bmir

Which would you choose in J:

SJC-NRT (ANA 787)
NRT-BKK (Thai A380)

or

SFO-TPE-BKK (EVA 777)

I do little TPAC flying so have not flown any of these. Cost is about the same, non-factor. If I had to pick an airport I would choose SJC (closer, smaller) but am fine with either.

Many thanks!

Kacee

Both good options.

I think NH is a better carrier than BR (better food, better service), and I prefer NRT to TPE (especially lounges), but would probably choose the late night departure on BR over the daytime departure on NH. It's more efficient (burn only one workday) and I'd rather arrive BKK in the morning than late at night.

btw, if you do opt for SJC-NRT, for the NRT-BKK segment, NH has two late afternoon flights around same time as TG departure. The NH aircraft (789/781) will be much newer, with a better seat, than the aging TG 380. Soft product is a tough call . . . NH is more consistent, but when TG is good, it is very good. NH does tend to use the remote stand boarding for BKK at NRT, which I found quite unpleasant, so might stick with TG for that reason.

gengar

I agree with all the above, but personally I prefer BR's Cirrus Zodiac seat to NH's Skylounge Core. That and the nighttime departure would definitely swing it to BR for me.

bmir

Thanks! All helpful feedback, and good point to optimize for night departure/daytime arrival, which BR has both ex-SFO and ex-BKK

Kacee

Yup. I'll just caution that I find the late departure from BKK absolutely brutal from a jetlag perspective. I still take it though, it's basically a free day in Thailand