Singapore Air Newark to Changi to BKK

[sensei 0]

I tried the new non stop Singapore Air Newark to Changi flight. 18.5 hours leaving late night, and getting in early AM 2 days later. Great service and a nice new plane. (Airbus 340-500). Executive economy was great with lots of room, comfy seats and excellent service. The 3 hour layover at Changi was a pleasure with excellent facilities and even FREE internet service that actually worked. The connection to BKK was typical and short (2 hours). The Singapore gals were adorable and set the mood for a great trip. The return trip had less amenities available for some reason, but was still better than the usual star alliance flights and only a 1 hour layover at Changi...Peace.

[BigDUSA 71]

What did you pay for the flight? I like SQ and Newark is less then 2 hours away from Philly. Only thing I don't like about SQ, the cheap tickets don't earn frequent flyer miles.

 

From what I understand, Thai is supposed to fly JFK to BKK nonstop next year.

[CheshireTom 1,377]

BigDUSA,

 

SQ struggtled to get slots at JFK for the non-stop service at the times they wanted - that is why they go into EWR. I would imagine that TG will come up against the same problem so it would be no surprise if they also go into EWR rather than JFK. It will be interesting to see what seat configuration TG comes up with - circa 17 hours in economy doesn't sound like fun at all. :crying

 

Tom

[PenName 1]

BigD -

 

I'm on the Newark-Singapore-Bangkok route in November. The fare, with taxes, was $1,208. During the summer or more popular travel times, I think it goes up to $1,450 or so. Now, that's comparitively high, but the "Executive Economy" seating is 37" pitch with individual entertainment screens / choices, and all the normal entertainment, service and scenery advantages of SQ. Also, the flight does earn miles for Star Alliance members such as yourself, and you get into BKK at a little after 10:00 in the morning; although, the departure home is 7:40 in the morning, or something like that (but that shouldn't shock the system of a UA loyalist like yourself). It's not something you might want to pop for every trip, but it probably compares (comfort-wise) to EVA Evergreen Deluxe or similar. Certainly something to think about when it comes time to cash in those Star Alliance miles for a no-pay trip over.

 

P.

[br55113 0]

From what I understand, Thai is supposed to fly JFK to BKK nonstop next year.

I was hoping for the ORD-BKK by Thai Air.

 

But any nonstop flight from the US is good enough for me.

[sensei 0]

Everyone is right...my trip would have been $1450. but it was a freebie...God Bless FF miles. Thai is the first airline scheduled to fly nonstop to BKK from the east coast, starting next fall sometime. When Thai starts, I will definitely consider more frequent trips to the kingdom, even if it means some with a shorter duration. No stop over, no changing planes, no problem...Peace.

[echster 1]

I was hoping for the ORD-BKK by Thai Air. 

 

But any nonstop flight from the US is good enough for me.

 

TG is working on several non-stops to/from the US and BKK. I have a partial list but no announced start dates.

 

I have seen:

 

LAX

SFO

ORD

NYC (probably EWR)

 

I'll have to update this when I see more. These are the routes that their A345s will fly (that's Airbus 340-500) when they get them in 2005/2006.

 

 

 

Update: Deleted Seattle and Houston from a list of possibles. TG isn't interested in these routes. They will add service to the others listed above. It seems TG is trying to get these routes spun up in time for the opening of the new BKK airport (late 2005).

 

Also, for those in Europe, TG plans on switching from the 747 to the A346 and A380. Looks like only LHR will get the double-decker (night flight out of BKK, A346 for the day flight). But it's good to see them spend some money to update their aircraft, interiors, and IFE.

[br55113 0]

Wow!

 

Good news that they are working on those areas. The westcoast flights would be nice. I'll definitely be keeping my eyes open to read any more info when it becomes available.

[echster 1]

I updated my post re: TG and non-stops to the US.

 

For those who like to fly EVA, they're replacing almost all of their 747s that fly to/from the US with new 777-300ERs. Expect to see service with the 773ER at LAX, SFO, EWR, and SEA late 2005 (around the same time as TG). The EWR-TPE-EWR route will no longer stop in SEA. The plane will seat 316 passengers: 42 in Business Class, 63 in Evergreen Deluxe and 211 in Economy.

[br55113 0]

Speaking of late 2005 for the new Suvarnabhumi airport.

1 year to 1.5 year delay??

 

Would this also delay the nonstop US to BKK flights?

 

http://nationmultimedia.com/page.arcview.p...05532&usrsess=1

[BigDUSA 71]

Delay in opening new airport should not impact the non stop BKK to EWR/JFK. Only a couple of weeks ago PM said there would be no delay, now he looks like a chump with huge loss of face!!

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Speaking of late 2005 for the new Suvarnabhumi airport.

1 year to 1.5 year delay??

Having read the article it is now easy to understand why Thai are not taking delivery of their first A380 (can't be handled at Don Muang) until 2008. They obviously are taking a more pragnmatic view of the likely opening date and the time to get over the initial teething problems at NBIA.

 

Tom

[echster 1]

Speaking of late 2005 for the new Suvarnabhumi airport.

1 year to 1.5 year delay??

 

Would this also delay the nonstop US to BKK flights?

No, if the new airport opens late, so be it. They will fly the routes when they get the aircraft.

[echster 1]

Having read the article it is now easy to understand why Thai are not taking delivery of their first A380 (can't be handled at Don Muang) until 2008. They obviously are taking a more pragnmatic view of the likely opening date and the time to get over the initial teething problems at NBIA.

 

Tom

Tom,

 

Taking delivery in 2008 isn't because of the new airport problems. The A380 doesn't enter service until 2006 (without any delays getting it certified) and TG is down on the list of airlines that have ordered the plane. Too bad it won't be operated by TG to/from the States.

[randolpho2 0]

Now the question is... will TG pay the extra 5 baht for the in-seat video screens that they passed on for the 777s?

[echster 1]

Now the question is... will TG pay the extra 5 baht for the in-seat video screens that they passed on for the 777s?

I take it you are referring to PTVs (personal TVs) and the answer is, like always with TG, who knows. I would say the answer will be yes as TG said they planned to offer PTVs and AVOD (audio/video on demand) when they put in their new seats. We'll just have to wait and see.

[eltib 54]

Thai air is suppose to start the LAX - BKK with A345 in Feb 2005.

[too_mutt 10]

Thai air is suppose to start the LAX - BKK with A345 in Feb 2005.

That sounds like very good news for us West coast folks! I may have to give them a try. It beats flying to Singapore, and spending the additional 5 hours (layover + flight time) to get to Bangkok.

 

Regards

[echster 1]

Thai air is suppose to start the LAX - BKK with A345 in Feb 2005.

Well, sometime in 2005 for sure. I think it highly unlikely it will be as soon as February. TG isn't scheduled to receive the A345 until March or April (unless you've seen something I haven't) and then they'll fly intra-Asia for a month or so to get their crews trained (like Singapore Airlines did). I suspect it will be late summer to early fall until we see direct flights US-BKK-US. It was suposed to coincide with the opening of the new BKK airport in fall 2005 but they probably will not make that deadline.

 

It's looking like we'll see LAX and NYC only flights as TG is only getting a couple of the A345s. Anyways, I can't wait! I like EVA, but I'm looking forward to a direct flight. Fifteen hours straight through is better than 16 hours plus 3-5 hours layover. It's gonna be set-up like the Singapore A345s (business and premium economy) so it will be more expensive than EVA's Evergreen Deluxe but my time is worth it to me.

 

Can't wait for the announcement as I would love to be on that first trip!

[expat67 5]

"It's going to be set up like SA A-345's, premium-economy and business"

 

Does this mean that there are only 2 classes of service on SA-no economy? If so, is SA's lower class of service-premium economy priced higher than other airlines' economy class and how is the premium-economy in comparison to EVA's Deuxe service?

 

Thanks

[jimmac 66]

I read on Flyertalk that TG will have 3 classes...business, premium economy and economy and their 345's will carry more passengers than the SQ planes.

[cowboy 0]

Thai has frequently advertised nonstops to Bkk from LAX. Everytime I check they only have connections via Japan. So I belive nonstops on thai form east coast when I see it. United hasplan to eventually reduce the 747 fleet substantially. But for the forseeable future the west coast will probably be served by 747s. If flying out of Chicago direct flights to china, singapore, hong Kong and osaka on 777s will become the norm. From there it is an easy connect to BKK.

 

On singapore I really like the vidoe entertainment. osmethinh like 40 movies on demand plus TV plus ninteno etc.

[echster 1]

I read on Flyertalk that TG will have 3 classes...business, premium economy and economy and their 345's will carry more passengers than the SQ planes.

That is correct. I have seen the TG press release but can't recall the exact numbers. I think SQ's A345s have 150 seats and TG's A345s will have 180 seats.

[echster 1]

Thai has frequently advertised nonstops to BKK from LAX. Everytime I check they only have connections via Japan. So I believe nonstops on Thai from East coast when I see it.

Well, technically speaking, it is non-stop. I know, you're saying it stops in Japan, and it does. The technical part is it keeps the same flight number, LAX-NRT-BKK is the same flight number as opposed to LAX-NRT having a flight number and NRT-BKK having a different flight number.

[jimmac 66]

Well, technically speaking, it is non-stop. I know, you're saying it stops in Japan, and it does. The technical part is it keeps the same flight number, LAX-NRT-BKK is the same flight number as opposed to LAX-NRT having a flight number and NRT-BKK having a different flight number.

If it stops in Japan it is not "non-stop". Non Stop means non stop. If it keeps the same flight number on two legs with a stop somewhere it is direct. There's a big difference and those are the correct technical terms in airline lingo.