I have flown both ways, both times on Kuwait Air. To my knowledge, Kuwait flies 6 days a week (no Sundays) in both directions. I paid $325 from Manila to BKK in July, last time I paid 10,500 baht (~$270) from BKK to Manila right after Xmas. The flight from BKK to Manila arrived in SE Asia 2/3 full with contract workers returning home from the middle east.

Egypt Air was quoted to me in July as being $75 bucks cheaper than Kuwait at $250 RT, but they only flew on Weds. and Sat. and booked quickly.

The Kuwait Air flights leave Manila at about 11:15 PM and arrive in BKK at ~1:15 AM after the time change. The BKK-Manila route leaves at noon and arrives at 4 PM after the time change. This should make good timing to catch the 5:30 PM Manila-Clark Field in AC SEAir commuter flight if you're flying during the week.

As flights to BKK are generally 100 bucks cheaper than flights to Manila on the same airline, and the flight from BKK-Manila is usually 50 bucks or so cheaper than the reverse leg, doing Thailand FIRST can have tangible financial savings if you're looking to do BOTH.

There are travel agents in both capitals that specialize in getting better rates than the standard airlines' published rates. Might be worth checking out if you have the time on your hands.

(Message edited by Porker on January 30, 2004)

(Message edited by porker on January 30, 2004)

Interesting stuff and good info. Thanks

(Message edited by Xenono on January 30, 2004)

(Message edited by Xenono on January 30, 2004)

Interesting post so I had a look at current airfares. Air France are showing $220-250 for BKK-MNL and $900+ for MNL-BKK for April/May flights. Go figure!

The Air France deal is a good one, especially for buying the ticket without being in Asia. For tickets from Manila-BKK, you are much better off waiting and buying the ticket when you arrive. I had Epi check for me last week as to what the current best price was and he said ~$250 on Philippines Air, which was the quote for Egypt Air also when I was there last summer.

I found this fare on Lufthansa's Thai site which looks pretty good. Flight times aren't bad either.

BKK-MNL R/T : B9,500 ($232)

http://cms.lufthansa.com/fly/th/en/bap/0,4974,0-0-1174950,00.html

I will never fly Kuwait Air again. I am way too tall to be comfortable kneeling in the aisles praying towards Mecca just after takeoff and prior to landing !!
The pre flight video instructions had me ready for---------- JIHAD !!!!

I tried to choke the first American I saw in Manila. Epi was none too pleased believe me.

Seriously I think the security was double on Kuwait compared to any other carrier I have ever flown. Never done El Al though -- I hate cavity searches !

They quote 8500 baht RT BKK-MNL here http://www.travelconnecxion.com/index.cfm?menuid=92 Doesn't say what airline.

My only fear traveling on any Arab flagged carrier would be concerns over the shower status of the other passengers and crew.

Sancho

The only people flying cattle class are the Filipino workers. All the folks with passports issued in the Middle East are flying bus/1st. Also, the Arabs are getting off the plane in Thailand. There's NOTHING for them in the PI.

I head back to Singapore tomorrow, then off to BKK on Tuesday. Thursday I'm on Kuwait Air for the flight to the PI. I'll let you know if there is anything stinky that can't be traced back to Balut.

E

Try air France I got a RT BKK-MNL for 243 on expedia.

The Air France deal is a good one, and they fly every day. I paid 9100 baht for a Mon-Thurs. only departure ticket on PAL this trip.

Lufthansa quotes 7,700 baht (196.36 USD+taxes) BKK-MAN R/T with restrictions.

http://cms.lufthansa.com/fly/th/en/bap/0%2C4974%2C0-0-1174950%2C00.html

Terrific info, and thanks a lot for the link. How'd you arrange to get them to give you the Thailand local info like that? I changed the 'th' to 'ph', and it gave local info for Manila too. VERY cool.

I saw this link on another board. I figured the airlines gouged the rich, fat American sex tourist, so why not play their own 'local' game?

The reason I couldn't get my dates on Lufthansa turns out to be because they are ending service from BKK-MNL on 3/27. Oops.

They did that because they know you want to go there the next day.

Does anyone know anything about a flight from Hong Kong to Bangkok, on Gulf Air?

All, there are alot of so-called "tag-on" sectors out of BKK to HKG and a few more to MNL.. KU still flys KWI-BKK-MNL.. It's a crew change in BKK and very few people get off or board in BKK. I've jumped this flight a few times and in speaking with the Purser (the lead flight attendant) I've found that less than 10% get off in BKK, the flight is really filled with OFW's coming or going..
Out of BKK to HKG there's a whole bunch of carriers who you would not think of.. Royal Jordanian, Ethiopian Airlines, Gulf, Emirates, Kenya Airways to name a few.. Many of these carriers stop in Bangkok as they use it as a Flight Attendant base... Example, Kenya Airways and Kuwait Airways has two FA bases.. Nairobi for KQ and Kuwait City for KU (of course) and Bangkok.. Many middle eastern carriers use Bangkok as a hiring ground for their foreign based flight attendants..
Other carriers use is it as a combo technical (fuel) and cargo stop.. Many of these carriers will offer some very attractive rates on the BKK-HKG v.v sector.. However, remember that since the BKK-HKG sector is so short, if you're flying one of these carriers and expecting to get their full international service you may be disappointed as the flight time may only permit a limited service offering onboard.