How can my family member get home from Bangkok via Abu Dhabi? Advice please

[Catinthehat321]

My family member is currently in Bangkok. Was due to fly home the other day. Rescheduled to next week as flights weren'tgoing. Same route booked.

Family member says this is the only route available to them with same airline. It's Etihad.

Can anyone advise please on how to get home safely? Eg would Etihad be able to accommodate another route or would family member have to get a refund and then book another flight?

Thanks in advance

There are direct flights from Bangkok

Given that the Etihad hub is Abu Dhabi, it’s highly unlikely they will be able to route via anywhere other than Abu Dhabi so right now the chances of getting a flight back with Etihad look pretty poor. Etihad aren’t a member of any of the 3 big airline alliances either so it’s unlikely Etihad will be able/willing to rebook your family member on another airline any present. Their best bet will be to try and get a refund and book with another airline (that avoids the Middle East AND is a member of the major airline alliances).

If Etihad will only offer their own flights on the same route but later, your family member may face each new flight being cancelled several times. They need ro ask for a direct flight but the reality is these are in short supply and VERY expensive because of the heightened demand

I would be tempted to look for flights with other airlines on alternative routes not going via the Middle East. Book one those ( they are likely to be very expensive though) then tell Etihad you want a refund and put that refund against the cost of the new fligh.

Via Abu Dhabi? Id guess it's a waiting game.

It might be worth asking for a transfer to a KLM flight - although not in an alliance they do work quite closely.

But your best bet is probably new flights - if they still have seats - and a refund if they need to get home.

No chance at the moment. Take the hit on a new flight, get home and then get a refund

On paper there are multiple options to get back to Europe"ish, even to the UK nonstop avoiding the Gulf, but it'll probably need a complete new booking, will cost and will be very much subject to availability due high demand..

Thai Airways I think still do BKK- LHR and a whole selection of other European destinations.

Norse have a Manchester service but not sure how often it runs.

On top then there's a whole slew of carriers that'll get you into Europe , e.g. Lufthansa, Austrian.

Good Luck

DH was due to fly on Emirates this week, and they automatically booked him on Thai Airways to Bangkok - pretty much the same time, and the same class.

With Etihad there will not be another option. There are direct flights from Bangkok to London, and many other European cities. Madrid is usually the cheapest direct from BK. Or fly to Singapore or KL and get a direct flight back from there. Cheapest option from SE Asia to Europe is usually Scoot from Singapore to Athens. S/he may need to get creative with routes in this way. if they want to get home quicker without breaking the bank.

Very grateful for all these suggestions. Thank you very much. Shall be screenshotting and sending to family member tomorrow.