I remember grumbling a couple of years ago when flights from Bangkok to Europe crept past the thousand pound mark. I wish that was still the problem.

Just been looking at fares back to the UK for a family visit later this year and the prices are genuinely eye-watering. What used to be a manageable fare is now pushing close to double what I'd expect to pay, and that's if you can find a seat at all on the route you want.

The main issue seems to be the ongoing Middle East situation forcing airlines to reroute away from Gulf airspace, making flight paths longer and burning more fuel. The Gulf carriers — Emirates, Etihad, Qatar — were always the ones keeping prices competitive through their Dubai and Doha hubs. With that corridor disrupted, everyone's feeling it on the Bangkok to Europe routes.

Thai Airways has also announced fare increases citing rising fuel costs, and today Thailand just put fuel prices up 6 baht per litre, so that's not heading in the right direction either.

Anyone else been hit by this? Found any decent alternatives or are you just holding off hoping it settles down? I'm genuinely not sure whether to book now and take the pain or wait and risk it getting worse.

Thanks

A couple of weeks ago I booked Bangkok to Milan with Thai Air for early June, as a backup for the flight to Rome via Dubai I’d previously booked. It was a very reasonable 7560 baht - maybe a lot more now. I fly from Bangkok to Europe every year, and I’ve never paid anywhere remotely close to a thousand pounds. I’m not worried about the cost though, I’m just worried I’ll be stranded in Thailand, with no fuel available for any commercial aircraft by June.

I’d advise you to book now, as there’s no way things will be better for a long while. Even if Hormuz miraculously opened tomorrow, it’s still going to be weeks before the crude those tankers are carrying can get to the refineries and be processed. If your flight’s cancelled due to lack of jet fuel, the airline should refund you in full.

The non-stop or middle east bypass flights are more expensive solely due to demand as passengers seek a safer routing.

There's no difference in fuel burn between 2 x 6-hour flights and 1 x 12-hour flight.

The cheapest air fares right now are on Emirates and Etihad. Unless your travel insurance forbids it, take your chances and save money. Qatar are a bit more expensive. I believe Gulf Air have relocated their fleet from Bahrain and aren't coming up in searches for long distance routes

Since oil and gas operates on the spot market, the prices will rapidly fall if Hormuz is reopened.

13 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

There's no difference in fuel burn between 2 x 6-hour flights and 1 x 12-hour flight.

This is false.

A good rule of thumb in airline ops:

✈️ Typical difference

• Two 6-hour flights burn about 5–15% more fuel than one 12-hour flight.

Why that range?

It depends on aircraft type and route, but roughly:

Narrow-body (e.g., 737, A320)

• Shorter legs are a bigger penalty

• ~10–15% more fuel when split into two flights

Wide-body (e.g., 787, A350)

• Designed for long haul efficiency

• ~5–10% more fuel when split

Simple illustrative example (widebody)

• 12-hour flight: ~100 tons fuel

• Two 6-hour flights: ~108–112 tons total

That extra ~8–12 tons comes mostly from:

• Second climb (biggest factor)

• Less time at optimal cruise altitude

• Extra taxi, descent, and approach phases

Big picture

Airlines strongly prefer longer nonstop routes when possible—not just for passengers, but because:

• Fuel is the largest operating cost

• Even a ~5–10% savings is millions per year per aircraft

4 minutes ago, TedG said:

This is false.

A good rule of thumb in airline ops:

✈️ Typical difference

• Two 6-hour flights burn about 5–15% more fuel than one 12-hour flight.

Why that range?

It depends on aircraft type and route, but roughly:

Narrow-body (e.g., 737, A320)

• Shorter legs are a bigger penalty

• ~10–15% more fuel when split into two flights

Wide-body (e.g., 787, A350)

• Designed for long haul efficiency

• ~5–10% more fuel when split

Simple illustrative example (widebody)

• 12-hour flight: ~100 tons fuel

• Two 6-hour flights: ~108–112 tons total

That extra ~8–12 tons comes mostly from:

• Second climb (biggest factor)

• Less time at optimal cruise altitude

• Extra taxi, descent, and approach phases

Big picture

Airlines strongly prefer longer nonstop routes when possible—not just for passengers, but because:

• Fuel is the largest operating cost

• Even a ~5–10% savings is millions per year per aircraft

Thanks for doing the AI legwork. So the higher cost for non-stop and/or bypass is primarily due to demand and nothing to do with fuel burn at all.

Bill the Israeli embassy in Bangkok to see if they can help since they started it.

There is a good chance this is all started by the WEF if not they are relishing in it all as it plays into the 2030 agenda.

10 hours ago, Merlin said:

Anyone else in shock at what flights back home cost right now?

SHOCK!!!!!

I don't understand, flight costs to Brisbane. 👍

You can thank the Americans that were dumb enough to vote for Trump for this!

5 hours ago, NanLaew said:

The cheapest air fares right now are on Emirates and Etihad. Unless your travel insurance forbids it, take your chances and save money. Qatar are a bit more expensive. I believe Gulf Air have relocated their fleet from Bahrain and aren't coming up in searches for long distance routes

Qatar just cancelled BKK-DOH-LHR next Tue 31 Mar, a day after they rescheduled the DOH-LHR leg (from a 90 min layover to 15 hours 30).

Qatar have also parked quite a few aircraft at Utapao.

As a result paid THB 53,620 for a one-way flight on TG (at least its the night flight, direct and decent baggage allowance). This was by far the cheapest of any available option.

A friend suggested Norse Atlantic (which goes to Gatwick). The cheapest one way ticket was USD 2,320 which didn't include a meal, any checked baggage (and specifically stated 'last to board').

5 hours ago, TedG said:

This is false.

A good rule of thumb in airline ops:

✈️ Typical difference

• Two 6-hour flights burn about 5–15% more fuel than one 12-hour flight.

Why that range?

It depends on aircraft type and route, but roughly:

Narrow-body (e.g., 737, A320)

• Shorter legs are a bigger penalty

• ~10–15% more fuel when split into two flights

Wide-body (e.g., 787, A350)

• Designed for long haul efficiency

• ~5–10% more fuel when split

Simple illustrative example (widebody)

• 12-hour flight: ~100 tons fuel

• Two 6-hour flights: ~108–112 tons total

That extra ~8–12 tons comes mostly from:

• Second climb (biggest factor)

• Less time at optimal cruise altitude

• Extra taxi, descent, and approach phases

Big picture

Airlines strongly prefer longer nonstop routes when possible—not just for passengers, but because:

• Fuel is the largest operating cost

• Even a ~5–10% savings is millions per year per aircraft

this post needs some formatting

Nope. And my chang 5 baht more also and i dont give a F,,,,

Still less than £700 UK return ..what's expensive about that???

35 minutes ago, Brettoj said:

You can thank the Americans that were dumb enough to vote for Trump for this!

Not the Iranians fault then???...normal 21st century woke thinking

8 minutes ago, baansgr said:

Still less than £700 UK return ..what's expensive about that???

Screenshot is better than idle talk. Not via ME is the criteria.

16 hours ago, Merlin said:

Thai Airways has also announced fare increases citing rising fuel costs, and today Thailand just put fuel prices up 6 baht per litre, so that's not heading in the right direction either.

That is only an adjustment to the base fares. They increased the fares very significantly as soon as the conflict started.

A friend of mine went back to UK yesterday and that cost 53K baht one way, I booked it for him a fortnight ago, first available flight at the time.

16 hours ago, Merlin said:

I remember grumbling a couple of years ago when flights from Bangkok to Europe crept past the thousand pound mark. I wish that was still the problem.

Just been looking at fares back to the UK for a family visit later this year and the prices are genuinely eye-watering. What used to be a manageable fare is now pushing close to double what I'd expect to pay, and that's if you can find a seat at all on the route you want.

The main issue seems to be the ongoing Middle East situation forcing airlines to reroute away from Gulf airspace, making flight paths longer and burning more fuel. The Gulf carriers — Emirates, Etihad, Qatar — were always the ones keeping prices competitive through their Dubai and Doha hubs. With that corridor disrupted, everyone's feeling it on the Bangkok to Europe routes.

Thai Airways has also announced fare increases citing rising fuel costs, and today Thailand just put fuel prices up 6 baht per litre, so that's not heading in the right direction either.

Anyone else been hit by this? Found any decent alternatives or are you just holding off hoping it settles down? I'm genuinely not sure whether to book now and take the pain or wait and risk it getting worse.

Thanks

Fortunately, fuel prices in Thailand have not gone up too much. In the Philippines I was paying Php52/liter before the war, but now Php112/liter or more.

I don't care what flights cost. I've lived here for about 25 years, and I am 80 now. I never intend to return to my home country (USA).

It seems that airlines will use any excuse to push up fares.

Fuel prices have risen sharply, but airlines typically hedge their fuel purchases many months in advance, so recent changes will not have hit them yet.

16 hours ago, Merlin said:

I remember grumbling a couple of years ago when flights from Bangkok to Europe crept past the thousand pound mark. I wish that was still the problem.

Just been looking at fares back to the UK for a family visit later this year and the prices are genuinely eye-watering. What used to be a manageable fare is now pushing close to double what I'd expect to pay, and that's if you can find a seat at all on the route you want.

The main issue seems to be the ongoing Middle East situation forcing airlines to reroute away from Gulf airspace, making flight paths longer and burning more fuel. The Gulf carriers — Emirates, Etihad, Qatar — were always the ones keeping prices competitive through their Dubai and Doha hubs. With that corridor disrupted, everyone's feeling it on the Bangkok to Europe routes.

Thai Airways has also announced fare increases citing rising fuel costs, and today Thailand just put fuel prices up 6 baht per litre, so that's not heading in the right direction either.

Anyone else been hit by this? Found any decent alternatives or are you just holding off hoping it settles down? I'm genuinely not sure whether to book now and take the pain or wait and risk it getting worse.

Thanks

Was booked to fly to Manchester on Qatar tomorrow, had to cancel it so I booked on Hainan on 31st March, cost me an extra approx. £350 (Qatar flight was 86K this one is 105K THB) but still cheaper than I've had to pay in the past.

I've always ignored the Chinese carriers but if you need to get back & don't want to pay the >200K that some of the European carriers are gouging people for then worth looking at.

Edit: On the day I cancelled (approx 10 days ago) I could still book the exact same itinary on Qatar's website (& Gulf, Emirates etc...) obviously the airlines will still take bookings (& your money) even though they know there's very little chance that the flight will go ahead.

Can we send a bill for the additional cost to Israel and the US? We need to refer to this as Trumpflation. It was an unnecessary war of choice, started by a power-hungry simpleton, with no understanding of basic economics, having given no thought to the potential consequences of his ridiculous actions.

22 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Can we send a bill for the additional cost to Israel and the US? We need to refer to this as Trumpflation. It was an unnecessary war of choice, started by a power-hungry simpleton, with no understanding of basic economics, having given no thought to the potential consequences of his ridiculous actions.

Bingo!!just thank magga!!!and when the Iranians start their murders of soft easy targets ya can thank Donnie and his maggas again!!!im guessing we are just starting to see the costs of this fiasco.

18 hours ago, Merlin said:

I remember grumbling a couple of years ago when flights from Bangkok to Europe crept past the thousand pound mark. I wish that was still the problem.

Just been looking at fares back to the UK for a family visit later this year and the prices are genuinely eye-watering. What used to be a manageable fare is now pushing close to double what I'd expect to pay, and that's if you can find a seat at all on the route you want.

The main issue seems to be the ongoing Middle East situation forcing airlines to reroute away from Gulf airspace, making flight paths longer and burning more fuel. The Gulf carriers — Emirates, Etihad, Qatar — were always the ones keeping prices competitive through their Dubai and Doha hubs. With that corridor disrupted, everyone's feeling it on the Bangkok to Europe routes.

Thai Airways has also announced fare increases citing rising fuel costs, and today Thailand just put fuel prices up 6 baht per litre, so that's not heading in the right direction either.

Anyone else been hit by this? Found any decent alternatives or are you just holding off hoping it settles down? I'm genuinely not sure whether to book now and take the pain or wait and risk it getting worse.

Thanks

18 hours ago, Merlin said:

I remember grumbling a couple of years ago when flights from Bangkok to Europe crept past the thousand pound mark. I wish that was still the problem.

Just been looking at fares back to the UK for a family visit later this year and the prices are genuinely eye-watering. What used to be a manageable fare is now pushing close to double what I'd expect to pay, and that's if you can find a seat at all on the route you want.

The main issue seems to be the ongoing Middle East situation forcing airlines to reroute away from Gulf airspace, making flight paths longer and burning more fuel. The Gulf carriers — Emirates, Etihad, Qatar — were always the ones keeping prices competitive through their Dubai and Doha hubs. With that corridor disrupted, everyone's feeling it on the Bangkok to Europe routes.

Thai Airways has also announced fare increases citing rising fuel costs, and today Thailand just put fuel prices up 6 baht per litre, so that's not heading in the right direction either.

Anyone else been hit by this? Found any decent alternatives or are you just holding off hoping it settles down? I'm genuinely not sure whether to book now and take the pain or wait and risk it getting worse.

Thanks

18 hours ago, Merlin said:

I remember grumbling a couple of years ago when flights from Bangkok to Europe crept past the thousand pound mark. I wish that was still the problem.

Just been looking at fares back to the UK for a family visit later this year and the prices are genuinely eye-watering. What used to be a manageable fare is now pushing close to double what I'd expect to pay, and that's if you can find a seat at all on the route you want.

The main issue seems to be the ongoing Middle East situation forcing airlines to reroute away from Gulf airspace, making flight paths longer and burning more fuel. The Gulf carriers — Emirates, Etihad, Qatar — were always the ones keeping prices competitive through their Dubai and Doha hubs. With that corridor disrupted, everyone's feeling it on the Bangkok to Europe routes.

Thai Airways has also announced fare increases citing rising fuel costs, and today Thailand just put fuel prices up 6 baht per litre, so that's not heading in the right direction either.

Anyone else been hit by this? Found any decent alternatives or are you just holding off hoping it settles down? I'm genuinely not sure whether to book now and take the pain or wait and risk it getting worse.

Thanks

Yessir, my daughter on an college exchange program is in Seoul finishing up her 3rd year and made plans to visit friends in Japan, then fly to Bangkok and luckily got her tickets before the big increase saying now it was almost double what it was when she got her tickets! I also see daily reports of airlines cancelling flights or having to pay more for jet fuel so are going to continue raising prices as long as the US and Iran continue their spat! Trump started it for no real reason explained adequately yet and finds himself stuck there now as Iran won't bow to his wishes. Israel isn't helping any.

3 hours ago, Homburg said:

It seems that airlines will use any excuse to push up fares.

Fuel prices have risen sharply, but airlines typically hedge their fuel purchases many months in advance, so recent changes will not have hit them yet.

There was a news item on UK television last week that claimed very few European airlines had hedging in place. Not sure if airlines from other regions were similarly caught short but I suspect it was the case. Maybe global trade instability due to the "tariff wars" may have caused them not to hedge?

Regardless, oil is a commodity that is traded on the spot market, and thus all petroleum by-products are susceptible to the same price volatility due to scarcity. Airlines are still burning through huge amounts of the "cheap" fuel every day and that needs same-day replenishment regardless of the fact that the Jet A-1 in the tank at the airport went up in price overnight isn't "new" stock.

It's the same as the gold in the display cases at the gold shop. The chain that went up in price overnight while simply hanging there isn't "new" gold.

4 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Can we send a bill for the additional cost to Israel and the US? We need to refer to this as Trumpflation. It was an unnecessary war of choice, started by a power-hungry simpleton, with no understanding of basic economics, having given no thought to the potential consequences of his ridiculous actions.

That bill will come due in November and the right will pay up the ***.

Thanks to Iran holding the world hostage by controlling that strait and also having the potential to having or getting a nuclear bomb.

They want oil prices to rocket. They bomb neighboring oil producing countries and they know they will get world pity by blaming US and Israel.

11 hours ago, beautifulthailand99 said:

Bill the Israeli embassy in Bangkok to see if they can help since they started it.

You rather Iran have a nuclear bomb? Wake up.

Luckily paid for ours......mid Feb (for mid May out, return mid June)...............if they're not cancelled!!!.........

That's what happens when some imbecile starts a war.

2 hours ago, koolkarl said:

You rather Iran have a nuclear bomb? Wake up.

I think we were already woken up when the Iraqi WMD's turned out to be a big fat American lie.

Go back to sleep.