THAI to replace ageing fleet

Post by **bamboopaul** » May 24, 2007, 6:56 pm

It is !!! They have not got them yet !! I was talking about the A340-600 different aircraft !!

Post by **arjay** » May 24, 2007, 10:17 pm

Beer Monkey wrote:some of my friends rate Eva air highly, prices can be cheaper, and had a good report from Etihad too, better leg room on Thai rather than BA,Qantas, but the last time i was on BA/Qantas they had good up to date seats and if you fancy a chocolate fix just ask as they keep a selection in the galley !!

I too rate EVA highly, though there has been some criticism of the hard seats on their B777's.

I am less keen on the likes of and Emirates and Eithad, as I don't like the 4 hour wait/change of planes in the middle of the night and the hassles of re-boarding etc in Dubai, (in the case of Emirates). I have also read of problems of priority being given to local Nationals and changes in seat allocation when re-boarding with some of the Middle Eastern Airlines.

This website is very useful for seat pitch data and passenger reviews:-

http://www.airlinequality.com/main/forum.htm

Post by **mally** » May 24, 2007, 10:19 pm

Hi Arjay,

Mally, how did you rate Qantas for legroom on your BKK - LHR flights?

I found them not quite as good as Thai - but it was a brand new plane, state of the art entertainment - 1st class cabin crew - excellent meals and the drinks flowing freely (which helps me to sleep). Only problem is that they do share flights with BA, and if you get 1 of their flights take a couple of vallium - their cabin crews are a set of stuck up w**k*rs - hard for me to say 'cos I'm a Brit - but they have the attitude that you should thank them for allowing you to fly on their plane.
The Thai flight was best for leg room, ok the entertainment was crap, but as before said, I tank up on Scotch & try to sleep.
All in all I would choose Quantas again if I new it would be Quantas, not BA, and if the price was right. Emirates - never again, the Dubai - BKK leg was full of extremely rude (and smelly) Tribesmen - never again.
China Air was probably the worst flight I have ever been on, I'll stay at home rather than fly with them again - too many bad things to say about them for 1 posting.
Enought to say that my next visit is in 12 weeks time and I will be booking Thai.

Post by **wokkawombat** » May 24, 2007, 10:29 pm

If you want to fly Qantas from Britain to BKK and return ensure your flights are QF1 and QF2. They are Qantas flights. The BA codeshare flights are QF301 and QF302.

John

Post by **arjay** » May 24, 2007, 10:31 pm

Yes, I experienced Emirates out of Birmingham, at the time of a World Cup football series, and had the privelege of sitting immediately in front of what I can only describe as a group of loud-mouthed inconsiderate football hooligans, who spent much of the flight/night holding court with passing fans, and practicing their "spot kicks" against the back of my seat.

Though, to the credit of Emirates cabin staff, they did move/re-seat me in business class after I eventually complained.

Then one had a 4 hour wait in a freezing cold airport terminal in Dubaii, before a very confused boarding of a different plane for the second/final leg to BKK.

Post by **beer monkey** » May 24, 2007, 10:41 pm

i have only had a stop off way way back, that was the old philippine airways 747, 1 stop in europe then india somewhere, then on to thai airways when they did the 2 stops, and have been sticking to non stop flights for donkeys years, so i don't really fancy a stop anywhere, i like to get on then get off once !!
i have had flights with Qantas QF 1 and 2 (which i asked for ) and have been put on BA return leg twice !!

Post by **fussychunk** » May 24, 2007, 10:49 pm

The last time I flew Thai (6 months ago) from London to Bkk the service was mediocre, the 777's of Eva win hands down but prices for direct flights from London now with all the additional Taxes put the price above à¸ƒ600, so sadly i am back to the indirect. Qatar pretty good connections and a saving of nearly à¸ƒ200 on a flight in August.

Etihad didnt have enough blankets for a night flight...Nuff said!

Post by **BanPhu** » May 25, 2007, 12:40 am

Fussychunk,

I always use http://www.westeasttravel.com to book EVA flights UK to Thailand. They have Thai staff and I always get prices around the à¸ƒ400 mark, including free National Express coach to and from Heathrow. I agree with EVA being the best all rounder with their new 777s. Also with their silver card have been given access to the lounges at Heathrow and BKK.

Also agree witht he Qantas far better than BA, but been about 4 years since I have used either.

Post by **beer monkey** » May 25, 2007, 5:29 am

i use Trailfinders,give them a go for comparison.

Post by **Nobby** » May 25, 2007, 10:55 pm

For me it has got to be either Thai Airways or Eva Air (not much between them). More expensive but good.

Post by **arjay** » May 26, 2007, 3:03 am

Hen duai, hen duai.

Post by **747man** » June 15, 2007, 11:07 pm

Just flew Manchester-Abu Dhabi ( 1.30 hrs stop )- Bkk with Ethiad,Excellent flights on BOTH legs, 80 pax out of Man,then 120 pax out of Camel Country,Crew VERY Friendly, Flights on time Even 10 mins early into Bkk...Recommend Ethiad anytime and CHEAP 438 Pounds.....

Will BOOK to go back with them again in August....I Was EVEN Upgraded on my 1st Flight in April with them on the Abu Dhabi-Manchester sector......

Post by **mally** » June 16, 2007, 12:25 am

80 pax out of Man,then 120 pax out of Camel Country

Not being into ex-pat slang I have no idea what this means, yeh, I know, Dumbo etc: etc: but patronise me please and give me an explanation. I might well use these carriers myself, I just looked on E.Bookers & Southall Travel and Thai Airways are quoting me à¸ƒ1,100 + for a return flight Heathrow - BKK (economy) in August (my next outing).

Post by **BangkokButcher** » June 16, 2007, 1:08 am

mally wrote:
80 pax out of Man,then 120 pax out of Camel Country
Not being into ex-pat slang I have no idea what this means, yeh, I know, Dumbo etc: etc: but patronise me please and give me an explanation. I might well use these carriers myself, I just looked on E.Bookers & Southall Travel and Thai Airways are quoting me à¸ƒ1,100 + for a return flight Heathrow - BKK (economy) in August (my next outing).

Translation:
PAX = the abbreviation for passengers, so 80 pax means 80 passengers

http://www.acronymfinder.com/af-query.a ... ring=exact

And I guess that Camel country would be the Abu Dhabi to BKK 1/2 of the flight...

Not sure what dates you're chasing for August, but that does sound mighty pricey, but give considerations to it being the kids holidays.

Post by **BangkokButcher** » June 16, 2007, 1:14 am

Just gave THESE a try with some August dates and prices came in at in between à¸ƒ460 and à¸ƒ1100.

Post by **mally** » June 16, 2007, 2:20 am

Not sure what dates you're chasing for August

Depart LHR Aug 17, return Sept 2 - just tried that link you left, Quatar à¸ƒ700, Ethiad à¸ƒ737
What dates did you find the à¸ƒ460 ? I am not fixed on dates, so could alter if there was a real saving. I believe Quatar has good leg room (or so I'm told), but no info on Ethiad, I like plenty of room 'cos I try to stretch out & sleep the time away !
I see 747man likes them - any info on leg room ?

Post by **beer monkey** » June 16, 2007, 4:24 am

try these mally Trailfinders i have had good prices and service from them for many years,check on line but do also phone them and speak to someone.

Post by **JimboPSM** » June 16, 2007, 5:31 am

Over the last few years I have used all of the following, each of them (at the time I used them) was the cheapest:

http://www.airline-network.co.uk

http://www.ebookers.com

http://www.expedia.co.uk

http://www.flights4less.co.uk

http://westeasttravel.com

The sites are in alphabetic order, not in any order of preference.

I am sure there are a good number of other sites which I haven't used where you may find cheaper fares.

From my experience, none of the sites always get the cheapest flights, you have to check around as much as you can at the time you want to make your booking - good luck.

Post by **mally** » June 16, 2007, 6:21 am

Thanks for that info lads, looks like it'll be worth spending an hour or two checking all these out.
Any info on the leg room for Ethiad ?
And are there any airlines to avoid ? I already have had bad experiences with BA, China Air, & Emirates, any more that I should know about ?

Post by **747man** » June 16, 2007, 12:13 pm

Mally, I Forgot to say that I booked my ticket from the Thai End,thats probably why it cost me 438.00 pounds or to be EXACT 30,560 Baht inc ALL Taxes that was departing Bkk in April ( Just before songkran ) which IS a " Peak Time " to get out of The Mayhem ( Water Throwing ) It WAS my 1st time on Ethiad ,After my past 5 round trips on Emirates,AND I found them ( Ethiad ) a much more pleasant experience......Leg room is 33inches in Coral ( Economy ) BUT I have to tell you I was Upgraded on the Abu-Dhabi to Manchester leg to Pearl ( Business) were the seats convert into lie-flat beds.....But even without this The whole round trip was VERY good and I will more than likely go back to the U.K with Ethiad again in August...plus the layover time is just right in Abu-Dhabi ONLY 1 hour and 40 mins.Best of luck in youre searching......