Can you recommend best airline to fly from Bangkok to New York.

[advancebooking]

One for the Americans living here...

 

Was thinking of taking the wife and child to New York in April or May. 

 

I found Qatar airways. Is this the best option for Business class?. Its via Doha

 

Emerites have flights but its departing at an antisocial 3am time bkk arriving 2pm the next day. 

 

Please recommend, based on your experiences, which airline you prefer via which route. Any class/ any route is of interest to me. 

 

Is the jetlag worse on the way there or way back- or the same?

 

thanks

[metisdead]

Moving to the Thailand Travel Forum.

[nomad22]

Personally I always fly either EVA or Singapore to the US.  They both have very nice business class and premium economy.  I don't do economy that far anymore.   Also, the transit airports for both those are nice and easy-- never any lines at security.

 

For me jet lag is always worse when arriving in the US.

[FarangRimPing]

I recently used Qatar business class for a trip[ to Boston. It was fabulous, the best experience I've had by far. I've used many different airline in the past, such as EVA, American, United, Nippon, etc. 

 

For me, jet lag is worse for the Thailand => US thand for the return trip.

[Luuk Chaai]

4 hours ago, nomad22 said:

Personally I always fly either EVA or Singapore to the US.  They both have very nice business class and premium economy.  I don't do economy that far anymore.   Also, the transit airports for both those are nice and easy-- never any lines at security.

 

For me jet lag is always worse when arriving in the US.

By far the 2 best  quality options 

Note ...  EVA is a shorter route and Taoyuan airport is the simplest to manuever

[maxx58]

A few years ago I flew Turkish Airlines Business Class round trip and was surprised how nice it was, especially the lounge. 

The lounge was the best that I have experienced.Fantastic!

I have also flown with Cathay Pacific Business Class a couple of times before, but I prefer Turkish Airlines.

Haven't any experience with the others that are recommended.

[Tom Parkinson]

I also like the Turkish Airlines connection to NYC, because it breaks the trip into two manageable 10-hour flights. Even better, stop over in Istanbul for a few days. 

[DFPhuket]

I've flow business class on most of the major carriers. I'd choose an option that leaves and arrives at a reasonable time and the total travel time including layover is under 22 hours. 

 

While I prefer Qatar's QSuite, sometimes the layover in Doha can be long. ANA via Tokyo is also a good option. Cathay is another option I like. Emirates flies the A380 so if you've not done that, it could be memorable. They have several flights from BKK, including a 9 PM flight that arrives at JFK at 8:50 AM.

[Yellowtail]

I love Emirates business, and the lounge in Dubai is fantastic. 

 

How much time do you have? For the same money you might be able layover in Southern California for a week.  Really nice in April. 

 

 

[Yellowtail]

Too bad Thai does not have the non-stop anymore. Never did New York, but the LAX was great. 

 

 

[bluemoon58]

4 hours ago, nomad22 said:

Personally I always fly either EVA or Singapore to the US.  They both have very nice business class and premium economy.  I don't do economy that far anymore.   Also, the transit airports for both those are nice and easy-- never any lines at security.

 

For me jet lag is always worse when arriving in the US.

 Regards jet lag when I was in the military, the saying was, "west is best, east is a beast", and I've found that to be fairly accurate.

[bluemoon58]

4 hours ago, FarangRimPing said:

I recently used Qatar business class for a trip[ to Boston. It was fabulous, the best experience I've had by far. I've used many different airline in the past, such as EVA, American, United, Nippon, etc. 

 

For me, jet lag is worse for the Thailand => US thand for the return trip.

Regards jet lag when I was in the military, the saying was, "west is best, east is a beast", and I've found that to be fairly accurate.

[nomad22]

21 minutes ago, DFPhuket said:

I'd choose an option that leaves and arrives at a reasonable time.

 

Good advise.  I find the arrival time is very important for beating jet lag.  I prefer to arrive in the late afternoon, so I know I will be able to stay wake until a reasonable bed time.

 

The worst is when the flight arrives in the US in the morning, so it is very difficult to stay awake all day.  Then I fall asleep in the day and then can't sleep at night.

[Yellowtail]

1 minute ago, nomad22 said:

 

Good advise.  I find the arrival time is very important for beating jet lag.  I prefer to arrive in the late afternoon, so I know I will be able to stay wake until a reasonable bed time.

 

The worst is when the flight arrives in the US in the morning, so it is very difficult to stay awake all day.  Then I fall asleep in the day and then can't sleep at night.

Actually, I like arriving in the morning. I do not think it difficult to stay awake, as long as you have something to do. 

 

With my family, we get the car, check into the hotel, do some shopping, visit a friend or relative and then hit the sack. 

 

For me, the problem is not staying awake, it's getting a good night's sleep. 

[Sheryl]

Personally I prefer Korean Air (business class....my back can't handle long hauls in economy).

 

Since I cannot sleep on planes, I take an 8 -10 hr break in Seoul at the Transit Hotel (no need to pass immigration). And I find it best to take a nightime flight Bkk-Seoul so that I arrive in Seoul  tired enough to fall asleep, which starts the reset of  my inner clock.  Board the Seoul-NY  stretch having just slept and it gets me in around 9 pm NY time.  Like this, I have minimal jet leg. Been doing this for many years. 

 

If you are able to sleep on plane might skip the hotel break in Seoul. 

[buick]

i'd go with Emirates.  i've got a trip i'm setting up soon.  i'm looking at the 2:00am dep (BKK) and arrive JFK 2:25pm (both flights on A380).  return is dep JFK at 11:20am, arrive BKK at 6:55pm (both flights A380). 

 

2.5 hr layover and one hour 45 minutes for the other one.

 

 

[Yellowtail]

1 minute ago, Sheryl said:

Persinalky I orefer Korean Sur (business vkass).

 

Since I cannot sleep on planes, I take an 8 -10 hr break in Seoul at the Transit Hotel (no need to pass immigration). And I find it best to take a nightime flight Bkk-Seoul so that I arrive in Soeul  tired enough to fall asleep, which starts the reset of  my inner clock.  Board the Seoul-NY  stretch having just slept and if gets me in around 9 pm NY time.  Lije this, I have minimal jet leg. Been doing this for many years. 

 

If you are able to sleep on plane might skip the hotel break in Seoul. 

I remember Korean used to bake cookies mid-flight. The smell always woke me up. 

 

 

[KhunBENQ]

1 hour ago, maxx58 said:

I have also flown with Cathay Pacific Business Class a couple of times before, but I prefer Turkish Airlines

Turkish has a good reputation.

Overnight flight starts at 10:50 PM, arrive 11:15 AM.

It's two ~11 hour legs, 1:50 stopover.

(other connections available)

 

Cathay has the fastest connection (total 19:25 hours) but you have to endure an ultra long haul (15:35 hours, A350).

Starts in the morning 11:50 AM, arrive 7:05 PM.

 

All looked for a Saturday departure.

 

I was surprised that all faster trips go east.

Must have to do with easier direct routes.

 

[NORDO]

I have had excellent trips and service on business class EVA, Austrian and Korean.   But you need to check on the layover times in ICN and TPE so u don't sit there all day.

 

By far the absolute worst Business class flight was on Turkish.   Unbelievable barbaric service and trash for dinner / breakfast.  I would not even ship a corpse on them.  I sent their customer service a very detailed complaint and never received an acknowledgment.  

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, Yellowtail said:

I remember Korean used to bake cookies mid-flight. The smell always woke me up. 

 

 

Still do. It's a great airline. 

[snooky]

I returned to US-NYC several years ago on Etihad - business OK but nothing special.  The best part about the trip was doing NY immigration in Abu Dabi, then when arriving no hassle with all the immigration lines, collected my luggage, and out of the airport. 

[nomad22]

1 hour ago, NORDO said:

By far the absolute worst Business class flight was on Turkish.   Unbelievable barbaric service and trash for dinner

 

Philippines airline business class is also terrible.  Definitely avoid them.  They have just the old style reclining chair seats, not the new lay flat variety, the food is just barely edible, and Manila is one of the worst transit airports.

[novacova]

Which ever airline that can get you there in the shortest amount time on a 787-9. 787 has a cabin altitude of 6000ft. This means higher partial pressures of oxygen (and also moisture levels) in the 787, which decreases many of the symptoms often attribute to jet lag, better sleep as well. Slightly more roomier and comfortable. 

[TheAppletons]

30 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Still do. It's a great airline. 

 

  Just rated #1 by airlineratings.com (https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/09/travel/worlds-best-airline-2025-airlineratings/index.html)

 

  Back on topic, Qatar business class is fantastic and the lounge in Doha is quite nice.

 

  EVA, Singapore, Asiana, JAL, ANA - all still really good, IME.  Really depends upon the route you want to take and the respective departure/arrival times you desire.  (Pro tip: if you stop in Japan, make sure there's not a "change of airport" in the itinerary because you will be required to get yourself from NRT to HND or vice versa.)

 

  Concur with the poster who said avoid Philippine Airlines. 

[Nid_Noi]

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

Still do. It's a great airline. 

…and one of the shortest flights to New York with a short connection in Seoul. Good business class. Food average.

We miss the direct flights with Thai Airways on Airbus 340 twenty years ago. Food was exceptional in business class. The best tenderloin and white asparagus served in-flight.

 

[treetops]

1 hour ago, novacova said:

Which ever airline that can get you there in the shortest amount time on a 787-9. 787 has a cabin altitude of 6000ft.

 

Airbus A350 and A380 also maintain a similar cabin pressure.

[arick]

8 hours ago, nomad22 said:

Personally I always fly either EVA or Singapore to the US.  They both have very nice business class and premium economy.  I don't do economy that far anymore.   Also, the transit airports for both those are nice and easy-- never any lines at security.

 

For me jet lag is always worse when arriving in the US.

Well if you fly that way to New York you're going to get the worst jet laggy ever can get. Definitely don't go over the Pacific when flying to New York.

[nomad22]

4 minutes ago, arick said:

Definitely don't go over the Pacific when flying to New York.

 

The fastest way is over the pacific.  EVA, Cathay Pacific, ANA all have trips around 20 hours.  Going the other ways is at least a couple of hours longer.

[The Old Bull]

About jet lag mt cousins old man was a steward all his career. When I asked him the best way to handle jet lag he said take a flight that arrives in the evening then go to bed.

[nauseus]

4 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

Turkish has a good reputation.

Overnight flight starts at 10:50 PM, arrive 11:15 AM.

It's two ~11 hour legs, 1:50 stopover.

(other connections available)

 

Cathay has the fastest connection (total 19:25 hours) but you have to endure an ultra long haul (15:35 hours, A350).

Starts in the morning 11:50 AM, arrive 7:05 PM.

 

All looked for a Saturday departure.

 

I was surprised that all faster trips go east.

Must have to do with easier direct routes.

 

 

Tail winds going east.