filmwill

Hey all...so as some of you know, my in-laws will be joining us on our upcoming trip. We'll be flying to Luang Prabang from LAX then BKK. However, they really would like to break up the flying a bit more as they don't bounce back quite as easily as we do.

They are suggested maybe a stopover in Hawaii then onwards from there.

Can anyone who's done this give me a routing recommendation? When I look up flights from HNL to BKK (to connect to LP) those flights seems longer than the trip from LAX to BKK which is terribly confusing.

Any advice would be appreciated...

rkkwan

Hawaii has stopped being a viable stopoff point from US most of Asia. It's too far south in the air route, and there are very HNL-Asia flights other than to Japan.

[People from most SE Asian countries need a US Visa to visit Hawaii, and it's too expensive for just sun and beach compared to Thailand, Malaysia, etc.]

Thai still flies LAX-BKK non-stop. That'd be the fastest way to get there. Or if you want to break up the journey, Japan. But that will likely bump up your ticket price, and Japan isn't the cheapest place to visit.

hawaiiantraveler

from hnl most airlines(united, ana,nw) all fly to nrt first then on to bkk.

others such as Air china, korean usually fly to taipei then on to bkk.

the latter has better arrivals and departures from bkk.

What airline are you flying?

hawaiiantraveler

oops, posted too soon....I hate when that happens!

Still it's a minimum of 17 hours or more from hnl so you would be better off doing the non stop from lax on thai air

Aloha!

filmwill

Sorry...I should've been more specific. We (my partner and I) are definitely flying direct from LAX to BKK. It's the in-laws who, understandably, are having a hard time swallowing that long of a trip. It's just not in them.

I guess my question is: what's the best way to get them to BKK and give them a rest somewhere in between? Right now, I'd hedge toward telling them to fly into Taipei, stay overnight (or more--I don't know how interesting it would be for them...don't really know much about it) then fly to BKK from there.

Other ideas? Open to anything at this point...thanks again all!

rkkwan

Fly them on Thai. Pay a little more and put them in premium economy. [Assuming they're not flying first or business.]

There's no better way than getting there as fast as possible. LAX-TPE is at least 14 hours. 3 hours more and they can rest, instead of going through Taiwanese immigration, go to a hotel, check-in, unpack, pack, check-out, go back to airport at least 1.5 hours, ahead, and another 4 hour flight to BKK.

JohnH

Have to agree with everyone else about non-stop being the best way to go.

If they insist on a stopover, I would choose Hong Kong or Tokyo over Tapeii (but still, that's a good 14 hour flight - might as well just do 3 hours more and get it over with!).

crosscheck

Here's a vote for a stopover in Japan.
We have sworn off 12+ hr. flights and like to break up the journey, even if it's a stop in an airport.

Had a fantastic long weekend in Tokyo on the way back from BKK and it wasn't nearly as pricey as the last time we were in Japan.

Our flight times not including time on the ground:

W-E
LAX - Tokyo - 10.5 hrs
Tokyo - BKK - 6.5 hrs

E-W (lucked out w/tail winds on both flights)
BKK - Tokyo - 4.5 hrs
Tokyo - LAX - 8.5 hrs

rkkwan

10.5 hours is pretty fast for LAX-NRT. In the winter, it usually takes longer. Today's flight are mostly around 11:10.

Kathie

I'd vote for the non-stop every time. I really think they will find it easier than stopping somewhere liek Narita ot Taipei. Crosscheck, I am interested in your perspective, as I don't know that I've ever heard anyone say they would rather have a stopover.

rkkwan

A lot of people say or claim they like to break up the journeys, but the vast majority will switch to long non-stops once they've tried it once or twice.

rhkkmk

pills might be their saving grace...should allow 7 hours sleep...how about bus class??

crosscheck

Kathie - Agree that my perpective is unusual. We travel often (both for business and ambitious vacations) and until recently have always preferred long nonstop flights. Then two years ago we all became very cranky on a grueling 14 hr. flight (plus 2 hrs on the ground) returning from Sydney. (On our way there we had stopped in Fiji for 5 days - the perfect way to break up that trip.) Since then we haven't wanted to be on a plane for more than 11 or 12 hours. Went on a short business trip to Rome a few months ago and was happy to have an hour or so walking around Heathrow in both directions.

rkkwan - You're right, the lax-nrt flight is usually longer. Our "short" 10.5 hr. flight was in December - we were lucky.

Bob - Agree about pills and business class. But I can understand why filwill's inlaws would want a stopover and I think futuristic Tokyo is the perfect place to get a glimpse of another side of Asia.

filmwill

Thanks everyone for your varied and quick response!

Spoke with them this evening and, luckily, I've convinced them to take the direct flight on Thai. Compromise was to fly them out a few days earlier than us (probably will encourage them to stay at the Peninsula) which will give them time to descompress/adjust (and also have the added bonus of exploring Bangkok.)

We'll then catch up with them at the airport 3 days later and all fly off to LP together.

hawaiiantraveler

Kathie,

My in laws are in their seventies and very well traveled, in great shape(FIL just did the marathon a couple of years ago) but WILL NOT do flights over 12 hrs. They say at their age it just takes too long for them to recover and just wears on them.

They then find themselves either physically tired or sick or both for a few days. So they decompress by laying over a few days before heading on. To each his own I guess. As they explain.....We are in no rush.....were retired!

Aloha!

Kathie

Thanks crosscheck and HT for a different perspective.

I continue to wish for a Seattle to Bangkok non-stop!