Today's news said that Thai is terminating their JFK-BKK route in July 1st, 2008, and will reduce frequencies on LAX-BKK from daily to 5 weekly. Also, LAX-BKK may be terminated end of this year as well.
Last edited by coolfish1103; Jun 8, 08 at 11:55 pm.
Programs: Thai Gold, NZ Silver, QANTAS Club Bronze
Posts: 2,883
If you have made connecting flights anywhere on your journey, made independently of your THAI booking (ie on a separate PNR), you (and not TG) carry the risk, and so the responsibility for amending those other flight arrangements that you've made at your own cost. Insurance might cover it in some cases...
I (Mrs TK actually) will suffer a similar fate having booked super deep discounted NZ fares WLG-AKL to connect THAI AKL-BKK (awardtix). The AKL-BKK flight will be rerouted via SYD or MEL in Australia and it is likely that I'll have to throw away teh cheap connecting flights. But I knew that risk, and spending $NZ 160 was way cheaper than paying for a flexible NZ WLG-AKL return tix at around $NZ 400.
I've course, Mrs TK had expressed her displeasure at losing $160 and having to buy another ticket.....
Mr. Megatop and I got on the phone with the TG ROP Gold line Monday morning BKK time. The first agent said that we had to wait until Wednesday before TG figured out what they're going to do with all of us who have confirmed and purchased tickets on the JFK flight. We pointed out that it was a little silly to announce cancellation of the flight but not have any idea what they're going to do with ticketed passengers. That led the first agent to get another one, probably a supervisor of some sort. I offered to take a re-route on the LAX flight if they could confirm me. The long and the short of it is that they told me to call the LA ticket office because they (the Bangkok reservation agents) have no authority to do anything right now.
Bottom line: TG Head Office Bangkok has no earthly idea what to do.
Mr. Megatop politely but firmly told them in Thai how ridiculous that was.
I couldn't agree more. But it wasn't the fault of the poor reservation guys, who are probably getting a lot of those calls. It is the fault of the profoundly stupid management. Making one decision--cancelling the JFK flight--without making the essential next decision--what to do with ticket pax--is absolute madness, especially when the first decision is announced in the press.
Programs: UAL 1P, Starwood Plat, Delta Silver Med, AA Gold
Posts: 23
Hi all,
Nothing official, but I just tried to make a "dummy" booking on the Thai website for LAX-BKK in August (outbound Monday Aug 18, return Friday Aug 29). The response was offering an outbound on Sunday Aug 17. For return, the site indicated that all days of the week were available for booking EXCEPT for Monday and Wed. Those days the response was "sold out". Connecting the dotes, it appears that the flight will not operate on Mondays and Wednesdays. Even on the days the flight appears to be operating, it does not appear the new flight times have been loaded because the 340-500 is still listed as the equipment with the schedule as current with the nonstop.
Making one decision--cancelling the JFK flight--without making the essential next decision--what to do with ticket pax--is absolute madness, especially when the first decision is announced in the press.
Considering that the Thai Air website is still promoting the JFK and LAX nonstops, it really doesn't surprise me. In the end, I think that they will offer a refund for paid tickets, but after that it's anyone's guess.
Hi everyone,
It is official though Thai claim it's being "worked on". Service between JFK/Bkk has been cancelled. They have lost tons of $$$ & rising fuel costs have made their decision final.
I got an official e mail from Thai when I pressed them.
Too bad.. I loved the flight.
Instead I am flying Toronto / HK & HK / Bkk with Cathay Pacific. Would have prefered Thai.
Connecting the dotes, it appears that the flight will not operate on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Thanks for that heads-up! This, indeed, appears to be correct. Mondays and Wednesdays are zeroed out/sold out on the TG site for the LAX-BKK route. Nothing on the site, though, about BKK-LAX...just shows up as an error if you try and book that.
This morning, I both called the 1-800 number and went to the midtown Manhattan sales office in person.
The 800 number puts you through the the LA call center. They knew nothing. They said their general manager was returning from Bangkok today (Monday) and should know more later in the day or tomorrow. Of course, she pulled the reservation and said it still showed as valid. My personal interaction in NYC yielded even less information. She took my number and said she would call.
The 64k question is if they re-book everyone through LAX, do we have to get there on our own dime?
This morning, I both called the 1-800 number and went to the midtown Manhattan sales office in person.
The 800 number puts you through the the LA call center. They knew nothing. They said their general manager was returning from Bangkok today (Monday) and should know more later in the day or tomorrow. Of course, she pulled the reservation and said it still showed as valid. My personal interaction in NYC yielded even less information. She took my number and said she would call.
The 64k question is if they re-book everyone through LAX, do we have to get their on our own dime?
I got the same results calling the LA Ticket Office via the 800-number. We'll have to wait and see.
LA office also mentioned the possibility that the JFK flight might not actually get cancelled. Yeah, right.
Then again, This is Thailand. Lots of things get announced only to be followed by a complete reversal. If TG discovers they can't get rid of these planes, who knows what they'll do.
Last edited by MegatopLover; Jun 9, 08 at 11:51 am.
I booked my flight lats month going to BKK this summer, my agent just contact me about TG flight cancellation. NO help from TG on the protection yet. I have already arrange local tour and hotel. Any suggestion on other carrier to BKK our of JFK?
I really don't think they can just re-book everyone on LAX flight unless it has 80% empty seats already. I expect this to turn into a big bunch of b.s.--and expect a LONG return trip July 7.
Just arrived in BKK this morning (June 10) on TG 795. They had 1 seat in PE empty and there might have been a couple of seats in the back without a butt in them, not sure. I believe C checked in full.
Getting on the ground and finding out that LAX-BKK might be toast at year's end is ADDITIONAL disapointment. I originally booked my return on Dec 30 in case I needed additional miles for this year, but as mileage padding is not going to be needed the thought was to change the return for Jan 3 or 4. Should I change my return before anything final is announced? It would be unfortunate to get 8500 unneeded miles this year when they could be used at the onset of 2009 miles.
The PE configuration is about the limit my body can handle on a flight of 17 hours. I'm usually parking my butt in a C seat for transpac flights. If the 777-200 is as different as was suggested earlier there will be difficulties afoot.
An another note, calling the TG Bangkok office might not be the best option if ticketing occurred in the states. I had originally purchased the ticket while in Thailand, online, (LAX-BKK-LAX) and tried to call the local number here. They informed me as the tix were purchased for a LAX departure I was required to be in contact with that office.
BKK has clear skies and visibility is so much better than when I left April 19. Even with another 4 hour wait in DMK for my flight to Ubon I can say emphatically it's good to be back!!!
Getting on the ground and finding out that LAX-BKK might be toast at year's end is ADDITIONAL disappointment.
Sorry, but where is this info coming from? I haven't heard anything about the LAX route being canceled at all anywhere. Even the potential for it hasn't been mentioned in the news or a press release.
All that's been mentioned is the change in September to include a stop at KIX using the 772.
