Thread: Airline News

Originally Posted by misskit

Phuket Air Links From Doha With Qatar Going Direct from October

PHUKET: Qatar Airways will boost services to Thailand with the introduction of non-stop flights to Phuket, effective October 26. The airline currently serves the Doha-Phuket route daily via a linked service through the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur.



Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker said: ''The start of non-stop services from Doha to Phuket offers travellers from around the world access to the popular tourist destination in a reduced time, from across our expanding global network.

''With the upcoming winter holidays, this is a great opportunity for travellers from the Middle East, Europe, Africa and the Americas to plan their break with a beach vacation to Phuket.

''Visitor numbers to Phuket are on the rise and Qatar Airways will look to take advantage of the non-stop connections to the city in the days to come,'' he said.

The direct flights to Phuket will be operated with an Airbus A330 in a two class-configuration of 24 seats in Business Class and 236 in Economy.

More here: Phuket Air Links From Doha With Qatar Going Direct from October - Phuket Wan

Leaves Doha at 7am arriving at 17:40; Coming back leaves Phuket at 19:05 arriving at 22:25.

Oops...

Following an alert from the fire protection system in the baggage hold, a Boeing (NYSE:BA) 787 Dreamliner headed for Poland was forced to make an emergency landing in Glasgow, said Reuters.
The Chicago-to-Warsaw flight was met with emergency services, though no fire or smoke was detected.

Meantime, Air Berlin canceled $5 billion worth of orders for 18 Boeing 737s and 15 787s to cut future capital expenditures. The German carrier said the cancellation agreement does not obligate it to compensate Boeing.

Shares of the aerospace giant edged up 0.3% in the stock market today.

The latest Dreamliner emergency landing comes on the heels of an FAA safety directive to replace fire-suppression-related parts in some Boeing 787s, following reports of some improperly installed parts that could have allowed a fire-suppression chemical to be applied too quickly in case of fires in lower cargo holds.

The 787 has not been without issues. The exact cause of a short-circuited battery on a January 2013 All Nippon Airways flight is still undetermined, according to a Thursday report from Japanese investigators. The ANA malfunction also led to an emergency landing.

Boeing 787 Makes Emergency Landing; Orders Canceled BA - Investors.com

I recently flew economy on TG from Heathrow direct to Swampy.

It arrived on schedule, the food was fine (as much as it ever could be), the seats were bearable and the entertainment console worked offering a good selection of media. So, why would I not fly with them again if I could avoid it?

The service from the cabin crew was the most perfunctory and charmless I have ever experienced. It was as if the entire crew were in a sulk and had jointly agreed not to act like human beings but to conduct themselves as if they were automata. Meals were delivered with a speed verging on the rude and with a lack of grace more in keeping with stable girls mucking out horse boxes. Then, with indecent haste they swooped upon us to collect the detritus even though it was obvious half of us were yet to finish our meals.

Throughout the entire flight not once did they circulate to offer trays of drinks instead preferring to sit among themselves huddled in their little work stations leaving we passengers to come to them for water etc.

For the first time ever I failed to acknowledge the ritual farewells on departing the aircraft and just dismissed them with a blank stare.

Originally Posted by Seekingasylum

I recently flew economy on TG from Heathrow direct to Swampy.

It arrived on schedule, the food was fine (as much as it ever could be), the seats were bearable and the entertainment console worked offering a good selection of media. So, why would I not fly with them again if I could avoid it?

The service from the cabin crew was the most perfunctory and charmless I have ever experienced. It was as if the entire crew were in a sulk and had jointly agreed not to act like human beings but to conduct themselves as if they were automata. Meals were delivered with a speed verging on the rude and with a lack of grace more in keeping with stable girls mucking out horse boxes. Then, with indecent haste they swooped upon us to collect the detritus even though it was obvious half of us were yet to finish our meals.

Throughout the entire flight not once did they circulate to offer trays of drinks instead preferring to sit among themselves huddled in their little work stations leaving we passengers to come to them for water etc.

For the first time ever I failed to acknowledge the ritual farewells on departing the aircraft and just dismissed them with a blank stare.

I would imagine company morale is in the toilet.

They are hardly looking at a pay rise for the foreseeable future, are they?

And let's face it, it's hardly the most challenging or worthwhile job on the planet.

Could always press the little button to wake the cabin staff up,always good if you have a row of seats to yourself.
Press all four.

Originally Posted by klong toey

always good if you have a row of seats to yourself.

My last three bkk-lhr flights have been probably 12 seats per passenger. Hoping next weeks will be the same. From their seat map it's looking good.

No point in paying busness fares.

Looks like Thai smile has changed its mind about flying out of don mueang.

Thai Airways Int'l suspends Thai Smile's Bangkok airport switch - ch-aviation.com

I reckon Thai should employ Bar girls, they give a lot better service.

Glorified waiting staff that's all they are.

Originally Posted by nora tittoff

Looks like Thai smile has changed its mind about flying out of don mueang.

Thai Airways Int'l suspends Thai Smile's Bangkok airport switch - ch-aviation.com

Good. I use them regularly only because the fly from Swampy. The fact that I don't have to fart around getting to DonM is worth a lot to me.

Just out of interest, does anyone know the best credit card in Thailand for Royal Orchid / star alliance points currently? Will be booking a large amount of flights for the next couple of years with them and want to maximize the benefits.

Coutts & Co. World Card

Originally Posted by S Landreth

wish United would do this, for their overseas flights

Take a peek at China Eastern's new first class suites

China Eastern Airlines recently took delivery of their first of 20 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, which feature some pretty swanky first class suites.

The enclosed suites include double beds equipped with blankets, slippers, towels and headphones.

Nice....
I wouldn't expect [especially] United Airlines to engage in such projects. They're one of a few American carriers that have been struggling with just staying above water for a time now. Their non-friendly customer policies are quite reflective of hard times, less attempting to upgrade their first-class infrastructure.

Originally Posted by pseudolus

Just out of interest, does anyone know the best credit card in Thailand for Royal Orchid / star alliance points currently? Will be booking a large amount of flights for the next couple of years with them and want to maximize the benefits.

I believe, if not for their close and connected affiliation with the Star Alliance - which retains some support and underwriting - carriers such as our Thai Airways would have gone belly up some time ago....

As it has been discussed here continuously, they have mismanaged themselves into oblivion.

Nonetheless, good luck to your choice of selected airlines.

Originally Posted by thaimeme

Originally Posted by pseudolus

Just out of interest, does anyone know the best credit card in Thailand for Royal Orchid / star alliance points currently? Will be booking a large amount of flights for the next couple of years with them and want to maximize the benefits.

I believe, if not for their close and connected affiliation with the Star Alliance - which retains some support and underwriting - carriers such as our Thai Airways would have gone belly up some time ago....

As it has been discussed here continuously, they have mismanaged themselves into oblivion.

Nonetheless, good luck to your choice of selected airlines.

It's the national carrier so face will dictate that they will never let it go under.

However, they might end up doing what Gulf Air do these days - keep an airline running making huge losses, even when it comes down to them flying B737's from the Gulf to London while their neighbours are flying B777's and A380's.

Nice answers guys - Thanks.

Anyway, Anyone know which Thai Credit Cards is best for Royal Orchid / star alliance points currently?

Originally Posted by pseudolus

Nice answers guys - Thanks.

Anyway, Anyone know which Thai Credit Cards is best for Royal Orchid / star alliance points currently?

https://www.thaiairways.com/frequent...edit-cards.htm

Points earned in your card loyalty programme can be transferred to miles in your Royal Orchid Plus account, and with some partners miles are earned and credited directly to your account.

Points to miles transfers can be requested from your card issuer in these countries.

Cards Issued Internationally:

American Express

Thailand, Indonesia, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Australia, Sweden

Citibank

Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Pakistan, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Taiwan, Turkey, United Arab Emirates

JCB

Japan

Sumitomo Mitsui

Japan

In Thailand:

Aeon
American Express
Bangkok Bank
Citibank
Central Credit Card
Kasikorn Bank
Krungsri
KTC
Siam Commercial Bank
Standard Chartered Bank
TMB
UOB

Originally Posted by pseudolus

Nice answers guys - Thanks.

Anyway, Anyone know which Thai Credit Cards is best for Royal Orchid / star alliance points currently?

I would go with the proverbial SCB credit card...
Since SCB and Thai Airways are both under the direction of the Royal purse.

SCB [amazingly enough] have a long history of being Farang friendly as well.

Originally Posted by thaimeme

Originally Posted by pseudolus

Nice answers guys - Thanks.

Anyway, Anyone know which Thai Credit Cards is best for Royal Orchid / star alliance points currently?

I would go with the proverbial SCB credit card...
Since SCB and Thai Airways are both under the direction of the Royal purse.

SCB [amazingly enough] have a long history of being Farang friendly as well.

SCB are shit for this. 40 baht for 1 mile.

Standard chartered and AMEX and Krungsri seem to be level pegging. UOB have some big point bonuses as well but I can't understand how they work. HEnce the question, who can suggest the best credit card for thai air / star alliance miles, in Thailand, at this time.

Any relevent pointers (aside from Harry who seems to think the whole forum is just somewhere for his waste of time pedantic BS) gratefully received.

Originally Posted by pseudolus

Originally Posted by thaimeme

Originally Posted by pseudolus

Nice answers guys - Thanks.

Anyway, Anyone know which Thai Credit Cards is best for Royal Orchid / star alliance points currently?

I would go with the proverbial SCB credit card...
Since SCB and Thai Airways are both under the direction of the Royal purse.

SCB [amazingly enough] have a long history of being Farang friendly as well.

SCB are shit for this. 40 baht for 1 mile.

Standard chartered and AMEX and Krungsri seem to be level pegging. UOB have some big point bonuses as well but I can't understand how they work. HEnce the question, who can suggest the best credit card for thai air / star alliance miles, in Thailand, at this time.

Any relevent pointers (aside from Harry who seems to think the whole forum is just somewhere for his waste of time pedantic BS) gratefully received.

I apologize for my seeming naïve helpfulness, Sid...

Credit cards are not my forte' - as you see, I won't have one.
Nor have anything whatsoever to do with corporadoes of a criminal nature.

Hope you find what you're looking for.

Originally Posted by pseudolus

Originally Posted by thaimeme

Originally Posted by pseudolus

Nice answers guys - Thanks.

Anyway, Anyone know which Thai Credit Cards is best for Royal Orchid / star alliance points currently?

I would go with the proverbial SCB credit card...
Since SCB and Thai Airways are both under the direction of the Royal purse.

SCB [amazingly enough] have a long history of being Farang friendly as well.

SCB are shit for this. 40 baht for 1 mile.

Standard chartered and AMEX and Krungsri seem to be level pegging. UOB have some big point bonuses as well but I can't understand how they work. HEnce the question, who can suggest the best credit card for thai air / star alliance miles, in Thailand, at this time.

Any relevent pointers (aside from Harry who seems to think the whole forum is just somewhere for his waste of time pedantic BS) gratefully received.

I gave you a list you ungrateful wanker.

Do you think everyone else should go and check them out for you?

For the most consistent and fastest miles, I think Citibank Ultima Card can give you fastest TG miles.

25 Baht you get 3 points
Conversion is 2 Citipoints to 1 ROP Mile

Therefore it's about 16.66 Baht per mile permanently. If you spend a lot abroad you often get x2 miles as well so it could be as low as 8.2222 Baht per mile.

Best Credit Card to Accumulate ROP Miles - Page 5 - FlyerTalk Forums

That was back in March, mind....maybe Arry will be a good sort and go read all of the cards latest terms and conditions and report back

Originally Posted by S Landreth

wish United would do this, for their overseas flights

Take a peek at China Eastern's new first class suites

China Eastern Airlines recently took delivery of their first of 20 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, which feature some pretty swanky first class suites.


The enclosed suites include double beds equipped with blankets, slippers, towels and headphones.

I've flown China Eastern twice between Thailand and the USA (October 2011 and October 2013) and they were not a bad airline. The tickets were less than $1000, about the cheapest you could get, the flight attendants were polite and every flight was on time.
China Southern, which I've also flown twice is just as good.

CS flies the A380 to LAX and CE is replacing their old A340-600's with new 777-300ers

The 72 hour layover in Shanghai or Guangzhou without the need for a visa is great.

Originally Posted by pseudolus

Originally Posted by thaimeme

Originally Posted by pseudolus

Nice answers guys - Thanks.

Anyway, Anyone know which Thai Credit Cards is best for Royal Orchid / star alliance points currently?

I would go with the proverbial SCB credit card...
Since SCB and Thai Airways are both under the direction of the Royal purse.

SCB [amazingly enough] have a long history of being Farang friendly as well.

SCB are shit for this. 40 baht for 1 mile.


Standard chartered and AMEX and Krungsri seem to be level pegging. UOB have some big point bonuses as well but I can't understand how they work. HEnce the question, who can suggest the best credit card for thai air / star alliance miles, in Thailand, at this time.

Any relevent pointers (aside from Harry who seems to think the whole forum is just somewhere for his waste of time pedantic BS) gratefully received.

Citi Bank Royal Orchid (Visa) is offering 1 mile for THB 20 - Amex is THB 25