China Air - HNL - BKK

[upena 2]

There is a relatively new flight from Honolulu to BKK

 

Flight NO. Departure City Departure time

(dd hh:mm) Arrive City Arrive time

(dd hh:mm) Stops A/C Class

CI 001

Honolulu 24 07 : 50 Taipei 25 12 : 15 0 340 FCY  

CI 695

Taipei 25 13 : 05 Bangkok 25 15 : 45 0 AB6 FCY  

 

Unlike N'West, United, JAL and previous CAL flights - that all arrive between 2230 and 0130 - this one only has a 50 minute layover in Taipei (and one stop as opposed to two on other flight - Taipei and Tokyo) and arrives during daylight hours.  So no more arriving at about midnight and getting to hotel at approx 0100 and then scrambling to get a beer and girl in the next hour or so.  This flight started on July 17th, 2003 and I was gonna book it for this year's trip - but departed on July 15th.  I have a couple of buddies flying out on this flight on 8/28 and will let you know if they make it alright.

 

The flgiht lieaves a little earlier (0750) so that may make check-in even easier.  Most flights to BKK from HNL leave around 1100-1200 and airport can be a bit crowded.

 

Hopefully this works for CAL so thta the other carriers have to change their flight times and layover time to compete.  Hate having to sit in Narita/Kansai for 3-4 hours after an 8 1/2 hour flight and just prior to another 5 1/2 hour flight.

 

Also, there was no premium for the flight - my buddy's ticket was about $520 including taxes.  I paid $535 on JAL and thought I got a great deal.  Tickets usually run about $600 from HNL to BKK.

 

If any of you guys have already been on this flight - would appreciate any feedback.  thanks

[upena 2]

got email from my buddy today - no problems with the flight or the connection in Taipei.  He said economy class was overbooked so they bumped him to business class on the Honolulu-Taipei leg.  And he also said that there were no lines at all at customs.