Asiatraveler15

I think there are already too many flights on that route.

On Hong Kong Air you can buy a one way for about $70.
Air Asia the same.
I don't think UA could compete.

Xyzzy

Neither des UA.

Kacee

UA doesn't really chase local traffic on those tag flights. They're looking to sell the TPAC with a seamless Asian connection. UA often doesn't even make business class fares available on the intra-Asia routes except as part of a TPAC itinerary.

goodeats21

There is also a lot of demand for the HKG<->BKK route.

A random check for 2 weeks out for HKG->BKK shows $212 for Hong Kong Air in economy. Thai is at $301. Cathay $367. These all seem like reasonably profitable one-way fares for a 2 hour flight.

On the same dates, SGN->HKG* is showing up for as low as $61 direct (Jataya airline..?) United does not show up at all in hipmunk search results on this route, yet they are running a 737 tag on that route.

Asiatraveler15

You are right, big demand.
All depends of course on when you go.
I am going in early December and both HK Air and Air Asia are around 500 HKD or $65 one way HK to BKK. My UA flight arrives around 8pm and the HK flight to bkk is at 10pm, so a good connection time.
Singapore is another option, but the most efficient flight the last time I took it gets there around 1am. So in the past I have had to rent one of those rooms at the airport, then leave in morning for bkk. For me, it just seems too long.

RS250Racer

I was going to post in the "who is leaving UA" thread but since most of my travel is to BKK thought I would put this here.
Have not stepped foot on one UA flight this year, I was one of the vocal critics of the BKK flights getting axed as it was my main destination. For the last year and a half been burning miles, buying miles to fly F or C on Cathay and Eva. All better experiences and schedules than UA.

Just got off CI...took a gamble as I could not find a lot of reviews. Price was good, booked right off their website for WELL UNDER $3k in C.

Blown away...just finished one of the smoothest BKK-LAX trips I have ever had. Great flight and crew to TPE, new 77W from TPE to LAX with awesome reverse herringbone seats, decent food, JW Blue, nice mid cabin bar/lounge, happy and pretty staff and friendly pursers that came up and personally introduced themselves and wanted to know how everything was on both flights.

United who?

EmailKid

Surprised you didn't find too many reviews - they are out there, and support your high opinion of them.

restlessinRNO

Of course. In comparison, I just checked the price for UA SFO-TPE in business. $4,687 (P class). And that is with 2-4-2 seating and just to TPE.

Melodsal

United replied and said that they are unable to offer Z fares from Seattle with less than 10 days stay. This is despite the fact that they offer them from SFO and many other west coast cities! I guess it's going to be DL on this route for me.

moondog

CI also charges a premium for n/s flights (most airlines do).

JVPhoto

I don't know when you are flying. I picked a random 9 days in Feb and if you want to keep it in *A to credit to UA you can do:

SEA-ICN-BKK OZ for $3700
SEA-TPE-BKK BR for $4600

Compare to SEA-ICN-BKK on DL/KE $8300 or SEA-NRT-BKK on NH/NH for $6300.

Asiatraveler15

So Why don't you get a cheapy 2 hour flight to SFO and potentially save a few grand?

Kacee

Add four hours in the air plus connection time on the ground to a flight that's already fourteen hours (on those days it doesn't cancel for mx)? Time for an OAL.

Acastus

I emailed the company a few months ago on this issue and actually got an excellent response.

After identifying myself myself as a GS member whose primary destination is BKK, I asked whether the company had any plans or desire to return to the BKK market. I pointed out that the ANA NRT-BKK was a dreadful experience, even on their new 787's since they chose to install non-lie flat seats in business class.

The company replied to the effect that:

1. UA would not be returning to BKK in the immediate future as their financial forecast for the market was still pretty tough.

2. The company was very interested in returning and hoped the fare environment from the US to BKK would improve after TG withdrew from LAX this fall.

3. Specifically, they hoped to launch SFO-BKK.

4. In the meantime they suggested I use TG 380 as a connection from NRT instead of ANA.

I was happy I got a reply at all. I responded that I'd love to use the TG 380 as a connection, but that the UA website almost never offered it. I know because I search this route every single week of my life. The one or two times I saw it, the price was outrageous. In fact, the website more often offers a Cathay Pacific than a Thai connection! I said this was nuts, they aren't even Star Alliance.

Shockingly, I received a reply to my reply. The company said the TG connection issue appeared to be a commercial issue, not a technical issue and thanked me for making them aware of it. They said they'd work on it, but it would take some time.

I certainly hope they put SFO-BKK on the schedule. As an EWR passenger I'd love to do PS out to SFO and then on to BKK.

cesco.g

Interesting reply; thanks for sharing, Acastus! ^
I gotta believe over medium-term BKK will come back.