Dreamliner v stop off ?

[averageguy1]

We are thinking of trying Thailand for a 50th birthday celebration and looking at flights and the TUI Dreamliner appeals the most because it's direct. ..But we have friends who has done both and thinks the preferred option is a stop off to stretch your legs .

Also having never been before we are considering Phuket and Patong beach area is it really as bad as some people make it out to be ?

We like to get out for a bar drink to watch the world go by but don't want clubs etc

Thanks again for all the replies ..flights can be taken direct from Manchester but as said by an earlier post it is a bit dearer but not by much . We are a youngish late 40s couple so don't mind busy bars etc but want a bit of peace / beaches and day trips out to explore ..we are going to have a look at Karon .

reflectent

London isn't relevant. OP has stated the flight options and they are from Manchester.

I would fly the Dreamliner over a stopover. Some of our best flights have been on Dreamliners.

PS I would choose Krabi over Phuket.

Def go direct, makes all the difference. We’re off in a week, going to krabi which involves a two hour taxi ride from Phuket, but worth it my opinion, much nicer place.

Ok and thanks for all the help so far , we are going to look at other resorts and Patong beach. When we normally book holidays we book flights / accommodation ourselves is this the recommended way or is it best to go through a travel company . Sorry about all the questions but we want to get it just right ..

Sometimes it's cheaper to book a package but best to compare quotes against self booking. I agree with Omg above, Krabi is a much nicer place, not so commercialised. Ao Nang is the touristy area if you want a bit of buzz.

Agree with above, look at Krabi or even Ko Lanta rather than Phuket. I found Phuket very touristy, felt a bit like the Costa del Sol - lots of full English breakfasts, big resort hotels and trashy bars. We didn’t go to the Patong area but it’s got a bad reputation.

We backpacked, and Ko Lanta was our favourite - less touristy, much cheaper and beautiful, hire a scooter or use tuktuks to get around. And I’d def book yourself rather than do a package. You could even plan to move around and visit a few places? We backpacked and just booked our accommodation a night or 2 before depending on where we wanted to go.

If you can afford premium seats on the 787 then definitely direct as we found it a brilliant way to get to Florida and it counted as part of the holiday. Don’t know what the normal seats are like but have done stopovers in the past and never found them particularly enjoyable.

I do t think the budget will stretch to premium seats ..unless those 6 numbers come up

We are having the same dilemma, Qatar with the stop over or TUI direct, we have a 2 year old so none stop is a bit daunting plus TUI are morning flights where as Qatar are evening flights so my idea is that I'd make her a little bed up with her head on me and she would sleep the first leg then be awake most of the next leg then when when we arrive be ready for bed again. The stop overs are only 1.5 hours so enough to stretch our legs but not be waiting around. From reading reviews there is no comparison between TUI and Qatar who are the number 1 airline in the world, food, seats, entertainment and the staff being far better. My partner has been spoilt by flying business class with work so he is hating the idea of economy but I refuse to pay £12k to go business class. I'd rather have 4 more holidays.

Just a little tip for people saying that they are stingy with drinks on the Dreamliner. First time I flew with them I thought the same. Since flown with them many many times and have learnt to ask for drinks. Either ding the bell or I normally walk down to the back to stretch my legs and get a drink. They gladly give you drinks for free, alcoholic and none alcoholic. Also they will give you more than one at once if you say you’d like more. I find flying very dehydrating and one drink with a meal certainly isn’t enough. The attendants have always been very polite and accommodating.

Also don’t forget to ask for a blanket and pillow

Take the direct flight!

There is absolutely nothing special about the Dreamliner. Actually, the few times I have flown on it I hated every flight.

For me Emirates wins hands down

Just a little tip for people saying that they are stingy with drinks on the Dreamliner. First time I flew with them I thought the same. Since flown with them many many times and have learnt to ask for drinks. Either ding the bell or I normally walk down to the back to stretch my legs and get a drink. They gladly give you drinks for free, alcoholic and none alcoholic. Also they will give you more than one at once if you say you’d like more

This depends on the airline, not the aircraft

Sorry I meant on the Dreamliner, flying with Tui. And I agree, I don’t think there’s anything special about it either! A few friends have been jealous when I’ve told them I’m flying on it but I really don’t understand the hype!

I don't think it is down to airline or plane but personal preference on direct or not . We are just 2 adults travelling so it doesn't really matter but if we was taking children I think a stop over would be favourable.

have learnt to ask for drinks. Either ding the bell or I normally walk down to the back to stretch my legs and get a drink.

I routinely fly long haul. Admittedly you get more proactive service in bus class; but even so, if I am thirsty or peckish, I have no reason to ding my bell to get served when the galley is only ever a few steps away.

I think charter airlines like Tui do have a different level of service to "traditional" airlines though - they do seem to cram more passengers into the same space and offer a less frills service.

We have had a recommendation for a hotel in Patong called 'Bauman residence ' it has mixed reviews has anybody stayed or been in the area ? Thanks

If it’s a special birthday go direct but go Business or Premium economy. With business it would be a lot more soevusl, you get s lie flat bed and champagne. Stopping off just wastes time and is a bit of a pain. Economy is not great for 10-13 hours and there isn’t any way to make it a dream!

More special!

Even though it's a special occasion I dont think the budget will stretch to business class...although I could leave my partner in economy ;-)

I would go through the reviews, you generally get a good idea of what it's like and more important, check out the traveller photo's on Tripadvisor rather than the management pics. For me it looks a bit basic and not in an area I'd like to stay but we all have different ideas of what we like.

How many of you are travelling? If only 2 then reserve seats on the upstairs on the dreamliner. Instead of the 3-5-3 seat configuration they are 2-3-2, so you'd get a window and an aisle seat, as well as a storage bit at the window, much more comfortable, if like me you hate sitting in the dreaded middle seat!