Thai Air JFK-BKK cancel ~ LB-69

I just read this on Thai Air web site. And this really sucks. My flight out on June 25th is still on, but my flight back on July 7th is canceled. I called Thai air's office in NYC but they still won't rebook me on another flight till they hear word from the BKK ofice.

THAI Announces Board Meeting Results

On 6th June 2008, Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) held a Board of Directors’ Meeting at THAI’s Head Office, chaired by Mr. Chaisawasd Kittipornpaiboon, THAI’s Chairman, with the following results

1. Flight Operations between Bangkok and New York
Effective as from 1st July 2008, THAI will cease flight operations between Bangkok and New York due to the continual surge in oil prices.

2. Restructuring of flight operations to Los Angeles
THAI will reduce direct flight operations between Bangkok and Los Angeles from 7 flights to 5 flights per week, utilizing A340-500 aircraft type until September 2008. For THAI winter schedule, THAI will operate flights to Los Angeles via Osaka, Japan, utilizing Boeing 777-200 ER aircraft.

Currently, THAI operates daily flight to two US destinations, Los Angeles and New York, utilizing Airbus A340-500 aircraft.

Ladyboy Hunter Joined: 10 Jul 2007 Posts: 218 Points: 270

Thanks for the update. That really sucks. I just booked the non-stop LAX to BKK last week for my November trip. I'll now want to reevaluate my options.

you should be ok on the west coast as thai will still have 5 flights per week. I called Thai Air a few times today and still no word from the BKK ofice about rebooking me on another flight. My Travel agent Antonio from Justfares.com told me that they would probably book me back through LAX, and he would try to get me an upgrade to business class, so maybe it won't be so bad. Next time I'll stick to Cathay Pacific.

Ladyboy Hunter Joined: 10 Jul 2007 Posts: 218 Points: 270

Thanks, my trip isn't till November...which is after they mothball the A340 on the BKK nonstop. Their Triple7's don't have the premium economy, and my ticket can be either an upgrade or downgrade. Not confident how they'll handle it, or what their Osaka flgt schedule will be.

Fare refund fee is $100, which I've already found out twice the hard way. I am thinking about hedging my position with EVA or other option, and wait to cancel one when more details come out. I'm skipping out of work early that day and can't chance a change to an earlier flight. I'll have to see what other options are out there.

Due to the fuel crisis I think we can expect all airlines will be pulling back from their less profitable routes. Here in Australia last week Qantas cut back drastically on many of their Japan routes.
Our other main carrier Virgin looks set to follow suit.
Fortunately Thai have two services a day from Melbourne and both seem to run 90%+ full.