Suvarnabhumi Airport

[ignis]

Never been to the new Suvarnabhumi Airport..

Had a fall at the weekend in the house, now have my knee immobilized and fly to Australia on Sunday.. walking with a stick is very painful, so wondered how far one has to walk to ‘check in’ from the drop off zone outside? + from ‘check in’ to the flight gate? Flying Thai Air..?

Also how difficult is it to get a seat with leg room 'cannot bend leg' there appears to be just 16 seats with leg room Row 31 or 48.. Being 6'3 tall so not a short person.. I did ask the Travel Agent yesterday but they had no idea, [booked a month ago] only that every seat is sold, so fully loaded. Was driving there myself, but now a friend will take me plan to arrive at 5am flight is 7:45

Any advise welcome please

[Mario2008]

From the drop off point to the check-in counter is not very far, maybe 100 meter. From check in to the gate can be very far.

If you have problems with your legs, they have services to bring you to the airplane and maybe you can get a seat with extra leg space, next to the door. Contact the airline to see what they can do for you.

[ignis]

From the drop off point to the check-in counter is not very far, maybe 100 meter. From check in to the gate can be very far.

If you have problems with your legs, they have services to bring you to the airplane and maybe you can get a seat with extra leg space, next to the door. Contact the airline to see what they can do for you.

Thanks

[luangtom]

Most airlines allow wheel-chair requests prior to the flight or at the check-in. An aide will be assigned you, at no charge, and you will be wheeled the long distance to the departure gate. The aide will most likely be able to get you through security more rapidly and through immigration, if necessary for your flight. We just utilized this service for my wife two months ago and it was a great help to her. We went online to request wheel-chair service, but experienced others doing so at check-in.

Good luck on your adventure.

[Carmine6]

I may be wrong, but I think an exit row would be out of the question. Someone with an imobilized knee wouldn't meet the requirements.

But that's the US standard, it may vary elsewhere.

[markeewan]

You can check in up to 24 hours earlier on the Thai website. If there are more desirable vacant seats than the one you have been given then you can change on line there and then.

If there are no better seats available at this point then check in as early as you can in the morning as they can swap other people around. The longer you wait the less seats will be available to choose from.

The website seatguru.com has all the plane layouts with details of the good seats and bad seats.

There are a lot of Thai Airways staff at Dropoff point No1 to cater for the Business and First Class passengers. If you stop there they may be able to fix you up with a wheelchair if you tip them first.

I had to walk the length of the airport with a bad foot before Xmas so I can understand your situation.

[shawndoc]

I may be wrong, but I think an exit row would be out of the question. Someone with an imobilized knee wouldn't meet the requirements.

But that's the US standard, it may vary elsewhere.

From my experience you can't sit at an emergency exit, but can sit at the row with the normal door, or they'll put you in a seat at a bulkhead which usually gives you more space to stretch out your leg.

[Meridian007]

Whew! I thought this was going to be a post asking how long a walk it is to the airport! I had visions of some deluded backpacker thinking he would walk from Khao San! :D

Otherwise, I agree with the post above, if you contact your airline well before the flight, and explain the situation to them, they will take care of you.

[ignis]

if you contact your airline well before the flight, and explain the situation to them, they will take care of you.

Ha Ha Sounds good. but how ?

Have sent an email + have sent a FAX + have phoned them [or the number given for Thai Air, re phone they said they would call back] that was on Monday and Tuesday sent both Fax and email, today is Friday, must be at the Airport at 5 am Sunday, so not long, wonder if they will ever reply ?

Have a copy of the Fax + time sent and No sent to, likewise printed a copy of the email, will take to the airport with me if they do not reply.

[tartempion]

Long time ago broke a leg in Bangkok.

Don't remember details, took taxi to Don Muang, I guess driver talked to airport staff on arrival, I remember being seated in a rolling chair, brought to Luftwaffe check in and through immigration to the gate, like VIP treatment for free, maybe I should have tipped the man pushing my cart?

[ignis]

At least at 7:46 this morning I managed to change my seat on there website so one good thing + printed off new seat No and comformation..

tried at 7:44 but message said only 24 hrs before

[Musongman]

For all interested parties seatguru.com will show you the seating layout of all of the world airlines and their various fleet types.

[ignis]

For all interested parties seatguru.com will show you the seating layout of all of the world airlines and their various fleet types.

24hrs before Thai Air show the seat plan + what have not been booked + you can change your seat...

[kimamey]

I may be wrong, but I think an exit row would be out of the question. Someone with an imobilized knee wouldn't meet the requirements.

But that's the US standard, it may vary elsewhere.

I think this is normal as anyone sitting by the exit needs to be able to help in an evacuation. Not sure what they have to do but I know they usually say if you feel unable to do it they will swap you with someone who can.

I've seen this with Delta to the US and Jet and Etihad to Thailand

[wpcoe]

If the airline in question (TG?) won't permit seating of a non-able-bodied passenger (that's the current "P.C." lingo used in America to determine if you are qualified to sit in an exit row) in an exit row, then give some extra thought as to which bulkhead seat would be your preference:

(1 ) bulkhead aisle seat with the aisle adjacent to the immobilized leg (consider the likelihood of people, or serving carts, bumping it)

(2) bulkhead aisle seat with aisle adjacent to the good leg (might cramp the space for the immobilized leg)

(3) bulkhead center seat (also might cramp the space for the immobilized leg)

As you can see, there may be a trade off for any bulkhead seat.

Another option is the very rear of most aircraft where the fuselage narrows. e.g. On a 747 with the typical 3-4-3 seating, the last few rows next to the window only have two seats, with space between the seat pair and the wall. That might make a good place to safely "store" your immobilized leg?

And, as to your concerns about distances within the terminal, by all means request a wheelchair. It's up to the airline, but you will probably be put on a motorized cart to/from the gate, and be granted use of the priority Immigrations counter (usually reserved for diplomats and First Class passengers). A wheelchair always is provided with staff to push the chair, so don't think you'll be under any extra physical stress propelling the chair.

[ignis]

Another option is the very rear of most aircraft where the fuselage narrows. e.g. On a 747 with the typical 3-4-3 seating, the last few rows next to the window only have two seats, with space between the seat pair and the wall. That might make a good place to safely "store" your immobilized leg?

Been for a week and back in Thailand.. Yes indeed I did book the last seat J63 24 hrs before going and the same coming back. [changed online from A24 going and A 26 returning].. the sfaff moved me coming back to 4 seats in the middle, so I could use all 4 seats...