Enjoy It While You Can

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Fairly predictable really but the first indication from Thai that the US non-stops will be chopped ........

 

THAI may cut nonstop flights to US

Route revamp could affect summer service

 

By BOONSONG KOSITCHOTETHANA

Thai Airways International is considering replacing its direct flights to the United States with one-stop services in the wake of losses and fierce competition.

 

The flag carrier's non-stop Bangkok-New York service is likely to be replaced with flights with stopovers in major Chinese cities such as Beijing or Shanghai, while Bangkok-Los Angeles flights would stop in South Korea.

 

The change in THAI's North American operation is part of a route revamp that could affect the forthcoming summer flight timetable, beginning in April. The new timetable was not expected to see any new routes being introduced, according to THAI president Apinan Sumanaseni.

 

Pressured by shareholders to improve yields, THAI is taking a hard look at the economics and viability of its entire system.

 

Fierce competition on the so-called Kangaroo route _ flights from Australia and New Zealand _ especially by Dubai-based Emirates _ may force THAI to cut flight frequencies, he said.

 

Part of the revamp also involves changing the type of aircraft used. For instance, it may use the B747-400 jumbo jet, A340-600 or B777-ER on US-bound services instead of the A340-500 that holds only 200 passengers.

 

The higher capacity aircraft and the stopovers would help THAI to shore up profitability on those routes.

 

Capt Apinan conceded that THAI stood to lose some appeal by dropping its non-stop North American flights, directed over the North Pole, but it was more worried about the financial burdens these services entailed.

 

THAI operates five direct flights a week to New York and the same number on its Bangkok-Los Angeles route. Its services to Moscow and Johannesburg introduced last year were doing fine, he noted.

...

 

Along with making efforts to reduce operating costs and improve profitability, Capt Apinan said THAI would proceed with the previously proposed establishment of a new wholly owned airline subsidiary, tentatively known as Royal Orchid Airlines, or Euarng Luang in Thai.

 

The new airline would take over THAI's domestic operation, which has been suffering losses, using a more cost-effective and less complicated operating model.

 

The new carrier will be positioned between the conventional premium airline and the low-cost carrier. With the creation of the new airline, THAI would become a fully-fledged international carrier.

[Tengotodo 52]

Shit. that figures! I wonder if this will affect ticket holders with June departures? I paid top dollar for business class NS flight and if they change it to include a stopover, I would prefer to go with much cheaper Delta out of Philly. Thanks. I'll keep an eye on this one.

[Sa-teef 44]

"Part of the revamp also involves changing the type of aircraft used. For instance, it may use the B747-400 jumbo jet, A340-600 or B777-ER on US-bound services instead of the A340-500 that holds only 200 passengers.

 

The higher capacity aircraft and the stopovers would help THAI to shore up profitability on those routes. "

 

The LAX-BKK non-stop route was just starting to appeal to me and now they are likely dropping it?

 

United is starting to get more competitive with their triple 7's out of ORD so I think I will be back to them for 2006. Always enjoyed flying those aircraft anyway. 13 hours with a short stop in Narita, then on to BKK for another 6 hours. It's a long flight any way you look at it.

 

An annoucement like this is certain death to the route IMO.

No one is going to book it if it's uncertain whether it will be flying by the time your trip arrives.

 

 

~Sa-teef

[ruskiehat 0]

Great, I have to be in West Palm beach next week and was astounded how expensive US flights are, compared with ones to Europe.

 

Managed to get a cheap biz class fare using a combination of Emirates and United. Thai was just way over the top in terms of air fares.

[Tengotodo 52]

The Thai flight from JFK to BKK Non-stop is about 17 hours. That is hell, belive me. The only thing worse that that is the regular Delta (and affiliates) flight that lasts 33 hours with all layovers included! That really suck! What would you rather endure? 17.5 hours one-way (long ass flight), or 10 hours flight with 7 hours lay over then 5 hours layover before next flight)? this is good topic for poll.