Stubby

21 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

  Phuket to London 7750 Baht on 15 May

 

https://book.omanair.com/flights/oneway

Sadly, I have to go back within the next 48 hours due to an unexpected crisis, otherwise I would have had the luxury of booking further ahead. I may just shed a few tears in private after reading your update here, though 

31 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Return flights are often cheaper than one way flights .

When I was looking a few weeks ago, one way to UK by KLM was 32 000 Baht and a return was 28 000 Baht

That's interesting, Nick. I will look into that.

4 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   They keep the ticket prices low by charging people for extra services , like carrying luggage .

I don't think 30-35K is that cheap for a one-way flight with stopovers, Nick. I have seen a handful of flights as much less than that, but I've decided to go with Airlines I know from the past and pay a bit more. I've seen something for just under 30K so I'll go ahead and book that if the flight details look reasonable.

Thanks for all your input, mate.

OK, thanks for your input everybody. I'm going to book via Google Flights as suggested at the start and be done with it. 

1 hour ago, SMIAI said:

Complaining about Air China Economy Flex, but instead suggesting multi stop flights with self transfers including Wizz Air??

 

I think someone might have taken leave of their senses. I'll take one stop with a free hotel over multiple self transfers any day.

I'd sooner walk back that do a multi-stop self-transfer. As for the guitar, I never mentioned it because this is the first time ever that I've had a problem. 

On 5/4/2025 at 12:43 PM, Packer said:

Search flights from Bangkok, as you'll likely be going there first anyway.

 

Skyscanner.

 

From CNX, 37000thb

From Bkk, 21000thb. 

 

 

Thank you, Packer. I'll probably just go without my guitar and put an end to the frustration.

On 5/4/2025 at 12:31 PM, nana kid said:

If youre doing a connecting give a good look at layover connecting ttime               There are a bunch of booking

with 20-30 layover.  Prices look good  

but forever in an airport

Thanks, Nana.

1 hour ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   30 000 Baht to take a guitar as luggage ?

 
Yes, or whatever the flight price is. I've looked at higher priced flights with Eva and Qatar Airways, Nick. Both said I need to book an extra seat for the guitar. And Qatar Airways won't even let me put it into the hold unless I take a direct flight or at least with same plane with a stopover, even though regular luggage is not a problem. Something's changed as I've traveled the word with a guitar on all kinds of airlines in the past, and it was never an issue.

Who knows, they're probably trying to make up the losses post COVID.

30 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

Out of curiosity I checked the opposite direction (May) and here TG wants 590 GBP! (about 26000 Baht) and far from the best prices.

 

China Eastern 1 stop via Shanghai is 376 GBP from Gatwick.

As both legs China Eastern I guess you can check baggage through.

The price is great, but only if I leave my guitar behind. See previous response, BENQ :(

11 minutes ago, Packer said:

 

Don't forget your earplugs, nose plugs, hazmat suit and padlock for every pocket. 

 

 

Air China economy, may times never, ever be that tough. 🙏

I don't think the China option is going to work. I wanted to take my guitar but they said if I take in onboard, i need to book an extra seat. And if I want to check it in with my regular bag, I will have to pay $1000 extra. I've never had issues taking a guitar on a plane before on a long-haul flight, but I guess this is the price one must pay for economy.

1 hour ago, Tazmo said:

Last year I used China Eastern, flew to Shanghai, long layover, I think 8 hours, then to London Gatwick. Cheap but long and tiring.

 

This year I have booked with Qatar Airways, I was a Silver card member with them. 
To BKK, then 6 hours to Doha, then 6 hours to LGW. 63, 779 THB return for 2 people.

Their service is the best in my opinion, friendly, good food, plenty booze, decent Airport lounges and shopping.

 

They use to fly from CM a few days a week, but discontinued since Covid.

 

If you avoid flying on certain days, eg weekends, you should get cheaper tickets.

Thanks, Tazmo ;)

3 hours ago, treetops said:

 

Yes, resumes again at the end of October.

Bad timing on my part, Treetops.

3 hours ago, SMIAI said:

If you had gotten back to me sooner, there was Air China for the 7th at £269.10. But now they only have it for the 8th. It's a long stopover, but they do provide a free transit hotel(subject to availability).

 

That's about the cheapest you will find at such short notice.  https://www.airchina.co.uk/

 

Book direct of course. As an aside, they have a strange anomaly on that date, wherein Economy Flex is cheaper than Economy Standard. So you get a relatively flexible ticket. Change dates for US$100. Refund US$200.

Thank you very much, SMIAI ;) 

30 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

  We've all taken time to try and help you........................and you end up using an agent anyway !!!!!!!

No, I haven't, Nick, I'm just not ruling it out as an option, that's all. I appreciate everyone who's taken time to give advice. In fact, I've been surprised at how many eyeballs this topic has received. The reason I 'may' consider an agent is 

37 minutes ago, sandyf said:

I have been at it many years and think Skyscanner is now one of the better options. Decide on the flight that suits best and then book with the airline. Many will say there is nothing wrong with agents, but that depends if there is a problem or not.

The last tme I booked with an agent, the flight was cancelled. I couldn't get a refund from the airline because it was booked with agent, the agent claimed it was not a cancellation but a reschedule. I had an email  saying the flight was cancelled so took them to court, it was settled out of court, but I would never want to be in the same position again.

If not bothered about time, Chinese look about cheapest.

That's scary, Sandyf, thanks for your input. I have also found Chinese airline to be the best across the platforms, so it looks like that might be the way to go. 

Thanks for all the suggestions, folks.

I've viewed the suggested services and they seem to offer the same flight choices at similar prices. I'm not in a rush, but I'm going to avoid those 29 hour flights that use different planes for various legs. I'm thinking it might be easier to just pay a bit extra and let an agency do the searching and booking for me.

Stubby

16 hours ago, Yagoda said:

Should be english it always is for me

It's working this morning, thanks, Yagoda. I'll take a look later.

16 hours ago, SMIAI said:

This month? That's short notice.

Returning?

I won't be returning until November at the earliest, but I might not get back for 15 months. I'll know more after I get back to the UK. Because the return date is uncertain, I plan to just get a one-way ticket, SMIAI.

16 hours ago, SMIAI said:

This month? That's short notice.

Returning?

1 minute ago, SMIAI said:

Which dates approx.?

5, 6, 7th will work. Why do you ask?

49 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Skyscanner

It might be good if I could get it to load in English, Yagoda. For some strange reason, the pages are in Dutch. I'll try again later.

Thanks Nick, and Harrisfan, I appreciate your responses ;)

Good afternoon, forum,

I'm flying to the UK soon after a long absence. It's my first long-haul flight for almost 10 years. Can anyone recommend an agency that offers the best prices? Or is it just better to search online and book via the web? I'm not in a rush, so I'm not fussed about one or two stopovers.

Thank you,

Stubby

3 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

I think all things involving China are crap, but I will say we had a Belgian kid hanging around this winter and he did almost 7000 km (he said) on a Benelli through Cambodia and Thailand and had no problems.

 

I wouldnt buy the one he rented now, but it served him good.

 

China has come a long way in recent times, Yagoda, and no longer churn out the cheap, tacky crap it used to. We might not like it, but I say ignore Chinese made goods in 2025 at your peril. 

As for Benelli, the Chinese didn't just buy the company and do their own thing. Italy still has a significant role in Benelli even after the acquisition by the Chinese Qianjiang Motorcycle group. In fact, the Benelli QJ headquarters remain in Pesaro, Italy. This is where the design and research & development (R&D) activities for Benelli motorcycles continues. I wonder how many folks even know that.

BTW, I've just posted my Benelli TRK 502 Tourer in the classified ads if anyone's interested in that.

17 minutes ago, piston broke said:

the main problem about selling them is that they are made in China and traditionally chineese made bikes lose their shirt.

Aren't most things made in China these days, or at least assembled there? Most people have no idea just how much of the stuff they buy (whatever it may be) comes out of that country. Also, some motorcycles manufactured in China might be sold under different, potentially more familiar, brand names in specific markets. And how many genuine and aftermarket parts and accessories come out of China?

I doubt most people spending just 35K on a beautiful secondhand, customized motorcycle are worried about depreciation a few years down the road. 

5 minutes ago, Photoguy21 said:

If you mean hiring based on diversity no it isn't the best. It is a person who ticks the box of diversity. They tried it in the RAF and now they have a bunch of useless people

Yes, and how could anyone disagree that the best person for the job is the right person to take on, regardless of whether they're a man, woman, beast, gay, straight, or Australian.