BA long haul flights to Bangkok?

[chickenblox]

Does anyone know if british airways will ever restart their direct route from uk to bangkok? I signed up to amex credit card a few years ago (just before covid hit) to gain the companion vouchers to use to go to bangkok, but cant use as you cant use them on indirect flights? its annoying

[Rob]

Realistically, 2027 at earliest. It is very short of aircraft after retiring the 747 fleet and won’t get the new Boeing 777-9 fleet until then.

Bangkok is also a terrible route financially – its a long way with heavy fuel burn (and potential diversions needed now to avoid Russia) and there is no-one willing to pay £10k return for fully flexible business class tickets.

[hespro]

I suspect that is very difficult for BA to be competitive on the route against EVA and Thai providing direct services and Qatar, Emirates etc with easy connections. It’s also predominately a leisure route with limited full fare business and cargo potential. The only time I’ve flown BKK in Club World was as an Avios redemption.

I love Bangkok but if flying there in economy I quite like a stopover to stretch my legs and freshen up.

I’m going in October and I’m doing BA to DOH in WTP then to BKK in Economy on Qatar. Just a shame Qatar don’t have a Premium Economy.

[NorthernLass]

It’s not the case that you can’t use the 241s on indirect routes per se, just that it has to be BA, IB or EI aircraft you’re flying on. There would be nothing stopping you using the voucher to get part of the way on BA then getting a connecting flight separately, like @hespro. There’s often F availability to DOH which would make for a nice first outbound leg.

[davet]

I use the voucher to fly to hong kong or singapore then book a short flight to phuket or samui, chances are I would have only flown on to the coast from bangkok anywhay

[jumpfrog]

It is frustrating that BA canned the route but you can find deals in J to BKK from LDN. I booked a Saudia return from LGW-BKK in September for £1500. The seats are collins and look very comfortable, better than the 787-9 CW that BA used on that route anyway. I don’t drink so the fact its dry doesn’t bother me. Yes you can fly to HKG or SIN with the 241 and then a separate flight onward but availability is very hard to come by.