Phuket Thailand - flights to LOS from Toronto or Detroit, NY etc.

ashley · #1 19-01-2007, 11:03

I am looking for anyone that knows of some decent priced flights from the areas I mentioned above to LOS in February. I always went from Japan before but now as I am living back in Cananada I don't want to pay through the nose for a flight.

Any help appreciated.

Cheers,

Ashley

MrDK · #2 19-01-2007, 11:19

Why don't you try Cheap Airfare, Hotel Reservations, Car Rentals - Kayak.com.

It all depends on your dates. Leaving early February looks like US$1400-1500. After February 16 looks like about US$900 (DTW).

marc26 · #3 19-01-2007, 23:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashley

I am looking for anyone that knows of some decent priced flights from the areas I mentioned above to LOS in February. I always went from Japan before but now as I am living back in Cananada I don't want to pay through the nose for a flight.

Any help appreciated.

Cheers,

Ashley

i am from nyc and now live in vancouver
i have found prices to be much more expensive coming from vancouver, even on the same flight that comes from nyc!!!

ashley · #4 20-01-2007, 00:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by marc26

i am from nyc and now live in vancouver
i have found prices to be much more expensive coming from vancouver, even on the same flight that comes from nyc!!!

I know where you live and where you're from Paulie. I think I met you b4 in LOS a few years back.

Anyways, I know what you are saying with the NYC prices. I would assume you are talking about Cathay Pacific, cheaper from NYC than Vancouver and its the same plane! LOL.

I would just like to find something reasonable as I don't want to spend 2k on a flight. I could go to a 5 star resort in the Caribbean for a one week all inclusinve trip for that price!

Enjoy the slopes Paulie, nothing better than a great winter at Whistler!

Cheers,

Ashely

Denver · #5 20-01-2007, 02:01

Any info you find out would be appreciated Ashley,

I need to get to Toronto in May-June-ish and would be interested to find out the costs and routes available. One I saw was into Chicago and I can get a hire car and drive under the lake into Windsor and a couple of hours to Etobicoke. I'll start my own homework in the next day or two.

Keep us posted

D

MrDK · #6 20-01-2007, 05:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denver

One I saw was into Chicago and I can get a hire car and drive under the lake into Windsor ....

Sure you are not thinking about Detroit (DTW)

ashley · #7 20-01-2007, 08:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrDK

Sure you are not thinking about Detroit (DTW)

I think he means Chicago. It is only a 4-5 hour drive from Chicago to Detroit. Nice drive under the Great Lakes.

Denver, I would recommend flying into Detroit or Toronto. It all depends where you are coming from too. From LOS you will need to go through Japan or Hong Kong for direct flights to Toronto. If you go Detroit you will also likely go through Japan then onto Detroit or via a west coast stop like Seatle, LA etc.

All I know is that it is one fock of a loooooooooong flight!

Take care Big Daddy!

Cheers,

Ashley

MrDK · #8 20-01-2007, 08:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denver

I can get a hire car and drive under the lake into Windsor

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrDK

Sure you are not thinking about Detroit (DTW)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashley

I think he means Chicago. It is only a 4-5 hour drive from Chicago to Detroit. Nice drive under the Great Lakes.

Damn, this English thing is tough. When I read under I figured a tunnel, now I see "Under" is "South of". It has been a while since I crossed between Detroit and Windsor, couldn't remember if there is a tunnel.

ashley · #9 20-01-2007, 08:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrDK

Damn, this English thing is tough. When I read under I figured a tunnel, now I see "Under" is "South of". It has been a while since I crossed between Detroit and Windsor, couldn't remember if there is a tunnel.

Actually there is both a tunnel and bridge crossing @ Detroit / Windsor. The tunnel is pretty cool. Not very long though.

Denver · #10 20-01-2007, 10:00

The Windy City to Windsor, Ontario is the one I meant yes. I have done it before from O'Hare (I was on a course with Motorola at the Head Office in Chicago) went towards Detroit and then through a tunnel under Lake Erie. I hit Canadian Immigration at the end of the tunnel and thought there maybe a problem with the hire car but they were fine.

I seem to remember it took me a couple of hours then to Etobicoke (Where you can see Toronto International Airport!) I know it sounds stupid (Why not fly direct into Toronto?) I am just wondering if some of the main US carriers that fly into O'Hare might be a cheaper option on the long haul from the Far East!

There is a connecting flight between Chicago and Toronto (Air Canada Jazz) but I would need a hire car anyway and also need to see the 'potential' future Mrs Denver in Windsor which is on the way to where I need to be on the 401.....I think!

Anyways, any info appreciated and I might even get to see you before then Ashley! You're turn for the beers at Rio, I got the last ones.........ish!

Superstarry · #11 20-01-2007, 10:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashley

I am looking for anyone that knows of some decent priced flights from the areas I mentioned above to LOS in February. I always went from Japan before but now as I am living back in Cananada I don't want to pay through the nose for a flight.

Any help appreciated.

Cheers,

Ashley

Ashley,
I'm guessing that your base is in Toronto, if you're considering Detroit and New York as optional departure points. I've done some research for my next trip to Phuket (whenever that might happen, I'm not sure!) so here are my results so far.

The best deal seems to be the NYC (JFK) to BKK flight that Thai Air does once daily in each direction. Check Thai Air's website (Thai Airways) and you can book Premium Economy seats for US$1440 return - the seats apparently are a little bigger with extra leg room and Thai Air has a promotion going on aimed at the North American market.
The slight hitch is that Air Canada's Toronto to New York flights go to La Guardia so you would need to take the shuttle between LGA and JFK. The cheapest option is fly Jet Blue out of Buffalo to JFK for about US$70.

Another option is Air Canada (aircanada.com - Welcome/Bienvenue!) out of Toronto and there are a variety of connections through Hong Kong, Tokyo, Beijing, etc. to get to Bangkok and it would cost about CDN$1700. return. Their website seems to screw up when you enter Phuket as the destination while doing the search.
Both Thai Air and Air Canada are part of Star Alliance so you should be able to get the connector flights thrown into your airfare package fairly cheaply once you get your preferences narrowed down. Suggest you call Air Canada or Thai Air once you're ready to book & get their agent to sort out the connector flights (such as YYZ-JFK and BKK-HKT).

One good starting point is www.staralliance.com and do a flight search for Toronto to Bangkok (or Toronto to Phuket) - priint out the search results and you will find the best options seem to be a mix of Air Canada and Thai Air flights.

If you have Star Alliance or Aeroplan points available, this is the time to use them. Send me a PM if you're planning to use points because I can give you some hints in dealing with the Aeroplan reps. because they will ignore New York (because of the LGA & JFK issue) and try to send you through LA or some God-foresaken connection that makes no sense to a logical person!

Sorry to be so long-winded, but believe me this was actually the short version!

MrDK · #12 20-01-2007, 10:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superstarry

Thai Air's website (Thai Airways) and you can book Premium Economy seats for US$1440 return - the seats apparently are a little bigger with extra leg room and Thai Air has a promotion going on aimed at the North American market.

I flew premium economy on Thai Air JFK-BKK on my last trip. The quickest description is that it is a mid point between business and coach. The seats are slightly wider than economy with a good amount of extra leg room and consequently much better recline. I am 5'8", medium build and could actually assume a semi comfortable "lay on the side" position. With some help of melatonin I actually got 11+ hours of sleep during the 16 hour flight. The service and the food is also ½ coach and ½ business.

Superstarry · #13 20-01-2007, 10:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denver

I seem to remember it took me a couple of hours then to Etobicoke (Where you can see Toronto International Airport!) I know it sounds stupid (Why not fly direct into Toronto?) I am just wondering if some of the main US carriers that fly into O'Hare might be a cheaper option on the long haul from the Far East!

Anyways, any info appreciated and I might even get to see you before then Ashley! You're turn for the beers at Rio, I got the last ones.........ish!

Denver,
"Same Same" advice for you as I've passed on to Ashley. The flights into O'Hare may be on United, who are also part of Star Alliance and the Toronto -Chicago flights are usually code shares with Air Canada & United.

Remember that the US dollar is worth 15-20% more than the Canadian dollar when you do your flight search, and you may find that it makes more sense just to fly Air Canada direct to Toronto. Once you are here in Toronto, you can rent your car (not at the airport - avoid that premium cost) or take the train to Windsor by Via Rail.

Happy to help out if you have any specific questions.

swiftdave · #14 20-01-2007, 11:23

I avoid Air Canada at any cost. *****y old flight attendants and crappy service. In Canada use Westjet where ever possible. They really go the extra mile.

Denver?? The future Mrs. Denver?? Would that be your lovely warrant officer friend??

Superstarry · #15 20-01-2007, 11:52

[quote=swiftdave;278709]I avoid Air Canada at any cost. *****y old flight attendants and crappy service. In Canada use Westjet where ever possible. They really go the extra mile.
QUOTE]

Swiftdave,
We're basically stuck with Air Canada when we take International flights as Westjet is limited to North America. For me, the real advantage to Air Canada is being able to accumulate Aeroplan miles. I did my October trip to Thailand on points and was able to work in stopovers in Hong Kong & Bangkok - there is no better use of points than these "exotic" vacations.

I was actually just looking into taking Westjet to Las Vegas (from Toronto) - have you ever used them for that route?

ashley · #16 21-01-2007, 05:26

Thanks for all the advice. I actually found a United flight out of Detroit for under a grand. Not bad at all really!

Denver, when you get your azz over here let me know. We'll be sure to have a laugh or too. Mrs. Denver?? We need to know a little more on this one!

Cheers,

Ashley

swiftdave · #17 22-01-2007, 03:54

[quote=Superstarry;278715]

Quote:

Originally Posted by swiftdave

I avoid Air Canada at any cost. *****y old flight attendants and crappy service. In Canada use Westjet where ever possible. They really go the extra mile.
QUOTE]

Swiftdave,
We're basically stuck with Air Canada when we take International flights as Westjet is limited to North America. For me, the real advantage to Air Canada is being able to accumulate Aeroplan miles. I did my October trip to Thailand on points and was able to work in stopovers in Hong Kong & Bangkok - there is no better use of points than these "exotic" vacations.

I was actually just looking into taking Westjet to Las Vegas (from Toronto) - have you ever used them for that route?

Never flown them to Vegas, but I fly pretty often Kelowna - YVR Kelowna - Calgary and Calgary - Winnipeg. And everytime I've been impressed.

Last time I flew into YVR From Bejing on Air Canada, it was the worst flight ever. Then a stopover in Vancouver. I was tired and grumpy and sitting in the smoking lounge when some Westjet girls came in. We talked for a bit and I explained how bad the flight was and I was just bagged. Next thing I know I'm called to the Westjet counter where the agent took my boarding pass and tore it up and gave me a new one. When I boarded the plane a little later I found I had a row of seats all to myself and a pillow and a couple of blankets laid out. Even though the flight was only 40 minutes or so, I was really touched by the gesture. It's that little thing called customer service that Air Canada just doesn't get.

ashley · #18 22-01-2007, 04:09

Air Canada forgot about customer service a long long time ago. Hands down the worst airline going!

Superstarry · #19 22-01-2007, 05:11

I've been looking for alternatives to flying Air Canada out of Toronto, but it's not really customer service that's forcing me elsewhere but the ridiculous cost for security, taxes, etc. that's tacked on every ticket (hard to blame AC for that I suppose).
Last weekend, I flew to Vegas out of Buffalo airport with Southwest on direct flights for US$122 return! For a flight out of Toronto, it would cost more than that for the add-on costs for security & taxes alone!

Spector · #20 24-01-2007, 04:09

Being a Toronto resident I have spent a lot of time researching flights. Basically if you want to fly out of Toronto then Air Canada is your best bet with fairly competitive prices. You guys made me laugh about the “old hag” comments, as that was my biggest complaint when flying long haul with Air Canada. It was more apparent to me when I returned from Phuket last October and flew Thai, Cathay Pacific (wonderful friendly service) and then the 15-hour flight from Hong Kong on Air Canada. Talk about a bunch of old *****es on Air Canada….and only because of seniority. At least the younger Chinese flight attendants were efficient and polite.

Anyways question on booking. Use Expedia.ca to find the best Air Canada options. (Phuket from Toronto. $1600-$1750 Cnd-)
Use Travelocity.ca to find the best flexibility price option on the search…especially out of Buffalo (Buf) if you have some flexibility on your dates. You can find round trip flight to BKK for 1000-1100 Canadian through United or American.
If you want US price options use CheapTickets: Cheap Flights, Hotels, Vacations, Last Minute Trips, Rental Cars, Cruises booking engine also under the flexibility option. You can put a spread of 30 days in your search to get the best prices. If you have some Aeroplan miles then LAX or SFO might be an option for your Asia flights.

Denver · #21 24-01-2007, 23:52

All good stuff, thanks Searanger.

D