East Coast (U.S.) Long Hauls

[PenName 1]

Any member had a chance to try the long non-stops from JFK to HKG on Cathay Pacific or Newark to SIN on Singapore Air? I thought I heard the new Airbus planes for those routes were supposed to be a bit roomier and possessing of some greater creature comforts. I'm still deciding on my carrier for October-November and just wondered if anyone had blazed these particular trails yet.

 

P.

[BigDUSA 71]

I've read where Thai will start flying from JFK-BKK, ORD-BKK non stop next year. Flight time about 16 hours.

[sensei 0]

I am trying the Newark to Singapore direct in less than 2 weeks...will let you know how it is when I return...Peace.

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Hub,

 

I travelled on the A330 (A330/340 are the same fuselage) with Qatar in April of this year and the difference in the cabin comfort as compared to the 747 is huge. The Airbus is in a 2-4-2 configuration in economy as opposed to 3-4-3 and the aisles seem just that bit wider so that you are not continualy being hit by the trolley dollies doing their rounds and the overhead bins seem to tuck away into the roof as opposed to hanging down as on the 747. Although on Cathay the seat pitch is 32", they are new style seats which actually give more legroom than that offered by the likes of EVA and Thai in their old-style 34" seat pitch seats (seat pitch and legroom are not the same thing).

 

The site below will give you a decent idea of the cabin ambience in economy, business and the premium economy offered by Singapore. If I was travelling, and my choice of golfers was better , I would happily opt for the Cathay flight in economy but avoid seats 62C and H which are on an angle and have slightly restricted legroom. Rows 64-66 seem ideal for taking some time out to chat to the FAs when you get bored. The in-flight entertainment on both Cathay and Singapore is the best there is so nothing to choose between the two on that score.

 

A330/340 Virtual Tour

 

Hope this is of some help.

 

Tom

[PenName 1]

Sensei,

 

Thanks in advance for the recon as right now, I think the EWR-SIN-BKK on Singapore Air is the one I'm leaning toward as the Executive Economy sounds like a decent deal for the time of year I'm going and Star Alliance is a decent enough frequent flyer collective, as far as those things caan be, anyway. God knows Singapore Air shows up at or near the top of most such lists and the price is under $150 less than Eva Deluxe for the same period, and I prefer more mileage options than Eva offers right now.

 

When you have a chance, PM me or post your review if you would.

 

Oh yeah, and have an amzing time.

 

P.

[torrenova 644]

This is just a question for those living on the east coast of the USA.

 

Is there any reason (before non stop flights obviously) why you guys don't just fly through one of the european hubs (London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam etc.) on to Bangkok ? It would appear to cut the total journey time down quite considerably.

[dcdc 0]

Living in the East Coast of the U.S and flying East to reach Asia instead of West is a lot more expensive and the flight options are a lot more limited. That's why I and most folks fly west to reach the Far East. All of the Asian airlines fly west so there a more competitions for your dollar.

[Eric_Olthwaite 0]

Bit OT maybe, but what's the longest overall journey time anyone's had to LOS, ie home to hotel or whatever? Just curious.

[Tahoe_Bill 0]

Eric,

 

Last month Indianapolis to Bangkok with layovers in Chicago and Osaka was 28 hours (and well worth it). 1 hour for immigration customs and currency exchange. Add an additional 3 hours after leaving the airport which included a bizarre taxi ride and traffic ticket (the driver was totally lost going to my TG’s house) going through Bangkok and on to Pattaya. Total hours: 32 hours. Damn I miss the LOS!

 

Bill

[randolpho2 0]

I will be ecstatic when the Thai ORD-BKK nonstop opens up... even if they tack on a 10% premium on the N/S like Singapore is doing with the EWR-SIN route. My route next month is a pretty asinine menagerie of flights, and it will be nice to just go MEM-ORD-BKK (United/Thai Star Alliance flights). As of this trip, and kind of relating to the longest trip ever question, I am going LIT-ATL-NRT (Delta) NRT-BKK (Thai) which is not TOO bad other than the 14 hour ATL-NRT leg (at least on a 777) Coming back however, I have BKK-ICN (Thai) ICN-DFW (Korean), 4 1/2 hour layover in Incheon and DFW-LIT (ASA/Delta Connection). Total time coming back roughly 29 hours + 2-3 hour (rush hour) cab ride PTY-BKK and 1 hour drive home from LIT. All in, about 32 hours.... but worth every stinking minute.

[Greg_B 306]

It's the layover time that can kill you on the US-European Route. If you leave about 6 PM in the US, you have a 6 to 7 hour layover in the European city . But you can do a 9PM to FRA on UA and then theres a HUGE price difference as opposed to an Asian routing...