Flights to the US?

[phuketsub]

Has anyone been on or heard about flight availability to the US on commercial airlines lately, since the pandemic began hitting hard in the US?  I need to send my teenage daughter back there to start high school, and it looks like she is going to have to travel on her own since the Thai government is making it virtually impossible for me to return here. Any useful advice much appreciated.

 

[bestie]

I don't know about flights but I heard that some airlines are offering a service especially for teenage kids who are travelling alone. Delta airline is one example: https://www.delta.com/us/en/children-infant-travel/unaccompanied-minor-program

 

[JohnnyNJoy]

I was under the impression that the US was closed off from people right now. Unless I misread that somewhere. Hopefully you can get your daughter back there no problem. 

[ubonjoe]

10 hours ago, JohnnyNJoy said:

I was under the impression that the US was closed off from people right now.

It is open for those from most countries.

Click the USA on the map here for more info. https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/international-travel-document-news/1580226297.htm

 

[mtls2005]

How old is your daughter? UM's (Unaccompanied Minors) below age 12 are not allowed unless you pay for that service. Since you mention high school I'm guessing she's older than twelve.

 

What is her destination?

 

Which passport(s) does she hold? If not a U.S. passport does she have some sort of visa/green card?

 

Depending on the final destination, maybe look at Qatar Airways via DOH. They have had at least one daily for BKK-DOH for ~ 4 weeks, and have direct flights DOH-USA, with some 39 weekly flights to DFW, ORD, BOS, IAD, LAX.

 

They also have the best policies re: changes and refunds, IME.

 

There are other options via ICN, NRT/HND, TPE. Some fly down to SIN and then go direct/non-stop to LAX (weekly, not daily).

 

 

 

Edited August 3, 2020 by mtls2005

[IraqRon]

4 hours ago, mtls2005 said:

How old is your daughter? UM's (Unaccompanied Minors) below age 12 are not allowed unless you pay for that service. Since you mention high school I'm guessing she's older than twelve.

 

What is her destination?

 

Which passport(s) does she hold? If not a U.S. passport does she have some sort of visa/green card?

 

Depending on the final destination, maybe look at Qatar Airways via DOH. They have had at least one daily for BKK-DOH for ~ 4 weeks, and have direct flights DOH-USA, with some 39 weekly flights to DFW, ORD, BOS, IAD, LAX.

 

They also have the best policies re: changes and refunds, IME.

 

There are other options via ICN, NRT/HND, TPE. Some fly down to SIN and then go direct/non-stop to LAX (weekly, not daily).

 

 

 

does this mean that the Qatar flights arriving in Thai have tourist passengers to deplane here? If so could a person fly there,DOHA, and do a turnaround and arrive back in Thailand as a tourist?

[ubonjoe]

10 minutes ago, IraqRon said:

does this mean that the Qatar flights arriving in Thai have tourist passengers to deplane here?

Certainly not.

 

[phuketsub]

On 8/3/2020 at 7:11 AM, mtls2005 said:

How old is your daughter? UM's (Unaccompanied Minors) below age 12 are not allowed unless you pay for that service. Since you mention high school I'm guessing she's older than twelve.

 

What is her destination?

 

Which passport(s) does she hold? If not a U.S. passport does she have some sort of visa/green card?

 

Depending on the final destination, maybe look at Qatar Airways via DOH. They have had at least one daily for BKK-DOH for ~ 4 weeks, and have direct flights DOH-USA, with some 39 weekly flights to DFW, ORD, BOS, IAD, LAX.

 

They also have the best policies re: changes and refunds, IME.

 

There are other options via ICN, NRT/HND, TPE. Some fly down to SIN and then go direct/non-stop to LAX (weekly, not daily).

 

 

 

Thanks so much. She's 15 and has US Passport.

 

Her final destination would be Knoxville, TN, but it looks as if her flight back will be to either Atlanta or Nashville, where her Aunt (my sister) would pick her up.

 

Personally I would like her to stay here until the situation back there normalizes, but she is dead keen to go and I don't want to risk a lifetime of resentment. I think if I can just get her back there safely she will be fine.

 

Thanks again to everyone for your helpful replies and any more info you come across would be much appreciated.

 

 

[phuketsub]

On 8/2/2020 at 8:11 PM, bestie said:

I don't know about flights but I heard that some airlines are offering a service especially for teenage kids who are travelling alone. Delta airline is one example: https://www.delta.com/us/en/children-infant-travel/unaccompanied-minor-program

 

It would be very reassuring to get her on a flight with such a service, so thanks for raising the possibility with me...now if I can just find a flight!

[mtls2005]

50 minutes ago, phuketsub said:

She's 15 and has US Passport.

 

Has she traveled internationally alone before?

 

20 minutes ago, phuketsub said:

It would be very reassuring to get her on a flight with such a service, so thanks for raising the possibility with me...now if I can just find a flight!

 

This will be challenging for a multitude of reasons. Not all airlines offer this service, and it might not cover the last domestic segment XXX-BNA/ATL? And for soem airlines the cutoff is age 15 or lower.

 

I might opt for BKK-DOH-IAD (QR 837 - QR 807: 3:05 connection at DOH), then ask the sister to fly to IAD, meet here and escort her onwards (back to ATL or on to BNA).

 

 

 

 

 

[phuketsub]

37 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

 

Has she traveled internationally alone before?

 

 

This will be challenging for a multitude of reasons. Not all airlines offer this service, and it might not cover the last domestic segment XXX-BNA/ATL? And for soem airlines the cutoff is age 15 or lower.

 

I might opt for BKK-DOH-IAD (QR 837 - QR 807: 3:05 connection at DOH), then ask the sister to fly to IAD, meet here and escort her onwards (back to ATL or on to BNA).

 

 

 

 

 

Thank so much for your help.

 

No, she has never flown on her own...but she is quite mature and the last time we went back I was seriously coaching her up on how to navigate the world of air travel. I think she could do it quite easily on her own under normal circumstances, but that is the problem: right now I don't even know what the real circumstances are.

 

I looked into Qatar as you recommended and they did have a reasonably-priced flight to Nashville via Chicago-O'Hare (ORD), but the hard part is knowing if all the connections will actually happen. It is hard for me to imagine her being stranded and alone in Chicago or some other airport because a flight was cancelled, not knowing what to do.

 

Anyway, I really appreciate your input and Qatar does look very promising compared to Cathay Pacific, which is my usual way home.

[mtls2005]

21 hours ago, phuketsub said:

It is hard for me to imagine her being stranded and alone in Chicago or some other airport because a flight was cancelled, not knowing what to do.

 

This is why I suggested that someone meet her at the international gateway (IAD, ORD, DFW), and to stick with one carrier, and one simple connection at DOH.

 

DFW might be the best option? QR has been flying to ORD and DFW through nearly the entire virus period. They've added more flights since July.

 

You could still ticket the tag flight, just give a 6+ hour connection/overnight (XXX-BNA), and have the sister book the same flight. Qatar has partnerships with AA, and JetBlue. AA servies BNA.

 

 

 

 

How did yor daughter return from last year's school year? Did she return before the lockdown here? 

 

FWIW I might not buy a round-trip ticket, just a one-way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[phuketsub]

Thanks so much; you are a font of useful information.

 

My daughter has been educated in the Thai government system, and home schooled by myself. She has been to the States three times already though, and I am quite confident in her ability.

 

Your plan makes a lot of sense and I am going to start trying to set it all up. I am curious to know how you know so much about the international airline industry, because the info you provide is more specific than anything I can find online...please feel free to PM me if you don't want to share that info in this thread.

 

And, again, I can't thank you enough.

[mtls2005]

I'm sure you are familiar with the situation in the U.S., especially with regards to schools. I tend towards the pessimistic, but would not expect schools to operate normally until fall, 2021. In a similar position I would be working my son hard to delay leaving for the U.S. If he were going to be living with family - not "a family" - then I'd feel a bit better.

 

Getting your daughter to the U.S. seems easier than insuring her continued health and education there.

 

MNPS started yesterday, but it looks like in-class is delayed until at least after Labor Day.

 

Sorry, I've been mixing up Knoxville with Nashville. Apologies. AA does serve TYS, as does DL and UA, I think.

 

You can get the TYS segment tickted on Qatar

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 5, 2020 by mtls2005

[phuketsub]

Thanks. Is MNPS Minneapolis Public Schools? That's just a guess...

 

[mtls2005]

3 minutes ago, phuketsub said:

Thanks. Is MNPS Minneapolis Public Schools? That's just a guess...

 

 

Metro Nashville Public Schools. Again, my screw-up.

 

KCS (Knoxville) delayed opening until August 24.

 

I would imagine Tennesseans will push hard for schools to re-open, until they run out of teachers.hospital beds or body-bags?

 

 

[GinBoy2]

I work for Delta and have been to most of the airports mentioned.

 

If I had to chose an airport for a UM to arrive I'd chose DFW over ORD any day.

 

ORD immigration can be a nightmare, although these days with such limited international travel, that might be a moot point.

 

QR is a good option to DFW, since they are Oneworld and DFW is an American Airlines hub, so onwards connections will be easier

[phuketsub]

19 hours ago, mtls2005 said:

 

Metro Nashville Public Schools. Again, my screw-up.

 

KCS (Knoxville) delayed opening until August 24.

 

I would imagine Tennesseans will push hard for schools to re-open, until they run out of teachers.hospital beds or body-bags?

 

 

Yes, my sister told me that they delayed the opening until the 24th, which still gives us time.

 

From what I can gather, Tennessee is much like many other states...really divided on the issue. My sister told me that about 1/3 of the kids there are expected to go for the 'study at home on line' option, she said.

 

Again, it is really difficult to ascertain what the actual situation on the ground is with all the conflicting/sensationalist  media reports on just about every aspect...Once again thanks for your help.

 

 

[phuketsub]

16 hours ago, GinBoy2 said:

I work for Delta and have been to most of the airports mentioned.

 

If I had to chose an airport for a UM to arrive I'd chose DFW over ORD any day.

 

ORD immigration can be a nightmare, although these days with such limited international travel, that might be a moot point.

 

QR is a good option to DFW, since they are Oneworld and DFW is an American Airlines hub, so onwards connections will be easier

I really appreciate your input.

[GinBoy2]

24 minutes ago, phuketsub said:

I really appreciate your input.

So the good thing about the DFW option is there 7 daily nonstops to BNA, and it's a quick 1 hour 30 min flight.

 

I don't work AA, only UAL & DAL, but I asked a friend over at American, and they are booking to 100% right now, but like United & Delta insisting of masks be worn throughout the journey and very little cabin service.

 

My wife did a QR transfer at DFW to an AA flight home to Rapid City and she said it was easy

[phuketsub]

1 hour ago, GinBoy2 said:

So the good thing about the DFW option is there 7 daily nonstops to BNA, and it's a quick 1 hour 30 min flight.

 

I don't work AA, only UAL & DAL, but I asked a friend over at American, and they are booking to 100% right now, but like United & Delta insisting of masks be worn throughout the journey and very little cabin service.

 

My wife did a QR transfer at DFW to an AA flight home to Rapid City and she said it was easy

Thanks again...ultimately it will be my sister who will decide which is most convenient for the final flight, but I really appreciate your input and will let her know.

[mtls2005]

3 hours ago, phuketsub said:

Again, it is really difficult to ascertain what the actual situation on the ground

You can check the Knoxville TV stations: Ch. 6, 8, 10, 43 to get a feel for the situation. There are newspapers there too.

 

On the plus side: bars re-opened with a 10 PM curfew.

[phuketsub]

38 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

You can check the Knoxville TV stations: Ch. 6, 8, 10, 43 to get a feel for the situation. There are newspapers there too.

 

On the plus side: bars re-opened with a 10 PM curfew.

That's a great idea...I will do it with my daughter tonight. Thank you.

[phuketsub]

Just to update. I got her a flight to DFW on QR and it's 'all systems go' on this end, so I just want to thank you once again for your invaluable input.

[phuketsub]

Just one last query: she does have a 9hr layover in Doha. I am just wondering if there are any places there at the airport where she could crash. I have heard about 'cubicles for rent' and stuff like that...I've never flown through Doha so I am unfamiliar with it. Any more suggestions much appreciated.

 

I opted not to get her the Unaccompanied Minor option, because they charge the price of a return ticket for  that service.

[mtls2005]

There are gazillions of websites/blogs which document airport facilities. Big question: which are open? Quiet areas, pay to use lounges, even an airside hotel all available.

 

https://www.sleepinginairports.net/sleep-guide/sleeping-in-doha-airport.htm

 

 

There are also a lot of Youtube videos, quite a few of Thais transiting DOH. Even a Thai QR FA has a video channel.

 

As a last resort have your daughter chat up a FA during BKK-DOH; they love to be helpful.

 

And don't miss the DOH-DFW connection while sleeping.

 

 

QR did announce increases in service to the U.S., going from 39 weeklies to 56 weeklies, adding Houston and Phildelphia.

 

 

Edited August 9, 2020 by mtls2005

[phuketsub]

Thanks once again...I think she can handle it, but now she's filled with anxiety and it's not the state I want her to be in when she leaves us...she's worried about everything from the plane crashing to not getting along with her aunt and her cousins....I just keep telling her not to worry about things outside her control. Anyway, will look at the Doha videos tonight.

 

I owe you a beer.

[phuketsub]

Another potential snag comes with a message on the Qatar Airways site about minors travelling alone...they ask that the child carry a notarized letter signed by both parents...The US Embassy, however, has suspended notarial services because of the pandemic, so it seems like a real Catch-22...

 

I guess I'll just write her a long, detailed letter that both of us will sign...just curious to know if anyone else has any experience in this regard.

[RichCor]

4 hours ago, phuketsub said:

they ask that the child carry a notarized letter signed by both parents...The US Embassy, however, has suspended notarial services because of the pandemic, so it seems like a real Catch-22...

 

This is from another recent ThaiVisa thread re: US Embassy notary service...

  

On 8/4/2020 at 2:14 PM, ubonjoe said:

There is form you have to complete for a "emergency appointment" near the bottom of this page on embassy website.

 

https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/acsappointment/

 

Note the form Is in Thai and English but they are just additional help for Thais to complete the form.

I think the are fairly flexible about doing them now from what I have heard.

 

[phuketsub]

thanks for your input...not sure if they'll have an appointment on such short notice, but will give it a try.