BillH52

Have used many departure points from USA to Bangkok over the past few years; but, always dread any flight over 11 hours, followed by another flight of 7 hours or so.
Am continuing to seek better alternatives and invite suggestions.
Flights have originated from either OKC or TUL; via DFW, DTW, ORD, MPS, SFO and LAX; with connections via NRT, TPE and Shanghai.
So far, the least painful I've found has been OKC - SFO - NRT - BKK going; and returning BKK - NRT - LAX - OKC. That keeps max time flights down around 10 - 11 hours, but would like to do better, plus keeping costs as low as possible; comfort; safety; etc.
Ideally, would like to find a flight schedule of the 10 - 11 hours flight followed by perhaps a 4 - 5 hour flight going and the reversed upon return; or something close.
Keep thinking it would be nice to fly California - HNL; spend a night in HNL; then continue on via MNL or ???
Any suggestions or recommended search engines?

Thank you,
BillH52

DonTopaz

I can see a couple of ways to eliminate flights over 10 hours.

One is to fly to HNL, then HNL-NRT-BKK. However, this will almost certainly cost a lot more money than if you didn't route via HNL, and the total flying time is going to be much greater than your previous routings. You could also fly to Manila or Taipei via HNL, but those flights are again >10hours, and the same cost/time penalties apply as with HNL-NRT-BKK.

The other way is to use an Atlantic routing flying to New York and then JFK-IST-BKK. Again, that will likely cost more than a Pacific routing, unless you happen to be using United FF miles.

Shortest flights from US to Asia are from Seattle, but the only non-stops from OKC to SEA are on Southwest, which means you'd need separate tickets, which is a bad idea.

jobin

Just loved the freighter trip across the Pacific i took. Sure, it took some time but Tahiti, New Caledonia, Guadalcanal,etc were more interesting than 'looking out the window'.

simpsonc510

Jobin, I would love to do that sometime, but there are always time constraints! ugh

I prefer to take the one really long haul (to Hong Kong, for example) and then hop on the shorter flight to BKK.

kmkrnn

I have to say that our 11.5 flt on the 787 was much more comf and less tiring than usual. I think the airplane makes the difference.

BillH52

kmkrnn: Good point; our last flight was a vast improvement due to updated cabin; made the 10.5 hrs almost enjoyable. Return was not an updated version and not; except it wasn't 13+.

jobin: feighter across the Pacific sounds fun! It does bring back memories of 'troop ship, 30 days across the Pacific'; but, still . .

rhkkmk

any combo using Korean air is a plus for me... kmk did not mention that our flt was japan air non stop from boston to narita, which is an expensive flt.

I would consider flying to any gateway city (LA, SEA, SFO, DFW) on day one... stay a day or two and then continue. I find gateway city fares are often far less costly..

another plan is to go the cheapest way, forget the time and take lots of pills.

DonTopaz

The airline can make a big difference.

For example, the Japan Airlines flight that kmkrnn/rhkkmk took was a 787 that has 8 seats across in economy. United Airlines squeezes 9 seats across on the very same airplane. Which one do you think is more comfortable on a 12+ hour flight?

simpsonc510

Don, it is not always seat width that counts. I'm nearly 6' tall and leg room is absolutely number one. I hate having my knees scrunched. Flyertalk is all about NO leg room on the Japanese carriers in economy. I have a biz ticket on ANA in April. We'll see how that goes. Back of the bus? NO! Not this flyer. DS will fly economy on TG A380, exit row upstairs (that is, unless a biz or 1st class seat opens between now and Tuesday...he "paid" FF miles for 1st class but had to accept econ on that leg of the journey to BKK). Anyway, we'll see how he likes economy on A380.