Deal alert: $1,200 premium economy flights to Thailand

Traveling to Thailand has gotten a lot easier over the last month as the country has loosened some of its COVID-19 testing requirements for vaccinated travelers. Now, some airlines are making the decision to book a trip to the country even easier with significant bargains on premium economy tickets later this year and early next year.

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Normally, a premium economy round-trip flight to Bangkok (BKK) can cost between $1,600 and $1,900, and sometimes well over $2,000. We found airlines offering fares for as little as $1,200 between this summer and February 2023.

The deals are primarily being offered by Singapore Airlines and a combination of Oneworld partners American and Japan Airlines, including, on some itineraries, a seat on board the world’s longest commercial flight.

Scott’s Cheap Flights, which offers a premium membership that alerts readers to discounted fares for $49 a year, alerted us to this deal.

Related: A country-by-country guide to coronavirus reopenings

Deal Basics

Airlines: American, Japan, Singapore
Routes: DFW/EWR/IAH/JFK/LAX/LGA/PHX and others to BKK
How to book: Directly through the airlines or through Google Flights
Travel dates: July 2022 — February 2023

Sample Flights

The deals are for premium economy tickets are available out of several major U.S. international hubs, including the New York area’s John F. Kennedy (JFK) and Newark Liberty International (EWR) airports, as well as Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) and Los Angeles (LAX).

All of the flights we researched were between $1,100 and $1,300 for a round-trip, premium economy ticket.

The long-haul flights on Singapore Airlines departing out of the New York area are on board an Airbus A350-900URL, which TPG has ranked among the best premium economy cabins, which includes 97 recliner seats in premium economy.

The longest leg of the trip out of LAX is on board a Boeing 787, while the leg out of DFW includes a 13-hour flight on board a Boeing 777.

As an example, one potential itinerary for $1,208 involves an Oct. 12 departure from JFK on Singapore Airlines on board the longest commercial flight in the world to Singapore’s Changi Airport. After a layover of slightly less than two hours, the trek concludes with a two hour, 25 minute flight to Bangkok.

A return trip booked one week later includes another two-plus hour flight from Bangkok to Singapore, with a longer overnight layover of about 12 hours, followed by another 18 hour, 40 minute flight from SIN to JFK aboard an Airbus A350.

(Screenshot courtesy of Google flights)

We found similar-priced itineraries out of other major U.S. airports involved a combination of American and Japan Airlines, which can all be booked as part of one itinerary thanks to both airlines being part of the Oneworld Alliance.

A Nov. 3 departure out of LAX involves a 12-hour flight on board a Boeing 787, followed by over an eight hour layover at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, and then a seven-hour overnight flight to Bangkok aboard another 787 for $1,175 round trip.

(Screenshot courtesy of Google flights)

We found similar deals out of MIA, IAH and PHX, although some itineraries may involve two layovers in each direction.

Depending on the itinerary, the bargains begin between July and September this year, and appear to be available pretty consistently into January and February of next year.

Related: Why it's a good idea to book travel now

Maximize Your Purchase

Pay with: The Platinum Card® from American Express for 5 points per dollar on airfare booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), the Citi Prestige® Card for 5 points per dollar on airfare, the Citi Premier® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve for 3 points per dollar on air travel, the American Express® Gold Card for 3 points per dollar on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel, or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card for 2 points per dollar on travel.

The information for the Citi Prestige has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Bottom Line

At a time when many countries are beginning to relax testing and quarantine restrictions following the omicron surge, now is a good opportunity to book a flight with extra legroom and perks to Thailand at a fraction of what you would normally pay. You might even get to cross a trip on the world’s longest commercial flight’ off your bucket list in the process.