KL877/878 BKK-TPE & v-v experiences?
Oct 30, 2007, 12:09 pm
#1
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KL877/878 BKK-TPE & v-v experiences?
I'm thinking of taking this flight as a mileage run (Q fare so 100% miles + 2 flights towards the 10k for 6 bonus).
I take it given how cheaply KL sells this flight, it's fairly empty in Y? Is it worth paying an extra ~ EUR 150 for WBC on this short hop?
I take it given how cheaply KL sells this flight, it's fairly empty in Y? Is it worth paying an extra ~ EUR 150 for WBC on this short hop?
Oct 30, 2007, 4:13 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Programs: KL Gold, SQ KF Gold, CX Green
Posts: 9,512
Y can be very full depending on season. If it is the time of the year that many Taiwanese travel, it can be totally full. Many pax to BKK and also quite a few Taiwanese on their way to Europe. If C is only EUR 150 more I would upgrade.
Oct 31, 2007, 12:55 am
#4
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
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In my experience, opups are becoming increasingly rare, so I'd fork out the additional € 150. The flight is not that short so it will be nice to have some extra space.
Nov 2, 2007, 4:48 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: AMS
Programs: BA Gold / IHG Platinum AMB
Posts: 146
I have flown this route several times and it is quite nice. Even as it is only 3.5 hours flight, the service / catering is like a long-haul flight.
On this route I got upgraded to business class several times, being FB Gold and later Silver. Flights usually have 90% Asian people and I may assume not that many FB-members...
If flight is fully booked you can be pretty sure to get an upgrade, but that is indeed depending on the season. Around Chinese New Year (first week of Feb) it will be definitely crowded!
Last summer I took the BKK-TPE route as an award ticket: 15,000 miles o.w. in business. Good thing is that you almost don't pay any tax... for a return ticket you pay like 30US$ all-in!
On this route I got upgraded to business class several times, being FB Gold and later Silver. Flights usually have 90% Asian people and I may assume not that many FB-members...
If flight is fully booked you can be pretty sure to get an upgrade, but that is indeed depending on the season. Around Chinese New Year (first week of Feb) it will be definitely crowded!
Last summer I took the BKK-TPE route as an award ticket: 15,000 miles o.w. in business. Good thing is that you almost don't pay any tax... for a return ticket you pay like 30US$ all-in!
Nov 2, 2007, 5:00 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: AMS
Programs: BA Gold / IHG Platinum AMB
Posts: 146
KLM Asia
Because of political situation in Taiwan and China KLM started to fly "KLM Asia" to Taiwan. Don't know how many 747's are still KLM Asia, but it doesn't seem that important any more, as I had both "KLM Asia" and normal KLM aircrafts flying to Taipei.
Anybody information about "KLM Asia"?
Interesting: KLM is the only European carrier flying to Taiwan! There are other European carriers, but they fly with code-share, operated by some Asian carrier like CI or Cathay Pacific.
Anybody information about "KLM Asia"?
Interesting: KLM is the only European carrier flying to Taiwan! There are other European carriers, but they fly with code-share, operated by some Asian carrier like CI or Cathay Pacific.
Nov 3, 2007, 8:01 am
#10
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Because of political situation in Taiwan and China KLM started to fly "KLM Asia" to Taiwan. Don't know how many 747's are still KLM Asia, but it doesn't seem that important any more, as I had both "KLM Asia" and normal KLM aircrafts flying to Taipei.
Anybody information about "KLM Asia"?
Interesting: KLM is the only European carrier flying to Taiwan! There are other European carriers, but they fly with code-share, operated by some Asian carrier like CI or Cathay Pacific.
Anybody information about "KLM Asia"?
Interesting: KLM is the only European carrier flying to Taiwan! There are other European carriers, but they fly with code-share, operated by some Asian carrier like CI or Cathay Pacific.
But the crew etc are all Dutch KLM staff.
It is indeed just to avoid the political row with China.
Swissair (bless her soul), British Airways, Air France had the same concept but withdrew.
I have heard that KLM wants to fly directly to TPE without the BKK stop but China will not permit this.
They try to deploy the KLM Asia aircraft on the AMS-BKK-TPE route but sometimes due to operational reasons they deploy regular KLM aircraft.
The KLM Asia 747-400 Combi's are PH-BFC (Calgary), BFD (Dubai), BFF (Freetown), BFH (HongKong), BFM (Mexico) and BFP (Paramaribo).
Or course these 6 aircraft also fly on other 747 combi routes.
As said by another poster it's quite a nice flight, the crew are very relaxed, one gets a nice orchid provided by the Thai caterers in J-class and the meals are fine.
Full J-class service including inflight kit and Delft Blue house.
Sometimes, if you are lucky and the crew are generous, they provide all passengers with a house on the TPE-BKK route, even those passengers continuing to AMS.
Nov 4, 2007, 8:02 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2004
Programs: DL; AA; UA; CO; LHLX; NZ; QR; EK; BA
Posts: 7,538
Go for WBC
I've done this trip a few times and it's a great MR as well as a very enjoyable experience. WBC is usually quite empty on this segment and it's wonderful to have two seats up front in the nose section of the 747... The food is good, particularly the 'local' option; they provide the usual amenities - amenity kit, menu, Delft houses, etc.; and the price is usually very friendly as well!
Nov 4, 2007, 12:50 pm
#12
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: USA, Europe
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Just given the way the award loads work, I don't think this flight actually sells that well ...
I'll dig into it further if I find a use for this fare, can't use any more mileage this year, already way past double plat and still going...
I'll dig into it further if I find a use for this fare, can't use any more mileage this year, already way past double plat and still going...
Last edited by gpan; Nov 4, 2007 at 12:56 pm
Nov 5, 2007, 7:11 am
#13
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because they use very very old dirty planes, the service is very very hit and miss and usually the crew dont want to be there - they usually cant wait to get back to BKK, all of them tell me they hate staying in TPE. Taiwanese prefer to use CI on this route or BR.
Nov 5, 2007, 9:26 am
#14
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Regretfully, this deal referenced in post 9 is dead. KL.th wants THB 16,740 (exc T&F) for the WBC r/t now, up from THB 8,500 when this was alive. Lowest econ is now THB 7,905.
The red tail twin is selling a restricted Z fare (referenced in post 8) for something inbetween though.
Conditions for the I class THB 8,500 Deal
changeable for no fee
Booked in "I" class
fare code is ISPHD4O
nonrefundable but cancellable with a 1,200 THB ($38)
Changes to flights can be made here:
Website Support Desk
Phone number: 0 2635 2433
E-mail: [email protected]
The red tail twin is selling a restricted Z fare (referenced in post 8) for something inbetween though.
Conditions for the I class THB 8,500 Deal
changeable for no fee
Booked in "I" class
fare code is ISPHD4O
nonrefundable but cancellable with a 1,200 THB ($38)
Changes to flights can be made here:
Website Support Desk
Phone number: 0 2635 2433
E-mail: [email protected]
Last edited by YVR Cockroach; Nov 5, 2007 at 6:06 pm Reason: Adding fare info