roadrunner21

With ramadan and eid coming up looking at a MR + vacation.
Trying to get myself and a few buddies to PNH or REP for a week. Rather than do the sensible thing and book EK DXB<>BKK then a quick hop to REP on FD or PG, trying to spend some quality time on board.

One other thing, all the flights will be in Y, so insuring that EK fares remain below the AED 3165 ( thats dxb<>bkk in Y )

Was looking at flying DXB>KUL on EK, then fly AK to REP. After a few days of R&R, fly PNH>BKK on FD. A day or two in Bangkok visiting the museums and parks, then BKK>DXB on EK.

This open jaw on EK comes up to AED 3395.

Can any FTer beat the AED 3165 barrier and suggest a routing on EK that comes below that price?

Was thinking DXB<>CGK @ AED 2525, but there is no way of getting to Cambodia on a LCC from there

edy4eva

Start your trip from KWI, the fare is 166KWD (about 2129AED), enough left for a LCC DXB-KWI or SHJ-KWI

Down_the_back

Drive down to Muscat, MCT-KUL BKK-MCT is 2900 AED.

roadrunner21

That sounds like a good idea. However the plan is to abandon the last leg and stay back in DXB. hmm wonder how much is a one way rental DXB>MCT at hertz.

roadrunner21

This is intresting, as I never looked at KWI, just DOH. Ironically considering EK competes with QR on this route, their fare DOH>BKK is waaaaayyy higher than DOH>BKK on QR.

Who else does EK compete with on the SEAsia sectors, out of the GCC ? E.g. EK offers competitive fares from LHR to Australasia because they are in direct competition with BA and others.

EDIT: The best way to catch this flight is to take OA DXB>KWI @ AED 535, it makes it to KWI at 0135, leaving plenty of time to catch the EK flight back to DXB. With two free stopovers allowed on the EK itinerary its possible to do it on a weekend and then fly onwards to BKK or HKG the next week. And have another stopover in BKK on the way in or out.

DXB OA KWI M 74.88BAEOA NUC 74.88 END ROE 3.67231 FARE AED 280 XT 75AE 10IU 170YQ

Whats the airside transfer situation at KWI, transit visas required?

Information from emirates.com visa page
Bet someone at EK is reading this... cue fare change in 3...2...1

edy4eva

EK would compete with TG and KU on the KWI-BKK route, but there's of course GF, TK, IR, QR, SV and SQ via their respective hubs.

edy4eva

And if you're feeling a bit adventurous, there's always ex-IKA fare for 2366AED, but you'll need someone in Iran to issue you the ticket. KWI still is the best option IMHO.

Cheers

Down_the_back

SwissAir have a one way flight DXB-MCT for 475 AED

Alternatively, GF have special J class fares DXB-BAH-BKK return for 4335 AED. Double miles before the 18th September too. The miles you earn get you a free DXB-BAH-KWI in J one way and Y the other...

roadrunner21

Hmm forgot about that one. It used to be my favorite way of getting in to MCT late at night. And EK867 leaves MCT at 0500. That is a long wait in MCT {2235->0500}

Although EY384 looks good Dep 0250, Arr 0355.

edy4eva

And only 215AED DXB-KWI on Aljazeera

roadrunner21

Yes, but Al Jazeera means a long layover. KWI is not an airport where I'd like to spend a few hours.

No Booze: Check
Deserted at night: Check
No Smoking: Check
Almost like KSA: Check

No, long KWI layover for poor roadrunner21

edy4eva

Sure, which EK flight will you be taking from KWI?

Down_the_back

I still think the GF is a good option!

edy4eva

Aljazeera has 0AED flights (just the taxes at 158AED) to KWI via BAH
You would arrive into KWI at 8:10AM, enough time to connect with EK856 (0940)
J9 427 - Depart DXB 6:10 AM 09/17/09
Arrive BAH 6:30 AM 09/17/09
Depart BAH 7:05 AM 09/17/09
Arrive KWI 8:10 AM 09/17/09

Now that's value!

roadrunner21

Was aiming for EK854 which departs at 0345. With an overnight stay im HKG because EK 380 arrives in HKG at 2145. Then early morning flight to PNH

Although EK856 looks good now, as its possible to go home sleep then fly out the next day.

That does look tempting.