Hello from Thailand

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Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 6,503

Hi all,

Last Wednesday (16th), as you can see from my signature, I flew out to Bangkok to spend a month in the sunshine. I arrived (eventually) after a flight with EVA Air, one which was nothing too special and nothing about it whatsoever would make me want to fly with them again.

To sum it up, we were on flight BR68 which operates to T'ai-pei in Taiwan via Bangkok in Thailand. The flight should have gone at 9.30pm and didn't take to the skies until 10.34pm. Thanks to Chris (EAL_KING) for keeping me up to date with MSN on my mobile phone. He was telling me what time I could expect anything to happen.

No explanation or apology from the miserable crew on the flight, so wasn't too pleased. To sum up quickly, the meals were acceptable - they tasted alright but presentation was appalling. The crew were not too friendly and the aircraft was slightly tatty. We had B-16409, a 747-400 Combi aircraft, where the last section of the aircraft is cargo.

Anyway, full report upon my return on the 14th or 15th April.

Next year we will certainly not be travelling with EVA. Thai Airways wins hands down with its superb service. However, next year, I'd like to give Qatar or Emirates a go, with Qatar Airways being the cheapest possible option - even cheaper than Phuket Air from Gatwick!

Speak to some of you soon..!

Original post

Member for

20 years 10 months

Posts: 9,401

Thanks for the update Michael, hope your having a great holiday!

Shame about the flight, hope the return is better :)

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 2,956

Why did you not fly TG this time around? Was EVA considerably cheaper? Also, what routing did you take? I'm assuming you originated in Heathrow.

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 4,213

I'm assuming you originated in Heathrow.

Check his signature ;)

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 2,956

Check his signature ;)
INDEED!!! :o Do they stop in Tapei along the way, or continue on to TPE after BKK?

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 6,503

Why did you not fly TG this time around? Was EVA considerably cheaper? Also, what routing did you take? I'm assuming you originated in Heathrow.

Thai have got stupidly expensive when booked using the tour operator we use (Kuoni). Although you can pick up a flight only for about 380GBP return. That's the reason for not choosing Thai.

We were originally booked onto Phuket Air (eww..!) from London Gatwick and that is direct to Bangkok but on the return leg, it stops off for 3 hours in Dubai. To be honest, I couldn't be bothered with that. Many people we have met here in Thailand have flown with 9R (Phuket) and they do not rate them. Some have summed them up as the poor man's Thai Airways. Service is very similar but it is not half as good as the national airline.

EVA Air operates our of Heathrow 5 nights a week as BR67 and it flies to Taipei in Taiwan via Bangkok. The stopover in Bangkok is about 90 minutes I think. Interestingly enough, EVA are getting 777-300ERs later in the year and these will be on the LHR-BKK-TPE route. The entire aircraft configured in a four class layout with PTVs in all cabins.

We had to put up with Economy Class on the aircraft and we honestly didn't know what to expect since most reviews on the Internet were all based on Premium Economy (aka Evergreen Deluxe). Economy was acceptable but the aircraft was very shabby and looked old on the inside. Pitch was an impressive 33" (just 1" more offered by Thai) and we were shown three recent films (compared to NONE with Thai). The crew were miserable throughout the 10 hour and 50 minute service to Bangkok, so that didn't impress me. We were served two meals and one snack, all of which were okay. Thai's inflight food is first class.

Next year, I'd love to travel Thai again. Although Economy Class is basic, their service is unbeatable and by far, the finest I've ever come across. Only one of my four flights has not been enjoyed.

Next year, we're hoping to get booked onto Qatar Airways. My parents flew them a couple of years back and loved the experience. We can handle to very quick connection in Doha and get to experience four takeoffs and landings on two different types of aircraft - the A330 (LHR-DOH-LHR) and the A300 (DOH-BKK-DOH), so something to look forward to, if the price is right!

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 2,956

Don't EVA stop in BKK on their AMS-TPE route, as well? Is the 744 not able to do LHR/AMS-TPE non-stop then, or any other aircraft they operate, for that matter? I'm just wondering why they would do this. Looks like you scored getting the premium economy on the return leg, eh?

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 6,503

Don't EVA stop in BKK on their AMS-TPE route, as well? Is the 744 not able to do LHR/AMS-TPE non-stop then, or any other aircraft they operate, for that matter? I'm just wondering why they would do this. Looks like you scored getting the premium economy on the return leg, eh?

To be honest, I believe that operating services from London and Amsterdam to Taipei are in the airline's best interests if operated via Bangkok. Bangkok is hugely popular and I know that my outward flight was totally full. If the aircraft was to fly direct to Taipei, I wonder how many of the seats would be occupied?

Secondly, EVA don't have to waste aircraft operating flights from Taipei to Bangkok. They simply combine it with other, longer flights and can use the other aircraft on other routes.

I know for a fact though, that EVA is the only airline to serve Taipei from Heathrow, 5 nights a week.

As for flying Evergreen Deluxe home, I cannot wait. Their Economy was alright but I've experienced far better with Thai and United (good old Star Alliance). Rather than a 3-4-3 seating configuration, its 2-4-2 and rather than 33" seat pitch, we'll have 38" plus a good sized PTV, too.

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 2,956

I know for a fact though, that EVA is the only airline to serve Taipei from Heathrow, 5 nights a week.
BA doesn't fly to TPE from LHR? What about China Airlines?

As for flying Evergreen Deluxe home, I cannot wait. Their Economy was alright but I've experienced far better with Thai and United (good old Star Alliance). Rather than a 3-4-3 seating configuration, its 2-4-2 and rather than 33" seat pitch, we'll have 38" plus a good sized PTV, too.
2-4-2, wow! At that point, it's not so much so seat pitch as it is seat width. Were those 'free' upgrades per your travel agent, or something?

Member for

20 years 5 months

Posts: 5,019

I hope things are good after the 8.2 earthquake...I'm surprised...I thought EvaAir was a good airline.