BKK Suvarnabhumi Airport Update.
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An interesting article for anyone travelling to, or transiting in, BKK from 28th September!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bangkok Post
Midnight initiation for Suvarnabhumi
DON ROSS
In just 28 days, the doors will slam shut at Don Muang Airport ending its career as Asia's oldest operating commercial airport. Travellers will switch to what airport developers call a green field airport, built from scratch and by their nature subject to a host of ills that haunt projects that rise from swamps or reclaimed land.
Some Bangkok residents told me they were re-arranging their travel diaries to ensure they would not have to travel overseas September 28 or for at least a week afterwards to avoid the inevitable teething problems.
Here are a few tips that might help to reduce the pain when Suvarnabhumi Airport assumes the role of the nation's premier gateway.
It helps to know that common sense prevailed and the Airports of Thailand confirmed it will close Don Muang Airport 0100 September 28 to all commercial airline traffic. Don Muang will serve as an aircraft maintenance centre and handle VIP flights and charters. All the domestic airlines transfer after the last flights on September 27.
I measured the distance from the expressway entrance at Ploenchit to Suvarnabhumi Airport terminal at 31 km, about five kilometres more than the distance to Don Muang.
However, the taxi fares are likely to double to Suvarnabhumi from around 150 baht to 300 baht for a single trip. Limousine companies that pick up travellers from hotels and residences will probably double the one-way fare from around 600 to 1200 baht.
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Re: BKK Suvarnabhumi Airport Update
Looks like the airport has listened to some of the criticism given about the new airport and the way it was set to open.
Can only help to try and make things go smoother.
Anyone with way more local knowledge of BKK than me make any correlation of these two comments: "about five kilometres more than the distance to Don Muang." and "taxi fares are likely to double to Suvarnabhumi from around 150 baht to 300 baht for a single trip"
Are there additional toll roads or some other delay creating issue along the route?
I'm looking forward to heading over to BKK again early-mid next year. Should be nice to see what they've done with the airport.
I am thankful I chose to route through SIN instead of BKK at the time of the changeover (if it isnt delayed yet again). If it happens on time then I'll get to see the new airport in October.
I don't think the lounge used by QF will be a QP any more so I wont be able to sample that one in my October trip, but will feedback on the *A one if no one else has by then.
Jetstar Asia, the Singaporean budget carrier owned by Qantas of Australia, will become the first foreign airline to operate through Suvarnabhumi Airport on Sept 15, two weeks ahead of the Sept 28 opening date.
The carrier's decision to be the first of 80 international airlines serving Thailand to use the new airport reflects its confidence in the airport's readiness, which has been questioned by most industry executives and the public at large.
I am thankful I chose to route through SIN instead of BKK at the time of the changeover (if it isnt delayed yet again). If it happens on time then I'll get to see the new airport in October.
I don't think the lounge used by QF will be a QP any more so I wont be able to sample that one in my October trip, but will feedback on the *A one if no one else has by then.
Kiwi - given how much you travel across *A and 1world - why wouldnt you be able to access the lounge (assuming its say a BA lounge) if you were flying 1world? I thought if you had status with 1world, were flying 1world (internationally) you could access any 1world lounge in the airport you were flying through?
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Re: BKK Suvarnabhumi Airport Update
Quote:
Originally Posted by simongr
Kiwi - given how much you travel across *A and 1world - why wouldnt you be able to access the lounge (assuming its say a BA lounge) if you were flying 1world? I thought if you had status with 1world, were flying 1world (internationally) you could access any 1world lounge in the airport you were flying through?
Because he is flying *A on that trip through BKK.
If it was a real Qantas Club lounge, then he could visit based on QF Platinum status, which permits access to Qantas Club lounges at any time regardless of travel. But a partner lounge does not permit such access.
If it was a real Qantas Club lounge, then he could visit based on QF Platinum status, which permits access to Qantas Club lounges at any time regardless of travel. But a partner lounge does not permit such access.
Yup. Currently in BKK (int terminals) I have 3 lounges I can access at any time regardless of who I fly. With the new airport I will have 0 - access will only be based on who I fly.
Interesting - I am flying to BKK in October (27th) for a week returning in Nov (4th) with BA WT+ (currently Qantas Gold and on the return trip should AA Plat) but I tihnk with changes to terminals then I will have to us BA lounge in this case?
Mind you I should really check what lounges will be at new airport first myself instead of getting you guys to advise all the time
My understanding is at the new airport there wont be a BA lounge (or QF or SQ or whatever). Rather there will be 2 huge lounges - one for TG and all their partners (ie *A), and one for everyone else. Each lounge will have a first section and a business section.
Hmm - that doesnt sound great for statused people flying economy through BKK... Hmm - that would really change my routing back to the UK for a personal visit - as I would fly economy personally.
Are there many other airports with that sort of arrangements? Mostly it wont affect me as international travel is business class (and on business) - the trip to Thailand is a bit of a one-off especially wth the WT+ fare class
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