7 hours ago, gargamon said:

Eva is the best plan for me. Quality service, a couple of hours in Taipei where there's great duty free(macallan for $80), and then off to wherever, BKK, MNL, BALI, etc. My only concern with that route these days is that if/when China invades Taiwan I could be stranded in SE Asia.

Mind you if that happens any number of options will stop flying , all routes via Taiwan, Korea, Japan, China and Hong Kong.

3 minutes ago, JAG said:

Mind you if that happens any number of options will stop flying , all routes via Taiwan, Korea, Japan, China and Hong Kong.

If that happens the entire region could become a No Fly Zone.  

15 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Direct means not stopping to let passengers on or off .

Probably a fuel stop 

I will be boarding in HKG in December after flying from Denver.  So, passengers will be let on.  

16 hours ago, nrasmussen said:

 

That a flight is direct does not mean it has no stops along the way; it simply means that it retains the same flight number throughout.

Depends on what it's doing in Hong Kong...

Taking on fuel and going on to Bangkok or a passenger pick-up/stop?

As many have noted, this is not a non-stop flight. Going from BKK to LAX requires a stop in HKG. However, it feels even more like a connection when you consider the following:

 

1) the time on the ground in HKG is scheduled for two hours. Would you stay in an airplane seat on the ground for two hours if you can get out and walk around?

 

2) in the direction of travel to the USA, there are “enhanced” security procedures. I’ve experienced them many times on HKG to LAX flights where people and cabin baggage are scrutinized a second time at the gate. I suspect all those on the United flight originating from BKK will have to deplane to submit themselves to the enhanced check. Those checks aren’t possible at BKK as there will be a lot of mixing between US bound travelers and those just going to HKG (United is utilizing fifth freedom rights to sell those tickets). 
 

From my point of view this is really a connecting flight through HKG, albeit with the bonus that you will make your connection!

United Airlines is a full 3-Star airline, not even a top 50 airline globally. Not a great choice to recommence flights on such an important route for Thailand! Give me Cathay via HKG, Japan Airlines via NRT or Korean via ICN any day over United direct from BKK.

15 hours ago, impulse said:

 

Years ago, I sat next to a UA flight attendant union rep on a flight from China to the West coast.  We had a great conversation.  They were abusing the crap out of those poor FAs.

But I think the best explanation of their poor service is that they assigned the more lucrative international routes based on seniority and not performance or attitude.  So they ended up with a significant number of tired and cranky old farts counting the days down to retirement.  Admittedly, some of them were truly gems.  But overall, I was glad when I didn't fly enough any more that my frequent flier miles steered me toward United and Air Canada.

“”So they ended up with a significant number of tired and cranky old farts counting the days down to retirement.”. Just sounds like a typical FA you’d find on any US carrier.

17 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

Yeah, but it's United. They are amongst the WORST of all airlines. I have a friend who works for them - they busted up the union years ago and the folks are now working without a contract. This affects EVERYTHING directly or indirectly.

Does the Orange own shares in United?

I fly to LA at least twice a year. But, I don't fly United. And this is not nonstop anyway. US airlines are highly inferior. Will stick with EVA. 

That's perfect.

Now all those prosecuted by Donnie can come directly to Thailand asking for asylum 

The Air Canada "true" non-stop is ok (787 YVR to BKK), but (like all extra-long flights) is exhausting, no matter what class you are in.

I prefer EVA.  That 2 hour stop in Taipei is refreshing.  And EVA's FAs really look as if they want to please you.

Alas, since Canada is the absolute top top winner of the Global Woke League, the AC attendants tend either to be gay or chubby  (as in, well-nourished or fat), but pleasant and homely (in the sense of being just nice and ordinary folk).  

18 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

Yeah, but it's United. They are amongst the WORST of all airlines. I have a friend who works for them - they busted up the union years ago and the folks are now working without a contract. This affects EVERYTHING directly or indirectly.

 

... and it's from california ..     / wasteland

 I try not to do more than 11 hours in a plane at once, even in business class. The best way for me now is NYC-FRA layover-BKK layover then Siem.

1 hour ago, BerndD said:

Does the Orange own shares in United?

No but Nancy Pelosi's hubby bought shares the day before the announcement.

LOL you guys really care what the FA's look like or if they are gay? I sit in my seat, take my food, sleep most of the way, take my food, nap and out the plane I go. Unless there is some sort of issue I never interact with FA's.  The last thing anyone should be worried about is if they are gay.. or do you go catatonic when lady boys walk by? LOL

United is a single step away from Spirit airlines or Frontier! Avoid them!

17 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

Sounds true. The last time I flew Business  from BKK-HKG-LAX on United the entire cabiin crew looked like they were grandmothers. 

Try flying QANTAS. Hags and fags.

United has old style biz seats on their 777s.   Not sure about the 380.  LAX-BKK decent price about 4,500 usd.

 

 

20 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

Yeah, but it's United. They are amongst the WORST of all airlines. I have a friend who works for them - they busted up the union years ago and the folks are now working without a contract. This affects EVERYTHING directly or indirectly.

i will never fly United again. just returned from LA to HK terrible. i was recovering from surgery and their service sucked.  food was barely edible. they where ok 15 years ago, but they can't touch the good Asian carriers for service.  even Thai Airways  is better.  i am closing my mileage plus account.

Well, Delta flys direct too (through Seoul) in a code share with Korean Air. United ain't doing nothing special routing though HK. When a US carrier starts flying non-stop, then that will be interesting.

19 hours ago, johng said:

So directly  via Hong Kong ??   I thought direct meant non stop direct to the destination.

It Does.....But The Yanks are Different !!

12 minutes ago, NedR69 said:

United has old style biz seats on their 777s.   Not sure about the 380.  LAX-BKK decent price about 4,500 usd.

 

 

But They're NOT Using a 380 on that route, Because They DON'T Have one to Use !!

4 minutes ago, Blueman1 said:

But They're NOT Using a 380 on that route, Because They DON'T Have one to Use !!

I'm pretty srre UA will use the B787-9 on one or both legs.  United Airlines is the largest operator of the B787 series. 

      Can't see any advantage with using United since you are still stopping somewhere.  One of my least favorite airlines.  

19 hours ago, marin said:

Normally if you are flying BKK/LAX you may remain on board in HKG. 

 

3 hours ago, PDP11 said:

I suspect all those on the United flight originating from BKK will have to deplane to submit themselves to the enhanced check.

 

I'm pretty sure that @PDP11 (cool name, I remember that machine from the early 80s) is correct here. Even without the US security aspect, I remember having to deplane at HKG and go through security before getting back on the same plane when flying on TG to Seoul a few years back. But I guess we'll see.

I prefer to fly with EVA, China Airlines, Asiana Airlines, Korean, Cathay Pacific, or JAL over flying with United or any American carrier.  The service and prices are always better on the Asian carriers.  On United your first bag is free, but your 2nd bag will be charged $100USD.  

1 hour ago, Blueman1 said:

But They're NOT Using a 380 on that route, Because They DON'T Have one to Use !!

Flew an Airbus 380 (Aseana Airlines) from Seoul to New York JFK last month. Sat in the upper deck, cost an extra 50 bucks. Well worth it!  The window seats get extra storage space by the windo (a deep pocket) and the seat pitch/space seem very wide for economy class. Plus good food etc.   I avoid North American carriers like the plague. 

22 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

Yeah, but it's United. They are amongst the WORST of all airlines. I have a friend who works for them - they busted up the union years ago and the folks are now working without a contract. This affects EVERYTHING directly or indirectly.

THE worst

7 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

If that happens the entire region could become a No Fly Zone.  

Yeah, no, There's tons of competition, at least 5 - 10 other airlines. I do the commute twice a year

22 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

Sounds true. The last time I flew Business  from BKK-HKG-LAX on United the entire cabiin crew looked like they were grandmothers. 

F/A’s bid what routes and schedule (LINES) they want to work and are awarded their LINES based on their seniority. UNLESS the LINE requires a Foreign Language speaker then the speaker has priority over the non speaker for the speaker position.