ldtc2

I am going to Yangon in February and will be using Thai Air from Kennedy Airport. They have a direct flight to BKK and then 1 hour later the flight to RGN takes off.

I have also learned that it's cheaper if I book two separate tickets JFK-BKK, and BKK to RGN than if I book one ticket all the way through. What's that all about?
This question is two fold.. maybe three

1) Has anyone taken those flights and been able to get off the plane and onto the other plane in approximately one hours time at their new airport?

Two years ago I remember running like a crazy person through BKK's terminal to catch what was supposed to be "a convenient" connecting flight. Thank God some president of a country was visiting and ALL flights were temporarily postponed otherwise I wouldn't have been on my flight.

2) There is another flight 2 1/2 hours later to RGN ... but, after being on a plane for 17 hours, I really wanted to cut my losses and "get it over with" by jumping on the next plane out.....Does the airline have any responsibility to get me on that last flight out of BKK to RGN if I miss the previous one?

3) If I book it as two separate flights, and save myself 153 USD PP, does the airline have less responsibility to make sure I am on that earlier flight ( one that leaves approximately one hour after arriving in BKK?

I am tending towards bookng two separate tickets, and taking the later flight out of BKK .....
Thoughts.....

Thanks
Bette

rhkkmk

personally i would go with the later flight also....

i do think that the airline might have less responsibility for you with two seperate tickets...

rhkkmk

you probably would have to retrieve your bags with two seperate flights which is a negetive imo.....i think i would discuss it all with thai air ...

Gpanda

We took the JFK-BKK flight last year and it was an hour late. We had allowed 2 1/2 hours for a connection, so everything was just fine. I would definitely take the later flight.

Craig

I am not sure I would even do a later flight on the same day. If you have a significant weather-related delay at JFK, certainly a possibility at that time of year, you'll miss your flight to RGN.

That being said, given the choice take the later flight. I don't think the airline has any responsibility to get you on a certain flight if you arrive late but they will try to get you on the next "available" flight. When we flew to Yangon last February on Thai, our plane was full.

I think Thai should be able to check you through to Yangon regardless of whether you purchase your flights together or separately.

WinterTravel

What we've been told by travel agents about this type of situation is that the airline does not technically have a responsibility to help you if you are not on one through ticket, but that if it is the same carrier for both flights they tend to try to be helpful. As Craig says, Thai should be able to check your luggage all the way through since both tickets would be on Thai (might want to call Thai before booking your flights just to confirm this and get the name of the person with whom you speak). Have a great trip!

Kathie

I agree, book the later flight. Thai should check your bags all the way to Rangoon even if it is on two tickets. If there are not substantial delays, the 2.5 hour layover will be fine. I sure wouldn't book the one hour connection!

Gpanda

We had separate JFK-BKK and BKK_HXT tickets and they checked our luggage all the way through

ldtc2

As usual, thanks everyone ... I did call Thai Air ( before I posted) and the woman said they she "thought" they would send the bags on through to RGN ... but she "wasn't sure" ....

I am going to take the later flight connection. I would be worrying the entire trip there!!! If weather delays me substantially from Kennedy ( Feb snow) ... I am "up a creek" either way ..... Thanks
Bette