Post: #1

Anyone flown with them, are they good, how would they compare to United or American Airlines? I need to buy tickets to Thailand and they seem like one of my best options. Also anyone got any good sites to recommend, I'm going through all the big ones (kayak, orbitz, cheaptickets, etc.), but looking to get the best price through any legit online site.

Post: #2

yep i used them last year from london to hong kong, to tokyo to london

they're awesome and about a billion times better than United or AA in terms of service, polite staff etc

Post: #3

(08-16-2010 02:56 AM)zanetti Wrote:  yep i used them last year from london to hong kong, to tokyo to london

they're awesome and about a billion times better than United or AA in terms of service, polite staff etc

I second that.

I have gotten the best deals by going directly to their website. I recently flew round trip from Seoul for like 400 bucks.

Post: #4

As a general rule, when it comes to carriers, the ones who constantly rank at the bottom in terms of service, politeness, courtoisie (whatever you want to call it) as well as quality of meals and inflight entertainment, are the American carriers. Anytime you can, try flying with a non american airline and your experience will be 100 better. I'm looking at Cathay as a possible option for my incoming trip to Asia (Thailand/Japan) as well as Air Canada which are very good for international flights as I always fly with them to São Paulo. So all in all, it might cost you 2-300 bucks cheaper to fly with a US carrier but there's a reason for that. Quality sucks, staff is rude and they charge you for everything. At least with Air Canada, i don't pay extra for luggage and I do get free meals on top of getting polite and friendly staff on board. Oh and the seats, even in economy are comfortable and big enough that you don't feel like you're trapped in a box. Speaking of small seats, KLM are also not the best in that area as their seats are some of the smallest you can find. The best experience so far has been with Fly Emirates, simply outstanding in all aspects and the seats are big and very comfy, their meals delicious and the flight attendants are simply gorgeous. But to answer your question, don't even hesitate for a second, go for Cathay or even Air Canada for your flight to Asia over anything a US carrier can offer. Unless you can afford or be upgraded via your frequent flier points to business or first class. But even then, a first or business class on Cathay or Air Canada dwarfs anything any US carrier can offer. Hope this helps.

Happy travels.

Post: #5

Cathay is one of the best airlines in the world.
The worst airline (international) in Europe is KLM.

Post: #6

(08-16-2010 12:52 AM)OGNorCal707 Wrote:  Anyone flown with them, are they good, how would they compare to United or American Airlines?

They are ten times better in terms of service than any American airline. As a bonus, their flight attendants are cute, sometime even hot - while a typical American airline flight attendant who is never worth a second look.

The only problem I have with Cathay is they're OneWorld, which only has value if most of your travel destinations are in Asia, as American Airlines is simply horrible.

Skyteam has Korean Air, which is also good, and the ticket prices to Thailand seem to be in a similar range with Cathay.

Quote:I need to buy tickets to Thailand and they seem like one of my best options. Also anyone got any good sites to recommend, I'm going through all the big ones (kayak, orbitz, cheaptickets, etc.), but looking to get the best price through any legit online site.

I suggest also to find a travel agency in your area, and visit or call them. Sometime they can provide better options for the same price - the ticket price will not be significantly cheaper, but you'll get better connections (like staying 1hr in Hong Kong instead of 5hrs). This is not always the case, but half of my travel this year has been booked through an agency as they somehow were able to find better deals than kayak/vayama.

Post: #7

Be sure to take a look at Cathay Pacific's All Asia Pass if you are interested in visiting multiple countries in Asia on the same trip.

Post: #8

Thanks for the feedback guys, ended up pulling the trigger and buying my tickets to Thailand last night, I'm flying Cathay Pacific from SFO to BKK for $966 round trip. I ended up buying them off expedia, and found the same flight off the Cathay site for $10 less, but decided expedia was a little more easy to navigate and I've actually purchased tickets through them before. I am definitely stoked I don't have to fly with United or American, I pretty much know they suck, but still hadn't ever heard of Cathay, so I figured I'd try and get some first hand advice. I'll be flying in on Nov. 29th and flying back on March 2nd 2011, plan on spending half my time in Thailand and the rest split between Laos and Cambodia, should be an epic trip, and I hope to have some tales to share with you guys...! :giddyup:

Post: #9

OGNorCal707,

Nice work. Booking that flight really is The Best Feeling ( http://www.thegmanifesto.com/2010/04/the...eling.html ) isn't it?

You better come strong with the updates and Data Sheets on Thailand etc.

I got that on the docket next year.

Post: #10

(08-17-2010 02:54 PM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  OGNorCal707,

Nice work. Booking that flight really is The Best Feeling ( http://www.thegmanifesto.com/2010/04/the...eling.html ) isn't it?

You better come strong with the updates and Data Sheets on Thailand etc.

I got that on the docket next year.

Yeah, booking the flight is for real a great feeling, it's when your talk becomes action, and the trip becomes a reality. I've been planning this for a while so now I'm just counting the days till I'm out. I'll definitely bring some data sheets, but my style of travel might be a bit different than a lot of people on here, as gay as it sounds I'm probably what would now be called a "flash-packer", which is to say that I am slightly more affluent than a typical backpacker and like mid-range options, but am not balling out and renting penthouse apartments of staying in 4 star hotels either.

Quick run down of where I want to go: Bangkok (food, temples, nightlife), Ayutthaya (ancient thai ruins), Railay Bay (amazing scenery/beaches/chill vibe), Koh Samui (partying/beaches), Koh Phangan (full moon party), Koh Tao (get scuba cert/amazing diving), Koh Chang (nature, party), Chaing Mai (culture, trekking, party), Pai (chilling, nature)

Mekong River boat to Laos: Luang Prabang (culture, nature), Vang Vien (nature, party), Vientienne (culture, history, party).

Cambodia: Siem Riep (Angkor Wat), Phnomh Penh (partying, drugs(?)), Sihoankville (beaches, chilling, weed)

I always like to party and collect flags, but I will be doing lot's of other stuff: History, Temples, Scuba Diving, Trekking, Whitewater rafting, Waterfalls, Muay Thai training, etc.

Here are some links that I collected to try to entice some friends to go, I'm sure they will make you guys interested:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvFbQDLdims&feature=grec

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yS-wuxkY...re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11-qFMLMc6c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bs4rqWOz9...re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQa_cGF-YGQ

Post: #11

"I'll definitely bring some data sheets"

I ment, you better have some data sheets for us!

"but my style of travel might be a bit different than a lot of people on here, as gay as it sounds I'm probably what would now be called a "flash-packer""

"flashpacker" does sound gay, but I think that perspective is right on target. Especially for Thailand.

Thought you might find this interesting:

27 Tips for First-Time Travelers to Thailand http://www.thrillingheroics.com/tips-for...o-thailand

Post: #12

Nice trip. Ive spent a lot of time in the areas you've mentioned. Id cross Koh Samui off your list and either spend more time in Koh Tao/Panghan or scoot over to the other side to Koh Phi Phi. Unless of course you want P4P and like to be surrounded by fat old western men walking around with their arms around multiple little girls or boys... Although of course if you steer clear of the the main drag the island is beautiful.

Post: #13

(08-17-2010 05:35 PM)OGNorCal707 Wrote:  Yeah, booking the flight is for real a great feeling, it's when your talk becomes action, and the trip becomes a reality. I've been planning this for a while so now I'm just counting the days till I'm out.

OGnorCal707,

Nice to hear you're stoked. Is that a non-stop or does it by chance hit Honolulu on the way? I'll drive to the airport for a layover burn. You'll need.

Dive at the Similan Islands. There's boats galore, just make sure you see a license hung somewhere. It's a little north of Phuket, and one of the few places I've seen edible opihi a.k.a limpet outside Hawaii. They're best 10 minutes out of the water straight up. There's a big preserve around there, but you could land serious mahi if you fish right outside of it. Again, watch the boats.

If Cathay gives you the opportunity to move to 1st class for $275 or less, do it. You get your own little apartment with a closet. It's wild if you're flying with a girl.

Aloha!

Post: #14

Nice trip

I have been in all 3 countries in the last 6-8 weeks

I would suggest

20% laos
40% cambodia
40% thailand

Post: #15

(08-17-2010 02:28 PM)OGNorCal707 Wrote:  Thanks for the feedback guys, ended up pulling the trigger and buying my tickets to Thailand last night, I'm flying Cathay Pacific from SFO to BKK for $966 round trip.

I've got Korean Air SFO-BKK-SFO for $949 for Oct 7 - Oct 18. Not a perfect schedule, as it has 10 hour layover in Seoul on the way back, but at least it is Skyteam so I will get miles, and may get free upgrade.

Anyone stayed in the transit hotel in Incheon airport? How is it?

2Kona: I do not know a single airline which flies SFO-BKK through Honolulu, even with the plane change.

Post: #16

Guys,
I'm a bit jealous that you guys area all able to find cheap air fare to BKK for unde 1K. The cheapest from Toronto is 1270 and that is with Delta and I ain't in 20 lifetimes flying ever again with a US carrier specially on a such a long flight! The cheapest with Air Canada/Cathay is $1600 and that is with either through Tokyo or Hong Kong, in other words, very long flights (YYZ-NRT 13hrs and YYZ-HKK 15 and half hours!!! ). But nonetheless, I'll buy my ticket in the next few days too and I will be in BKK by the end of October.
G, good sites you've put in there, they have lots of good info. Solid stuff amigo!

Kona, I'll keep in mind your tip of upgrading to 1st class on Cathay for $275 in mind if I go with them.

Cheers guys.

Post: #17

Business/First is fine with US carriers.

Post: #18

(08-20-2010 11:34 AM)Badstuber Wrote:  Business/First is fine with US carriers.

Perhaps, but it's way better with any of the non US carriers.

Post: #19

(08-20-2010 11:34 AM)Badstuber Wrote:  Business/First is fine with US carriers.

But flight attendants are still extremely unattractive. Maybe it is the airline policy?

Post: #20

(08-18-2010 04:24 AM)Kona Wrote:  

(08-17-2010 05:35 PM)OGNorCal707 Wrote:  Yeah, booking the flight is for real a great feeling, it's when your talk becomes action, and the trip becomes a reality. I've been planning this for a while so now I'm just counting the days till I'm out.

OGnorCal707,

Nice to hear you're stoked. Is that a non-stop or does it by chance hit Honolulu on the way? I'll drive to the airport for a layover burn. You'll need.

Dive at the Similan Islands. There's boats galore, just make sure you see a license hung somewhere. It's a little north of Phuket, and one of the few places I've seen edible opihi a.k.a limpet outside Hawaii. They're best 10 minutes out of the water straight up. There's a big preserve around there, but you could land serious mahi if you fish right outside of it. Again, watch the boats.

If Cathay gives you the opportunity to move to 1st class for $275 or less, do it. You get your own little apartment with a closet. It's wild if you're flying with a girl.

Aloha!

Aloha brah! Thanks for the tips, I'll definitely plan on following up on them, I wish my plane had a layover in Honolulu, I've been needing to get out to Hawaii and would have tried to work that into my trip. I'm always down to burn some of da kine pakalolo, I'd like to see how it compares to the Humboldt! Looks like flights from SFO to BKK only fly into Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Seoul.

@DevoLach, I know there is a p4p scene in Koh Samui, but I was under the impression that it wasn't as bad as Phuket or Pattaya, am I wrong about this? I'm definitely not into paying as a first option, and to be honest the scene in Thailand seems pretty nasty with all the ladyboys, STD's, underage girls, forced prostitution, etc., I pretty much want to avoid it all together. I thought aside from the p4p Koh Samui had a good enough party scene with lot's of Thais from Bangkok and international tourist women? Anyways, I don't plan on spending much time there, but thought about spending New Years if it will be a good party, would it be worth it to try and jet up to Chaing Mai instead? I would just kick it longer at Koh Phangan but I have a feeling after one week for the full moon party, I'll be cashed out on that place.

Also, thanks to everyone else for the advice, I'll definitely bust out some data sheets for you guys.

Post: #21

Had a question about an airline and didn't want to open a new thread so I'm posing it here:

Anyone has flown with Etihad? I am thinking of flying with them to BKK. Would appreciate any feedback on them.

Thanks.

Post: #22

All those airlines are top notch.
Emirates is fine, Etihad is fine, Qatar is fine, etc etc.

Post: #23

Thanks Badstuber,
I knew that but was looking for some confirmation. Thanks anyways bro.

Cheers.

Post: #24

[/quote]

@DevoLach, I know there is a p4p scene in Koh Samui, but I was under the impression that it wasn't as bad as Phuket or Pattaya, am I wrong about this? I'm definitely not into paying as a first option, and to be honest the scene in Thailand seems pretty nasty with all the ladyboys, STD's, underage girls, forced prostitution, etc., I pretty much want to avoid it all together. I thought aside from the p4p Koh Samui had a good enough party scene with lot's of Thais from Bangkok and international tourist women? Anyways, I don't plan on spending much time there, but thought about spending New Years if it will be a good party, would it be worth it to try and jet up to Chaing Mai instead? I would just kick it longer at Koh Phangan but I have a feeling after one week for the full moon party, I'll be cashed out on that place.

Also, thanks to everyone else for the advice, I'll definitely bust out some data sheets for you guys.
[/quote]

kho samui isnt' as intense as pattaya or phuket but everywhere in thailand there is p4p to a certain extent. even if you don't end up paying for it, there's a 95% chance that girl has charged others guys in the past

protect your investment!