Discussion · VoyageForum

Tatra Globetrotter ·2024-12-25

Hi there,

Yes, it's something everyone can see—the Gulf's major airlines no longer prioritize Europe as much. The world's center of gravity has shifted over the past few years, and Europe is no longer the heart of the global economy. The Asian, Indian, Chinese, and Russian markets are far more appealing and profitable for major airlines. Turkish Airlines itself has heavily focused on these routes and markets. Of course, you can still lay over in the Gulf on your way to Asia, but it tends to be quite pricey. For those looking for an alternative stopover, there are still a few options for a somewhat midway break... Turkish Airlines again (with a bit of humor), Uzbekistan Airlines (with a lot of humor), Turkmenistan Airlines (with a touch of irony), or EgyptAir. Gulf Air, Royal Jordanian, Saudia, and maybe Kuwait Airways could also work.

Michel

Mathews Globetrotter ·2024-12-25

What's going on with these airlines? A shift in customer segment?

Don’t lose sight of the fact that there’s inflation—basically, a certain price surge for each country’s economy. Airlines are forced to pass on the rising costs. Not to mention the price of a barrel of oil, which keeps fluctuating—so when it’s lower, airlines set money aside.

EA Earthquake Veteran ·2024-12-27

Hi there,

The airlines manage to fill their planes, so they have no reason to make an effort on prices.

Jojoone1 Globetrotter ·2024-12-27

That doesn’t explain why we got excellent prices in years when planes were full. Back then, the most common explanation was competition among airlines for flights to Bangkok.

I’d say we’re now paying for the billions lost during the Covid years. Inflation too—all that money printing (not airplane tickets, obviously)...

« Tout le monde s'interroge sur comment laisser une meilleure planète à nos enfants, mais on devrait plutôt penser à laisser de meilleurs enfants pour notre planète. » Clint Eastwood

EA Earthquake Veteran ·2024-12-27

Let me put it another way: tickets are expensive because they manage to sell them anyway.

Jojoone1 Globetrotter ·2024-12-27

Yeah, I get that, but it was cheaper before too. Except maybe the last 2-3 years before COVID.

« Tout le monde s'interroge sur comment laisser une meilleure planète à nos enfants, mais on devrait plutôt penser à laisser de meilleurs enfants pour notre planète. » Clint Eastwood

SO Songsam Veteran ·2024-12-27

Hi,

Yes, I get that, but before it was cheaper too.

That "before" goes way back: until now, flight prices in general had never increased since the switch to the euro. For Bangkok, they’d even gone down slightly.

For nostalgia and comparison, here are excerpts from the 1996 NF brochure on one-way flights (grab your calculators!):

Jojoone1 Globetrotter ·2024-12-27

$575 round-trip in 2019—that wasn’t so long ago.

Waiting for Tatra’s input, who knows this topic well.

« Tout le monde s'interroge sur comment laisser une meilleure planète à nos enfants, mais on devrait plutôt penser à laisser de meilleurs enfants pour notre planète. » Clint Eastwood

EA Earthquake Veteran ·2024-12-27

You can still find some great fares, especially with Vietnam Airlines. Personally, I prefer using Matrix ITA to search for a flight and then book directly on the airline’s website.

Attila Globetrotter ·2024-12-27

Interesting brochure, NF!

Also, the price in bold is the base fare. The smaller print lists all the extras (weekend departure, Sunday return, flying from outside the main hub, etc.).

In nominal euros, airfares dropped in the 2000s and then climbed back to their previous level.

But in real euros (adjusted for inflation), the drop is still there.

Un si beau paysage : concours de photos amical de juin 2026 Rubrique Jeux Voyages C'est le moment de voter!

SO Songsam Veteran ·2024-12-27

Smaller text indicates all the extras (weekend departure, Sunday return, flights from the provinces, etc.)

Another piece of info is also mentioned when applicable: the free or paid option to make stopovers on the flight routing, a perk that unfortunately isn’t highlighted on booking sites anymore these days.

Jojoone1 Globetrotter ·2024-12-27

Okay. I have to say that for some time now, I've only been flying Qatar or Emirates.

To be completely honest and following the latest discussions, I think that around 500 € for a round-trip CDG-BKK wasn't a bad deal at all.

« Tout le monde s'interroge sur comment laisser une meilleure planète à nos enfants, mais on devrait plutôt penser à laisser de meilleurs enfants pour notre planète. » Clint Eastwood

Mathews Globetrotter ·2024-12-27

hi everyone, just because airlines can fill their planes doesn’t mean the flight is profitable. What’s a flight? Passengers paying for their airfare, so that’s revenue—then you subtract: - production costs, meaning staff wages (basically the crew’s pay), - fuel consumption for the flight, - any aircraft leasing costs, - taxes, etc... If you get a great price, it’s because the airline can run promotions or commercial deals, even if it means sacrificing their gross margin. Once an airline isn’t making enough profit, it starts losing money and either gets bought out or goes bankrupt.

Jojoone1 Globetrotter ·2024-12-27

Sure, but given how cheaply Qatar and Emirates get their gas and oil, and the quantities they sell, is that really where the problem lies?

« Tout le monde s'interroge sur comment laisser une meilleure planète à nos enfants, mais on devrait plutôt penser à laisser de meilleurs enfants pour notre planète. » Clint Eastwood

Mathews Globetrotter ·2024-12-27

Yeah, okay, Qatar can get oil at a good price, but you’ve still got the refining costs to consider. And once again, every airline has significant operating costs. They’re forced to make a profit margin.

Patrick91230 Globetrotter ·2024-12-27

Hi, Yes, Emirates and Qatar are among the "expensive" airlines for Thailand. For Gulf carriers, you can find good prices with Kuwait Airways, Gulf Air, and sometimes Jordanian. Etihad also offers good deals at certain times. I traveled last May/June for 490 € round-trip to BKK with Saudia (great service) from CDG. Chinese airlines are really pushing prices for Asia—you can find round-trip fares to BKK from Paris CDG between 540 € and 650 € depending on the dates.

Cordialement, Patrick.

Dennis2 Regular ·2024-12-27

Thanks for the reminder—love the brochure! It brings back the golden days of Tarom or Biman Bangladesh, with some flights that were almost unbelievable, far from today’s service...

When it comes to prices, the Chinese used to be unbeatable before Covid—CDG/BKK for 400 €. I took full advantage of that... but even Chinese airlines have raised their fares since the pandemic.

Tatra Globetrotter ·2024-12-27

Hi there,

I’m replying to Patrick, but this is more of a general response.

Honestly, a few decades ago, a long-haul flight was a big financial deal, and a round-the-world trip for four people—just the flights—could cost two months’ salary for most folks. Then, between 2010 and 2020, a weird set of circumstances led to long-haul fares that were almost absurdly cheap. It was actually more expensive to fly from Quimper to Orly to visit your grandma—because Air France’s monopoly would nail you—than it was to fly from London to Hong Kong or Paris to Bangkok. It wasn’t exactly normal. Even if you’re not an eco-warrior, you’ve got to admit that 500 € for a round-trip to Asia just doesn’t reflect the real value of things or match the incomes of many travelers making those trips.

Now, more specifically for Patrick—and no nitpicking here, just aiming for precision, especially on VF, where we like things to have a touch of perfectionism—the airlines are Gulf Air, Etihad Airways ("Etihad" means "union"), and Kuwait Airways. Gulf-based carriers. 🙂

Michel

Patrick91230 Globetrotter ·2024-12-27

Hi!

I think it's great that we can still find tickets around 500 € for Southeast Asia or even Northeast Asia these days. It lets people with limited budgets visit that part of the world at least once in their lives. Beyond that, everyone can think what they want.

Cordialement, Patrick.

MO Momo2 Regular ·2024-12-27

Yeah, it’s true—those low prices we’d gotten used to, weren’t they just a magical interlude when you compare them to the years when you had to fork out 10,000 francs to travel to the other side of the world? The fierce competition in the airline industry, especially with the rise of Gulf carriers over the past few decades, has definitely worked in our favor as travelers. Digging through my emails, I found flights with Etihad for 430 € 😮, and even a direct round-trip with AF in that price range (though no checked baggage—can’t push it too far 😎)!! But it’s also true that no matter how much fares increase, planes are still packed to the brim (fewer flights? Other airlines that didn’t survive the COVID years?...). Anyway, I’ve included a little link in English that explains some of this: https://www.agbi.com/analysis/aviation/2024/11/gulf-air-traffic-rebounds-but-fares-still-high/

PS: Sure, you can still find "cheap fares" around 500 €, but at what cost (no pun intended 😏)… enduring endless layovers or flying all the way to China with those airlines we know 🤪 just to get back to BKK (no thanks 😏)

Jojoone1 Globetrotter ·2024-12-27

For Patrick, to be more precise—and without wanting to "split hairs"—just to ensure things are accurate, especially on VF, where we like things to have a touch of perfectionism: the airlines are Gulf Air, Etihad Airways—Etihad means "union"—and Kuwait Airways. Gulf-based airlines. 🙂

Michel

Given there are reputable golf courses in Thailand, you can take a Gulf airline to play golf. And upon arrival, they greet you with: welcome to the club [;]

« Tout le monde s'interroge sur comment laisser une meilleure planète à nos enfants, mais on devrait plutôt penser à laisser de meilleurs enfants pour notre planète. » Clint Eastwood

Dennis2 Regular ·2024-12-28

Given that there are famous golf courses in Thailand, you can take a Gulf airline to play golf. And upon arrival, they tell you: welcome to the club 😉

...and let's not forget for aviation-loving golfers that amazing course between the two runways at Don Muang Airport!!!

I've always thought that when I take up golf, I'd start there...

Horizont ·2024-12-28

Personally, I’m going to try Air India for the first time for Bangkok in January. Booked exactly one month before my departure date. Yep, no earlier. Exceptional price for the time, 586.99 €, with 5 hours of layover on the way there and 3 hours on the way back. Both are overnight flights. We’ll see how it goes! I was used to Gulf airlines, like Etihad (which has become way too expensive) and Oman Air (which has significantly increased prices this fall, and on top of that, the outbound flight had a 15-hour layover in Muscat when arriving at 7 AM local time—that’s around 3 AM for me! Not ideal). As for Oman Air’s return flight, a daytime flight taking off at 9:15 AM, I’ve taken it twice—it’s absolutely exhausting. I took Royal Jordanian once a few years ago, but with the conflict in the region, I didn’t dare choose it again. I found Gulf Air flights (which I never take) for over 800 €—can you imagine! Before COVID, my flights were around 500 € even in high season.

Patrick91230 Globetrotter ·2024-12-28

Hi there,

Air India has some great fares right now. For April, I found a price at 597 € with a 1h50 layover on the way out and 1h45 on the way back. Flights are on a 787 and an A320 for the shorter leg—why pay more when the destination’s the same? 😉

Cordialement, Patrick.

Luan Veteran ·2024-12-28

Hi,

If prices are skyrocketing, it’s mostly because there are fewer flights and less staff since COVID.

Also, if Gulf airlines’ fares don’t show up as much on flight comparison sites, it’s because their prices are higher. If you check their websites, though, you’ll still see quite a few flights.

Personally, I’m flying with Oman Air in January at a very reasonable price.

It’s true that Air India has interesting fares and has improved a lot!

EA Earthquake Veteran ·2024-12-28

Hi there

Price is an important factor, but in my opinion, it’s not the only one. I also consider baggage allowance, layover duration, departure and arrival times, the airline’s reputation, the type of plane...

Horizont ·2024-12-29

Hi there, exactly—I go for this kind of plan with the same aircraft models. But I allow more time for the layover in New Delhi. Watch out, because Luan mentioned that the security check during transit was especially long. 1h50 / 1h45 is tight, I think.

Patrick91230 Globetrotter ·2024-12-29

They have several flights to BKK per day. Since it's a single ticket, they'll put you on the next flight.

Cordialement, Patrick.

Luan Veteran ·2024-12-30

Hi Joce,

The main issue was on the return flight, New Delhi to Paris, where I only had 1h15 for my transfer, but I made it through with a bit of stress.

Patrick91230 Globetrotter ·2024-12-30

Hi there,

Now this airline offers 2 flights per day from Delhi to Paris or vice versa. 😉

Cordialement, Patrick.

SO Songsam Veteran ·2024-12-30

It was mainly on the return flight, New Delhi to Paris, where I only had 1h15 for my transfer, that it was a problem—but I made it through with a bit of stress.

No need to stress: if your luggage was checked through from the start, the connecting flight won’t leave without you because, for anti-terrorism security, they can’t transport luggage unless its owner is on the plane. Otherwise, they’d have to remove your bag from the hold, which takes so much time that in most cases, they’d rather delay the flight a little until you board. It happens often. That’s why, when the scheduled connection time is tight or the first flight arrives late, they send staff to meet the affected passengers at the plane exit to take them by cart to speed up their transfer—a common practice in big airports with endless corridors.

Patrick91230 Globetrotter ·2024-12-30

No, it's not automatic. If the first flight is too delayed, the next flight will leave without you. Your luggage will be unloaded from the first flight and put on standby to decide whether it will be reloaded onto another flight or retrieved so you can take it to the hotel. This is decided at the transit counter with the passenger.

Cordialement, Patrick.

SO Songsam Veteran ·2024-12-30

No, it's not automatic—if the first flight is too delayed, the connecting flight will leave without you

I didn’t say it was automatic. Obviously, if the first flight is too delayed, the connecting flight won’t wait for you and will offload your baggage. That’s exactly why I took care to specify "they’ll prefer to delay the flight’s departure a little" and "when the first flight arrives with a little delay"...

Patrick91230 Globetrotter ·2024-12-30

Ok! 😉

Cordialement, Patrick.

Tatra Globetrotter ·2024-12-30

Good evening,

I didn’t say it was automatic—obviously, if the first flight is too delayed, the connecting flight won’t wait for you and your baggage will be offloaded. That’s exactly why I took care to specify "they’ll prefer to delay the departure of the flight a little" and "when the first flight arrives with a slight delay."

...

Of course, a well-run airline tries to keep passengers happy and avoid excessive costs from re-routings and accommodations. Besides, the scheduled time is always shorter than what’s actually needed to reach the destination under normal conditions—that’s why so many delayed flights still arrive on time. On the other hand, there’s no issue with baggage—it’s been inspected, and the passenger didn’t choose the delay, so no problem.

Michel

Horizont ·2025-01-01

When a connection time is tight or when the first flight arrives a bit late, they send staff to meet the affected passengers at the plane exit to take them by cart to speed up their transfer—a common practice in large airports with endless corridors.

Yeah, right! Oman Air flight to Paris last February—the flight was supposed to leave Suvarnabhumi at 9:15 AM, but we didn’t take off until 10:30 AM. I was supposed to have 2 hours and 20 minutes for my layover in Oman, but I ended up with just 30 minutes to reach the departure gate. The flight attendant, who I asked about the shortened layover, told me not to worry, that 90% of the passengers on this flight were connecting in Oman, and that the airport was aware and someone would be there to meet us as soon as we got off the plane. Nope! It was just me and a French couple (where did the other connecting passengers go?) running as fast as we could. The real problem was the line for baggage screening, where all arriving flights were funneled together—it was super stressful...

Jojoone1 Globetrotter ·2025-01-07

Hey Momo,

Just letting you know I got this email today: "Here’s a great way to kick off 2025! Book your first trip of the year with up to 20% off our fares. The tranquility of a warm sandy beach, the grandeur of untouched nature, the lively vibe of a historic city... it all starts with a flight.

Take advantage of our deals on a wide range of destinations before January 13, 2025, at qatarairways.com or on our mobile app."

So, like a few years ago, they’re running promos at the start of January.

« Tout le monde s'interroge sur comment laisser une meilleure planète à nos enfants, mais on devrait plutôt penser à laisser de meilleurs enfants pour notre planète. » Clint Eastwood

MO Momo2 Regular ·2025-01-07

😎 Can you believe I got the same thing: Qatar Airways... but when I ran the simulation for a Paris/BKK flight, it turned into 1100 € (great promo, right?🤪). You know, these airlines do this kind of little marketing stunt all year with a really tempting headline, but in the end, the prices are way higher than what they used to charge us.

Jojoone1 Globetrotter ·2025-01-07

You mean 1100 € for just one person?

« Tout le monde s'interroge sur comment laisser une meilleure planète à nos enfants, mais on devrait plutôt penser à laisser de meilleurs enfants pour notre planète. » Clint Eastwood

MO Momo2 Regular ·2025-01-07

Yeah, sure (not for a big family 😏)

Jojoone1 Globetrotter ·2025-01-07

But that’s double the 2019 fares—we paid that much for two people. Oh wow!

« Tout le monde s'interroge sur comment laisser une meilleure planète à nos enfants, mais on devrait plutôt penser à laisser de meilleurs enfants pour notre planète. » Clint Eastwood

MO Momo2 Regular ·2025-01-07

Yeah, that's what I was saying in the title... plus, nothing exciting about the duration (less than a month). Yesterday, I checked for the period I'm interested in, and the best price from a Gulf airline was with Gulf Air: 868 € with a reasonable layover. 😎

SA Sarven1980 Regular ·2025-01-09

Hi everyone, Afterwards, I think you should, as always, keep an eye on price trends, be flexible with dates, and be ready to book when a good fare comes up. I got my ticket to BKK from LYS with Emirates for 725 €: traveling on 01/27 and the ticket was bought on 11/11. Sure, it’s more expensive than what we’ve seen in the past, but I think it’s a reasonable price.

MO Momo2 Regular ·2025-01-10

True, it’s still a good deal for Emirates. Though, worth checking the layover durations?

SA Sarven1980 Regular ·2025-01-10

The layovers are a bit long but still reasonable: 3h50 on the way out and 3h40 on the way back. I could’ve had a shorter layover on the return (2h-3h), but I chose it this way. Booked on the Emirates website. A few weeks after buying my tickets, I even found flights with Qatar for 700 €. So, with a bit of digging...

MO Momo2 Regular ·2025-01-10

Nice one! Great deal. How many weeks? I know that often affects the price.

SA Sarven1980 Regular ·2025-01-10

From 01/26 to 02/10. So roughly 2 weeks.

MO Momo2 Regular ·2025-01-10

Ah, okay, that explains it. For me, it's 1 month😎

MO Momo2 Regular ·2025-01-10

Okay, I finally found 2 interesting tickets: Air India or Royal Jordanian, around 650 € with decent layovers (which one should I choose??)

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