Thai Airways LHR-BKK 747-400

[N3RGT 118]

Just been surfing through all the airline flight booking websites and although I've gone direct with Eva the past two trips, I'm tempted this time to go with Thai. They are coming in at around fifty pounds cheaper, flight for flight at around £558.

These are for travel dates in Jan/Feb 2010.

 

The Thai fare conditions at this price also allow a change of return flight date at £75 if required. This has been significant for me as I have had to return home unexpectedly on my last two visits

 

I've read on a couple of flyer forums that the existing pitiful IFE on Thai airways 747's (central large cinema screen) that I believe still exists on this route, is due to be replaced/upgraded in "due course".

 

Does anyone know please if this is the case and if so when is it scheduled, or indeed has anyone recentley flown this route LHR-BKK on the 747-400 to verify, or otherwise ?

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Just been surfing through all the airline flight booking websites and although I've gone direct with Eva the past two trips, I'm tempted this time to go with Thai. They are coming in at around fifty pounds cheaper, flight for flight at around £558.

These are for travel dates in Jan/Feb 2010.

 

The Thai fare conditions at this price also allow a change of return flight date at £75 if required. This has been significant for me as I have had to return home unexpectedly on my last two visits

 

I've read on a couple of flyer forums that the existing pitiful IFE on Thai airways 747's (central large cinema screen) that I believe still exists on this route, is due to be replaced/upgraded in "due course".

 

Does anyone know please if this is the case and if so when is it scheduled, or indeed has anyone recentley flown this route LHR-BKK on the 747-400 to verify, or otherwise ?

 

There are no current plans to upgrade the economy cabins on Thai's 747s.

[RobinBay 0]

They were getting new planes with all the bells and whistles but after the trouble at the airport and the current financial situ they've been put on the back burner.I've just booked for July,got the same price you mentioned.

Edited April 27, 2009 by RobinBay

[marleyboy 140]

Just been surfing through all the airline flight booking websites and although I've gone direct with Eva the past two trips, I'm tempted this time to go with Thai. They are coming in at around fifty pounds cheaper, flight for flight at around £558.

These are for travel dates in Jan/Feb 2010.

 

The Thai fare conditions at this price also allow a change of return flight date at £75 if required. This has been significant for me as I have had to return home unexpectedly on my last two visits

 

I've read on a couple of flyer forums that the existing pitiful IFE on Thai airways 747's (central large cinema screen) that I believe still exists on this route, is due to be replaced/upgraded in "due course".

 

Does anyone know please if this is the case and if so when is it scheduled, or indeed has anyone recentley flown this route LHR-BKK on the 747-400 to verify, or otherwise ?

The IFE (or lack off!) is rubbish on Thai! For me being able to waste a few hours watching films, doing crosswords, playing games etc on Evas IFE alway swings it for me! I think the food is slightly better on Thai! but thats about it! Plus the fact that Thai fly out twice a day. I am going out myself in January, "may!" even be tempted to fly with Qatar, for the simple fact the flight gets me into Patts before mid-day! and leaves bangkok later in the day than Eva!!! Therefore giving me more time in Thailand! also it gets me into Heathrow in the morning as opposed to 7.00 in the evening with Eva! And yes I know Thai have an extra flight which leaves at comparable times to Qatar ( and it wouldnt mean stopping in Doha!) But! as I say no IFE. is a big deal for me!!

PS.! yes I have an i-pod ,books ,crossword books etc!

[ronrat 59]

I've always reckoned that any airline that intoroduces stewardesses you can bar fine and had a ST room in the back would win a niche market. For those who like poofs or LBs try QANTAS.

[ThaiLearner 18]

Hi mate

 

I am planning on my next trip as well around Jan/Feb 2010 and there is certainly a difference in the price between the direct and indirect.

 

I will not use Thai if the IFE is crap.

 

Eva for me every time but Qatar are looking the best bet at the moment.

 

You may want to leave booking it until later in the year just keep checking every few days.

 

Last year i did not book until around September time and got £530 with eva .

 

So will probably see you there

[youngyx 0]

Yeah i agree, i flew Thai air last crimbo and the IFE was zero but as luck would have it the bloke next to me gave me a sleeping tablet and i was out for 10 hours and woke up in BK fresh as fuck,,RESULT EH.

[N3RGT 118]

Hi mate

 

I am planning on my next trip as well around Jan/Feb 2010 and there is certainly a difference in the price between the direct and indirect.

 

I will not use Thai if the IFE is crap.

 

Eva for me every time but Qatar are looking the best bet at the moment.

 

You may want to leave booking it until later in the year just keep checking every few days.

 

Last year i did not book until around September time and got £530 with eva .

 

So will probably see you there

 

 

Hi Mate,

yeah I booked last May with EVA for my last trip and got the £530 fare. Best I can see at the mo at £599 is here with West east travel.

 

http://wetravel.agentengine.co.uk/public/P...gerDetails.aspx

 

Sorry I did not get to meet up with you last Jan/Feb but my trip got fucked up , one way or the other,

but now looking forward to making a fresh start next time around.

 

 

 

All part of the fun getting flights and hotels sorted but still a long time to go

[cousin 0]

I've read on a couple of flyer forums that the existing pitiful IFE on Thai airways...

But do they provide any GFE?..

[zilly 0]

Hi Mate,

yeah I booked last May with EVA for my last trip and got the £530 fare. Best I can see at the mo at £599 is here with West east travel.

 

http://wetravel.agentengine.co.uk/public/P...gerDetails.aspx

 

Sorry I did not get to meet up with you last Jan/Feb but my trip got fucked up , one way or the other,

but now looking forward to making a fresh start next time around.

 

 

 

All part of the fun getting flights and hotels sorted but still a long time to go

 

I'm a member of EVA's frequenr Flyer programme (free to join), they email me their latest deals which are often cheaper than the main internet agents. latest deals:

 

travel between Today & 10th July or 28th Aug & 9 Dec £490 return

 

there are sometimes other deals in the members section of the website too

[N3RGT 118]

I'm a member of EVA's frequenr Flyer programme (free to join), they email me their latest deals which are often cheaper than the main internet agents. latest deals:

 

travel between Today & 10th July or 28th Aug & 9 Dec £490 return

 

there are sometimes other deals in the members section of the website too

 

Thanks Zilly,

I am also an Evergreen frequent flyer and saw that offer. Unfortunately I am restricted to visiting LOS Jan/Feb in the high season. I did a "dummy run" too on their website for a flight going out beginning of September for four weeks and the price came up as £580 ! I think you will be fortunate to get a flight at the "from" prices they quote but good luck anyway.

 

From the posts replying to my original it would appear that the only way that you are going to get decent IFE on Thai is when they change the operating aircraft or perhaps when we all buy IPODS

[marleyboy 140]

N3RGT January/Feb is a long way off yet!!!!!! (Im going the same time as you mate! and Im checking fares like you already!!!!! ).

I reckon Eva will lower their fares (or am I just hoping!) before next year, but who can tell? I am quite tempted by Qatar though, as the flight arrives in Bangers at 07.00!!!!!

But!!!!! saying that I think Ill wait until Eva reduce their fares (saying that they probably wont now Im waiting!)

[yselmike 389]

EVA do direct flights from amsterdam with 777s and they have screens in every seat

If you have to fly to Heathrow to connect Schiphol is a good alternative.

[yselmike 389]

I am checking flights from Amsterdam for Jan-Feb EVA have direct Euro731 add about 20 for CC charge and booking fee

and its a 100 cheaper than last year.

Egypt

Quatar

Quantas

Turkish

Finn air

All have flights a bit cheaper but check out how long the stopovers can be!!!!

[N3RGT 118]

N3RGT January/Feb is a long way off yet!!!!!! (Im going the same time as you mate! and Im checking fares like you already!!!!! ).

I reckon Eva will lower their fares (or am I just hoping!) before next year, but who can tell? I am quite tempted by Qatar though, as the flight arrives in Bangers at 07.00!!!!!

But!!!!! saying that I think Ill wait until Eva reduce their fares (saying that they probably wont now Im waiting!)

 

Hi Marley,

best EVA fare LHR-BKK I can see at the mo is with WestEast travel at £589, no dates changes allowed. The trouble is if you wait too long it jeopardises the chance of a room at the hotel of your choice, especially if you're booking during high season.

Personally I can't be arsed with booking a non direct flight, I can only get to LOS once a year, and the departure /arrival times of EVA suit me just fine

[marleyboy 140]

Hi Marley,

best EVA fare LHR-BKK I can see at the mo is with WestEast travel at £589, no dates changes allowed. The trouble is if you wait too long it jeopardises the chance of a room at the hotel of your choice, especially if you're booking during high season.

Personally I can't be arsed with booking a non direct flight, I can only get to LOS once a year, and the departure /arrival times of EVA suit me just fine

I agree really! I only go once a year too! In fact when I went in Jan/Feb this year, I booked from Evas web-site for £530. I booked that ,last year (when the oil prices were going nuts!)

Its difficult knowing "when" to book! Im lucky , in the fact I have a house over there (so dont need hotels), even so, its getting what I think is a good deal at the right time! I will more than likely go with Eva again (and up-grade to elite using my miles on the way out!).Im just waiting for Eva to drop their fares!

As an aside, with West-East Travel they regularly have specials with both Thai and Eva, may be worth phoning them every few weeks or so? As sometimes they quote better fares over the phone than on their web-site?

Edited May 6, 2009 by marleyboy

[N3RGT 118]

I agree really! I only go once a year too! In fact when I went in Jan/Feb this year, I booked from Evas web-site for £530. I booked that ,last year (when the oil prices were going nuts!)

Its difficult knowing "when" to book! Im lucky , in the fact I have a house over there (so dont need hotels), even so, its getting what I think is a good deal at the right time! I will more than likely go with Eva again (and up-grade to elite using my miles on the way out!).Im just waiting for Eva to drop their fares!

As an aside, do you use West-East Travel? They regularly have specials with both Thai and Eva, may be worth phoning them every fewweeks or so?

 

Yeah.... Just booked my next trip with West-East yesterday, with EVA £589, for Jan/Feb 2010, and accommodation booked too with R.G, who replied to my request within twelve hours. Can't fault that Only a few months (hhmmmmpppp) to wait now

 

IMHO I can't really see EVA dropping their fares anytime soon; add to that they(EVA) will also attract many punters who would otherwise have the generally cheaper option of flying with Thai, but who are deterred by the non-existent IFE, and they have somewhat of a "captive" market for those opting for direct flights !

Edited May 6, 2009 by N3RGT

[CheshireTom 1,377]

IMHO I can't really see EVA dropping their fares anytime soon; add to that they(EVA) will also attract many punters who would otherwise have the generally cheaper option of flying with Thai, but who are deterred by the non-existent IFE, and they have somewhat of a "captive" market for those opting for direct flights !

 

They would have if it wasn't for BA and Qantas.

[marleyboy 140]

Yeah.... Just booked my next trip with West-East yesterday, with EVA £589, for Jan/Feb 2010, and accommodation booked too with R.G, who replied to my request within twelve hours. Can't fault that Only a few months (hhmmmmpppp) to wait now

 

IMHO I can't really see EVA dropping their fares anytime soon; add to that they(EVA) will also attract many punters who would otherwise have the generally cheaper option of flying with Thai, but who are deterred by the non-existent IFE, and they have somewhat of a "captive" market for those opting for direct flights !

Nice one N3RGT! It always make me feel better once the flight is booked! Somehow makes it seem "nearer"! I want to fly out on Jan.14 and return Feb.13. At work yesterday checking rosters etc etc! and saw that on the 13th Feb (Saturday I wanted to fly home on!) Wales are playing Scotland at home, in the 6 nations! Thats messing my plans up now!!!! 1 I want to see the game! 2, I always get picked up at Heathrow by a mate! (he will watch the game!) so if I have to travel home by train etc ! with Eva getting in at 19,00 ish it will be a pain in the ass getting home that time of day!

So!!!! the way I see it is!! either I fly back a day earlier? or else I go with Qatar? Of course! Qatar are cheaper, and the times are better for me! Except for the departure time from Heathrow!!!! As it leaves at 09.50. I work on the railway and have free train travel, so thats no worries! Its just that if I take that particular flight it will be hard fpr me to get there by train! So I guess i can either try and get a lift to Heathrow or go by bus!!!!! Damn problems!

Anyway glad youve got your flights sorted mate! Also dont know if you are aware, but with Eva you can (with "some"" tickets!) check in on-line? This can only be done 24 hours (ie if flight leaves @21.30 on the 2nd! you can check in online from 21.30 on the 1st! Benifit here being you can book a seat upstairs in economy (slighly more room in seats and can stretch a little more!). also its slightly quicker to check in at the airport (especially at Bangkok where they have a dedicated online check in counter at the airport!).All little things for sure! but for me they make the trip a little less of a pain in the ass!

As you can probably see.Im a fan of Evas! so I want to book with them, but my heart (and my head really as Ill save £100) is telling me to book with Qatar!

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Anyway glad youve got your flights sorted mate! Also dont know if you are aware, but with Eva you can (with "some"" tickets!) check in on-line? This can only be done 24 hours (ie if flight leaves @21.30 on the 2nd! you can check in online from 21.30 on the 1st! Benifit here being you can book a seat upstairs in economy (slighly more room in seats and can stretch a little more!).

 

You can book your seats 100 days in advance with EVA, either online or through their reservations people.

 

FWIW, it's sometimes worth phoning the airport number and asking for the emergency rows. Reservations staff can't allocate those seats but some folks at the airport can.

[marleyboy 140]

You can book your seats 100 days in advance with EVA, either online or through their reservations people.

 

FWIW, it's sometimes worth phoning the airport number and asking for the emergency rows. Reservations staff can't allocate those seats but some folks at the airport can.

Yeah! I realise that Tom, what I meant was you can now check-in online and change seats 24 hours prior to the flight departure time! OK it isnt much, but I wasnt allowed to book one of the upstairs economy seats 100 days to departure. Im only a green card holder with Evas mileage programme, and when I asked Evas London office if I could book a seat upstairs (3 months before I left!) they said I could only do it 24 hours before if I checked in on-line 24 hours beforehand? I asked if it would have made a difference if I was a silver card holder , they siad no? Anyways! the seats upstairs have an inch or two more room upstairs and its quieter up there!

However! having said all that!!! Ill probably go with Qatar in January after all!!!!!! Simply down to the departure times!!! Actually Thais mid-day flight departure from Heathrow would be my best option! but as they cost more and have no IFE I think maybe Qatar are the better option??? As the flights both ways are "only"!!! 3 or 4 hours longer! Also I havent flown non-direct to Bangkok for about 10 years now!!!! Danmn! decisions decisions!!

[N3RGT 118]

Nice one N3RGT! It always make me feel better once the flight is booked! Somehow makes it seem "nearer"! I want to fly out on Jan.14 and return Feb.13. At work yesterday checking rosters etc etc! and saw that on the 13th Feb (Saturday I wanted to fly home on!) Wales are playing Scotland at home, in the 6 nations! Thats messing my plans up now!!!! 1 I want to see the game! 2, I always get picked up at Heathrow by a mate! (he will watch the game!) so if I have to travel home by train etc ! with Eva getting in at 19,00 ish it will be a pain in the ass getting home that time of day!

So!!!! the way I see it is!! either I fly back a day earlier? or else I go with Qatar? Of course! Qatar are cheaper, and the times are better for me! Except for the departure time from Heathrow!!!! As it leaves at 09.50. I work on the railway and have free train travel, so thats no worries! Its just that if I take that particular flight it will be hard fpr me to get there by train! So I guess i can either try and get a lift to Heathrow or go by bus!!!!! Damn problems!

Anyway glad youve got your flights sorted mate! Also dont know if you are aware, but with Eva you can (with "some"" tickets!) check in on-line? This can only be done 24 hours (ie if flight leaves @21.30 on the 2nd! you can check in online from 21.30 on the 1st! Benifit here being you can book a seat upstairs in economy (slighly more room in seats and can stretch a little more!). also its slightly quicker to check in at the airport (especially at Bangkok where they have a dedicated online check in counter at the airport!).All little things for sure! but for me they make the trip a little less of a pain in the ass!

As you can probably see.Im a fan of Evas! so I want to book with them, but my heart (and my head really as Ill save £100) is telling me to book with Qatar!

 

What rows are these upstairs please ? Not that bothered as I'm just a short arse and don't need the extra legroom, but just curious Also wouldn't want to leave it that late, but thanks very much for the info Marley. Looks like definite drinks at FLB come January

Edited May 7, 2009 by N3RGT

[marleyboy 140]

What rows are these upstairs please ? Not that bothered as I'm just a short arse and don't need the extra legroom, but just curious Also wouldn't want to leave it that late, but thanks very much for the info Marley. Looks like definite drinks at FLB come January

They are seats 80 up to 89 N3RGT. Im also a short-arse! (plenty of padding though!) but apparently the upstairs seats have 2 inches more leg-room?

As I say it seems a little quieter up there (as not so many people I guess!) also they leave out drinks and snacks at the back (where you can also have a ""little"""" stretch!).

In my book anything to help the flights more bearable are a bonus!!!! Forgot to say the seats are configured in 2 rows of 3 seats!

Edited May 7, 2009 by marleyboy

[marleyboy 140]

I forgot to say! You can still book a seat (not upstairs though! in economy) up to 100 days before you fly with Eva. The 24 hour online check-in just gives you the chance to speed your airport check-in up! also you can change the seat youd already booked. to an upstairs seat! ( I did it on both legs this Jan/Feb!).

[N3RGT 118]

I forgot to say! You can still book a seat (not upstairs though! in economy) up to 100 days before you fly with Eva. The 24 hour online check-in just gives you the chance to speed your airport check-in up! also you can change the seat youd already booked. to an upstairs seat! ( I did it on both legs this Jan/Feb!).

 

Thanks for that information Marley