Phuket Thailand: Which airline would choose

visage · #1 02-07-2009, 20:46

Im Booking trip my next to LOS, Best deals i can find to BKK is China Airlines, KLM or AirFrance, all in the same kinda price range. Not flown with anythese before which one is best? anyone got any experience with the above.

Thanks Guys

MrDK · #2 02-07-2009, 20:53

Flown all three and would pick China Airlines.

hagi · #3 02-07-2009, 20:55

I flew last month with KLM and I wasn t pleased. Seats were not comfortable and if you were unlucky - like me, it wasnt possible to see the video screen.

Anyway staff and service were great. I am not sure but I think you might be lucky with china air were every passenger has his own personal video screen.

1904 · #4 02-07-2009, 21:21

Them all be similar - AF, KLM & Air China all code share & are affiliated - only flown with KLM & poor

visage · #5 02-07-2009, 21:28

thanks guys China it is

steve w · #6 02-07-2009, 21:31

why not try qatar,emirates or ethihad,all have newer planes,seat back entertainment . stop over in the middle east only thing against them.

wylos · #7 02-07-2009, 22:16

EVA all the way.....but depends whereabouts in UK your flying from,as EVA flys from LHR.....but as stated above the middle east carriers are reccomended but have stop overs, but are available from the more northern airports(aswell as the southern) of the UK.....EVA is Direct,and the carriers are fairly new with good service and personal entertainment systems,and is my preference,and would choose EVA over Thai Airways anyday.

what u gotta think about is price difference, would u rather a direct flight,i know some dont mind the break of a stop-over,then weigh it up....sometimes there is difference in prices direct and non direct,but TBH its not great if u search about.

ThaiLearner · #8 02-07-2009, 23:56

I have to agree with Wylos on my next trip I will be flying Eva again this ill be the 5th time.

A friend of mine has flowen China a few times and enjoyed it but once he flew KLM and he said never again.

this gives you a good idea of what others have said Airline Reviews, Airport Reviews, Flight Reviews, Seat Reviews and SKYTRAX Airline and Airport Star Ranking

Also have a look at travelsupermarket.com - the travel comparison site and www.westeasttravel.co.uk for prices.

sarsbuk · #9 03-07-2009, 00:02

I always fly KLM and Air France due to flying out of Cardiff and they suck! My Air France flight Paris - Santiago, Chile was the worst flight I have ever had. Uncomfortable seating, a video screen that I could not see, broken seat just a few of the issues I had.

When flying to LOS I always try and fly either Eva or Qatar/Etihad.

Datsun · #10 03-07-2009, 00:25

Hmm, just booked another trip to LOS, and this time the cheapest airlines where Turkish Airlines and Aerosvit Airlines (from Ukraine). So this time I will try Aerosvit, 55555 Anyone have any experience with them?

GMT · #11 03-07-2009, 00:50

Visage, if you're a smoker, also consider that the flight to LOS is about 10-11 hours non-stop - can you go without a smoke for that long?. Flying with one of the Middle East airlines involves a stop-over, and the chance for a light-up; they split the entire journey into a 6-hour flight and then a 5-hour flight.

There are a lot of factors which you need to consider ...

when you get to LOS, are you staying in BKK, travelling down to Pattaya, or flying down to Phuket/Patong.

- staying in BKK - can arrive at BKK airport at virtually any time and you will be in BKK central very quickly.

- travelling to Pattaya - approx 2 hour drive (sometimes less with a mad driver).

- flying down to Phuket - if arriving late in the day it leaves you little time and fewer options regarding connecting flights. Arriving in BKK in the first half of the days allows you more flight connections down to Phuket, and you are not so rushed.

I've recently seen some very good prices with Singapore A/L from Heathrow, and bookable via Netflights.com .

MrDK · #12 03-07-2009, 00:50

I flew Aeroflot from Russia to Bangkok, if that is any comparison.
It was an old Russian plane that was in pretty sad shape.
Didn't even have video in Business class.
No wonder I was the only passenger in that cabin with 24 seats to myself.

On the other hand the Aeroflot flight from Zurich to Moscow might just have been the most impressive short/medium haul b-class flight I have been on.

So it may be a hit or miss.

Datsun · #13 03-07-2009, 01:01

Yeah, I guess it'a a bit of an hit or miss. I don't have that big expectations on Aerosvit, but who knows maybe they will be great.

gmingot · #14 03-07-2009, 01:43

Avoid KLM, especially if its on a 747. Last time I flew the inflight entertainment was very poor and outdated, no seat back TV's just the old fashioned projector at the front, it makes a long trip feel much longer.
If anyone is interested the following links to a site where previous flyers of many airlines have given opinions

Passenger Airline and Airport Reviews by Real Passengers with Real Opinions

Thai Kwan Do · #15 03-07-2009, 06:42

Avoid kLM , there crap!!!! bad food ,old in-flight entertainment system, old aircraft

i would fly EVA from AMS
with China Air , you would get these pattaya go-er`s sitting next to ya[long hair, patts t-shirt , no manners, drinking beer 7 in the morning , or even worse , Chinese [they spit there food back]

[these pats goer's sound like Ozzie's dont they?!]

MisterT · #16 03-07-2009, 07:35

I have flown EVA from LHR and can highly recommend it. Both Emirates and Etihad are excellent airlines. I prefer Etihad, but for a stopover, Emirates through Dubai is a much better airport.

IMHO worth paying a bit extra for a better quality airline. 11-15 hours of travelling should be comfortable and worth an extra £100 or so.

Warrior · #17 03-07-2009, 15:59

The past few years, I always fly China Airlines; I fly AMS-BKK and I love direct flights, and I believe the CI service is better than KL's.
You could choose EVA too, but they don't have a flight every day, which makes it less flexible to fly them.

steve w · #18 03-07-2009, 16:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Datsun

Yeah, I guess it'a a bit of an hit or miss. I don't have that big expectations on Aerosvit, but who knows maybe they will be great.

don't think they will be great,as you put it,5555

Aerosvit Airlines Reviews and Aerosvit Airlines Passenger Opinions about Aerosvit Airlines standards

visage · #19 03-07-2009, 16:32

Thanks for the advice guys, Ive always used Emirates or Etihad in the Past (im a smoker so direct flight dosnt suit me) Ive got some holiday time that I need to use or lose. Im not a cheap charlie but this trip is sept, ive not budgeted for so the cheaper the flight the better. More cash for the more important things.

visage · #20 03-07-2009, 16:35

Ive found a flight from LHR with GULF Air. £368 via Bahrain, Aircraft seem ok
anyone used Gulf before?

Dancypo · #21 03-07-2009, 16:45

EVA for me as well, great in flight entertainment, flew thai last time and it was the longest 10 hours ive ever sat through!!!!! Plus they wanted £200 extra to take a surf board one way to phuket!!!!! EVA wanted around £30

Halley G · #22 03-07-2009, 23:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve w

why not try qatar,emirates or ethihad,all have newer planes,seat back entertainment . stop over in the middle east only thing against them.

etihad planes are getting rough already, tv's not working etc.
still are comforable planes

sishow · #23 04-07-2009, 00:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halley G

etihad planes are getting rough already, tv's not working etc.
still are comforable planes

I had no problems with the planes at all.

In fact a lot of people reported that the touch screens on the back of the chairs wasn't working until I told the passing air-hostess that they made need turning on by pressing the on button on the remote, as a lot of people turn them off when sleeping and they dont get turned on again.

I was very impressed with all the service I recieved from the Ethihad staff and my only compliant would of been the meal I had between Bkk and Ahd (Goong pad thai) which was very bad. But when the airhostess saw I had left it, she handed me an alternative without me having to ask.

But that said, Im sure with some of the 'class' of passengers I saw on the plane last trip, the odd peice of equipment would be damaged.

Hostesses were very HOT too!

sishow · #24 04-07-2009, 00:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisterT

I have flown EVA from LHR and can highly recommend it. Both Emirates and Etihad are excellent airlines. I prefer Etihad, but for a stopover, Emirates through Dubai is a much better airport.

IMHO worth paying a bit extra for a better quality airline. 11-15 hours of travelling should be comfortable and worth an extra £100 or so.

There business class is exceptional value and with great benefits. If money was no object, it would be my choice every trip: direct LHR to BKK on business on EVA!

(That said, I have never flown first on Maylaisa, Emerites or Etihad!)

mickthehorn · #25 04-07-2009, 04:41

yes also used all three and found china airlines to be the best, booked with them for last four trips, and again this time going with them in 5 weeks time.

steve@thaib · #26 04-07-2009, 04:59

Always surprises me this, but I've flown all three and am the only person I know who prefers KLM.

The KLM aircraft seem to be a little older and more basic, but I'm never bothered about the entertainment and if you check in early enough ( online these days ) a decent seat can be had.

The big positives are the flights not stopping in the Middle East and the fact that Amsterdam Schipol is very easy to find your way around. Food has always been ok, or at least 'airline ok', flight crew fine and flights generally on time.

Air France the same as KLM ( they are the same airline now ) but Paris CDG is the worst major airport on the planet in my humble opinion.

Not flown China Airlines for many years but would happily take them if the price was right.