As part of a C award ticket, I need to get from NYC to BKK in January 2011. I'm considering two options.
The risky option:
JFK-NRT on NH 77W
NRT-BKK on TG 77W
The safe option:
JFK-ICN on OZ 777
ICN-BKK on TG 772
If it works out, the risky option would feature better seats on both legs, the connection time is a bit shorter, and the arrival time in BKK is a bit more convenient. Unfortunately, there is currently no C availability for the NRT-BKK flight. So I would have to book Y for now and hope that a C seat becomes available (thereby risking a 7 hour trip in Y).
Can anyone enlighten me regarding TG's normal pattern for release of award seats? I know that certain airlines (e.g. NZ) typically release seats in stages. Does TG also do it that way, or are they more inclined to release them all at once and when they're gone, they're gone (unless someone cancels an existing reservation)?
I would still fly the JFK-NRT flight just for the fully flat seats alone even if it meant an extra connection. Another option
Any advice would be appreciated!
With TG just keep looking everyday and they may open up a seat. There doesn't seem to be much pattern. They usually release award seats in the week before departure. The NRT-BKK route is very popular however. It is usually easier to get an F seat in the week before departure than a C seat on this route at the last minute. I would still fly the JFK-NRT flight just for the fully flat seats alone even if it meant an extra connection in business. Although personally I wouldn't risk booking Y NRT-BKK.
Have you thought about going via europe?
EWR-CDG-BKK: I'm not sure if the 752 on this route has been refitted with the fully-flat seat yet. The TG 77W from CDG-BKK has the best fully flat seat out there IMO.
If you could do 2 transits then:
JFK-ZRH-CDG-BKK: Fully flat seats on both long-haul sectors.
Going via CDG with CO/TG is actually a shorter journey than via NRT and would mean a 1hr35 stopover.
If you can get C NRT-BKK then go for the NH/TG option but if you can't I would go via CDG if possible as would mean short transfer and flat beds ^