SAS EuroBonus - Goodbye Bangkok?

CPH-BKK is going to end as of March 2013 reports Danish travel-site Takeoff in a non-confirmed report.

Could be permanent, could be closed during the Northern summer only. Probably the first, according to Takeoff.


http://www.takeoff.dk/news/23593

They need the aircraft for SFO ;) I would speculate 3-4x weekly to BKK starting S13.

It makes sense. I flew the route last week and I had no problem getting point upgrade to C. Plenty of space. However, M was packed so the volume is there but I guess the yield is just not good enough. EK and QR are regularly throwing BKK tickets into the market below 5000 DKK and most leisure pax would not mind adding a stop in the Middle East save some money.

Another issue is the 9 hour downtime for the a/c in BKK. They just park it on the tarmac from 3pm to midnight to fit the night departures in both directions (which also increases the cost for flight crew staying in BKK). I guess times have changed and with such a small fleet they need to optimize the usage as much as possible.

TG will probably go to double daily once SK is out and this will mean no more SK on this route.

Cheers,

TG will gain a bit of market share as the europeans pull out of BKK due to the price war in economy with EK & co. LH is down gauging the FRA flight and TG will put the A380 onto that route.

With no no longhaul aircraft coming in, they need to cut somewhere to make SFO happen. I think this has been a long time coming, though its a great shame to see it go.

TG will probably go to double daily once SK is out and this will mean no more SK on this route.


The current schedules for TG indicate downgauging of the current 747 on the BKK-CPH route to 777-300, which will mean a considerable loss of seats on this route for *A. Whether this continues to be the case, or whether the 747 is reinstated, is anyones guess being so far out.

Slightly OT: Amadeus also showing the refurbished 747 doing TG BKK-ARN in the spring with seating for C in the F cabin and availability in U, meaning a direct flight and a reasonable C hard product for the same price as Eco Extra on SK with one connection.

Early days still, so there is very little certainty, will be interesting to see what happens.

They need the aircraft for SFO ;) I would speculate 3-4x weekly to BKK starting S13.

I think it will be 5-6 weekly in the winter, and zero in the summer. But hopefully, they will launch a jointventure with TG, like the one with SQ.

This topic has just been discussed on My SAS Idea, where I argued that it might not be a good idea to discard this route.

http://mysasidea.flysas.net/node/837#comment-410

I do of course see - if the information from Takeoff.dk is correct - that a route to SFO with a business segment of 60-70% (sounds like an awful lot to me!) would generate a lot more money. But then again, cutting to much when attempting to still have a intercontinental network of sorts is not always a good idea.

The current schedules for TG indicate downgauging of the current 747 on the BKK-CPH route to 777-300, which will mean a considerable loss of seats on this route for *A. Whether this continues to be the case, or whether the 747 is reinstated, is anyones guess being so far out.



I guess those will be the new 777-300ER, with 306 Y and 42 C, not the old Jet Airways birds. If so, I think they are there to stay. Also to avoid selling F seats as C and C as premium economy

I see it as a bit positive that CPH is getting more direct flights when SFO opens. There is still a direct flight to BKK with a good *A carrier. Yes - it is not SK with the extra 15/25% points for silver/gold points, segments and all - but still points plus better offerings out of CPH overall.

Especially if TG would upgrade the equipment in use so it is not the oldest equipment they are using.

/HerrO

I see it as a bit positive that CPH is getting more direct flights when SFO opens. There is still a direct flight to BKK with a good *A carrier. Yes - it is not SK with the extra 15/25% points for silver/gold points, segments and all - but still points plus better offerings out of CPH overall.

Especially if TG would upgrade the equipment in use so it is not the oldest equipment they are using.

/HerrO

So, 100% points earning on all classes with TG, then? :)

So, 100% points earning on all classes with TG, then? :)

That would win me over :)

http://www.sas.no/en/EuroBonus/Earn-points/airlines/Thai-Airways-Intl/

Does anyone have any practical experience with this? I'd expect a bit more than 150 EB basic+extra points for an IC!

http://www.sas.no/en/EuroBonus/Earn-points/airlines/Thai-Airways-Intl/

Does anyone have any practical experience with this? I'd expect a bit more than 150 EB basic+extra points for an IC!

It means 25% earnings ( of the mileage of the flight, check great circle mapper). SAS just doesnt want to explain partner earnings very well on their pages Im afraid.

Weirdest double post ever, apologies.

Another issue is the 9 hour downtime for the a/c in BKK. They just park it on the tarmac from 3pm to midnight to fit the night departures in both directions (which also increases the cost for flight crew staying in BKK).

Both KL and AF now have late morning departures from BKK - most likely saving 1 aircraft rotation per day. Maybe this is something SK could do? (Saying that, I think it is done deal and they will let BKK go...)


TG will probably go to double daily once SK is out and this will mean no more SK on this route.


No - TG will stay with a daily service - both EK and QR will increase DXB/DOH to 2 x daily:eek:

No - TG will stay with a daily service - both EK and QR will increase DXB/DOH to 2 x daily:eek:
Well, TG has up to 9-10x weekly flights from BKK to CPH in the winter season. The return going to HKT, though.
I think double daily with 773 + 772 is possible, if SK withdraws.

Well, TG has up to 9-10x weekly flights from BKK to CPH in the winter season. The return going to HKT, though.
I think double daily with 773 + 772 is possible, if SK withdraws.

HKT is even lower yield than BKK, which is already a low yield route. Surely it would make more sense to try and capture all the BKK-CPH traffic onto one flight and try to push up yields, leaving HKT to the competition, who are mainly charter airlines.But then I don't know about TGs strategy, on other routes TG seems happy to fill planes with cheap V and W fares, with premium cabins filled with redemptions.

I don't see BKK being sustainable for SK, even with reduced frequency. If the 773ER is retained, TG will have its newest C product at the pointy end, while offering lower fares at the back end. If the 747 is reinstated, TG will be selling F as C and C product will appear as eco extra. TG is better placed to capture any Thailand bound traffic. EK has a much better offering for any connecting traffic to Asia or Australia at lower fares to SK.

I have flown BKK-CPH and back 10 times in the last few years and it have always been fully booked been except for once.
SK is always cheaper on price than TG so I would hate to see it go :(
Going next month and a trip BKK-CPH and back on SK direct cost only $100 or so more than any acceptable stop overs (less than 4-5 hours travel time added)

Load factors don't necessarily reflect yield performance. TG reports the yields ex OSL/CPH/ARN is not so good, I doubt SK has any better earnings.

I guess those will be the new 777-300ER, with 306 Y and 42 C, not the old Jet Airways birds. If so, I think they are there to stay. Also to avoid selling F seats as C and C as premium economy

For the moment, it is scheduled with the new 77W in C42Y306 configuration, so only a loss of 10% capacity for TG.

Well, TG has up to 9-10x weekly flights from BKK to CPH in the winter season. The return going to HKT, though.
I think double daily with 773 + 772 is possible, if SK withdraws.

This was BEFORE EK/QR invasion into Scandinavia. This summer TG went down to 5 x weekly on both CPH and ARN routes - officially due to fleet re-configuration. Also... EK starts HKT directly from DXB in early winter and I guess counts on transit volumes from CPH...

This was BEFORE EK/QR invasion into Scandinavia. This summer TG went down to 5 x weekly on both CPH and ARN routes - officially due to fleet re-configuration. Also... EK starts HKT directly from DXB in early winter and I guess counts on transit volumes from CPH...
Thai started flying CPH-HKT in Nov 2011, well after EK/QR had begun CPH. This coming winter they are introducing ARN-HKT, so that means both CPH and ARN is 9x weekly from BKK...

These reductions you are mentioning was during 6 weeks in May and June so thats 12 roundtrips cancelled, I wouldn't call that significant...

that means both CPH and ARN is 9x weekly from BKK...


OK - I somehow overlooked this info... Good to know they are fighting against the Middle Eastern guys... Hope TG would succeed...

Reported on Airline Route. Another Airline that lost the competion strugle with Emeriates and the likes.

SAS starting 07APR13 is cancelling its 63-year old Copenhagen – Bangkok operation, as the airline closes reservation for this route. The closure of this route will allow SAS to deploy the A340 aircraft on to its new Copenhagen – San Francisco service from 08APR13.

SAS started service to Bangkok in 1949, its first destination in Far-East Asia. Winter 2012/13 schedule:

The subject is covered here: (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/sas-eurobonus/1381350-goodbye-bangkok.html)

Although the information from Airline Route clarifies the exact date.

Just got this email:


Dear Valued Customers,
We have the latest information regarding the change of our operations to share with you.

From now until 8 April 2013, we will continue serving you with direct flights between Bangkok and Copenhagen throughout the whole winter season. However, during summer 2013 the operation will be suspended. We will resume the flight operation from winter program 2013.

If you have booked SK972 and SK973 between Bangkok and Copenhagen during 9 April – 10 September 2013, you will be notified and offered rebooking on our partner flights.

We know that many customers plan to travel during summer. We will keep you in touch with the best offers available for you, our valued SAS customers. The already informed joint venture with Singapore Airlines for passengers from Singapore is now in progress. We also seek further collaborations with other partners in Southeast Asia in order to offer you the best possible summer schedule to Scandinavia.

We appreciate your kind support for the SAS Bangkok route and we are looking forward to your continuous support for its new winter schedule.

Seems to be seasonal, with reprotection with LH&SQ:


18SEP12
SAS will cease operations between CPH and BKK 08APR13
SAS will cease operations between CPH and BKK as per 08APR13. Operations will resume in the winter 2013/2014.

Passengers booked on SK973 and SK972 should be rebooked according to information below.
Rebooking

Passengers originally booked on above cancelled SK operated flights must be involuntarily rebooked.

Rebooking must be done according to reprotection agreements.

Reprotection agreement with LH

Reprotection agreement with SQ

Responsible selling office must contact passengers and inform about the cancellation and is responsible to rebook passengers to final destination.

Missing connections in Scandinavia to be rebooked in same class or lowest available booking class in same service class as originally booked.
Groups

For reservations booked in G- class, no reprotection agreements will follow. All G- class has to be manually requested by agent to other airline.
Refund

If alternative not accepted by passenger, refund of issued SK/117-ticket with SK-fare is permitted.

The LH reprotect is interesting: E extra go into LH coach, but everyone except T gets into a decent booking class:

Temporary reprotection with LH for SK cancelled flights CPH-BKK-CPH
SAS has entered into a temporary reprotection agreement with Lufthansa due to cancellation of SK operating flights CPH-BKK and BKK-CPH 09APR13 until 01OCT13.

Passengers booked on the cancelled SK-operating flights above may be involuntary rerouted to LH flights via FRA v.v.
Use the appropriate RBD table for rebooking purposes
SK RBD C D J Z Y S B E M H Q V W U K L T
LH RBD C D D Z Y B B B M H Q V W W S S T

Involuntary rerouting of passengers to LH-operating flights, including involuntary reissue of tickets to SK/117-tickets, is handled by SK.

The reservation shall include following OSI-element:
OSI LH INVOL REROUTE / SK …(= SK flight number) CNXLD

Endorsement requirements for SK/117 coupons/tickets are waived.

Uplifted reissued SK/117-tickets shall be marked "INVOL 735d”

The settlement of the agreement is valid for passengers travelling with SK/117-tickets.

Do not reissue SK/117- ticket stock to LH/220-tickets as involuntary reissue shall be handled by SK.

ID/AD-tickets and reward tickets are excluded from this agreement.


The SQ repro is a bit better for business class, but the economy is mercilessly booked into W and below which are rare to find open :o

Temporary Reprotection with SQ for SK cancelled flights CPH-BKK-CPH
SAS has entered into a temporary reprotection agreement with Singapore Airlines due to cancellation of SK operating flights CPH-BKK and BKK-CPH 09APR13-01OCT13.

Passengers booked on the cancelled SK-operating flights above may be involuntary rerouted to SQ flights CPH-SIN v.v.
Use the appropriate RBD table for rebooking purposes:
SK

C


D


J


Z


Y


S


B


E


M


H


Q


V


W


U


K


L


T
SQ

J


D


D


D


W


W


W


W


N


N


L


L


L


K


K


K


K

Involuntary rerouting of passengers to SQ-operating flights, including involuntary reissue of tickets to SK/117-tickets, is handled by SK.

The reservation shall include following OSI-element:
OSI SK INVOL REROUTE / SK …(= SK flight number) CNXLD

Endorsement requirements for SK/117 coupons/tickets are waived.

Uplifted reissued SK/117-tickets shall be marked "INVOL 735d”

The settlement of the agreement is valid for passengers travelling with SK/117-tickets.

Do not reissue SK/117- ticket stock to SQ/618-tickets as involuntary reissue shall be handled by SK.

ID/AD-tickets and reward tickets are excluded from this agreement.

After 63 years of serving the Copenhagen-Bangkok route, SAS will stop flying year-round from April 2013.

SAS says it intends to restart flights to Bangkok in winter 2013 but as a seasonal service.

I guess this move is a result of competition from the likes of EK and QR who are moving into Scandinavia. Also there's more competition from Thai as it now flies to Bangkok from Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm.

All this extra competition and capacity must have driven down fares and hence yield which means the route is no longer profitable all year round for SAS.


News item in Swedish:

http://www.flygtorget.se/Aktuellt/Artikel/?Id=9428

Really sad and bad news for me as BKK in C on SK has been a twice a year happening for me, but if SK will continue to fly to BKK in the winter season I am well covered for at least one of my flights :) :( :)

Really bad news for the Rembrandt hotel in BKK as well I guess.

Could this mean that SFO will also only be seasonal? BKK in the winter and SFO in the summer?

Does anyone know what will happen to the people on award tickets except that: ID/AD-tickets and reward tickets are excluded from this agreement (from Oliver2002 great information)?

They need another aircraft if BKK is to come back in winter, unless SFO is going to be seasonal as well..

Wrong forum perhaps?

Economy Extra booked into W on SQ? I would go for full refund right away! Too bad that TG will no longer offer Premium Economy from April 2013, otherwise that would be the way to go. Anyway, Eco Extra on SK is not cheap so it should be easy to find other and much better alternatives than SQ W class in the market.

Could this mean that SFO will also only be seasonal? BKK in the winter and SFO in the summer?


No, I think they will take a CPH-EWR or ORD rotation out in W13/14 to free a 343 for SFO.

SAS will according to Airlineroute.net resume BKK from 22 NOV 13, operating three times a week. From 10 DEC 13 service operates 4 times a week.

There is no mention of when the route will stop again in 2014, but it will be a winter destination only.