Qatar Airways postpones Chiang Mai Dec 2016 launch

[uhhh ohhh]

Yes I just fly Air Asia to BKK and get the cheapest flight to Europe from there. For me it's Norwegian Air  , can't beat their prices if you book early . 
 

I agree, Balo. Then in my case on to an U.S. East coast destination....JFK or Florida. Finding a 1 stop flight from BKK to the U.S. East coast at a reasonable price has been difficult for me at times. Plus, Norwegian has the 787's which are nice

[Chicog]

56 minutes ago, CNXBKKMAN said:

Qatar Airways are charging more because there are not many long haul international operators into CNX. They figure the customer (or some of them) will be willing to pay premium for cutting out Bangkok part of the journey. They did the same thing when they started flying into Phuket about 8 years ago. They were the first big gulf carrier into HKT. They fly to Goa and charge a premium, because it cuts out the Bombay transfer/ domestic flight and many people will think that's worth it.

       As soon as more competition shows up like Emirates and Etihad have into Phuket they can't get away with, the airfare becomes more reasonable or even cheaper than Bangkok. It's not just Qatar airways who does this , all airlines will do it if they are in a similar market situation.

 

They aren't "cutting out Bangkok part of the journey". They don't fly to CNX.

As such you are on the same connection whether you buy the whole ticket from Qatar or buy the CNX leg from one of the LCCs or Thai.

 

If you read the thread they decided against flying direct to CNX and when I last spoke to them they had no plans to resurrect it.

[Chicog]

35 minutes ago, uhhh ohhh said:

 

I agree, Balo. Then in my case on to an U.S. East coast destination....JFK or Florida. Finding a 1 stop flight from BKK to the U.S. East coast at a reasonable price has been difficult for me at times. Plus, Norwegian has the 787's which are nice

 

Qatar fly non-stop direct DOH-LAX, so I'd be surprised if they don't do it to the East Coast, but I expect it depends on the destination.

Edited October 24, 2016 by Chicog

[balo]

34 minutes ago, uhhh ohhh said:

Finding a 1 stop flight from BKK to the U.S. East coast at a reasonable price has been difficult for me at times. Plus, Norwegian has the 787's which are nice

 

Ok that must be a long flight for you , so Norwegian first to Oslo/Stockholm , then direct US ?   

[CNXBKKMAN]

3 minutes ago, Chicog said:

 

They aren't "cutting out Bangkok part of the journey". They don't fly to CNX.

As such you are on the same connection whether you buy the whole ticket from Qatar or buy the CNX leg from one of the LCCs or Thai.

 

If you read the thread they decided against flying direct to CNX and when I last spoke to them they had no plans to resurrect it.

 

The CNX flight is supposed be via RGN whenever it starts? A joint flight.

[Chicog]

47 minutes ago, CNXBKKMAN said:

 

The CNX flight is supposed be via RGN whenever it starts? A joint flight.

 

Yes it was supposed to be via Rangoon, but the same aircraft. Hence direct but not non-stop direct.

 

 

[arithai12]

On 10/24/2016 at 4:36 AM, balo said:

Yes I just fly Air Asia to BKK and get the cheapest flight to Europe from there. For me it's Norwegian Air  , can't beat their prices if you book early . 

 

AirAsia doesn't fly to BKK.

 

[arithai12]

 

12 hours ago, uhhh ohhh said:

 

I agree, Balo. Then in my case on to an U.S. East coast destination....JFK or Florida. Finding a 1 stop flight from BKK to the U.S. East coast at a reasonable price has been difficult for me at times. Plus, Norwegian has the 787's which are nice

 

Emirates flies to several destinations in the US, including a few on the East Coast. So that's a 1-stop solution (in Dubai).They fly A380s all the way and the prices are reasonable. However I dread the ~15h flight from DXB and not sure I want to do it again, I personally prefer an extra stop to regenerate my legs.

[Paul Catton]

I tried to book Qatar Airways for my sister from the UK to meet us in Chiang Mai in February.

Couldn't get direct to CNX via Rangoon so settled for BKK, with domestic flights on Thai Airways.

Manchester - Doha - Bangkok  return 19,525 baht.

Bangkok - Chiang Mai return 2562 baht.

[Chicog]

3 hours ago, arithai12 said:

AirAsia doesn't fly to BKK.

 

 

 

You'd better tell them to change their website then.

 

http://www.airasia.com/ph/en/cheap-flights/thailand.page

 

 

[Chicog]

2 hours ago, arithai12 said:

 

Emirates flies to several destinations in the US, including a few on the East Coast. So that's a 1-stop solution (in Dubai).They fly A380s all the way and the prices are reasonable. However I dread the ~15h flight from DXB and not sure I want to do it again, I personally prefer an extra stop to regenerate my legs.

 

I did the DOH-LAX in July, I wasn't looking forward to it, but it actually went quicker than I thought.

 

 

[Genericnic]

24 minutes ago, Chicog said:

 

 

You'd better tell them to change their website then.

 

http://www.airasia.com/ph/en/cheap-flights/thailand.page

 

24 minutes ago, Chicog said:

 

I think he probably meant doesn't fly to BKK (Suvarnabhumi) as opposed to DMK (Don Muang). 

 

David

 

[Chicog]

45 minutes ago, Genericnic said:

 

I think he probably meant doesn't fly to BKK (Suvarnabhumi) as opposed to DMK (Don Muang). 

 

David

 

 

Ah yes, that would be correct.

 

Silly me.

 

[balo]

9 hours ago, arithai12 said:

AirAsia doesn't fly to BKK.

 

There's a free shuttle bus between the airports in Bangkok so not really a problem , you just need some time between your flights. A one way ticket with AirAsia is around 1300 baht . 

Edited October 25, 2016 by balo

[Ricardo]

Remember the 'good old days', when you could buy two separate-tickets at a fair price, and then check-in at CNX for both, and clear Immigration at our own local airport ?

 

Instead of having to take an earlier connection, and struggle through the crowds at Swampy with your full luggage, instead ?

 

I hate those 06.00 check-ins at CNX-Domestic, for a lunchtime-flight out of Swampy, almost as much as I resent the airlines' attempts to rip-us-off for daring to try to do, what used to be the norm !

 

[arithai12]

17 hours ago, balo said:

 

There's a free shuttle bus between the airports in Bangkok so not really a problem , you just need some time between your flights. A one way ticket with AirAsia is around 1300 baht . 

If you enjoy waiting to pick your luggage in DMK, find the shuttle and conquer a space for you and your luggage, enjoy the commute (1hr?), queue to check in the luggage again, queue at BKK immigration, go ahead. But you won't be saving much money: check out the prices of PG, TG, WE which all fly to BKK, they are quite competitive by now.

 

[Chicog]

6 hours ago, Ricardo said:

Remember the 'good old days', when you could buy two separate-tickets at a fair price, and then check-in at CNX for both, and clear Immigration at our own local airport ?

 

 

You can still do that providing the connecting airline is "on the list".

The trouble is that this "list" seems to be somewhat arbitrary and ever changing.

 

 

[Ricardo]

1 hour ago, Chicog said:

 

You can still do that providing the connecting airline is "on the list".

The trouble is that this "list" seems to be somewhat arbitrary and ever changing.

 

 

Really, my own impression (confirmed by Bangkok Airways' website ?) is that you need to have both flights on the same ticket/PNR .

 

http://www.bangkokair.com/pages/view/separate_ticket

 

except for  " Through-check will only be done when the secondary separate ticket is to travel on the following criteria:
•   Bangkok Airways’ operating flights (PGXXX) 3 digits
•   Bangkok Airways’ codeshare marketing flights (PGXXXX) 4 digits

According to such revised policy, a passenger and bags will be checked between the origin and destination points that are reflected on a single or conjunctive ticket. ".

 

There's still a list, but it is made clear that a single-ticket is required, for the two airlines. The list is detailed at  ...

 

http://www.bangkokair.com/pages/view/check-in-through

 

However  "Separated Ticket which was issued by all airlines, can not be checked through."

[Chicog]

53 minutes ago, Ricardo said:

 

Really, my own impression (confirmed by Bangkok Airways' website ?) is that you need to have both flights on the same ticket/PNR .

 

http://www.bangkokair.com/pages/view/separate_ticket

 

except for  " Through-check will only be done when the secondary separate ticket is to travel on the following criteria:
•   Bangkok Airways’ operating flights (PGXXX) 3 digits
•   Bangkok Airways’ codeshare marketing flights (PGXXXX) 4 digits

According to such revised policy, a passenger and bags will be checked between the origin and destination points that are reflected on a single or conjunctive ticket. ".

 

There's still a list, but it is made clear that a single-ticket is required, for the two airlines. The list is detailed at  ...

 

http://www.bangkokair.com/pages/view/check-in-through

 

However  "Separated Ticket which was issued by all airlines, can not be checked through."

 

Yet strangely from the Gulf on Qatar I can check my bags straight through even when on a separate ticket.

The fact that they're a partner airline seems to be enough.

[Ricardo]

According to various threads on flyertalk, Qatar have been one of the least consistent OneWorld-airlines, in applying the new general-policy  ...  Good for Them, if it results in better customer-service ! 

[Chicog]

35 minutes ago, Ricardo said:

According to various threads on flyertalk, Qatar have been one of the least consistent OneWorld-airlines, in applying the new general-policy  ...  Good for Them, if it results in better customer-service ! 

 

Might explain why I got a big Oneworld survey request from them the other week.

 

[stament]

On 24 October 2016 at 2:20 AM, arithai12 said:

Yes, it's a shame that Emirates doesn't allow more flexible booking options on the CNX-BKK leg,

although I rather suspect it's PG policy not EK.

However, by recent experience: you can book a separate CNX-BKK on Thai Airways (and they have

some quite competitive pricing lately), and you will be able to check-in at international departures

in CNX and they will send the luggage to your final Emirates destination. And Emirates will

do the same for the return trip.

 

At the TG counter, they will want to see the full details of your EK onward flight, so bring a print out.

 

Careful: it works only for TG-operated flights. If you buy a ticket issued by TG for a flight

operated by Thai Smile, it won't work.

 

 

 

Interested to know when you last experienced this as I have tried it both ways twice within the last 6months and was told at CNX you can no longer go through International if the tickets are booked separately, you have to get your bags at Bkk and then check I for the international flight. The same thing when starting at Dubai. Only exception to this I was told when booking an Emirates flight is where you have a through ticket to CNX and then the only option is BKK Airways.

 

I do agree on the pricing, you can save about Thb 2500 upwards if you book the Leeds independently but you have to be careful as you are not covered if one is delayed so I would suggest a longer than normal layover if you decide to choose that option. A couple of months ago my Bkk Airways flight from CNX got cancelled resulting in me missing my Emirates flight. I had a through ticket so was ok but I wasn't pleased about the 6 hr wait to catch the next flight. If booking independently I prefer Thai as their flights are more regular. Also note when booking through Emirates they don't offer all the Bkk Airways flights and sometimes when you book the domestic leg isn't confirmed.

 

For anyone wanting a cheap flight Dubai to Bkk you can try Fly Dubai. I flew them on a one hour flight and they were ok but I wouldn't fly them longer than a couple of hours.

 

 

[stament]

On 24 October 2016 at 7:27 AM, Ricardo said:

 

Sorry, it wouldn't accept 'CNX', when I did look yesterday. But does now  ...  go figure.

 

But I still think adding B13k, for CNX-BKK-CNX, is way over the top, and deserved a heads-up.

 

I priced a return with Etihad for January 10-days-ago, they only added B3k-ish, which I'd regard as reasonable.

13k is extortionate can usually get a return for about 3 to 4k on TA or BKK if you book early enough. I don't like using Don Muang as its extra hassle and time. Have used before again only because the price differential made it worthwhile to me, but everyone's price differential is different.

[stament]

On 25 October 2016 at 10:31 AM, Paul Catton said:

I tried to book Qatar Airways for my sister from the UK to meet us in Chiang Mai in February.

Couldn't get direct to CNX via Rangoon so settled for BKK, with domestic flights on Thai Airways.

Manchester - Doha - Bangkok  return 19,525 baht.

Bangkok - Chiang Mai return 2562 baht.

Big family get together eh Paul. I hope you are t footing the whole bill for everyone. Don't worry I will shout you breakfast at CEC and a beer or three somewhere!

[stament]

23 hours ago, Ricardo said:

Remember the 'good old days', when you could buy two separate-tickets at a fair price, and then check-in at CNX for both, and clear Immigration at our own local airport ?

 

Instead of having to take an earlier connection, and struggle through the crowds at Swampy with your full luggage, instead ?

 

I hate those 06.00 check-ins at CNX-Domestic, for a lunchtime-flight out of Swampy, almost as much as I resent the airlines' attempts to rip-us-off for daring to try to do, what used to be the norm !

 

Yes that was what I used to like about CNX and DXB airports. They were willing to do that unlike UK airport jobsworths!  Sadly the rules have now changed or policy....

[stament]

14 hours ago, Chicog said:

 

Yet strangely from the Gulf on Qatar I can check my bags straight through even when on a separate ticket.

The fact that they're a partner airline seems to be enough.

Hmmmm go figure?!! Seems a very muddy subject indeed, I prefer to plan that it's not possible and be pleasantly surprised at check-in if it is permissible as the rules keep changing.  Wait a minute, there are no rules that's the first rule! 

[arithai12]

On 10/27/2016 at 5:57 AM, stament said:

Interested to know when you last experienced this as I have tried it both ways twice within the last 6months and was told at CNX you can no longer go through International if the tickets are booked separately, you have to get your bags at Bkk and then check I for the international flight. The same thing when starting at Dubai. Only exception to this I was told when booking an Emirates flight is where you have a through ticket to CNX and then the only option is BKK Airways.

 

 

 

My last experience was in early October. I had a one-way TG flight from CNX to BKK, and a round-trip Emirates from BKK to Moscow. At CNX, the lady happily checked the luggage through to Moscow ,and I could do immigration in CNX.

On the way back I had a one-way WE ticket BKK-CNX (my choice for reasons of connection time), so I had to do immigration in BKK and re-check the luggage there.

If in doubt, go and ask at the Thai office.

 

I stress: TG-operated flight. If you have a TG-issued ticket but the carrier is another airline, it won't work.

 

 

 

Edited November 4, 2016 by arithai12

[stament]

so only thai airlines then Arithai12, ir thai to thai