China Air vs America Airlines

[RWB 0]

I've always flown NW, even with its bad arrival and leave time, from Houston, but now can't find a decent price for Dec and don't have enough miles for freebie under their current requirements. Choices coming down to China Air at around 1084usd and AA around 990usd. China air has great arrival and departure time(what a trip to just get to BKK at mid-day instead of mid-nite). AA isn't too bad, but does arrive at 2245, depart ok. Saw a couple of decent prices with Korean Air but arrive and depart esp depart not good.

 

I've seen the responces to the China Air post,China Air looks ok, but has any one flown AA or both? I'm flying cattle class(no money to spare for a 32 day trip). Travel agent says AA has more leg room in addition to being cheaper.

 

I'm thinking worth the extra $ just to not have the mad rush to Nana Parking Lot from the hotel because every thing closed by time I get there anymore.

 

I'm buying ticket this week one way or another, I can't stand it anymore! Gotta have it in hand! Had my hotel reservations since April and with fuel prices like they are, bird flu or not, ticket prices not going down in my opinion.

 

Thanks for any and all help.

[Jimmybb 0]

Sounds like you are having a bit of a PPA. (Pattaya Panic Attack)

 

Don't be too alarmed-lots of us have had them from time to time. That said, I would wait a while and see just how much of an impact the $60 oil prices have on Asian air traffic as we approach autumn. If there are lots of fliers put off by the current high cost of tickets, maybe ticket sales will be down forcing the carriers to lower prices to get seats sold.

 

As regards Northwest, I have simply given up on this carrier. After going to their website daily for several months searching for not only a ticket to BKK, but an affordable flight to LAX as well, I have given up. This carrier is now just too costly and my business will go elsewhere.

 

I waited to book my next trip to Manila, and was rewarded with a great rate on Cathay. Maybe you will have similiar luck waiting and searching for a good buy. Just a thought. Rgds, Jimmy

[Mescalito 19]

Maybe I'm the odd one out, but I actually like the midnight arrivals in BKK. Getting through immigration is pretty quick, and I can grab a taxi and be at the hotel by 1:00am. I drop the bags, freshen up a bit, and head straight to NEP or Nana Disco! Perfect timing!

[BigDUSA 71]

I fly UA from Philly and I leave at 9:45AM and I start off with a good nights sleep under my belt and I like the late arrival as well for the short wait times thru immigration and no traffic to Pattaya. I like the 7AM take off as I stay awake the night before and party till 2AM.

[ericg1953 1]

I have flown on AA many times and have always had a good trip. I fly LAX-Narita-BKK..the layovers are short and the AA lounge in Narita is very nice and has a great shower/bathroom facility. I usually shower/shave and change clothes and arrive in BKK refreshed. I do the same as others.....check in hotel .....shower again and head to Nana. No problem finding something fast to ease the long flight. Up and off to Pattaya around noon next day.

[rb 20]

no shit

i live msp so NW only under25 hr flight

that said if i can save 3-500 USD i'll go to chicago or LA

that said every time i get ready to book Cathway or United Cash and miles or a sale goes on at NW.

one thing, Korea Air miles are good for NW and visa versa.

got my ticket with NW for Nov but looking at Jan-feb-mar for my other two trips haven't found anything yet

good luck

cheers

rb

[Samsonite 181]

Is AA actually flying these routes or are they using a "code share" program with an Asian airline?

[exwannabe 1]

Is AA actually flying these routes or are they using a "code share" program with an Asian airline?

AA flies it's own jets to Japan, you are probably flying JAL from there to BKK.

[RWB 0]

I think the flight from Japan to BKK was All Nipon. Too lazy to look it up right now, but the flights from Japan to BKK not AA

[Sa-teef 44]

"As regards Northwest, I have simply given up on this carrier."

 

I agree with you Jimmybb !!

 

I liked it MUCH BETTER when NWA and United were duking it out for market share! Now they seem to be in bed with each other, matching price rise to price rise in MSP departures. I couldn't find anything with those two under $1300 this summer so had to relent and go back to Eva out of LAX and am using America West to the coast. Under $1000, but the connections kind of suck. The positives are that I arrive at 1100 in BKK and depart at 1630. It's like an extra day and a half in LOS in my view. I left my bag in Pattaya so I'll just have carry-on this trip in August.

 

I've been watching them for my November trip, and they are down around $1200 now. Trouble is, I can go through LAX or SFO for $900 from here in the Midwest if I want to put up with the transfers.

 

If China Airlines or another asian airline decides to offer cheap non-stop or one stop seats out of Chicago I would think they could generate significant traffic fast?

 

~Sa-teef

[RWB 0]

agree on NWA, I'll just have to let my frequent fly miles sit for now. I would consider an extra 100usd or so for the miles at this point, but can't even find a miles flight. Paying 600 or more, no way, I don't have the $.

 

Looks like China Air for me.

 

The conections out of Houston always cost a little more, but NWA just gone too far. Damn, it doesn't do any good to get to LOS with no $$ to spend.

[Samsonite 181]

AA flies it's own jets to Japan, you are probably flying JAL from there to BKK.

It was a year ago this month that I took some Thai/American friends to the airport for their trip "home." They said they were flying AA, but when we got to the check-in counter it turned out they were actually on a "code share" flight with Japan Airlines.