Return Flights London-bangkok. Cheap?

[qpgwmh]

My wife and I are in London and we're now planning our first trip back to Thailand since leaving some time ago.

We're looking to find the cheapest fares for direct flights (Thai Airways?) but also some advice as to the cheapest times of year to fly. Also, is it cheaper to book way ahead?

We're considering returning around Nov 07 - Jan 08 although as this coincides with peak season (I believe) we may try to avoid it if it means a significant increase in fares.

Thanks for any advice that you may be able to give.

C&F

[londonthai]

some threads to read exactly on the subject:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99647

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=66053

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=89119

[endure]

If you want to fly at peak season you have 2 options to getting cheap fares. One is to wait till the very last minute and hope you're lucky. The other is to book them now. This presupposes you know what dates you'll be travelling on.

[Mahout Angrit]

My wife and I are in London and we're now planning our first trip back to Thailand since leaving some time ago.

We're looking to find the cheapest fares for direct flights (Thai Airways?) but also some advice as to the cheapest times of year to fly. Also, is it cheaper to book way ahead?

We're considering returning around Nov 07 - Jan 08 although as this coincides with peak season (I believe) we may try to avoid it if it means a significant increase in fares.

The threads above show some previous discussion. From my experience over the years I have noticed that the cheapest period is October and November (if you're lucky that stretches to about 10th December)

If you do intend to return early January that is peak time to leave Thailand.

It's not normally cheaper to book this far in advance as the reduced fares will not be announced yet.

I have found for direct flights (Thai & Eva) few people can beat WestEastTravel

See West East Travel

You can register your email address with them and they will update you when the specials are released.

Remember the quoted fares dont include taxes and it maybe best to actually phone them when you want to book.

Dont write off other online agents such as ebookers and airline-network

[PhilHarries]

Flying from the UK I've always found Trail Finders hard to beat. Their website allows you to submit an enquiry by e mail and then they'll either e mail you or telephone with details of the best deal. You can specify any requirements like direct flights only and when you actually book you can ask all the questions you like and change details all over the phone.

[crowbait]

Flying direct from London does limit the number of flights you can take, although we have found EVA to be quite cheap if you book far enough (about 6 months) ahead.

It may be worth your while to consider flying from one of the other main european hubs like Amsterdam (KLM, China airlines etc) Zurich(SwissAir) Paris(Air France - usually expensive) or Frankfurt(Lufthansa).

We have found the connecting flights easy and although a bit longer flying time overall, they often fly overnight (about 21:00 take off) and plant you in BKK early to middle afternoon, which doesn't upset our body clocks as much an afternoon flight like BA.

Oh and by the way, Swiss Air do give you wonderful Swiss chocolates!

[Filer]

I think that you will find it hard to beat the economy class fares offered by the airlines which fly you through their hubs in the Gulf: Gulf Air (Bahrain/Muscat), Emirates (Dubai), Qatar Airways (Doha), Etihad (Abu Dhabi). These generally have at least one connecting flight a day from London, typically with a 1-3 hour lay-over in their hub. This breaks the journey neatly into two. We much prefer this now in place of the 11-12 hour non-stop. These carriers are in intensive competition with each other, as well as with the non-stop carriers, and they have some amazing fares, which appear not to vary much according to season. I believe that you should be able to access all these economy class fares through a good agency such as already been mentioned, Trailfinders, in London.

One thing which you should also consider, if you are going to be travelling frequently: buy your tickets in Bangkok each time you are there: BKK-LON-BKK. You can organise this in advance with a good agent in BKK by email (I can give you the name and contact of my agent in Bangkok, who is most reliable, if you PM me). This is usually significantly cheaper than buying in London. Bangkok is a much more competitive market.

Incidentally, my wife and I currently fly business class on one of these airlines with a totally flexible one year ticket (restricted to the airline in question of course) for 75,000 baht each BKK-LON-BKK. This gives us free private limo transfer to and from the airport at each end, 50kg luggage each, and lots of frequent flier privileges, as well as a very high level of comfort and service.

[chutai]

I have found for direct flights (Thai & Eva) few people can beat WestEastTravel

See West East Travel

You can register your email address with them and they will update you when the specials are released.

I concur that westeast travel are the best agency that I've dealt with, although you are limited to either Thai Air or EVA. But for direct flights they're the cheapest anyway.

[yoshiwara]

I have found for direct flights (Thai & Eva) few people can beat WestEastTravel

See West East Travel

You can register your email address with them and they will update you when the specials are released.

I concur that westeast travel are the best agency that I've dealt with, although you are limited to either Thai Air or EVA. But for direct flights they're the cheapest anyway.

I agree. Also they are comparatively nice airlines to travel with. If you are travelling off-peak try the Eva super economy seat.

[binnsy]

Eva Air are by far better for in flight entertaiment than Thai .Direct flight i would us Eva but if you want a hop then Etihad