Dublin to Bangkok via Amsterdam

Diddlydoubt

Looking at flights to Banagkok at the moment, leaving in January 2013.

Cheapest flight from Dublin is an Aer Lingus flight to Amsterdam with a 2 hour stopover in Amsterdam, then a flight from Amsterdam to Bangkok with China Airlines.

Have heard bad reports about China Airlines.

Has anybody flown this route before with China Airlines and how did they find them to travel with?

Also is the 2 hour stopover enough? As in what are the chances of missing the connecting flight to Bangkok from Amsterdam?

Not majorly bothered about top class food/entertainment on the flight, just basic enough flight will do grand as price is the determining facto for me

Thanks in advance

veetwin

A 2 hour stopover in Amsterdam is more than enough. It is a very easy airport to navigate and no departure gate is more than 15-20 minutes apart.

Never flown China Airlines but this respected site gives them a 4 star rating which is up there with many of the big names;

http://www.airlinequality.com/Forum/china.htm

Diddlydoubt

Thanks. Judging by that they appear to be a reasonable enough airline to fly with.

Has anybody else flown with them before?

solerina

I did this exact route on the way to Vietnam in July....I havnt a bad word to say about it. China Airlines were perfect to fly with...the only issue was that the plane on the way out didnt have individual TV screens...the one on the way back did though (apparently they are installing them on all planes at the moment). There was a good choice of films too. The food was very good as well. All in all I would certainly recommend them. I had the same stopover and it was more than enough (watch the time change though..we almost forgot about it)

CLARiiON

I flew from London/Taipei/Sydney last year with China Airlines and although I couldn't fault the food, service or entertainment, I swore I would never fly with them again. The reason been leg room. Now, I know you're going on a different route, so perhaps you'll be on a different model plane. But for me, flying with Emirates for an extra hundred quid for 19/20hrs of comfort was well worth it.

netopia

Just one word of warning. My friend & I did this route about 10 years ago with a similar changeover.

We couldn't take off from Dublin as there was an issue with wind at Schipol (which is apparently more common than you can imagine). In the end we landed in Amsterdam just as our flight for Bangkok was taking off. We got switched onto the same flight 24 hours later without much hassle but we did spend that evening waiting for our bags to appear on a baggage carousel.

We booked into a hotel near the airport for the night and enjoyed the delights of Amsterdam on Halloween (not the end of the world). But it did mean one night less in Bangkok and I know if it was me (and I was doing it all again) I'd look for the earlier Aer Lingus Flight.

China Air were alright, at the time I didn't know about their poor safety record. There was a potential volatile situation on the flight which nearly turned into a fight between 2 blokes on either side of us and I literally never saw air hostesses disappear so fast. But other than that nothing much to report there.

Diddlydoubt

I booked the flights over the weekend for the second week of January.

Worked out at roughly €375.

2 hour flight from Dublin to Amsterdam with a 2 hour stop over. Then flight from Amsterdam to Bangkok with China airlines, arriving in Bangkok at 6.30am or something like that.

I booked them through the skyscanner website, anybody used this website before to book flights or had any issues with them before?

Bit late asking that question now saying i have already booked them i suppose.

Also I am going on to Melbourne at the end of January, am i best flying from Bangkok to Melbourne or what other airports within Thailand would be recommended to fly from?

I intend travelling around Thailand but to fly to Melbourne would mean having to come back to Bangkok to fly on to Oz so just wondering if there are alternative areas to fly from or if Bangkok would be the best?

AngryLips

netopia wrote: »

Just one word of warning. My friend & I did this route about 10 years ago with a similar changeover.

We couldn't take off from Dublin as there was an issue with wind at Schipol (which is apparently more common than you can imagine).

Sure in that case you might as well catch the bus to Bangkok next time

According to this website the Dublin-Amsterdam flight is on time 87% of the time with an average delay of only 12 minutes (when they occur).

http://www.flightstats.com/go/FlightRating/flightRatingByCarrier.do?airline=%28EI%29+Aer+Lingus

antodeco

I'm flying Dublin to London to Kuala Lumpar to Koh Samui. That was the cheapest route for me. Amsterdam is a great airport. Loads to wander about in!

Stinicker

antodeco wrote: »

I'm flying Dublin to London to Kuala Lumpar to Koh Samui. That was the cheapest route for me. Amsterdam is a great airport. Loads to wander about in!

There is even an art gallery there, very stylish, some great old paintings Rembrandt etc.

killbillvol2

Diddlydoubt wrote: »

I booked the flights over the weekend for the second week of January.

Worked out at roughly €375.

2 hour flight from Dublin to Amsterdam with a 2 hour stop over. Then flight from Amsterdam to Bangkok with China airlines, arriving in Bangkok at 6.30am or something like that.

I booked them through the skyscanner website, anybody used this website before to book flights or had any issues with them before?

Bit late asking that question now saying i have already booked them i suppose.

Also I am going on to Melbourne at the end of January, am i best flying from Bangkok to Melbourne or what other airports within Thailand would be recommended to fly from?

I intend travelling around Thailand but to fly to Melbourne would mean having to come back to Bangkok to fly on to Oz so just wondering if there are alternative areas to fly from or if Bangkok would be the best?

€375???

A lot of Aussies fly into Phuket so that might be an option for your flight to Melbourne.

Diddlydoubt

killbillvol2 wrote: »

€375???

A lot of Aussies fly into Phuket so that might be an option for your flight to Melbourne.

Yeah €375 was the price it worked out at. Seems decent does it?

Okay might look into flying from Phuket to Melbourne as would save going back to bangkok just to catch the flight to oz.

CLARiiON

Diddlydoubt wrote: »

Yeah €375 was the price it worked out at. Seems decent does it?

Savage price

AngryLips

When did you book and over what period? I want to go to Bangkok

Lingua Franca

netopia wrote: »

We couldn't take off from Dublin as there was an issue with wind at Schipol (which is apparently more common than you can imagine).

I can categorically state that this isn't true. I've been flying in and out of Amsterdam regularly for 6 years and the only time I had a problem was when Iceland farted. The Schiphol ATC sat beside me also says it's not true. :P

They have 6 runways, if wind is an issue they just use a different one.


I've flown that route (AMS-BKK) but it was with Eva airlines. It was pretty sweet for the price.

Diddlydoubt

AngryLips wrote: »

When did you book and over what period? I want to go to Bangkok

Booked on friday evening through skyscanner with flights with aer lingus to amsterdam then from amsterdam to bangkok with china airlines.

fly out from dublin on 14th january. havent booked the flight on to oz yet.

Rodgeb

Skyscanner is pretty good, have used them before without any issues whatsoever.

I've got connections through Amsterdam a good few times and its a very easy airport to transfer in. Much easier than most other big airports like Heathrow or Paris.

For other airports in Thailand the most likely ones you would be using are Chang Mai, Koh Samui or Phuket. Although going to Melbourne you may not be able to get a direct flight but instead transfer via Bangkok, Kuala Lumpar or Singapore.

Chang Mai is up north, great town. You can go trekking here for a few days up in the jungle with a guide which I couldn't recommend highly enough, great experience.

Koh Samui is one of the islands off the coast in the Gulf of Thailand. Not a big fan of Koh Samui, you might as well be in the Canaries. But the next islands over Koh Pha Ngan (full moon party) and Koh Tao (great for diving/snorkelling) are much better.

Phuket is in the south on the west coast. Koh Phi Phi is very near here and a great spot.

Take a look too at some of the low cost local airlines like Air Asia, they're all pretty good.

Thailand is amazing, wish I was going back. You'll have a ball!

Stinicker

Diddlydoubt wrote: »

Booked on friday evening through skyscanner with flights with aer lingus to amsterdam then from amsterdam to bangkok with china airlines.

fly out from dublin on 14th january. havent booked the flight on to oz yet.

This was a one way flight though for €375? you can get return flights from about €650 to Bangkok so it was about right. If the €375 was a return flight then it was the bargain of the year!

Diddlydoubt

Stinicker wrote: »

This was a one way flight though for €375? you can get return flights from about €650 to Bangkok so it was about right. If the €375 was a return flight then it was the bargain of the year!

no no - it was a one-way flight to Bangkok. I am going on to melbourne from thailand so that is why it is one-way....

Lingua Franca

Rodgeb wrote: »

Not a big fan of Koh Samui, you might as well be in the Canaries.!

This cannot be overstated. It's like Tenerife only with Thai people.

antodeco

Lingua Franca wrote: »

Rodgeb wrote: »

Not a big fan of Koh Samui, you might as well be in the Canaries.!

This cannot be overstated. It's like Tenerife only with Thai people.

I love Tenerife I'm staying away from the main part. Mae taem I think it's called? (kirikayan resort).

Lingua Franca

Chaweng Beach, I thought. It's where my husband's dad lived. We spent 10 days there. It was 9 days too many for me!

rock87

Hey,

I am heading to bangkok on the same route, booked my flight through ebookers. Just wondering if anyone knows if our bags will be automatically transferred from aer lingus to china airlines when we arrive in amsterdam?

Thanks

Diddlydoubt

rock87 wrote: »

Hey,

I am heading to bangkok on the same route, booked my flight through ebookers. Just wondering if anyone knows if our bags will be automatically transferred from aer lingus to china airlines when we arrive in amsterdam?

Thanks

this is something i was wondering about myself so would appreciate if anybody who has travelled this route before could confirm what the procedure with the baggage is in amsterdam

kodoherty93

I have friends who don't care what airline they fly. But they said china air is horrible. As in fearing for your life for the whole journey. The food is **** and there is no room on your seat so except to lose a days sleep.

Like I know there is a slight difference between Singapore airlines and china air. But the difference is unbelievable

Diddlydoubt

kodoherty93 wrote: »

I have friends who don't care what airline they fly. But they said china air is horrible. As in fearing for your life for the whole journey. The food is **** and there is no room on your seat so except to lose a days sleep.

Like I know there is a slight difference between Singapore airlines and china air. But the difference is unbelievable

did he fly with china air or air china?

2 different airlines

AngryLips

rock87 wrote: »

Hey,

I am heading to bangkok on the same route, booked my flight through ebookers. Just wondering if anyone knows if our bags will be automatically transferred from aer lingus to china airlines when we arrive in amsterdam?

Thanks

If both flights were booked as part of the one booking then they should be checked-in straight through to your final destination. If, for whatever reason, they can't check it straight through then you'd usually be informed of this by the Aer Lingus checking agent, however I always confirm this point with them anyway just to be sure.

solerina

My bags were transferred straight from Dublin to Bangkok in July so yes you will be fine !! Aer LOingus have a code share agreement with China Airlines (there wasnt a lot of leg room but the flight was fine and the food was very good in both directions)

keithclancy

Lingua Franca wrote: »

I can categorically state that this isn't true. I've been flying in and out of Amsterdam regularly for 6 years and the only time I had a problem was when Iceland farted. The Schiphol ATC sat beside me also says it's not true. :P

They have 6 runways, if wind is an issue they just use a different one.


I've flown that route (AMS-BKK) but it was with Eva airlines. It was pretty sweet for the price.

4 Runways .. not 6
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Schiphol+Airport,+Evert+v%2Fd+Beekstraat+202,+Schiphol,+Netherlands&hl=en&ll=52.308164,4.770985&spn=0.057201,0.169086&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=37.871902,86.572266&oq=schip&t=h&hq=Schiphol+Airport,+Evert+v%2Fd+Beekstraat+202,+Schiphol,+Netherlands&radius=15000&z=13

Lingua Franca

keithclancy wrote: »

4 Runways .. not 6
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Schiphol+Airport,+Evert+v%2Fd+Beekstraat+202,+Schiphol,+Netherlands&hl=en&ll=52.308164,4.770985&spn=0.057201,0.169086&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=37.871902,86.572266&oq=schip&t=h&hq=Schiphol+Airport,+Evert+v%2Fd+Beekstraat+202,+Schiphol,+Netherlands&radius=15000&z=13

6 runways, not 4.

Stinicker

There is one runway in Amsterdam that must be like 4 or 5 miles from the terminal. I remember spending the guts of 20 -25mins on the ground in Amsterdam just taxiing before the plane actually took off, it even crossed over a motorway!

Lingua Franca

Yeah, I hate landing there. It's runway 1, the one to the top left in my attached pic. But sometimes you get to see an airplane on fire, the one they use for fire brigade practice, which livens it up a bit as the rest of the passengers freak out.

Yamanoto

Stinicker wrote: »

There is one runway in Amsterdam that must be like 4 or 5 miles from the terminal. I remember spending the guts of 20 -25mins on the ground in Amsterdam just taxiing before the plane actually took off, it even crossed over a motorway!

You'll often taxi in that way at Schipol & you're right, it's time consuming.

As hubs go though, it's hard to beat for ease of transfer.

DieselPowered

Flown this route (Dublin - Amsterdam - Bangkok) with China Air a couple of times both on their older Boeing 747's (one big TV per area hanging up) to their newly refurbished (2012) Boeing 747's (upgraded multi media TV's per seat in economy).

They are fine to fly with, food is ok (otherwise get food in Amsterdam before you leave) . If the airlines safety record was a concern they would not be allowed fly in Europe (I had doubts at the begining also).

Its a 12 hour flight to BKK (Bangkok), one medium sleeping tablet will get you there quicker

Diddlydoubt

DieselPowered wrote: »

Flown this route (Dublin - Amsterdam - Bangkok) with China Air a couple of times both on their older Boeing 747's (one big TV per area hanging up) to their newly refurbished (2012) Boeing 747's (upgraded multi media TV's per seat in economy).

They are fine to fly with, food is ok (otherwise get food in Amsterdam before you leave) . If the airlines safety record was a concern they would not be allowed fly in Europe (I had doubts at the begining also).

Its a 12 hour flight to BKK (Bangkok), one medium sleeping tablet will get you there quicker

thanks for the information. not be long until we are away now.

when we fly to amsterdam, does our baggage/luggage get automatically transferred to our connecting flight to bangkok?

or do we need to get it ourselves in amsterdam and then check it on to the flight to bangkok?

also, how are air lingus/china airlines in relation to baggage charges?

we are flying on to oz and need to take a fair amount of clothes etc with us. our baggage limit is currently 20kg plus 10kg hand luggage.

i am worried that this will not be enough as we need to bring suits etc. how much does it generally cost to get a greater baggage allowance?

Yamanoto

Diddlydoubt wrote: »

when we fly to amsterdam, does our baggage/luggage get automatically transferred to our connecting flight to bangkok?

or do we need to get it ourselves in amsterdam and then check it on to the flight to bangkok?

That's been answered twice already on thread OP.

DieselPowered

Diddlydoubt wrote: »

when we fly to amsterdam, does our baggage/luggage get automatically transferred to our connecting flight to bangkok? or do we need to get it ourselves in amsterdam and then check it on to the flight to bangkok?

also, how are air lingus/china airlines in relation to baggage charges?

we are flying on to oz and need to take a fair amount of clothes etc with us. our baggage limit is currently 20kg plus 10kg hand luggage.

I know this has been answered already, but just to make you comfortable,,,

Dublin-Amsterdam-Bangkok is seen as ONE flight (for baggage) so you DO NOT need to pick up in AMS, your baggage goes DIRECT to BKK and you pick up there in BKK. You will be allowed the full baggage allowance of either 25kg or 30kg, I can't remember which it is, but it is more then 20kg in the hold (even with Aer Lingus) as your destination is long haul.

Baggage charges above the 25 or 30kg limit in the hold I'm not sure as I've never carried that much luggage.

Tip: Use this website Seat Guru for your flights with China Air from AMS to BKK.
(Note: I've just noticed that when you put in the flight no from AMS for your
China Flight (CI066), there are now TWO aircraft on the list, a Boeing 747-400
AND an Airbus A340-300 (Haven't see that one before), so for the purpose of this discussion, I'm going to talk about the 747 only.

As regards the China Flight, when you check into Dublin you will be given your seat numbers for both the Aer Lingus AND the China flight. Don't worry
what seats you have been allocated, because when you get to Amsterdam, there are loads of terminals near the customer service areas (on the way to the China Gate from the gate Aer Lingus drops you) where you can change your seating for the China flight.

Use the Seat Guru website in advance to pick your seat that you want (have some options in case the one you want is gone) and then just print out your new tickets - self service. It costs nothing.

Tip: DO NOT take the emergency exit seats on the Boeing 747 with China Air - they are MUCH smaller then the regular seats (designed for Chinese people)
as the dinner tray is down the side of the seat taking up your room).

Tip: Suggestion to take window seats (Left or Right side of aircraft) on the Boeing 747 from row 59-62 down the back, these are only TWO seats as opposed to the main window seats being THREE.

Tip: If you manage to get the LAST two seats in row 62, if you recline the seats and you fall alseep, you won't be asked to put the UP when food comes around (you will be asked to wake up and put the seats up in all other seats).
The only downside to the last row of seats is that they are near the rear toilets and there will be a lot of foot traffic passing, but personally, if you plan to sleep for the long haul flight, and you want extra free space, then window seats in rows 59-62 are the ones to go for.

Hope this helps, enjoy your trip.

ebbsy

China Airlines are a great airline, I have been to Thailand and Hong Kong with them 5 times, their food is good, their planes are usually on time and their prices are ok. They also have a mini nintendo (snes) and cd player on each armrest even in economy, and they are good with children. They are based in Taiwan I believe.

As for Amsterdam I find it an easy airport to get through.

Just my own experience mind you.

Diddlydoubt

DieselPowered wrote: »

I know this has been answered already, but just to make you comfortable,,,

Dublin-Amsterdam-Bangkok is seen as ONE flight (for baggage) so you DO NOT need to pick up in AMS, your baggage goes DIRECT to BKK and you pick up there in BKK. You will be allowed the full baggage allowance of either 25kg or 30kg, I can't remember which it is, but it is more then 20kg in the hold (even with Aer Lingus) as your destination is long haul.

Baggage charges above the 25 or 30kg limit in the hold I'm not sure as I've never carried that much luggage.

Tip: Use this website Seat Guru for your flights with China Air from AMS to BKK.
(Note: I've just noticed that when you put in the flight no from AMS for your
China Flight (CI066), there are now TWO aircraft on the list, a Boeing 747-400
AND an Airbus A340-300 (Haven't see that one before), so for the purpose of this discussion, I'm going to talk about the 747 only.

As regards the China Flight, when you check into Dublin you will be given your seat numbers for both the Aer Lingus AND the China flight. Don't worry
what seats you have been allocated, because when you get to Amsterdam, there are loads of terminals near the customer service areas (on the way to the China Gate from the gate Aer Lingus drops you) where you can change your seating for the China flight.

Use the Seat Guru website in advance to pick your seat that you want (have some options in case the one you want is gone) and then just print out your new tickets - self service. It costs nothing.

Tip: DO NOT take the emergency exit seats on the Boeing 747 with China Air - they are MUCH smaller then the regular seats (designed for Chinese people)
as the dinner tray is down the side of the seat taking up your room).

Tip: Suggestion to take window seats (Left or Right side of aircraft) on the Boeing 747 from row 59-62 down the back, these are only TWO seats as opposed to the main window seats being THREE.

Tip: If you manage to get the LAST two seats in row 62, if you recline the seats and you fall alseep, you won't be asked to put the UP when food comes around (you will be asked to wake up and put the seats up in all other seats).
The only downside to the last row of seats is that they are near the rear toilets and there will be a lot of foot traffic passing, but personally, if you plan to sleep for the long haul flight, and you want extra free space, then window seats in rows 59-62 are the ones to go for.

Hope this helps, enjoy your trip.

Thanks alot for all your great tips and helpful advice.

Having reviewed our flight details, we are actually flying on the Airbus A340-300 and not the Boeing 747-400.

Not sure how much of your advice will be relevant as looking at the layout of the 2 planes on the seat guru link they are both very different planes

DieselPowered

maybe you can give us some feedback on the A340-400 with China Airlines on this routes when you find some time after you get to the far side.

Good luck with your trip