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Thailand is located almost exactly on the opposite side of the world from the United States, so finding a flight to Thailand can be a bit of a hassle.
However, once you have arrived in Thailand, all of the painful travel and planning becomes well worth it. From the unique beaches of Phuket to the bustling markets of Chiang Mai and everything else in between.
Finding flights to Thailand from the US can be done with ease with a little bit of knowledge on how to shop for flights and the best airlines to take you there.
Rather you’re looking for the cheapest flight, the quickest way there, or how to get there with the least amount of discomfort.
Bottom Line Up Front: As flight schedules tend to vary, these are the airlines I’d check…
- Emirates (Direct / WayAway): Generally faster flights, fewer layovers
- EVA Air: (Direct / WayAway): Best from San Francisco, shortest layovers
- Delta (Direct / WayAway): Partnerships with Korean Air and China Airlines
- American (Direct / WayAway): Partnerships with China Southern
- Turkish Airlines (Direct / WayAway): Perks, comfort & amenities
- Singapore Airlines (Direct / WayAway): Best true luxury First Class
WayAway is my new favorite booking app. It aggregates the aggregators and travel agencies, combing every possible travel booking site to find the best deals, including their 5% cashback program on ALL travel booked through them.
Continue reading for some specific guidance on some different travel use cases…
Cheapest Airline to Fly to Thailand: China Southern (Best to Bangkok)
On average, looking at all of the times and airports that you could fly into, China Southern is the most budget-friendly airline from the west coast.
Prices drop as low as $533 round trip through China Southern if you are following all of the criteria above.
If you are flying out of the East coast, the cheapest airline to fly through is Air China. Leaving from John F Kennedy International Airport, you can find prices as low as $531 roundtrip through Air China.
The best way to find budget-friendly flights always is to watch flights over time. You can do this very simply by going to Google flights. Simply search for the flight you are looking for, time and destination, then turn on “track prices”.
American Airlines AAdvantage Member?
If you are an AAdvantage member, they have a partnership with China Southern, meaning you can use your miles & loyalty program to book via your American account.
- Create an AAdvantage account: If you don’t already have one, sign up for a free AAdvantage account on the American Airlines website.
- Accumulate AAdvantage miles: You can earn miles through flights, car rentals, hotel stays, or purchases with American Airlines’ partners. You can also purchase miles directly from American Airlines.
- Search for Flight Availability: To use your miles on a China Southern flight, you need to check for “sAAver” award availability on the American Airlines website. Enter your travel details (destination, dates) and select “Redeem miles”.
- Select China Southern Airlines: In the search results, look for flights operated by China Southern Airlines. If there’s no direct flight, it’s possible to book a flight with multiple airlines, as long as they’re all part of the Oneworld alliance.
- Book the flight: Once you find a suitable flight, proceed with the booking process. The number of miles needed to book the flight will be displayed, and you’ll have the option to pay with miles. I recommend calling American Airlines directly, as the website can be problematic for this type of booking. 1-800-882-8880.
- Confirm your Booking: Review all the details, then confirm your booking. You’ll receive a confirmation email from American Airlines with your flight details.
- Contact China Southern Airlines: After booking, it’s a good idea to contact China Southern Airlines to confirm your flight and seat assignments.
Quickest Airline to Thailand: China Airlines
Flying out of San Francisco International Airport, China Airlines is the quickest airline to go through.
They can get you to Thailand in 18 ½ hours and get you back home in as little as 16 ½ hours. Each way only has one short stop total along the way.
If you must fly out of the East coast, fly out of John F Kennedy International airport on Air China.
When flying from the East coast they fly you right over the north pole rather than directly around the earth because that is the shortest way. Therefore, there really is no short way from the east coast. Air China can get you to Thailand in 20 hours and get you back in 23 ½ hours.
For such a long flight, comfort is key in making it there without a stiff back and feeling exhausted. Once you land in Thailand you want to feel energized and ready to go for your vacation. Which is still very possible, even with an 18-hour flight.
If money and time aren’t an issue, you can get to Thailand without feeling like you ever left the comforts of your home. With airlines offering anything from basically tiny apartments to free movies and wifi. You can start your Thailand vacation off right with these airlines listed below.
Runner Up: Thai Airways
Getting to Thailand fast is not really an option. After all, it is over 8,000 miles away from the United States and that’s if you could fly straight there. You are going to have a long flight no matter where you fly from or how you do it.
There are no straight-through flights to Thailand from anywhere in the United States.
Thai Airways used to provide a straight-through flight from Los Angeles and John F Kennedy, but those stopped in 2012 due to a loss in profitability. Thai airways may start the straight-through flights again in the future, but that is still not certain.
There are faster and slower ways to get to and from Thailand. If you follow these guidelines, you will most likely find the fastest way to Thailand.
Best First Class Suites to Thailand: Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines, hands down, offer the best first-class suites to Thailand. The seats offer your own private area with a door that can be closed for maximum privacy.
There is a separate bed from the actual seat in these suites that can be turned into a double bed if you have two seats. You can also enjoy free movies and TV on the 32-inch flat-screen TV, along with unlimited champagne.
The only downside is that you will have to make 2 transfer stops if leaving from San Francisco on the way to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport.
One in Hong Kong and one in Singapore. However, with the purchase of these suites, you get access to The Private Room at Changi Airport in Singapore, which offers a la carte dining.
Best First Class: Cathay Pacific
With the largest seat on the market, Cathay Pacific takes the prize for best first-class seats to Thailand. These seats are 36 inches wide and can fit up to 3 people in them comfortably. The seat also comes with one of the most comfortable lie-flat beds you can experience.
Service onboard Cathay Pacific first class is unbeatable. You’ll enjoy multiple course meals, including caviar, champagne, and chocolates. Along with complimentary pajamas! The staff is very friendly and accommodating as well. You can also get to Bangkok from San Francisco with only one stop in Hong Kong.
Best Economy: Emirates Economy
If you don’t have an abundant amount of money to spend on first-class seats, but would still like to be more comfortable than the average budget airline, Emirates Economy seats are the most comfortable. They have the most seat room out of all airlines flying to Thailand with a seat pitch (legroom) of 33-34 inches and a width of 18 inches.
Emirates economy seats also come equipped with a large library of free entertainment and wifi at cost. You will receive an amenity kit when boarding Emirates as well. The kit includes an eye mask, earplugs, toothbrush, toothpaste, and socks.
Thailand is one of the cheapest countries to travel in once you get there.
You can get anything from fine dining to an hour massage for under USD 10. The most expensive part of your trip will most likely be the flight to get there.
Depending on how long you are staying, flights can sometimes cost just as much or more than your whole entire vacation in Thailand. You don’t always have to spend an arm and a leg getting there though.
If your main priority is spending as little as possible getting there and not comfort or getting there fast, here is some guidance.
Full List of Airlines That Fly to Thailand
If you are considering ANY and ALL options, this is the most recent info I have on airlines that service Thailand:
Airlines Flying from the US to Thailand
- Sichuan Airlines
- Air China
- Air France
- Air India
- ANA
- Asiana
- EVA Air
- Bangkok Airways
- British Airways
- Finnair
- China Southern Airlines
- Eithad Airways
- Emirates
- Turkish Airlines
- Korean Air
- STARLUX
- Saudia
Other Airlines with Popular Stopover Hubs
- Lufthansa
- Qantas
- Japan Airlines
- Thai Airways International
- Thai Lion Air
- Thai Summer Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- Malaysia Airlines
- EgyptAir
- Vietnam Airlines
Tips and Tricks for Flying to Thailand
Fly into Bangkok
Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok’s international airport, is the cheapest airport to fly into Thailand. Flights can be up to $200 cheaper than if you were to fly into Phuket or Chang Mai.
Spend a couple of nights exploring the city and then make your way to your destination through cheaper airlines, like Air Asia, or by overnight bus or train.
Fly on a Tuesday
You can save around $50 a flight by departing and returning from Thailand on a Tuesday. Do not try to fly on Saturdays if you are trying to save a little more money. You will end up paying on average $80 more. Mondays and Wednesdays are also decent days to fly to and from Thailand.
Shop international airlines
The cheapest flights on a U.S. airline are through Delta, costing as little as $1,005 roundtrip. If you look at international airlines, such as Air China or China Southern, you can find flights for as cheap as $585 roundtrip from Los Angeles International Airport and $535 from John F Kennedy International Airport.
Travel in Spring and Fall
Summertime is Thailand’s peak tourist season. Prices can reach well above $1,000 during this time, even on International airlines. Thailand stays fairly warm year-round, so you’ll still have a great vacation if you go during early spring and late fall.
Further Read: Best Times to Visit Thailand.
Here’s a helpful chart with some of the various average prices by months:
Fly From San Francisco International Airport
The east coast is roughly 400 miles further than flying from the west coast. The shortest flights from the United States are found on the west coast, specifically out of San Francisco.
If you fly out of Los Angeles it may add on just an hour or two, but definitely choose San Francisco International airport if you have the choice.
Choose flights with only 1 stop
The more stops along the way, the more travel time you are adding. Each transfer has at least a one-hour time span between your flight landing and your next flight taking off. Rather you are flying from the east coast or the west coast, you can find flights with only one stop along the way.
Fly early in the morning
There tend to be fewer delays and shorter lines if you fly early in the morning. Due to air traffic, delays get worse throughout the day, starting around 8 a.m. and reaching a peak at 6 p.m.
The airports are also less crowded and have shorter lines in the morning because nobody else wants to start their vacation early.
Overall Best Airline for Flights to Thailand from the US
Out of all this information on the most comfortable, fastest, and budget-friendly airlines, the most well-rounded of all categories is Air China when flying to Thailand. It came in number one on some categories and number two in almost any other category.
Air China is the cheapest airline to fly through when coming from John F Kenndy airport and the second cheapest, if not about the same, airline if flying from San Francisco. Prices are as low as $531 roundtrip if you go during spring or fall and you’re flying into Bangkok. That is about $50 cheaper than the next cheapest airline.
The quickest airline to get you to Thailand from John F Kennedy airport is Air China. I would only fly out of the east coast if you have to though because it takes about 3 hours longer to get there. Air China is the second-fastest from the west coast, getting you there with only an extra hour of time than China Airlines.
Air China’s seats are not that far off from Emirates seats in comfortability. Their seat pitch is 31-33 inches, which is only a couple inches short or even the same as Emirates legroom. The width of the seats is also barely short or about the same as Emirates being 17-18 inches. You are also equipped with FREE wifi aboard Air China.
Remember to always shop around for a few days. Flight times, prices, and availability can change daily. Google flights flight tracker is a great tool because they send you e-mails every time there is an update on flights. Remember to have fun while shopping for flights! You are going to Thailand, “the land of smiles.”
WayAway is my new favorite booking app. It aggregates the aggregators and travel agencies, combing every possible travel booking site to find the best deals, including their 5% cashback program on ALL travel booked through them.