Discount Airlines From Bkk

[TRIPxCORE]

Unless I haven't seen or heard about it, none of the discount airlines operating out of BKK fly to Hong Kong. This is sometimes quite troublesome. Why don't they, anyone know?

[SeaVisionBurma]

g'day Tripx...

I believe it will be due to the high landing/gate fees for the airline to land in HKG - someone else may wish to correct me on this. Not economical when Macau can compete with lower charges to land a plane there.

I normally just fly with Thai to HKG - get a ridiculously cheap e-ticket, then do a standby upgrade to business class at the airport. Well worth it...

What are most of you paying for your BKK-HKG-BKK tickets these days?? Any good bargains?

cheers

SVB

[Guest endure]

What's a 'standby upgrade' please?

[cdnvic]

1-2-Go flies BKK - HKG, and to Phuket as well from Hong Kong.

http://www.fly12go.com/en/flight_fare/flig...ule_inter.shtml

cv

[cdnvic]

What's a 'standby upgrade' please?

Usually given to:

Holders of the most expensive economy tickets

Airline club members

People who are smart enough to ask for them

When business class isn't full.

Be sure dress the part. You are unlikely to get an upgrade wearing fisherman's pants and a singlet regardless of how much you paid for your unrestricted ticket.

cv

[TRIPxCORE]

Thanks, I didn't know Orient Thai flew there from BKK. Might be useful in the future even if the time of the flight isn't ideal.

[lopburi3]

The Hong Kong route is so heavily discounted on regular airlines that is not much market for discount types.

[think_too_mut]

Thanks, I didn't know Orient Thai flew there from BKK.  Might be useful in the future even if the time of the flight isn't ideal.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They made to the news when a part dropped off from their plane on take off from HKG. Then they had the planes as old or older than Phuket Air. There is one on display (747-200) at Don Muang with a tail done similar to BA flying flag.

But, as one low cost carrier executive said "give the public cheap price and they will risk their lives".

Edited November 25, 2005 by think_too_mut

[cdnvic]

They've gotten rid of their ancient Tristars and have only 1 classic 747 left in the fleet. The remainder are 300 series 747s and 757s who are older, but not too old.

It's not unknown for parts to fall off first world airliners either.

cv

[asanee]

CHEAP RETURN fares BKK-HKG abound, as at least 10 different airls do this route (not all daily) as the last leg of a longer trip (like FINN: HElsinki-empties the plane at BKK, then flies on to either SIN or HKG). Also other exotica like Emirates, Kenya Air, Ethipian, GULF, etc.

Returns CAN be had for as low as even still today 5.500 THB PLUS taxes. ANY local agent can handle this, dont even bother to try to book opnline.

And as said AirAsia.com flies to Macao and now also direct to Xiamen/nainland.

[think_too_mut]

They've gotten rid of their ancient Tristars and have only 1 classic 747 left in the fleet. The remainder are 300 series 747s and 757s who are older, but not too old.

It's not unknown for parts to fall off first world airliners either. 

cv

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I googled around and it was more than parts - the plane disintegrated in midair in 4 parts killing all aboard. It had been sold to Orient Thai and it was it's last flight for China Airlines before the delivery to OT.

The point is - the plane was 22 yrs old and sold for only 1.45 mil US$ (747-200), been out of service for some time and called in just to replace the scheduled aircraft that had a mechanical problem.

It could have happened a day or two later and the bad record would have been chalked against OT.

[cdnvic]

The aircraft in question.

Accident Report

China Airlines has a very dodgy history.

cv

[TRIPxCORE]

CHEAP RETURN fares BKK-HKG abound, as at least 10 different airls do this route (not all daily) as the last leg of a longer trip (like FINN: HElsinki-empties the plane at BKK, then flies on to either SIN or HKG). Also other exotica like Emirates, Kenya Air, Ethipian, GULF, etc.

Returns CAN be had for as low as even still today 5.500 THB PLUS taxes. ANY local agent can handle this, dont even bother to try to book opnline.

And as said AirAsia.com flies to Macao and now also direct to Xiamen/nainland.

Baht 5,500 is quite a lot compared to most discount airline fares. The whole point of my question was to see of any airlines existed that offered fares around 2-3000 Baht.

I know Air Asia flies to Macau but what good would that do me? I have not been to Macau before and the reason for wanting to fly to HKG in the first place is to connect at HKG for a flight to the US. How am I supposed to get from Macau to HKG? Hydrofoil? Hovercraft?

[Levent]

Baht 5,500 is quite a lot compared to most discount airline fares.  The whole point of my question was to see of any airlines existed that offered fares around 2-3000 Baht.

I know Air Asia flies to Macau but what good would that do me?  I have not been to Macau before and the reason for wanting to fly to HKG in the first place is to connect at HKG for a flight to the US.  How am I supposed to get from Macau to HKG?  Hydrofoil?  Hovercraft?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

There is a very frequent jetfoil service between Macau and Hong Kong from the company Turbojet. Take a cab from the airport to the ferry terminal.

Or, if you don't want to go through Macau immigration, take the special channel to get to the ferry by bus. Either way this costs about 500 baht.

The jetfoils go to the Macau ferry terminal on Hong Kong island. There are also a few boats per day direct to HKG airport. Check their website.

[Flysiam]

They've gotten rid of their ancient Tristars and have only 1 classic 747 left in the fleet. The remainder are 300 series 747s and 757s who are older, but not too old.

It's not unknown for parts to fall off first world airliners either. 

cv

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Age aside... OT has had a VERY rate of engine failures on ther 747 and 757 fleets...of course all unreported. Their maintenance policies are the worst I have seen.... rivaling maybe even Phuket's.

I wouldn't buy a ticket on them to save my life...

[SeaVisionBurma]

What's a 'standby upgrade' please?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Usually given to:

Holders of the most expensive economy tickets

Airline club members

People who are smart enough to ask for them

When business class isn't full.

Be sure dress the part. You are unlikely to get an upgrade wearing fisherman's pants and a singlet regardless of how much you paid for your unrestricted ticket.

cv

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not quite.

A Standby Upgrade is a very useful last minute option provided by TG over almost their entire network. It allows any ticket holder, at the airport on the day of departure - to purchase a one-way discounted upgrade to the next class of travel, space permitting.

eg Flying BKK-HKG with an economy or discounted economy ticket, you may buy a Standby Upgrade to Business Class for THB 6,600.

BKK-RGN: THB 2,200

etc

Very recommended option when travelling Thai...

You can wear fisherman's pants if you so desire, although they might not get you in to the lounge

[think_too_mut]

Not quite.

A Standby Upgrade is a very useful last minute option provided by TG over almost their entire network.  It allows any ticket holder, at the airport on the day of departure - to purchase a one-way discounted upgrade to the next class of travel, space permitting.

eg  Flying BKK-HKG with an economy or discounted economy ticket, you may buy a Standby Upgrade to Business Class for THB 6,600.

BKK-RGN:  THB 2,200

etc

Very recommended option when travelling Thai...

You can wear fisherman's pants if you so desire, although they might not get you in to the lounge

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You call it a deal? The entire 3 days 2 nights package (breakfasts included) to HKG would be 10-12K baht.

Why would I want to pay my ticket again for 2 hours in biz, on the same plane? No way I can consume that much more drinks or food or have a sleep in a better seat.

[SeaVisionBurma]

think_too_mut, I am just explaining what the Standby upgrade is... answer to a question - and have thrown in my opinion on the benefits. (as well as correcting a post by someone who may have misunderstood the term as it relates to Thai Airways)

For me, personally - this is a good deal as I tend to travel business class often & spend more time in the airport catching up on work in the lounge than I do on the plane. There are other considerations besides the seat - I normally get away with 'excessive' excess baggage and I can use a number of facilities I would otherwise have to pay for.

Granted - it is cheaper to do a package deal. and rightly the thread is about discounted fares. However some things suit some people, and some other things suit other people.....

Edited November 25, 2005 by SeaVisionBurma