Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus - How early to arrive BKK for int'l flight?

Will be flying TG to NRT at 11:50 pm friday night Jan 2. What time is it suggested to arrive the airport? We will be flying in C. Will be taking a cab from Royal Orchid Sheraton most likely. What time would you suggest we leave teh hotel to account for friday night traffic. I am thinking we will play it safe and leave around 9 pm.

If you leave at 9pm, you could be there by 9:45-10:00pm. You'll have dedicated Biz check-in counters and immigration. This process generally doesn't take more than 10-15 minutes. The rest of the time you can hang out in Thai lounges. Find out where your gate is and pick the closest one (but don't forget about the free neck/shoulder massage in the Thai Spa).

Dedicated Biz immigration lines? Since when? Where are they?

Dedicated Biz immigration lines? Since when? Where are they?

Only for TG passengers I think. I don't think that even other *A can use them.

Will be flying TG to NRT at 11:50 pm friday night Jan 2. What time is it suggested to arrive the airport? We will be flying in C. Will be taking a cab from Royal Orchid Sheraton most likely. What time would you suggest we leave teh hotel to account for friday night traffic. I am thinking we will play it safe and leave around 9 pm.

9pm is really safe. You can leave 30-45min later, without a hassle. At 9pm, you won't need more than 45min to the airport (unless the King decides to go for a ride and block all highways). Check-In is easy when flying out in TG C. You will be checked-in and through (dedicated) immigration and in the lounge within 15min.

If you are flying either C or coach if you're *G - check-in two hours before scheduled flight time is more than enough. Traffic probably will not be that bad and once you get on the motorway you'll fly to the airport (almost true with some BKK taxi drivers!!).

With TG business class there is a dedicated immigration line.

Guess I'll find out next week. I take it the dedicated C Immigration lines for TG are somewhere on the left side of the Departures Hall?

Guess I'll find out next week. I take it the dedicated C Immigration lines for TG are somewhere on the left side of the Departures Hall?

Yes, immediately behind the C-Check-In.

Personally, I would not leave the sheraton before 9:45. Should get you there before 10:30, plenty of time!

Guess I'll find out next week. I take it the dedicated C Immigration lines for TG are somewhere on the left side of the Departures Hall?

It's the first checkin line on the far left. The security desk is at the end of the row. It's obvious when you are there. They have staff there to shoo away anyone not carrying a TG C or F boarding pass. Tough luck if you're with another airline and running late and these's an hour long queue at the main security check!

Along this line - why did you decide to take the 11:50 PM flight instead of the 6:40 AM flight the next day? I'm trying to decide between the two. TIA.

Along this line - why did you decide to take the 11:50 PM flight instead of the 6:40 AM flight the next day? I'm trying to decide between the two. TIA.

Lots of reasons:

First is that the AM flight does not get to NRT early enough to make my NH connection to ORD

Second is that I don't think it was available with miles anyways

Even if I could take it I prefer the red eye. One less night in a hotel. More time on the ground to see stuff. If I think I can get decent sleep on the plane I want to maximize my time seeing stuff.

I am getting to the airport very early because there are severe penalties if you miss a segment on a star alliance award. No need to chance it. I'll just spend some time in the lounge. This is a once in a lifetime trip for us so we have never really experienced lounges and C class treatment.