!). They gave me an option to "change" the seats they booked me on.......but in fairness.......I didn't bother as they look good (well as "good" as you can for economy anyway!). I did a little research online........It seemed wise to book flights using the 777 the new super big one or I think the a330? The 787 had crap reviews.so I looked for flights which didn't use that particular aircraft. Its the 777 from Heathrow to Doah, then the new a380 for the other 3 legs. An added bonus? Apparently they go from terminal 4. I have always used terminal 3 before........but now Thai and Eva (and presumably lots of others?) use terminal 2.......which I thought was shite! Terminal 4 may well be "shite"! in my opinion too....but hey ho! I always used to go "non direct"! for years...until as I say 18 years ago............I started flying direct. Obviously, flying direct.......you only need to board once and your bags have "less chance" of getting lost! As I can never sleep on planes anyway.......and I get bored........"maybe"! this way will be better for me? We shall wait and see! Anyway I will save at least 12 or more thousand baht (see! you can tell Im getting excited! Im working out my "savings"! into bahts and not sterling!). So that will be fine. Anybody used Qatar recently and care to share experiences/horror stories?! Thanks for reading this rambling post...................cant you tell Im getting excited!!! ps. I realise the "passengers" may well be "different" to Thai and Eva air passengers!

I might give Qatar a go.. Back in my "back-packing!" days , it used to involve many, many changes of planes and long waits at airports! So a couple of hours wait (well by the time I get off the one plane , then connect onto the other plane).....its more or less no wait at all?! Hmm, also in a few years times, I hope to retire (at age 60)...so IF, I get on O.K. what with changing planes etc....it may well be a better idea to use a different carrier......if Im going to go over to Thailand twice, or maybe 3 times a year then. I mean I "should" be saving a few hundred quid, the flight departure/arrivals would be way better for me, plus! I may even get to save a few air-miles! (with both Thai and Eva, they are mega stingy giving you air likes........unless you buy the top price "economy" tickets!

To be fair..............I never normally book this early anyway. I "usually" book in October......and I have gone direct for the past 16 odd years! Im just not 100% sure I want to change planes..........but on the plus side? Its a short layover on both outward and return flights...........and the flight departure times are practically perfect for me? Hmmmmm what do I do!?

Fair advice. I "normally" book my tickets for January in October time anyway........West East "normally"! have specials around then........I have been with Thai the last few times...........only trouble is, if going with them for over 4 weeks.......the fares aren't so good! (circa £700s), I was a "little tempted" by a fare yesterday with Qatar , good flight times (for me.aft. departure from Heathrow 6 or so in the morning arrival at BKK............and a 6 or so arrival into Heathrow..ideal times for me really.) Of course though.......have to change planes in the middle east,,,,,,,,,,,there wasn't much hanging about though.......and the fare was under £500??????? Hmm the more I think of the flight times (ideal for me!?) the more it seems like a good fare?! The only thing stopping me? For the past 16 or 17 years......Ive always gone direct with Thai or Eva........ah decisions decisions! Saying that? IF I do "eventually"! decide to go with Qatar for sub £500...........the time I come to book the fare will probably be gone!