BKK schedule change led me to an experiment...
#16
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: WAW
Programs: LH SEN *
Posts: 1,152
My ZRH BKK flight in August 2021 has just been changed: from 22:40 (arrival 14:20 next day) to departure 13:10 and arrival in BKK at 4:50 next day in the morning.
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: YYZ
Programs: A3&O6 Gold,IC AMB & HH Diamond
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#18
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BKK
Programs: TG ROP Platinum, M&M Senator, IHG Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 8,325
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,846
Nothing unusual with such departure times. In the past almost all TG flights from Europe to BKK were based on early afternoon departures from Europe and early morning arrivals into BKK. As I recall it pre-Covid LX would depart for BKK late afternoon and arrive BKK in the morning (around 7 or 8 AM) and return to ZRH a couple of hours later/before noon.
#20
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: WAW
Programs: LH SEN *
Posts: 1,152
To me, 4:50 am arrival vs 9:50 am arrival at the final destination makes a big difference.
#21
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,846
I agree. I makes a difference also to me, but my point was that there is nothing unusual in those afternoon flights to BKK. Actually late evening departures to BKK are not common I believe.
#22
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BKK
Programs: TG ROP Platinum, M&M Senator, IHG Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 8,325
in my record it was actually 17:55 and 09:35 during Europen Summertime and 18:00 and 10:35 during Wintertime...
#24
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: ZRH, Switzerland
Programs: M&M, Fan of MO, Shangri-La.
Posts: 687
In find the early afternoon departure time to the far east horrible.
I'm not tired to sleep, and when I am finally tired (i.e. middle of the night in Europe), it's time to get up and disembark.
By the way: the one (maybe main) reason for this odd schedule to BKK is that the cabin crew has to return on the same plane.
arrival at around 5 AM, then getting quarantined in a hotel room for the day, and departing the same night at 11:20 PM.
Not too much fun.
I'm not tired to sleep, and when I am finally tired (i.e. middle of the night in Europe), it's time to get up and disembark.
By the way: the one (maybe main) reason for this odd schedule to BKK is that the cabin crew has to return on the same plane.
arrival at around 5 AM, then getting quarantined in a hotel room for the day, and departing the same night at 11:20 PM.
Not too much fun.
#25
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BKK
Programs: TG ROP Platinum, M&M Senator, IHG Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 8,325
In find the early afternoon departure time to the far east horrible.
I'm not tired to sleep, and when I am finally tired (i.e. middle of the night in Europe), it's time to get up and disembark.
By the way: the one (maybe main) reason for this odd schedule to BKK is that the cabin crew has to return on the same plane.
arrival at around 5 AM, then getting quarantined in a hotel room for the day, and departing the same night at 11:20 PM.
Not too much fun.
I'm not tired to sleep, and when I am finally tired (i.e. middle of the night in Europe), it's time to get up and disembark.
By the way: the one (maybe main) reason for this odd schedule to BKK is that the cabin crew has to return on the same plane.
arrival at around 5 AM, then getting quarantined in a hotel room for the day, and departing the same night at 11:20 PM.
Not too much fun.
but they also returned the same day during European winter time with an arrival time at 08:40 AM but left just a little bit later...
most of the TG precovid daily flights from Europe to BKK (ZRH, FRA, CDG, MUC, LHR etc.etc.) were leaving early afternoon; flew those dozens of times and got used to... it helps if you shorten your sleep the night ahead of your flight and never sleep during arrival day...
#26
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: RDU/BKK
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 260
Of course pre-pandemic the plane did not park in BKK overnight, though I assume back then the aircraft returned the same day but with a new crew that already got to enjoy a wonderful few days in Bangkok; meanwhile now the very same crew works on the return flight with the same aircraft only after a 16-hour or so rest in hotel quarantine. At least that was what I gathered from talking to cabin crew on LH, so I assume similar logic applies for LX scheduling here. Actually I did see some dead-heading pilots on FRA-BKK, so I wonder if a new crew flies the plane but the same FAs work in the cabin?
#27
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BKK
Programs: TG ROP Platinum, M&M Senator, IHG Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 8,325
Of course pre-pandemic the plane did not park in BKK overnight, though I assume back then the aircraft returned the same day but with a new crew that already got to enjoy a wonderful few days in Bangkok; meanwhile now the very same crew works on the return flight with the same aircraft only after a 16-hour or so rest in hotel quarantine. At least that was what I gathered from talking to cabin crew on LH, so I assume similar logic applies for LX scheduling here. Actually I did see some dead-heading pilots on FRA-BKK, so I wonder if a new crew flies the plane but the same FAs work in the cabin?
now there are only 3 flights a week (Tue, Thu and Sat ZRH BKK and Wed, Fri, Sun back) and the crew is not allowed to leave the quarantine hotel; that's why they let them return the same day
#28
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Geneva
Programs: LX SEN, AFKL Platinum, BA Bronze,
Posts: 5,633
And even better pre 2014. I remember departure ex ZRH at 22:45 and the return ex BKK departing 23:40. Two night flights with a flat bed, nothing better to & from SE Asia.
#29
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: GVA
Programs: A3 *G, LX *G, AF *S
Posts: 761
Correct - that was when the flight continued to Singapore. Took it several times in 2008 and was perfect, especially on the way back: you were ready to sleep, and had more than 10 hours before you landed at 6am in Zurich. Nice long night, and ready to go to work directly from the airport (after freshening up at the ZRH arrivals lounge).
#30
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Geneva
Programs: LX SEN, AFKL Platinum, BA Bronze,
Posts: 5,633
Correct - that was when the flight continued to Singapore. Took it several times in 2008 and was perfect, especially on the way back: you were ready to sleep, and had more than 10 hours before you landed at 6am in Zurich. Nice long night, and ready to go to work directly from the airport (after freshening up at the ZRH arrivals lounge).