LHR-BKK Fleet
Mar 22, 2018, 3:02 pm
#16
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Switzerland
Programs: AY+ Platinum, SK Gold, BAEC Silver, airbaltic VIP, Radisson VIP
Posts: 6,538
I've flown 3x to Bangkok over the last few months in WT+ / premium economy
I did a BA 777 direct - very ropey old bus. No power sockets or decent IFE
Then tried a BA 787 connecting via KUL to an MH A320, which was decent & fairly easy to transfer, but still a bit of a pain on timing
This time I gave up and flew direct LHR-BKK on EVA instead. Their PE in a 777ER was quite impressive, and the 9pm timing from London means it's easier to sleep
I did a BA 777 direct - very ropey old bus. No power sockets or decent IFE
Then tried a BA 787 connecting via KUL to an MH A320, which was decent & fairly easy to transfer, but still a bit of a pain on timing
This time I gave up and flew direct LHR-BKK on EVA instead. Their PE in a 777ER was quite impressive, and the 9pm timing from London means it's easier to sleep
Mar 22, 2018, 4:04 pm
#17
Join Date: May 2016
Location: London/Frankfurt
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hyatt Gold
Posts: 181
It's a tough decision as it seems that you don't need to chase TPs. I'd consider WT with your friends and paying for exit row seats, sleeping pills and earplugs. You'll save money as well as face.
Mar 22, 2018, 7:05 pm
#19
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: USA
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 812
I fly ex EU and ex US - BKK quite a lot.
If I can, I fly the fabulous QR J product. It helps me keep my BAEC gold with a nice lump of TPs and really is a great experience. I think BA's J product is poor and the BA9/10 CW experience is appalling but I think in Y, its OK, At least it's not an accursed 10 abreast 777 (yet!!)
If I can, I fly the fabulous QR J product. It helps me keep my BAEC gold with a nice lump of TPs and really is a great experience. I think BA's J product is poor and the BA9/10 CW experience is appalling but I think in Y, its OK, At least it's not an accursed 10 abreast 777 (yet!!)
Mar 23, 2018, 2:13 am
#20
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Manila, Philippines (MNL)
Programs: BAEC Gold [>20k Lifetime TPs] | Hilton Honors Lifetime Diamond [as is Mrs PtF] | Various Others
Posts: 6,156
Mar 23, 2018, 2:50 am
#21
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold; FB Silver; SPG; IHG Gold
Posts: 2,995
I remember the days when BKK was a 747 with great flight times. Now it's the tattiest of 777's and IMO a dreadfully timed flight. I have avoided Ba's flight to BKK like the plague for a few years now, preferring to go via HKG.
Mar 23, 2018, 3:00 am
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Windsor Berkshire
Programs: BA Silver, VS, Carlson, IHG Gold
Posts: 100
I'm keeping one eye on the TP Run and the Premium Fare threads, and think I will ask in there for some help on how to book it all. But will definitely be trying to route back through KUL or HKG (Maybe more likely HKG for upper deck CW, although I have yet to fly a 787).
Mar 23, 2018, 7:37 am
#23
Suspended
Join Date: May 2011
Location: London
Programs: *A G, OW S.
Posts: 996
No I am chasing the TP like I mention earlier. My work travel has bombed considerably over the last few months, so a trip like this has the option to be a big boost to my balance, and to keep me at least at silver when I combine it with an MCO flight I need to plan for the second half of the year. So I've already told my friends I will be on the BA9 out with them, but I will be up front, and I will be meeting them in the terminal as I will be coming in Ex-EU.
I'm keeping one eye on the TP Run and the Premium Fare threads, and think I will ask in there for some help on how to book it all. But will definitely be trying to route back through KUL or HKG (Maybe more likely HKG for upper deck CW, although I have yet to fly a 787).
I'm keeping one eye on the TP Run and the Premium Fare threads, and think I will ask in there for some help on how to book it all. But will definitely be trying to route back through KUL or HKG (Maybe more likely HKG for upper deck CW, although I have yet to fly a 787).
Mar 23, 2018, 7:56 am
#24
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 357
Mar 23, 2018, 8:14 am
#25
Join Date: Nov 2016
Programs: BAEC Gold, Royal Orchid Silver, HH Silver, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 25
Immigration at Bangkok can be an absolute nightmare - over two hours at times. If you do fly at the back it's worth shelling out about 20 each and buying the fast track service before you go. My brother used it a couple of weeks ago and (without baggage) was getting in a taxi within 15 minutes of landing.
Mar 23, 2018, 10:43 am
#26
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: USA
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 812
Immigration at Bangkok can be an absolute nightmare - over two hours at times. If you do fly at the back it's worth shelling out about 20 each and buying the fast track service before you go. My brother used it a couple of weeks ago and (without baggage) was getting in a taxi within 15 minutes of landing.
Mar 23, 2018, 11:03 am
#27
Join Date: May 2006
Location: 5 miles from EMA
Programs: BD, BAEC Pleb, VS Pleb, Accor Pleb, HHonors Gold, Big White Season Pass
Posts: 5,925
I would imagine it gets you through the VIP/fast track lanes.
Theres also a meet and greet service with a golf buggy meeting you off the plane. Handy if you end up right at the end of the C or E concourses as thats a heck of a trek.
Theres also a meet and greet service with a golf buggy meeting you off the plane. Handy if you end up right at the end of the C or E concourses as thats a heck of a trek.
Mar 23, 2018, 1:16 pm
#28
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: USA
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 812
If flying business, I always pop into the normal immigration area and ask how long the queue is. If it's reasonable, I keep the fast track voucher and just go through normal immigration and maybe use the voucher on my next economy trip if the queue is long. Might be useful for some to know that all over 70s can use the VIP/fast track lanes without a voucher.
If the queue at immigration is long, I think the paid service is good value.
Mar 23, 2018, 1:36 pm
#29
Join Date: May 2006
Location: 5 miles from EMA
Programs: BD, BAEC Pleb, VS Pleb, Accor Pleb, HHonors Gold, Big White Season Pass
Posts: 5,925
When the kids were babies, we always got ushered through the VIP lane simply by virtue of the fact that one of them was asleep in the pushchair
Mar 23, 2018, 2:56 pm
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, SQ Gold, KQ Platinum, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hilton Gold, Marriott Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,363
Appreciate the responses... I dont know why but I thought there were no crusty planresin the LHR fleet. But I do mainly fly short haul from there.
Well one of the non direct options it was offering a connection through KUL, and then back to LHR with the 787. So might at least take that option to change things up.
Well one of the non direct options it was offering a connection through KUL, and then back to LHR with the 787. So might at least take that option to change things up.