Why Are Flights STILL Not Cheap? 

3 weeks ago it took me 35 min from taxi to my departure gate..i arr at airport at 330pm for a 6pm flight..on my arrival flight it took even less time to get through…I don’t get all this hype..I found it quicker than Sydney..

I flew on saturday 12:40pm with Thai from Suvanabhumi: - Checked in online - Arrived at the airport around 9am - Printing boarding pass and bag drop-off in self service: 5 minutes - Security: 20 minutes - Immigration: 30 minutes Was much to early with the recommended 3 hours, spend 2 hours boring in the departure area.

I recently departed Swampy,check-in was the worst i can remember and getting through Immigration was Utter Chaos

I flew out of BKK at 1830 on the 21st March. Immigration took about 25 mins, security was about 10 mins. Most spots were open, and things moved quietly. I have to say I always leave myself 4+ hours for international flights anyway where I can but honestly, on that day I could have arrived 60 mins before the flight. Interestingly regards prices of flights.....I've just rebooked to come back in July ....flight was 60% of the price I booked in Nov for March. However the real sting was Hotels. The same hotel was nearly 100% dearer ($27AUD in Mar - $51AUD in July). Supposed low season isnt apparantly

Hi Phil, I flew out of BKK in early March heading back to the UK and to be honest immigration and security were fine, we flew at night with Emirates. The problem we had was check in, with only two staff dealing with all the economy passengers and yet three or four check in staff dealing with online, premium or 1st class passengers ? .... Totally disproportionate ... From my experience I would allow 4 hours at BKK airport ... As for flight prices, to me the airlines are milking the demand and looking to claw back their losses during the pandemic... I love Thailand but I am seriously thinking for the price of the flight ticket only ( £1000 approx ) I could get two weeks all inclusive in the sunshine on some little idyllic Greek island ?.... Let's get back to reasonable prices Airlines !!

Will be flying in from London Heathrow 17th May direct £701. Was thinking that was good this is a direct flight

Left on February 11 afternoon no problem 30 to 40 minutes through everything. All good

Excellent video, and very accurate off my experience. Queued from the security check all the way to immigration just over 1hour 5 minutes. Never had that before. But on the upside 4weeks before when i arrived i never stopped walking through the zig zag lines to immigration and was through in minutes, so shouldn't really complain. 😊 Thanks for sharing Phil

Always depart Midweek and return Thursday or Sunday. Check in online, was able to walk straight past a big queue on Saturday night to a bag drop. Take a look at Royal Jordanian or Oman Air to and from LHR Very Comfortable trip, always on time..!

Flew out at around 12pm 10 days ago. It was horrendous. Not helped by people constantly queue jumping.

I flew out of BKK on Feb 25th. Checked in around 6pm and had a 20 minute wait in a line. Security and exit passport control had waits of a few minutes each. It was a pretty good experience to be honest. Price of a return flight (Turkish) from Lisbon to Bangkok with a 2 hour transfer in Istanbul was 920 Euro return. Yes, it was an economy ticket. Lufthansa had a price of 840 Euro, but with hand luggage only. Turkish gave me 30Kg free plus carry-on and I needed every gram.

Very very good point about the multiple passport checks, hadn’t thought about it but you are 100% right, definitely adds unnecessary time. Also great call if you can grab a direct flight LHR -BKK for a bag, av it. Finally I flew BKK to London on the night flight in Jan (00:55 departure) if it was still rammed , giving yourself 3 hours is a must for airport

Thank you

Hi Phil, my family and I left Thailand early December, (it was nice meeting you at Le Pub). We found the "check in" a bit slow. After the escalators to immigration it was really bad and the queues were very long and slow. I had not experienced this before and I believe you are right that it is probably due to staffing numbers because as when you finally encountered the staff it was quite quick.

Yep. It took me well over 90 minutes to get up that escalator and out the other side. It wouldn't be so bad if you weren't getting your eyes ripped out on the air fares.

in december, was at BKK airport 4 hours before my international flight, managed to get to my gate just 20 minutes to boarding time. I was practically running to the gate after hours of queuing. ofcause, when boarding time arrived, they anonced that the flight was delayed like 40 minutes, which turned into 1 hour 20 minutes. the plane had not even landed yet. additionally during bording, they microphone/annoncement system broke down. and finaly, when we got in the air, a lady fainted and needed emergency care. going back in May, got good price £670 direct with Thai Copenhagen Bangkok . the weekend flights are the most expensive, so I booked week days and avoiding various thai holidays

I flew out of Phuket to the UK with Qatar 2 weeks ago, I arrived at the airport 2 hours before my flight. Because I checked in online, They had a separate que which for some reason was empty. No que for Immigration & security. I was in the departure lounge within 20 minutes if that from arriving at the airport.

I also heard the comments to get to the airport 4 hours ahead, I departed BKK last week and there were long lines exactly where you mentioned but the lines were moving and I got through without much delay. 3 Hours was sufficient. I actually liked this video just for the nostalga of being there, crazy I know lol. Great video Mr Egg.

Inflation and not enough planes in the air is probably why the cost isn’t coming down.

Just booked first class Cathay for later this year. Extremely hyped.

I always use Skyscanner, flew from Edinburgh with Qatar with one stop in Doha each way to & from Suvarnabhumi on Oct 27 returning March 31. Total cost was £ 824 which was about £250 more than my last visit in 2019 so yes a bit dearer.

How to book a cheap direct flight. First, do a search one way direct from London Heathrow this will give you the cheapest day to fly out on then do the same again but in reverse order. Now you have the two cheapest days to fly on, so do it again as a return flight and you get the cheapest price.

Investigative journalism at its finest! 🧐 Thanks, Mr. Egg!

Left on the 28th Feb. Immigration was a nightmare everyone was fighting to get to the front as people were missing planes. The corridor between where they check your bags and Immigration not air-conditioned. The elevator down to Immigration Immigration was dangerous with overcrowding. Children were urinating in plastic bags .

Thai Airways needs to bring back the straight flight from New York Jfk Airport to Bangkok.

1st-21st May,£590 from Heathrow,Turkish Airlines

i book my trips 6 to 8 months ahead of schedual. usually find deals from then. and i use multiple search engines to find the best and cheapest flight. yes it is a lot of work

nice one mate

Big roadworks and delays on the 7 northbound, took 3 hours yesterday to pass the airport from Pattaya.Left Pattaya around 4.15pm

Flight prices are still high because not enough planes in the Air. Less planes more demand for seats. Higher cost

Our flight in may is 730 with qater from manchester to BKK via Dora, last october cost 1000 with emrites and their standards in mine and my hubbys eyes has dropped, so we flying with our preferred airline this time round, this flight in May we are taking a night flight from Manchester x

Hi Phil, was great seeing you again in February. Two things. I left 20th February from Suvarnabhumi and the queue for security and immigration was horrendous! I got stuck at the top of the escalator for 40-minutes. I then got stuck again in the corridor heading to immigration and, it was only when I got to the immigration hall, did I realise I had a priority pass 😂 so I was allowed by security to pass through to the priority lane. What an idiot! Regards flights. I have just booked my return for 1st November 2023 as prices have been slowly creeping up since I got back. I reckon I am around 15% more expensive than my flights in January 2023 and around 40% more than I paid in May 2022 😮

I have had some queuing but never too bad. It's painful the length of queue when you arrive at Suvarnabhumi for sure. Hopefully the next time I'm over will be for a long time so won't have to deal with the UK return for ages. Lots of flights on Skyscanner for about £820 departing May/June and return mid July before school holidays.

It varies greatly on the time of day. I flew BKK-SIN this morning (Monday). Departure time 0930hrs and I was at checkin at 0830hrs, 1 hour before departure. From check-in to gate just 20mins. yes, that includes security and immigration. No priority lanes used. Flight price BKK to Australia 🇦🇺 was 1,100 baht (I’m airline staff). So, try get a flight between 0800hrs and maybe 1000hrs. Avoid night time departures.

Went through last Friday 11am,online check in,,hand baggage.. security took 5 mins..(boarding pass on phone was OK ).. passport control 20mins.. I think I got lucky tbh,because on my entry the week before it seemed like half the immigration areas was closed

Flew out last Thursday to Heathrow, took 3 hours to check in, go through security and immigration control. Arrived 8.00pm for a 12.15 departure had about 20 mins to look around duty free before going to the gate. Flight was £844 with Thai, the flight was full on both outward and return legs Definite lack of capacity on direct flights ,looking to book in October, prices £850+ with all carriers

Great vlog Mr Egg..no long delays for me in February back in September £745 from Manchester with Qatar but had to be flexible with my dates to get this price.

The last twice I have had to fly back to the UK, (Oct 22 and Jan 23), the queues at Suvarnabhumi were horrendous, I just about made both flights, but it was very stressfull, with no help from staff at the airport, even though I asked quite a few for assistance, both experiences were very bad.

The prices have been fine for me.

I remember the long lines on arriving at immigration (precovid). Departure was a bit slow but not 3-4 hours however that sounds like thailand. Just shake your head and get in line. I stopped flying coach and business class and it made a huge difference. (flying from the US is quite exhausting) I would take at least an hour (precovid) to get thru the arrival immigration line. Business class I walked into a seperate EMPTY room with 5 immigration officers waiting for people with a smile. Welcome, picture and stamped in less than 5 minutes. It will be business class from now on. Also if I remember correctly when you fly business they direct you past the escalator to your own immigration checkpoint.

Came back to Aus 5 weeks ago. Despite checking in online I still had to get in line for Baggage drop. Screening went pretty quick (it’s usually slow) but then it was down to passport control. I took me an hour just to get through that. Same problem, not enough staff on duty. Am going over again in 3 weeks time so let’s see how that goes

Hi Phil booked my ticket for September from Manchester to BKK £725 so yackda to you from Wales you place will be the first i aim for after jet lag has gone 😅

I flew in and out 7 times last year and once already this year, from to Australia on Thai airways, I don't have checked baggage and I akways self check in and self print boarding pass, clearance times though immigration do vary but never longer than 40 min, inbound to BKK also varies depending on day I arrive

I booked my flight for May in September( as soon as got home from Thailand } last year , I paid £500, same flights 3 weeks later £1200 {Inverness Amsterdam Bangkok , as for the departing flight getting to airside I always give myself more than enough time {5 hours] . I do think its always better to be that bit early rather than be running tight for time

Just booked my flight to BKK this week for April. It is at least 25% higher than last October of 2022.

Can only comment on my arrival 4 months ago. Flight with Eva direct from Heathrow £700 return. Lowest I ever got was £520 so no complaints. Arrival at BKK and through immigration and checked in for connection to Udon within an hour. I’ve always given at least 3 hours at the airport on return. The queues and lack of immigration officers has always been the same as long as I can remember. It’s hit or miss, you can be lucky or unlucky, there’s no rhyme or reason. All you can do is give yourself time.

Flew from Melbourne Australia Thai Airways $1102 Return using the Flight Centre App, Normally Thai is $1600 - $1800, apon arival Pasport Control was about 20 Minutes, collected baggage and was out in 30 minutes.

Hi Phil, I am returning to Thailand in a few days. It will be interesting to see what it is like this time heading back in. The last time there were extensive lines at immigration I was there for about 45 minutes to get through (I didn't have any hold baggage). I found that being a frequent flyer on Qatar Airways, I could check in online 24 hours prior to my flight and print out my boarding pass at home, as I only had a small carry-on bag I went straight to security and then immigration in no time at all. Perhaps the time of your flight has an impact on the time it will ultimately take to get through.

just booked a flight from Luton airport to Chang Mai for £205 next month

Flights have gone up.I do Emirates every Jan/Feb and you could get a flight for just under £500 now it £700!! Everything has gone up.

Me and my girlfriend paid 2400€ from Gothenburg to Bangkok in June. Flying with Swizz Air with a quick layover in Zurich. Really expensive compared to the 370€ I paid 2019 with China Airlines from Copenhagen to Bangkok. Hope it will be cheaper soon!

Thanks for that look at the departure to Vietnam! I'm flying LAX to HCMC as that's the way I'm heading home this July! LAX-HCMC-BKK-HCMC-LAX---the ticket this way saved me $1,500 on business class! Maybe the times will be a little less since it's low season. See Ta Then Phil!

Flew back 26th Feb. 2 hours and 20 minutes from arriving at the airport to the gate. Flew Emirates BKK - Dubai. As soon as I got off the BKK flight, the signs were already saying 'Go To Gate' for Manchester. A bit of a rush across Dubai airport, but a nice quick connection. Good job the pilot got his foot down from BKK, or we could have missed the Manc' flight. 😅 Oh nearly forgot to add, paid £850 return Mchr-BKK this time. Back in Jan 2020 I paid £550 for exactly same flight times.

I've booked 2 weeks in May in Phuket including Emirates flights all inclusive for £2300. Seems a good deal for a royal suite with direct pool access

It's also partly due to Brexit, baa cannot get staff to man desks,luggage etc so is limiting the amount of flights out of Heathrow,in August direct from Heathrow is 1400 pounds but can get direct from schippol for 800 euros

It’s a con job. Even airlines from the Middle East, who produce the jet fuel are high priced.

Hello I`ve been a subscriber for a while and always enjoy your videos ive just started a channel of my own called " Rummers tell me your story, to help the homeless in the UK, keep up the good work

Two comments. First, I'd say get to the airport 3.5 hours prior to departure and just wait for the ticket counter to open. I flew from BKK to LAX using EVA, 2 Sundays ago around 1220pm. I checked in the night before and just to drop my bags took about 30 minutes. From there, it's up the escalator to security. This took around 30 or so minutes. From security, the worst is getting down to customs..From security, you're waiting in this narrow hallway. Two queues. After about 35 minutes in that hallway, people going to the Philippines started pushing through the gap between both queues. Once you finally get to the front, you'll find that it's not the front at all but rather a stairway down to customs. You could see the worry on the faces of those whom thought 2 hours would be sufficient. At the bottom of that stairway was a serpentine queue that rapped around 6 or more times. After about 40 minutes I finally got the that part of the queue were you're staring at the customs agents. I had 5 people in front of me when all of a sudden Russians started to climb off the stairway, jumping the queue as they stayed stood next to me showing me their board time, which had already past. The agent hopped from his chair and started yelling at them. Telling them they need to be at the airport 6 hours before departure. I would've thought he meant to say 3 hours but he held up 6 digits as he spoke. I can't tell you how many missed their flight that day but do try your best to arrive 3.5 hours, unless you love stress. After I pasted through, I grabbed burger kings, finished, walked to the gate. Sat for maybe 15 minutes before they started boarding. Second comment. I believe the main reason prices are high is the airlines don't have to compete with China Southern or Xianen airlines. I could fly business class 1 way on either carrier for about 1500 USD. If just those two carriers returned, prices would drop imo.

Yeah took me about 3 hours to get threw check in in January, I’m flying back out in April which is costing me £937 direct from heathrow

In another life, Mr. Egg was an investigative reporter for The Guardian.

Yes its bad ,but some may be lucky .I came in the 7 th of Feb and left on the 20 th .It took close to 2 hours to get through security and immigration /emigration on both occasions .My Airline Qatar did allow check in on line which did save time a lot dropping off my checked baggage .Prices are up due to a shortage of Pilots and Aircraft after Covid .

Would imagine that it depends on variables such as, day and time, etc as to how busy the airport is likely to be... Surely it is best to be at the airport in plenty of time..4hrs + which should leave plenty of time to progress through to the departure lounge and have a relaxing drink.. As for prices, when one of the big airlines drops their price the rest will follow ..when that will happen is anyone's guess.. Until then hunt around on different sites for the best deal..As Phil says: If you can get a direct flight from Heathrow to Bangkok return for under £1000 book it...

Came in nov price was 1200 now if i want to return in April price is 2400cad,crazy prices.....

Hi Phil great vlog, you are quite correct allow at least 3 hours, staffing problems ,the check in was 1 hour for me I reckon it will sort its self out,as for the price of tickets,we’ll with the overall costs to run a airline and to maintain the aircraft and staff has been a burden everyone in the west are demanding more money to make up for lost revenue ,from ground staff to the banks that support the organisation ,we just have to suck it up if it is a few extra quid for a ticket or a beer ,life is all about living 😻😻✈️✈️✈️

Hello Phil. Left Thailand on 6 March and it took several hours to get through all the check points,. It would have taken longer if I did not travel with my Thai wife as they ushered Thai passport holders through more quickly and luckily that also applied to me travelling with her on an Aussie passport. Arriving 6 weeks earlier was a real breeze. Also ushered through faster which took less than 15 minutes. It was the departure process that was really slow, Slow check in, slow security checks, and slow passport control compared to previous times. I would allow 3 hours for all this next time. It was pretty slow going through the steps to leave Australia. Check points are under resourced.

I'm flying out of BKK Suvanabhumi later this week. About 750 USD one way to SFO via Korea Air

I just booked 2 flights one for 12th May (£750) one for 1st September (£738) both flight with Qatar, Edinburgh to Bangkok via Doha. Ok not as cheap as it used to be but not too bad.

Hi Phil, I flew out March 7, EVA Air to NY and the worst was not being able to check in electronically, but I had to wait over an hour to check my luggage. I’m heading back in July and the ticket prices - normally $2500. premium economy - are now over 3K. …And this is in what I would think is the low-season for Thailand! Any suggestions? (And no, a 20+ hour flight with an additional few hours layover with 1-stop in economy is not an option).

Just booked a flight with Eva airline for January 2024 going for 3 weeks. From Heathrow direct. 783 pounds. Not that bad I didn't think

I'm looking at flying at the beginning of September and the cheapest I'm looking at is £695 with Qatar, Eva £735 for the same dates. British Airways are code sharing with Qatar . i.e. you fly from the UK to Qatar with BA then Qatar fly you to Thailand.

There are companies offering a VIP service for about 35 US to get thru immigrations quicker. I used one coming here last month and had no one in front of me , was done in less than a minute with immigrations.

Just checked flights for next January. £3900 Emirates business class Manchester return. Before covid I think I paid less than half that. Bloody ridiculous.

Last time I come to Thailand was 2019 paid under £400 with Qatar now it's double but ok coming back in October will probably go with EVA as prefer direct when I can

The queue to the international departure/security escalator was about 100m long, the root cause of the problem was that not all of the immigration stations checking passports were open. Maybe half were manned.

I don't understand complaints about expensive tickets. Sure, they are pricy, but ONLY if you don't show ANY degree of flexibility regarding dates, port of departure and number of stops. As we speak there are flights available for January and February (peak season!!) from Athens to BKK for 310 GBP. Top it up with cheap Easyjet return ticket from Gatwick and you have your complete journey to Thailand for a total of 380 GBP. If you are not happy with Scoot economy class, go for Saudia. They have flights from Zurich for for a very similar price.

I always book at least 5-6 weeks in advance and the prices are much higher. and the flight options are less.

Oct got there 3 hours early took me a little over and hour $1300 USD To los Angeles from BKKK In Los Angels was far worse it took the full 3 hours

Munich to BKK return flight with stop in Jeddah 504 euros in May with Saudi Air. The secret - already booked in December 22, currently it is 830 euros. First Google Flights, then type that cheapest flight dates into Skyscanner. Booking early can save some money, therefore my tip: book now for November. Example: MUC- BKK with Saudi 30.11. Return flight for 495 euros. Perhaps it is different from UK, I can only share my own experiences.

Just earlier today I booked my trip leaving the Pacific coast of the United States round-trip to Bangkok and back august 7th - September 6th was approximately $1120 usd. Pre-Covid that was about a $750 round-trip ticket. But the price is not gonna stop me from getting to Thailand lol.

Arriving June EVA from London paid 800 pounds indirect 700 pounds.

I flew out only a week ago it only took 20/30 minutes to check in and go through security I don't think it's that bad. I booked this holiday over 7 months ago costing £850 economy this time last year it was £530 when you only had to do 1 day quarantine for Thailand definitely the prices are staying higher and not looking to come back to normal prices.

Hi phil there were actually 5 non stop flights from LHR. 2 thai, 1 BA, 1 qantas and 1 eva. You're correct there are 2 daily thai and 3 a week eva air. BA and qantas still havn't returned to BKK. Thai have at least 33% of their fleet parked up. So its supply and demand, plus as you say fuel prices and inflation. Sadly this has become the norm. By the way i booked 4 seats on emirates return to hong kong including 30kg of baggage, selected seat and food and drinks, on their A380 for £550. 2 adults and 2 children. But anything to europe is atronomical. Minimum 4K

I've just seen a flight with Etihad for 10 days at the end of May £621

Well I am planning a trip to London in October and I can go for THB30,500 return with Singapore Airlines via Singapore.

i flew out sunday night 6pm got to airport about 2pm had to wait for staff because of being early but put me up front of line and got chatting to another aussie so didnt seem long . there was a line up at the security but nothing like the crap i got back in australia where i had 3 airports to get home and missed my flights from first airport sydney .4hours later i got a flight .no problems after that .i got a$ 15 . meal card that goes along way in a airport .and this is with qantas not cheep at all .2019 went with thai airlines direct brisbane to bangkok under $1000 thai airways not flying direct at my time off flying and only had $8000 tickets so that wasnt happening . this time going thru singapore and 3 airports to get home $2200 .love thailand and being there but getting home is crap and hoping next year is direct again. but because it didnt happen the way it should have isnt going to stop me coming back next year .

Im flying in a month from London to Singapore and onto Bangkok for £509 return. Absolute bargain via Kayak

Need to be like Changi and have security at the gate

At no point was i up Dancing at the start 🤦‍♂Longest i ever had to wait was 2 hours from start to finish(not worried at departures ) ..16 years, but i'm talking pre covid 🤦‍♂Never ever paid more than £600 direct .But im looking at the prices now 🤦‍♂🤦‍♂Eva Air every single time

I was lucky but it also takes PATIENCE. It cost me a good price to come from Canada. Always. Book with an actual Airline. Be flexible with your arrival and departure dates. IF I booked for 30 days. The cheapest was 2600 CAD. Because I chose 27 days I paid 800 CAD.

Went through in early January peak time...from arriving to the departure including a feed was less than 45 minutes.....again in February breezed through in less than 30 minutes.....what is this BS....I found it reasonable

Eva air amsterdam bkk return for September is now 730 euros, that is economics of course

Phil my mate from N. Ireland booked a flight this week for 7th May and paid £690 return flying ftom Dublin to Bangkok via Dubia.

I always travel by Business class to LHR with EVA Air. Haven't been lately because of the cost. They used to be around 2k UK now you are lucky to get it for 4K (N/B Thai Air is even more expensive) Flights have Priced themselves out of the market as far as I'm concerned. Never a problem with passport checks as you use the fast track. If I ever had to use the normal checks I just wouldn't come.

Hi Phil

Pay £45 and use the fast rack lane I got through in 30 minutes❤️🇹🇭

Spent the last two months in SE Asia, about 3 hours at BKK is enough... but def needed - long lines. Flight prices are high due to demand. Half of china (post lockdown) and russia (hiding from putins conscription) along with lots of europe, are in SE asia right now... never seen it so busy

Pay attention to flight arrival and departure time options. I arrive and depart mid evening and it's typically been a quick flow through. Note their are TWO departure exits one in the centre and the other down the right end - that one is never as busy. People can be sheep like. Air prices - you simply must plan ahead and book 6 months out or on promos. Flight capacity is nowhere near pre covid levels and fuel is almost double pre covid thank the Russians. Travelling with carry on only can make a big difference. Yes it is possible for some.

BKK was awfully slow last time. Even the business class fast track had a queue for security and immigration that snaked out into the main terminal area. I flew into DMK and immigration and customs took almost no time at all. There are some super-cheap flights between other parts of Asia and DMK, so if you are looking to save money, it might be worth checking fares into other countries and then getting a cheap fare to DMK. (However, DMK isn't so good for going to Pattaya.)

Price of condos to rent on the likes or agoda and booking are ridiculous priced not just air fare

That was with eva air who only fly with