Anoraks of the Airline Section

[papillon 695]

ValentinoXXX and CheshireTom spring to mind for some reason

 

Joking, joking I can see that you two Blokes are clued up on this stuff

 

I want to fly out of LHR on or near November 7th to BKK.

 

I have absolutely no idea when I will be returning so I need help on various options available to me.

 

I would prefer a direct flight if possible.

 

Economy flights are preferable.

 

Should I just get a one way flight?

 

Maybe a return flight and bin the return leg and buy another homebound flight when I am ready to return (I MIGHT need to return within a month of my outbound flight so presumably I could pay a fee and change the return date) ?

 

Maybe an open return valid for a year? Or six months?

 

Any advice sincerely appreciated

[darkmancomes 75]

I normally book through Dial A Flight and use Etihad and I get a ticket which I can change the return leg for a fee of £75. Cannot be done before you go but when out there you can change it. I will be doing it this time in Nov !

[Chivas 0]

I normally book through Dial A Flight and use Etihad and I get a ticket which I can change the return leg for a fee of £75. Cannot be done before you go but when out there you can change it. I will be doing it this time in Nov !

 

Make sure you can change inbound for a fee, as currently I hold a ticket on Etihad where neither outbound or inbound is changeable whatever.

[darkmancomes 75]

I always do it if I think there will be a chance of extending! I have enquired this time and have been told that the outbound is not changable at all its only ever the inbound changable.However 9 days to go and boy do I need it ! To be stress free and get some heat and ***

Edited October 3, 2008 by darkmancomes

[CheshireTom 1,377]

paps,

 

I don't live in UK any more so I'm a bit out of touch with the prices. However, the option of booking flights from LOS isn't near as attractive as it once was (at least in economy) and even less so with the pound plummeting against the Baht.

 

If I was in your shoes, I'd be contacting half a dozen decent agents to compare their prices on EVA for a six month or one-year ticket, depending on the longest you intend to stay. Generally speaking, the longer the validity of the ticket, the fewer restrictions it will have and be cheaper to change the return once you are in LOS. It's a waste of time getting a flight that is 20 quid cheaper if it costs 25 quid more to change the return.

 

If you are intent on also visiting the Philippines it would be worth checking the prices on the Arab airlines of an "open=jaw" ticket that lets you fly into either BKK or MNL and back from the other. Very often there isn't much difference in price compared to a standard return.

[chrisbrewer 0]

Hey Paps

 

Small word of advice my friend.

 

DO NOT get Gulf Air to Bangkok via Bahrain at 09.30 on November 6.

 

I am very particular who I sit next to on aeroplanes.

 

Best of luck with your search mate, the best I could find today are:

 

Jet LHR-BOM-BKK £446.90

Gulf LHR-BAH-BKK £576.90.

 

Both from www.ebookers.co.uk.

 

Chris

 

PS: The Gulf Air flight is now £58 more than I paid for mine.

Edited October 3, 2008 by chrisbrewer

[papillon 695]

If you are intent on also visiting the Philippines it would be worth checking the prices on the Arab airlines of an "open=jaw" ticket that lets you fly into either BKK or MNL and back from the other. Very often there isn't much difference in price compared to a standard return.

 

Yes, Philippines is a definite. I was planning on flying to BKK and staying in Patts for a couple of days to acclimatize and pick up some 'essential meds' before heading on to MNL. I've decided that I will schedule to arrive in time for Loy Krathong.

 

The "open=jaw" ticket (something I've never heard of before) sounds good. I can fly home from Manila and bypass Bangers.

 

I presume these flights all make a stopover in the Gulf? I was hoping to get a direct flight.

 

Would I be able to get an open=jaw ticket flying out of Amsterdam that doesn't require a stopover?

 

I know I can get a direct flight to either MNL or BKK from Amsterdam whereas I can't get a direct LHR to MNL flight (or vice versa).

 

A couple of days in Amsterdam appeals to me somewhat.

 

Thanks for your advice

 

DO NOT get Gulf Air to Bangkok via Bahrain at 09.30 on November 6.

 

I am very particular who I sit next to on aeroplanes.

 

Thanks for the warning Chris.

 

Last thing I need is to be sitting next to a Monger for 12 hours that has shit his pants

 

 

 

Thanks also to darmancomes and Chivas. I will enquire from my travel agent with regards to that

Edited October 3, 2008 by papillon

[blacknight 5]

Papillon get in touch with Gazelle Travel in Newcastle and ask to speak to Gordon the branch manager. They are a main agent for many of the better airlines and specialize in flights to the Far East.

 

You could fly from any regional UK airport via Amsterdam on a 1 year ticket for circa £570, but that was at the beginning of the year so not sure how much it would be now.

 

Flights are KLM to Amsterdam and China to BKK arriving at 6.30am so can be in Pattaya by 8.30am on your first day.

[rambo 0]

ValentinoXXX and CheshireTom spring to mind for some reason

 

Joking, joking I can see that you two Blokes are clued up on this stuff

 

I want to fly out of LHR on or near November 7th to BKK.

 

I have absolutely no idea when I will be returning so I need help on various options available to me.

 

I would prefer a direct flight if possible.

 

Economy flights are preferable.

 

Should I just get a one way flight?

 

Maybe a return flight and bin the return leg and buy another homebound flight when I am ready to return (I MIGHT need to return within a month of my outbound flight so presumably I could pay a fee and change the return date) ?

 

Maybe an open return valid for a year? Or six months?

 

Any advice sincerely appreciated

 

Why you asking? You 'aint going anyway!! To all BM's offering help......THIS GUY IS A PRICK!!

 

So dont waste your time boys on this 'armchair' supporter!

 

R...

 

PS... Did I say this guys a prick.....No?........Well, He's a prick!

Edited October 4, 2008 by rambo

[bigdelta 46]

From a retired airline employee.Also consider a point beyond BKK if there is a cheaper fare.Air Asia has very cheap fares to/from BKK every month or so.I kn ow it won't be nonstop like you prefer,but you'll get to visit another city (if you like) and may save a few quid.

[jacko 8,762]

Yes, Philippines is a definite. I was planning on flying to BKK and staying in Patts for a couple of days to acclimatize and pick up some 'essential meds' before heading on to MNL. I've decided that I will schedule to arrive in time for Loy Krathong.

 

The "open=jaw" ticket (something I've never heard of before) sounds good. I can fly home from Manila and bypass Bangers.

 

I presume these flights all make a stopover in the Gulf? I was hoping to get a direct flight.

 

Would I be able to get an open=jaw ticket flying out of Amsterdam that doesn't require a stopover?

 

I know I can get a direct flight to either MNL or BKK from Amsterdam whereas I can't get a direct LHR to MNL flight (or vice versa).

 

A couple of days in Amsterdam appeals to me somewhat.

KLM fly from Amsterdam to both Bangkok and Manila, so an open jaw with them would suit.

The KLM website doesn't apear to support this so you would need to use a travel agent or contact them.

Edited October 9, 2008 by jacko