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.
From Thaiair.com:
THAI Announces Board Meeting Results
On 6th June 2008, Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) held a Board of Directors’ Meeting at THAI’s Head Office, chaired by Mr. Chaisawasd Kittipornpaiboon, THAI’s Chairman, with the following results:
1. Flight Operations between Bangkok and New York
Effective as from 1st July 2008, THAI will cease flight operations between Bangkok and New York due to the continual surge in oil prices.
2. Restructuring of flight operations to Los Angeles
THAI will reduce direct flight operations between Bangkok and Los Angeles from 7 flights to 5 flights per week, utilizing A340-500 aircraft type until September 2008. For THAI winter schedule, THAI will operate flights to Los Angeles via Osaka, Japan, utilizing Boeing 777-200 ER aircraft.
Currently, THAI operates daily flight to two US destinations, Los Angeles and New York, utilizing Airbus A340-500 aircraft.
Someone I know in Bkk called TG office in Bkk and they said they can't do anything until Friday or Monday (call back then). They said they will get me onto a flight into New York. Since I already have July 7 ticket to fly home from JFK to CLE, I'm assuming I have to leave BKK at least one day earlier in order to make my JFK-CLE flight. This makes my already-short Thailand trip even shorter--which isn't good.
Does anyone know if we will all automatically get detailed e-mails explaining our "substituted" flights? And what are the chances that TG can find empty seats on other airlines (summer travel season)?
Does anyone recommend just cancelling the whole trip--and would TG issue a refund for everything? I have no problem with my trip to BKK on June 27.
A friend currently in BKK with a return scheduled to JFK in August was offered the BKK-LAX flight, connecting to the UA redeye LAX-JFK. He e-mailed Thai's reservation department and had a reply in the same day.
He's now trying to find out if they're downgrading him from premium economy to economy on the UA segment, or upgrading to business.
I just called reservations in Bkk at 011-66-2-356-1111. The lady was hestitant to say much (she didn't seem to know much). It seemed like her first comment was (like reading from a script) that since they changed the flight, I could get a full refund.
I tried asking if I could have some input into how any re-arranged flight would be done--and all she said was they would book me on other airlines to get me back to JFK. I said I didn't really have to return to JFK--I even preferred Chicago (if they were going to fly me on United). I also asked if they would e-mail me details if they went ahead and re-booked me.
I asked her if I could try to work out a return trip now on the phone, and she said she doesn't have authority to do anything until they have their board meeting or whatever.
She said if I didn't hear anything, I should call back later this week or Monday.
I really think these people have a script and they're going to tell everyone the same thing.
A friend currently in BKK with a return scheduled to JFK in August was offered the BKK-LAX flight, connecting to the UA redeye LAX-JFK. He e-mailed Thai's reservation department and had a reply in the same day.
He's now trying to find out if they're downgrading him from premium economy to economy on the UA segment, or upgrading to business.
I do not believe there is enough time to connect from TG 794 to UA 82 (a ps flight), on the same day. 60 minutes is just not enough to clear Immigration, get to T6/7, clear TSA security and get to the gate. If trying to connect at LAX on UA to JFK maybe plan on overnight.
Maybe PE pax can be accomodated in Economy Plus on UA? I wouldn't expect an upgrade to C on UA from PE on TG.
I do not believe there is enough time to connect from TG 794 to UA 82 (a ps flight), on the same day.
Maybe PE pax can be accomodated in Economy Plus on UA? I wouldn't expect an upgrade to C on UA from PE on TG.
The connection is tight, but it's over 2 hours. TG794 arrives 21:25, and UA32 (not 82) departs 23:30.
I don't expect him to get upgraded on the UA flight either. However, UA's Premium Service economy seats are definitely a downgrade from Thai's PE, especially on an overnight flight.
When I checked the schedules earlier I did not see the 23:30 departure on UA 32. Yes, potentially 2:05 is enough time to make this connection provided your flight arrives on time, you have no checked bags, are a U.S. citizen, can walk quickly and know exactly where you are going at LAX.
I don't expect him to get upgraded on the UA flight either. However, UA's Premium Service economy seats are definitely a downgrade from Thai's PE, especially on an overnight flight.
An upgrade to UA business is definitely not gonna happen. And wouldn't bet that UA E+ will be offered either; I suspect that it will be plain old economy. I'd take the refund and rebook elsewhere.
Anyone have any ideas of a good routing back to IAD that would replace this? I am booked through on an award flight from bkk to jfk, then to iad in business, which is an issue. So far best I have found is business thai to lhr, then united (in econ) to iad.
Cant find any open flights on thai back mid july.
Last edited by tarjan; Jun 10, 08 at 9:49 am.
Reason: would help if I could remember the name of the company I am flying on :)
I've been trying the 1-800 number that goes through to the LA ticket office for a while now and keep getting a busy signal. Can't get a simple call to go through.
I couldn't get through to a US agent either (put on permanent hold). I had a friend in Bangkok call the Bangkok office to ask if my Monday, July BKK-LAX flight was cancelled. They said they couldn't do anything yet because they had no "official" notification. Pretty stupid when it's on Their OWN webpage!
Sure would be nice to know if I have a return flight BEFORE I leave for thailand next week
Apparently when i called TG SIN office, their option was to reroute to BKK-LAX, LAX-JFK on the red-eye UA flight, all on the same travel class as your previous bookings. At least they are aware of what's happening. However there wasnt any BKK-LAX flight on that day, now my itinerary shows as SIN-NRT, NRT-JFK on NH . Not sure whether it is fully confirmed, but the staff said they will try to endorse the changes asap. I believe their priority is to put travellers on BKK-LAX, otherwise on other Star Alliance flts. As usual, they said they will work out the changes and contact me, but as of now, not yet.
Apparently when i called TG SIN office, their option was to reroute to BKK-LAX, LAX-JFK on the red-eye UA flight, all on the same travel class as your previous bookings. At least they are aware of what's happening. However there wasnt any BKK-LAX flight on that day, now my itinerary shows as SIN-NRT, NRT-JFK on NH . Not sure whether it is fully confirmed, but the staff said they will try to endorse the changes asap. I believe their priority is to put travellers on BKK-LAX, otherwise on other Star Alliance flts. As usual, they said they will work out the changes and contact me, but as of now, not yet.
