THAI sent out a press release yesterday which may be good news for those traveling from West Coast USA to Bangkok.

Starting 02Dec, THAI will offer nonstop LAX-BKK-LAX flights 3 times a week (Tue/Fri/Sun) 10:30pm - 6:40am (+ 2 days)

The premium economy (larger seats, etc) is competitively priced. The low season rate is USD1414 (add taxes/fuel surcharge, USD180.00 to 225.00) and the trip lasts 17 hours (14.5 hrs ex-Bangkok).

Comparison with other premium routes:

THAI: USD1414.00 (17 hrs westbound)

Singapore: USD1300.00 (LAX-Singapore 18 hrs in premium class, Singapore-Bangkok regular economy)

Eva USD943.00 (LAX-Taipei, 14 hrs guaranteed premium class, Taipei-Bangkok 3.5 hrs, premium not guaranteed)

THAI econ fares for the new nonstop start at USD920.00.

Economy comparisons:

United/Northwest - constantly changing fares ranging from super-low 660.00 with limited seats available, off-season. Fares that are more stable and offering more seats start from 1060.00

China 610.00

Eva 622.00

Korean 739.00

Cathay 785.00

Japan 770.00

ANA 800.00

Singapore 770.00 (package with 3 nights hotel with breakfast, double occupancy)

(To all above add taxes / fuel surcharges ranging from USD180.00 to USD225.00)

Good to hear.

For years I have spoken to loads of my American friends and have always been supprised that they have never had a direct flight from the west coast with TG which would almost seem like a natural route.

Narita,Taipei,Hong Kong and Singas were always transits so looks like good decision and time saving journey from Thai....

This news:

"Thai Airways International will reduce US service as it is not happy with the performance on these routes. On Dec 1st it will reduce the frequency on its Bangkok to New York route from 6 to 4 flights a week while cutting Bangkok to Los Angeles from 4 to 3 flights a week however that flight will go nonstop instead of via Japan. Thai will also revise its Bangkok-Auckland-Sydney route on the same date into a daily Bangkok-Auckland and daily Bangkok-Sydney service."

was announced mid-October. (Note that they had previously planned and announced daily (365x) direct, non-stop service.)

Note that until the introduction of the A340-500 routes like BKK-LAX, BKK-JFK, SIN-EWR and SIN-LAX were not possible if flown direct, non-stop. TG have three A340-500's currently. As of Dec. 1 one will operate the BKK-LAX route, another the BKK-JFK route and the third will operate on the BKK-MXP, and act as a spare.

Edited November 24, 200520 yr by lomatopo

I can only see it saving a couple of hours and giving you an arrival in the zoo (LAX) after all flights have departed for the day. And doing this at about 50% more than EVA? For those that live in Los Angeles it may be good but I would never use that point of entry if I had any other choice.