Thai Air LAX to BKK nonstop

[BigusDicus 9,878]

Thai Air is a decent airlines and the only nonstop service from the US west coast. Have flown the nonstop many times since they began service several years ago. 18 hours going, 15 coming back (last year my flight had good tailwinds, just under 14 hours coming back). Flights have departed on time every trip. Other carriers options usually add several hours each way and require changing planes, sitting around an airport, sometimes going through security again

 

Until last year I always purchased tickets from Thai Air direct. Last years I came across a service called CheapOAir. Saved me $200-300.

 

Recently I have been using Kayak.com. They search every airline, list the flight info and several vendors like Vayama.com, Expedia.com, etc. with links to each site.

 

Last night I purchased a ticket for $1157.00 R/T (Leaving mid Nov, return the second week of Dec)including all taxes and service fees from Vayama. They have consistently offered the lowest price. Although a few weeks ago when I began seriously tracking prices both Expedia and Travelocity were only $10 and 20 more. I would have purchased through Expedia for the extra $10 because I a good relationship with them. But last night they both showed $150 more.

 

Last night Thai Air was over $1600 direct!

 

Last night I paid $1157, today it shows $1210. I have seen the prices raise and lower with approximately $150 variables. Seem to get higher towards the weekend and lower back down Sun/Mon.

 

I have no relationships or financial interests in any of the companies above. In my opinion Thai Air is the best option for LAX to BKK.

 

 

 

$1210

Economy

 

Thai Airways

LAX 9:30p

BKK 7:30p

BKK 6:30a

LAX 7:20p

18h 00m0

14h 50m0

details pin share

6 sites Vayama $1210Orbitz $1228Cheaptickets $1228Thaiairwaysusa $1228Check:TravelocityExpedia

[pattaya_mad 208]

if you can handle a long haul with no in flight entertainment then fair enough, i have booked Thai for January London-bkk, not by choice but because they are the cheapest direct..i far prefer Eva..BTW late next year they are due to start using the A380 on this route, then maybe they will be my 1st choice.

 

and shouldn`t this be in airline discussions?

[MrDK 59]

if you can handle a long haul with no in flight entertainment then fair enough,

 

 

Why not flight entertainment?

[LBJ 533]

I envy anyone that can get a non-stop flight, from here in Fort Myers (a small airport) I am always looking at at least 2 stops enroute to BKK.

 

Delta or United are pretty much my only options if I want to keep it simple.

 

I paid $1450 for my last trip from here so that doesn't sound that awful considering your $1157 from the west coast but I would take the non-stop as well if I could get it. Fares are up from everywhere.

 

Thai is a good airline.

[pattaya_mad 208]

Why not flight entertainment?

 

when i say that i mean the Thai 747s are not equipped with back of the seat TV screens, im not one for watching TVs hanging from the ceiling

Edited October 20, 2011 by pattaya_mad

[pattaya_mad 208]

Edited October 20, 2011 by pattaya_mad

[MrDK 59]

when i say that i mean the Thai 747s are not equipped with back of the seat TV screens, im not one for watching TVs hanging from the ceiling

 

But they are not using 747 on that long-haul route that OK mentioned.

.... at least not last I flew on it.

[BigusDicus 9,878]

I believe Thai Air does use the A380 on the LAX/BKK trip.

 

Each seat has individual LCD screens, many movies/TV Shows, and games to choose from.

[js007 795]

I believe Thai Air does use the A380 on the LAX/BKK trip.

 

Each seat has individual LCD screens, many movies/TV Shows, and games to choose from.

 

Unless they've now changed, the plane they use is the Airbus 340-500. I've been in that plane a few times on the JFK-BKK route and also on the LAX-BKK route, but always in Premium Economy. All seats have their own in-flight entertainment systems, I think.

[CheshireTom 1,377]

I believe Thai Air does use the A380 on the LAX/BKK trip.

 

 

Thai Airways doesn't have any A380s.

 

 

 

[joekicker 53]

More generally:

 

I've gotten the impression over the last... oh, year? ... that air fares are once again becoming uncompetitive. If you check out the same flights on half a dozen websites (AND an agent or two) you're not going to find very much difference at all.

 

To me, it seems the trick is finding the right combination of dates, going and coming. I'm usually flexible, even up to a week, and I've seen very big price differences over just a day or two in the requested itinerary.

 

Any comments more than welcome.

 

.

[short 215]

Iv'e taken Thai Air the last two years and it is on an A340. Video at each seat. My problem is that I have to take two flights just to get to LA.

 

Thai, United, and Continental are in the same FF group but not totally interoperative. United and Continental can't see executive economy seats on Thai and Thai doesn't seem will to book the entire trip.

 

Just hope that whoever is carrying me to LAX doesn't screw up.

[BigusDicus 9,878]

Okay guys, per my official itinerary:

 

Aircraft Airbus Industrie A340-500

[scasey241 2]

I have flown thai airways many times direct from LAX. I always used to fly economy deluxe for like 1500$ RT now it cost way too much. I am trying united through Tokyo this trip November 25. I got the ticket for 943.00. they partner with ANA from LA to tokyo,

[pattaya_mad 208]

well we are still stuck with the old 747 on the London-bkk route. i hear it is next year when the 1st of the A380 airbuses will be delivered.

[Zeus 56]

I've noticed the same difference in the Thai website vs the travelocity/expedias price online. I am probably traveling around the same time as you, my dates are Nov 15 - Dec 8. I still need to book the flight, but the nonstop should be worth the extra hundred or two over the cheapest discount fare with a stop. This would be my first time on the nonstop.

 

Does this flight earn United FF miles as Thai is in the Star alliance?

 

Looking forward to getting there - I hope all this flooding in Bangkok is over by then, I might want to get to the capital for a few days.

 

Zeus

[MrDK 59]

Does this flight earn United FF miles as Thai is in the Star alliance?

YES, but be aware that many non-US carriers award reduced millage credit for discount fares.

So getting only 50% credit on miles flown is a real scenario.

Try to book the same seat on Thai Airways as a United code-share and compare the prices.

If booking United you should be given 100% millage credit.

[BigusDicus 9,878]

I've noticed the same difference in the Thai website vs the travelocity/expedias price online. I am probably traveling around the same time as you, my dates are Nov 15 - Dec 8. I still need to book the flight, but the nonstop should be worth the extra hundred or two over the cheapest discount fare with a stop. This would be my first time on the nonstop.

 

Does this flight earn United FF miles as Thai is in the Star alliance?

 

Looking forward to getting there - I hope all this flooding in Bangkok is over by then, I might want to get to the capital for a few days.

 

Zeus

 

 

My dates have just dropped down to $1157 again. Your dates came in at $1210.

China Air is the lowest at $967. If you are watching pennies as so many are now days it is a significant amount.

For me the ease of the flight plus an extra 8-10 hours on the ground in Thailand are worth the extra $240.

 

My dates are very close to yours. I too am concerned about the floods.

 

I doubt ticket prices are going to go up. Chances are many will begin to cancel trips.

 

If you have not purchased you ticket I would wait and see how things go.

 

I would think Pattaya will be accessible and dry. Food and bottled water issues might occur.

 

Then again chances are the girls will be extra hungry....

[Zeus 56]

Yeah, I would think some are cancelling or rescheduling. I have yet to book, so I will probably wait a week to see if anything changes. Best case I get better deal. Worst case the country is all f*&%*ed up and I wait till spring. I don't think Pattaya would have any water that wouldn't drain in a day, but I'd rather not be in-country during a national emergency. I was there when the airport closed in 2008 - that was enough for me.

 

I am in the same school of thought that a couple of hundred $ beats a long layover and a flight change. I also prefer the flight arrival times. It beats getting in around midnight.

 

If you have flown this flight before, what is your experience on the customs turn time in LAX on return.

 

Zeus

[js007 795]

Maybe it's normal, I don't remember every flight I've taken, but last time, on the trip back to LAX, the flight was only 13 hours and 45 minutes. A pleasant surprise.

[lovedog100 1,372]

Yeah, I would think some are cancelling or rescheduling. I have yet to book, so I will probably wait a week to see if anything changes. Best case I get better deal. Worst case the country is all f*&%*ed up and I wait till spring. I don't think Pattaya would have any water that wouldn't drain in a day, but I'd rather not be in-country during a national emergency. I was there when the airport closed in 2008 - that was enough for me.

 

I am in the same school of thought that a couple of hundred $ beats a long layover and a flight change. I also prefer the flight arrival times. It beats getting in around midnight.

 

If you have flown this flight before, what is your experience on the customs turn time in LAX on return.

 

Zeus

 

I'm looking for flights right now. I would love Thai air, as I hate being stuck in Japan for hours. Thai air is expensive right now, add that from LAX I have to go to PDX, and Thai air doesn't fly there, it adds to the ticket price. As much as I hate United, it looks like it will work best for me. They not only have the cheapest flights, but will allow stop overs. I can fly into SFO, then fly to Orange county and take Jane to Disneyland and such for a few days, then fly to PDX. On the way back, go PDX, to SFO, Japan, BKK. If I were to fly into LAX and try and find transportation to Orange county, it would not only be a hassle, but getting there would take just as long as the Japan stop over, saving me nothing., but adding expense.

 

Another option I found on the United website is flying to Hawaii, then from there I could go to Orange county, or PDX. A few days in Hawaii might not be bad.

[joekicker 53]

I'm looking for flights right now. I would love Thai air, as I hate being stuck in Japan for hours. Thai air is expensive right now, add that from LAX I have to go to PDX, and Thai air doesn't fly there, it adds to the ticket price. As much as I hate United, it looks like it will work best for me. They not only have the cheapest flights, but will allow stop overs. I can fly into SFO, then fly to Orange county and take Jane to Disneyland and such for a few days, then fly to PDX. On the way back, go PDX, to SFO, Japan, BKK. If I were to fly into LAX and try and find transportation to Orange county, it would not only be a hassle, but getting there would take just as long as the Japan stop over, saving me nothing., but adding expense.

 

Look at Seattle as an SFO alternative on your way out. Probably no fare difference, but worth a check in case. It cuts your total flying time down, and it's not only closer to PDX, it's going the right way (north) instead going the wrong way to SFO and then back.

 

.

[lovedog100 1,372]

Look at Seattle as an SFO alternative on your way out. Probably no fare difference, but worth a check in case. It cuts your total flying time down, and it's not only closer to PDX, it's going the right way (north) instead going the wrong way to SFO and then back.

 

.

 

I looked at that. I like Seattle a lot better than San Fransisco. I do want to make that Orange county stop though. If I don't do it as all part of one flight, I end up buying a couple of round trip tickets from PDX to Orange County, I kinda like saving a few hundred dollars.

[wdwflash 6]

I recommend Asiana Airlines out of Seattle. My travel agent,Justfares has been trying to talk me into it for a couple years. Usually I take EVA, but for the price, their service has seemed to gone downhill. (don't get me started on Thai's poor service.) Great flight on Asiana, good food, nice entertainment, comfortable seats in economy. Will fly them again. (Will never fly Thai again after 30 years of flying with them.)

[tomcat76 327]

I've booked my trip this year with Thai Air. 'Decided to splurge for the direct flight, and their Premium Economy. I checked Kayak, Vayama, Expedia and the Thai site - prices at all were roughly equivalent (~$US1800) LAX-BKK. I'm not aware that there was any cheaper way to do it, although I don't think I checked CheapOAir, but would be surprised if there was any significant difference. (Lately I'd been thinking that maybe prices had retreated a little due to the publicity surrounding the flooding, but I just checked the Thai site, and no, no change...)

 

If you're not familiar with it, there's a handy site called SeatGuru at which you can enter your flight information, and see the seatmap for your flight (and more generally, type acft and other such information). Very nice to have up in front of you when you're making your reservation & picking your seats, but also gives you all the facts & figures about the seating for your particular flight (how much leg room, seat pitch, entertainment system details, etc., etc.). 'Also useful if you have a choice of airlines and want to compare seating options among them. I never make a reservation anymore without it.

Edited October 28, 2011 by tomcat76