I have my ticket booked from LHR on Eva to land in BKK at 15.45. I had considered booking a Thai airways flight to Hanoi at 17.35. My TA in the UK is telling me thats as its not on one ticket and its out of the recommended connection time (which is 2 hours so am short by 10 minutes) she thinks i shouldn't risk it. However when i originally contacted Eddie at SETours he said all i need was 1.15 hours (i myself thought that was WAY to tight)
Anyway what would you do risk it with the 1hr 50 mins or try and book the Air Asia flight (which leaves an hour later - but i have had problems booking with them)

If it helps we will be flying Biz class on Eva so should be off the plane quickly, however i am not certain i can check thru my luggage so for the purposes of this i will assume no.

You can disembark quickly but your luggage will take around 20 - 30 minutes to appear on the "belt" which is after immigration. Collecting it and check-in again will make it kind of tight IMO.

If EVA can check your luggage through to Hanoi then it should be OK. Eddie can email you the e-tickets and just show it to the check-in agent at Heathrow when you're checking in for your EVA flight.

Or.. you can fly Thai, pay a bit more and problem solved!

me again! Ask your TA in the UK to price your Thai tickets for LHR - HAN on Thai and see how much it is. Might be cheaper than pricing it LHR - BKK & BKK - HAN.

I would assume that EVA would transfer luggage to a Thai flight, as they are both full-service airlines. In that case, the shorter connection time should be fine. Check with EVA. It doesn't have to be on one ticket for them to transfer luggage... I've done this quite a number of times though I've not flown EVA.

stay in bkk and meet us...problem solved

Hanuman the flight will originate from BKK as i have already bought and had ticketed my EVA air flight. I only have 2 choices to Hanoi on either Thai or AA. Now the Thai flight is dearer but am willing to pay that BUT she is saying the connection is under the minimum AND they cannot gtee my baggage will be checked (Kathie i know you say they will but last year EVA would not check my luggage thru to KUL on malaysian! when i transited thru BKK)

So actually i will save money if i fly Air Asia as their flight is the later one 18.35 (TG is 17.35) BUT i have already had problems booking with AA and slightly concerned as i have heard a few stories about cancelling flights?

Its also more than half cheaper for me to book via Eddie or the Thai website than with a UK travel agents but still double the air asia price!!!

Now Bob the headaches this trip has caused me i am GONNA get to Hanoi one way or another (but BKK with you guys would be lots of fun!)

Let's see. The Hanoi trip planning has been very difficult. Is that a sign from the Powers that used to be that you should stay in BKK and visit with us? I guarantee that a dinner with Bob and me will not fit into a tight air connection. Plus, airport security would stop us if we laugh that loudly.

I think David has a few more stories to entertain you also.... alas my heart is set on Vietnam (i have 5 guidebooks to prove it!!!) how about you guys skip Krabi and come stay with us in Mui Ne?

Nope. Krabi calls to us. The chili fish at the restaurant across from the Sheraton is yearning for panda attention.

Smeagol, I forgot that EVA wouldn't transfer your luggage... they SHOULD, but they apparently don't.

Kathie - its a total pain. Now i wonder if they MIGHT!!- depends on the day which of course doesn't help when trying to figure out what to do. I would much rather fly Thai but (assuming i manage to get the payment to go thru) i will book AA
Anyone know what check in is like at AA?

Check-in for AA is quite fast. Lots of desks/stations especially for international check-in.

perfect Thanks Hanuman.