mae

We are planning to fly from Bangkok to HK and onto SF. We only have a two hour layover to switch planes in HK and we need to switch airlines (From Thai Airways to Singapore Air). Is that enough time? I've heard that Bangkok's airport has a huge bottleneck and can delay flights for hours so I'm afraid of missing my flight home.
Are the two airlines even in the same terminal?
Thanks!

sandi

mae -

Call Thai airlines. They can advise which terminal they're located in and gates where they arrive, where Singapore is located and gates they use and what the minimum transfer time is. Then double check and call Singapore. Both calls are free, call them.

brotherleelove2003

Maybe I was lucky all 4 times, but I never had a problem with long delays in BKK, nor did I notice any chronic bottleneck problem. When it comes right down to it, there's only so much you can do to prevent any problems with making connections. The rest is in the hands of nature and/or mechanical problems.

Kathie

If you are talking about Bangkok Airport, I've always found transfers there to be easy. From your question, it looks like you're concerned about changing airlines in Hong Kong. Hong Kong is a much larger airport, so transfers often take longer. Nonetheless, I once had a very tight connection in Hong Kong, and an airline rep walked me through the airport to my next flight, expediting my way though security and such.

Tangata

Message: We are planning to fly from Bangkok to HK and onto SF. We only have a two hour layover to switch planes in HK and we need to switch airlines (From Thai Airways to Singapore Air). Is that enough time? I've heard that Bangkok's airport has a huge bottleneck and can delay flights for hours so I'm afraid of missing my flight home.
Are the two airlines even in the same terminal?
Thanks!

brotherleelove2003

Hong Kong International Airport has only one passenger terminal. It handles all flights. The 1.27km long terminal is one of the world's largest enclosed spaces. Despite its size a passenger may move around with a fair amount of speed. An internal shuttle train runs between the East Hall and the West Hall; arriving passengers need not change levels to exit the building; departing passengers need change level only once to board their plane. The terminal handles flights for more than forty airlines including Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa, Qantas, Northwest, Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines, British Airways and many others.

Kathie

Ok, if you're worried that your flight will leave Bangkok late, this is my experience: I've flown out of BKK many times over the years (I'd estimate maybe 40-50 times) and I've never had a flight leave more than a few minutes late. I don't know where the rumor about Bangkok being a bottleneck comes from, it's never been my experience.

Marilyn

I'm another who has never had a problem flying out of Bangkok. Much more trouble flying out of SF, with our lousy weather!!

As a previous poster has said, the HK airport is HUGE, but you shouldn't have any problem getting from one gate to another in 2 hours, even at a stroll.

I am assuming your luggage will be checked all the way through from BKK to SFO -- you might want to confirm that with Thai Airways.