Flights To America from BKK (Specifically layover in Tapei)

[RickR]

My wife is coming from Thailand to the States and wondering how some of the airlines, flights are in general. Although Japan Airlines has plenty of deals, Im interested in China Airlines. I see that the layover in Tapei is quite short (1hr and 15m) which is good in one hand, but concerned if the plane is late or if the layover is long enough to change flights to the next airplane heading back to the States.

 

Thanks

 

[bkk6060]

1 hour 15 minutes should be fine if all transfers in the same terminal.  Noone can control if delays or cancel just part of the risks of flying.

[RickR]

thx

[jerrymahoney]

My experience flying from USA with many airlines is that they will hold (in this case) the Taipei to Bangkok flight if they know there are connecting passengers as long as the hold is minimal.

Edited May 4 by jerrymahoney

[gargamon]

Fly EVA, not China. Much better service IMO and I've flown both many times. And spring for premium economy if you can.

[mania]

IF your wife is Thai & she is experienced traveler fine...IF not highly recommend Korean Air (usually 2hour easy connect in Incheon )or even Japan airlines. (Tokyo )

Reason being yes China Air lands in Taipei but it is a hurdle even for experienced travelers.

You need to take a Tram from one terminal to another & also time is tight when you see the lineup to get thru mid checks at Taipei

Edited May 5 by mania

[Yagoda]

I dont do layovers of less than 2 hours if I can avoud it. Remember you have to travel to new gate and clear security.

 

Based on experience, I try to avoid transfers in Taipei, Manila and Istanbul.

 

The route I chose depends on my ultimate destination and my needs at the time. I therefore go BKK-Seoul or Japan-Lax, layover LAX then ultimate destination (after weed shopping, fab concentrates right near the airport)  or

 

BKK-Frankfurt-NY. This route is nice because its only 11 hours to Frankfurt, then you can layover and go to an FKK (I do Sharks in Darmstadt) and then get a cheap flight to NYC (about 8 hours.) Of course the problem here is that there are three airports in NYC, so depending on where you are going after entering the states you may be airport switching, plus the airports are horribles.

 

Whats the ultimate destination? That affects which way you come in. You gonna meet her at a hub like LA of NYC. Ive come in through Dallas, Atlanta and Minneapolis too, but flight times are brutal. I try to spend the least amount of time in the air.

 

Use Skyscanner

Edited May 5 by Yagoda

[retarius]

90 minutes is a legal transfer, anything less than that is not legal. Your wife will lose you luggage. 

[HappyExpat57]

I usually fly EVA, tried China for the shorter layover in TP. NEVER AGAIN!

EVA all the way.

[impulse]

Folks suggesting EVA may not be considering the price.  I've been getting amazing prices on Chinese airlines post Covid. 

 

My buttcheeks pucker for any int'l transfer less than 2 hours.  Great if everything goes right, but there's a lot of places to get tripped up and end up sleeping in the airport.

 

[brian2322]

i've done the BKK-SFO flight on China Airlines at least a dozen times due to the quick layover (it's the quickest flight to the west coast US I could find) and the price (sub-$1000 RT last month).  There is a tram where you need to switch terminals, and you need to go thru security again.  There are agents there to guide you, and at least one of the flight attendants on the BKK-Tapei leg will speak thai.  

 

Once the flight from SFO to Taipei was significantly delayed (1.5 hrs or so) and they didn't hold the BKK flight for us.  They put us up in a hotel for 12 hours or so and shuttled us back to the airport.  So that's 1 in 12ish.  Otherwise they will hold the connecting plane for short delays.  

 

After my last flight I won't do economy again on China Airlines, the seats seem to have gotten smaller, and the food/service has definitely declined.  I'll at least do premium economy or business if it's reasonable.  

 

Hope this helps.

Edited May 5 by brian2322

[dddave]

I flew professionally as an air courier out of Bangkok for close to 10 years.  The Hong Kong based shipping agency I did the work for would NEVER book on China Airlines because of their very poor on time and connection record.  Most often I flew on EVA, Korean, JAL, Cathey Pacific and ANA.

Anything under 1hour30minutes is too short, even a 30 minute delay can cause you to miss a connection.  Just not worth the risk.  

HKG, TPE, ICN, NRT are all excellent for a layover, especially ICN. HND not so much.

Edited May 5 by dddave

[EVENKEEL]

EVA is my airline of choice. BKK SFO. Many times in Taipei you aren't routed through security. Just directly to gates.

[HappyExpat57]

42 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

EVA is my airline of choice. BKK SFO. Many times in Taipei you aren't routed through security. Just directly to gates.

They used to have you go through security (it was a joke). I just did the SFO-TP-BKK trip April, no security this time.

[EVENKEEL]

2 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

They used to have you go through security (it was a joke). I just did the SFO-TP-BKK trip April, no security this time.

I think going to SFO we had to pass security and coming back for sure straight to the gates.

[mogandave]

26 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

I think going to SFO we had to pass security and coming back for sure straight to the gates.

You never go through immigration leaving the US I don’t think. 

 

Where in the US is the OP wanting to go? 

[scorecard]

On 5/5/2024 at 11:18 AM, Yagoda said:

I dont do layovers of less than 2 hours if I can avoud it. Remember you have to travel to new gate and clear security.

 

Based on experience, I try to avoid transfers in Taipei, Manila and Istanbul.

 

The route I chose depends on my ultimate destination and my needs at the time. I therefore go BKK-Seoul or Japan-Lax, layover LAX then ultimate destination (after weed shopping, fab concentrates right near the airport)  or

 

BKK-Frankfurt-NY. This route is nice because its only 11 hours to Frankfurt, then you can layover and go to an FKK (I do Sharks in Darmstadt) and then get a cheap flight to NYC (about 8 hours.) Of course the problem here is that there are three airports in NYC, so depending on where you are going after entering the states you may be airport switching, plus the airports are horribles.

 

Whats the ultimate destination? That affects which way you come in. You gonna meet her at a hub like LA of NYC. Ive come in through Dallas, Atlanta and Minneapolis too, but flight times are brutal. I try to spend the least amount of time in the air.

 

Use Skyscanner

 

Towards the end of Covid- 19 I flew Singapore Airlines (SQ) from Sydney to S'pore, then on to BKK.

 

Special repatriation flight, one way only, passenger needed to have special entry document to enter Thailand (I have Thai PR which made this easier). Very low fare.

 

Flight departed late from Sydney because of childish behaviors of one Aussie lady who didn't have the correct Covid- 19 negative report. 

 

Arrived Changi late with 50 minutes to change flights and depart Changi on time for Bkk.

 

SQ staff very organized and focused. I use a wheelchair, after all other passengers exited (50 in total) 3 staff quickly came on board and carefully / quickly escorted / carried me to the aircraft door and into a motorized wheelchair and headed quickly for the next departure gate.

 

Reseated very quickly, ground staff and cabin crew very organized to ensure I / all passengers were comfortable. SQ hostie whispered 'I will get you a hot drink as soon we get to cruising level, do you prefer tea or coffee?' Coffee came as indicated and a box of 12 nice cookies.

 

As soon as all passengers all seated for SG - Bkk leg the captain announced 'all check-in luggage has been transferred and is on board already, we are moving off now, about 47 minutes to do the flight change over. And he thanked all the cabin crew.

 

 

 

Edited May 6 by scorecard

[spidermike007]

EVA is very good. Flown dozens of times and never had an issue. They are Taiwan based. Avoid all Chinese airlines, if possible. 

[Klong Song]

I always fly EVA. The transfer in Taiwan couldn’t be easier, when you walk out of the door at the arrival gate you just cross the hallway and enter the door for departures. 

[Bangkok Barry]

On 5/5/2024 at 12:32 PM, brian2322 said:

Once the flight from SFO to Taipei was significantly delayed (1.5 hrs or so) and they didn't hold the BKK flight for us.  They put us up in a hotel for 12 hours or so and shuttled us back to the airport.  So that's 1 in 12ish.  Otherwise they will hold the connecting plane for short delays.  

 

Sometimes planes are held, sometimes not. One time I was flying Austrian London-Vienna-Bangkok and we were late leaving London. Arrived in Vienna shortly before the Bangkok flight departure time and they refused us boarding even though the plane was at the very next gate, That meant an overnight stay at the airport. I had a gold card and was given a hotel connected to the airport, but the unfortunate Thais who had no Austrian visa had to sleep on the floor. Ironically, next morning I was put on a flight back to London and a place on the midday THAI flight.

[Tomio]

I've flown the LAX Row BKk route on EVA so many times on Business class that I've had a Star Alliance Gold card for many years. The worst part was having to fly out of and into LAX, absolutely the worst airport. Then I discovered that China Airlines had a flight that goes thru TPE that starts in Ontario, about 50 miles from LAX. A world of difference not having to deal with LAX. Price wise EVA and China Airlines are pretty close and I have to admit that EVA is on top regarding quality and service

 But flying out of and into Ontario rather than LAX, makes my decision very easy. I'll be flying out of Ontario next week using my brand new LTR WP visa 

[new2here]

IMHO, if this is a economy booking , to me the differences between CI and BR are somewhat small.. Neither is, again, in my experience, far better nor far worse than the other.. Of course, individual flights can vary as does the fleet you happen to be on.. but in totality, I think for a economy class booking, they are remarkably similar — and that being very very solid 

 

Taipei airport - it’s not the most modern nor does it have all the “amenities” that a Singapore or even Incheon has.. but.. what I DO think it does “right” is because a very large percentage of people fly into TPE on either China (CI) or EVA (BR) are making same-day onward international connections- the process to do so is pretty well managed and executed… 

 

One added perk of flying either airlines is that SOME of their US departures leave the US very very late night or early early morning -US time.. that means your arrival in TPE is early morning (+1 or even +2) .. the upside here is that IF for any reason you miss your onward connection (say you leave the US law or your connection flight has cancelled) — you’ve essentially now got all day to find a rebooking… 

Compared to most other US-Asia flights - they tend to leave the US either late morning to midday- and that makes for a late afternoon or every evening arrival in Asia.. the problem here is, again, IF you miss that onward connection, there is a lower probability to finding a same-day rebooking alternative given the late hour. 

 

to me, while I would agree that on the whole (Singapore) SQ, (Cathay) CX or even (All Nippon) NH might be better carriers, I would be perfectly happy to book and fly either China or EVA, and I’d be happy to send an inexperienced unaccompanied adult with either as well.

[Irons]

Always EVA for me 

[n8sail]

Flights going into the USA are NOT allowed to depart the previous city with checked baggage aboard without a passenger connected to it.

Happened by chance to us a few years ago flying from Vancouver to Boston on Air Canada.  Got to Montreal to transfer, incoming flight was delayed slightly so we missed the connection and they let the Boston flight go with Thai girlfriend and my checked bags aboard but not us.

The ticket person handing out hotel vouchers said someone in baggage transfer dept. would likely be losing their job as the fine to the airline is many thousands of dollars when a bag turns up from international flight into the USA without a person to collect it.

So...  they will almost certainly hold the Air China flight in Taipei as long as her luggage makes it to the next plane.

[newnative]

On 5/5/2024 at 7:22 AM, mania said:

IF your wife is Thai & she is experienced traveler fine...IF not highly recommend Korean Air (usually 2hour easy connect in Incheon )or even Japan airlines. (Tokyo )

Reason being yes China Air lands in Taipei but it is a hurdle even for experienced travelers.

You need to take a Tram from one terminal to another & also time is tight when you see the lineup to get thru mid checks at Taipei

Agree.  Last time I flew to the US I flew Korean Air and the change of planes in Korea was a breeze--the flight to the US was in a nearby gate just steps away.  Could not have been much easier.  

[Oliver Holzerfilled]

On 5/4/2024 at 4:29 PM, RickR said:

My wife is coming from Thailand to the States and wondering how some of the airlines, flights are in general. Although Japan Airlines has plenty of deals, Im interested in China Airlines. I see that the layover in Tapei is quite short (1hr and 15m) which is good in one hand, but concerned if the plane is late or if the layover is long enough to change flights to the next airplane heading back to the States.

 

Thanks

 

 

1:15 connection is a terrible idea unless your wife is an experienced traveller and can make her own hotel arrangements if the flight is missed and the airline plays games with rebooking or providing hotel vouchers.  

Edited May 7 by Oliver Holzerfilled

[placnx]

4 hours ago, new2here said:

IMHO, if this is a economy booking , to me the differences between CI and BR are somewhat small.. Neither is, again, in my experience, far better nor far worse than the other.. Of course, individual flights can vary as does the fleet you happen to be on.. but in totality, I think for a economy class booking, they are remarkably similar — and that being very very solid 

 

Taipei airport - it’s not the most modern nor does it have all the “amenities” that a Singapore or even Incheon has.. but.. what I DO think it does “right” is because a very large percentage of people fly into TPE on either China (CI) or EVA (BR) are making same-day onward international connections- the process to do so is pretty well managed and executed… 

 

One added perk of flying either airlines is that SOME of their US departures leave the US very very late night or early early morning -US time.. that means your arrival in TPE is early morning (+1 or even +2) .. the upside here is that IF for any reason you miss your onward connection (say you leave the US law or your connection flight has cancelled) — you’ve essentially now got all day to find a rebooking… 

Compared to most other US-Asia flights - they tend to leave the US either late morning to midday- and that makes for a late afternoon or every evening arrival in Asia.. the problem here is, again, IF you miss that onward connection, there is a lower probability to finding a same-day rebooking alternative given the late hour. 

 

to me, while I would agree that on the whole (Singapore) SQ, (Cathay) CX or even (All Nippon) NH might be better carriers, I would be perfectly happy to book and fly either China or EVA, and I’d be happy to send an inexperienced unaccompanied adult with either as well.

There is a new airline called Starlux. It flies from Chiang Mai and Bangkok to LAX, SFO, SEA. They have a deal with Alaska Airlines for onward flights from Seattle.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starlux_Airlines

Connection time may depend on the days selected. I didn't check RT, OW was Bht 20000 for economy and 40000 for premium economy. The planes are new Airbuses.

[thailand49]

As noted by many EVA Air schedule is about same as China, layover average is 2.5

Plus part of Eva is service!  Although I travel coach to West coast just got my yearly ticket for 2025, 33,000 plus seat selection paid total 39,000 baht.  Good luck.

[fredjaidee]

I just booked this same route, BKK->TPE->LAX. There is an earlier flight out of BKK that makes this a 5 hour layover.  I was checking and China airlines is late a lot from bkk->TPE so you will miss that connection. 

[NORDO]

Eva’s Business class is fantastic and the have some longer layovers in TPE.  Their Business class lounge is outstanding.