We checked in our 30 kilo bag with Everest gear and such at the China Airlines desk. They have recently moved their operations from the A concourse to the S Satellite, and our gate was S2. Got to the gate around 30 minutes before boarding. They boarded first and business class passengers first, then boarded economy from the rear forward. We were one of the last to board, and settled into the window seat on the right side of the aircraft (2-4-2 configuration). Taxied to runway 16L. There were no other aircraft in line so we got on the runway and gunned the throttles. Long takeoff roll, around 45 seconds, before lifting off climbing away from Seattle towards Taipei.
Route took us off over the Olympic Mountains and up Vancouver Island towards Alaska. We hugged the Alaskan coast and the Aleutian Chain. We slept quite comfortably, and before we knew it, we were starting descent into TPE. It was almost a straight in approach to runway 24, with a nice smooth touchdown and no extremely hard braking. We taxied for a few minutes to our gate, and joined the long line for immigration.
Line for immigration at TPE.
March 27, 2007
China Airlines Flight 693
Boeing 747-400 (B-18251)
Depart: Taipei Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) 09:40am
Arrive: Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) 12:20pm
Load Factor: 100%
Cruising Altitude: FL380
Seat: 28A (economy)
After passing through immigration, we had a few hours to kill. We walked all around TPE, which took exactly one hour and 20 minutes to do. Those terminals are long! However, it was getting time to load onto our plane after this, so we headed over to our gate to find a beautiful China Airlines 747-400 waiting for us.
After boarding, we taxied out towards runway 23 ahead of a United 777-200ER, heading one of many potential United destinations. We took a video of the powerful takeoff from TPE.
We climbed nearly straight out towards BKK. We were excited to see the new airport, and groaned as we heard it was 95 degrees F in Bangkok. This was a very quick flight. Maybe that was just the perception seeing as we had just gotten off a 14 hour flight, but who knows. The F/As were wonderful to us, and before we knew it, we were descending.
We got to follow the video on the airplane, seeing lots of Thai scenery on the way in. Touchdown was quite smooth on runway 19R.
The Bangkok airport was absolutely beautiful! Wonderful architecture, spacious, and screens to protect from the heat! It was quite nice!
Airport Diagram.
We spent the night in Bangkok on China Airline's expense, as there was no later flight out of BKK for KTM. The next day, we came back for our flight to KTM.
March 28, 2007
Thai Airways International Flight 319
Boeing 777-200 (HS-TJH)
Depart: Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) 10:40am
Gate C3
Arrive: Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) 12:45pm
Load Factor: 100%
Cruising Altitude: FL380
Seat: 36K
We boarded the beautiful 777, and settled into our seats. There was a nice large screen in the middle of the plane, no PTVs. All China Airlines flights had PTVs, Thai's did not. We taxied to runway 19R and took off. We filmed a video from the nosewheel camera (I think) from takeoff.
This was very smoggy day in KTM. Not a lot of visibility, but the pilot banked that thing like it was a Cessna, bringing it in to KTM runway 20. Nice smooth landing, then comes the immigration from hell.
KTM is a horrible international gateway, especially if you are not Nepalese. There are many many checkpoints, and not many guards. There is one line for the Nepalese, and one line for everybody else. There are literally two guards working the international line for around 200 international passengers. It took us, I kid you not, around two hours to get off the plane and through security to Kathmandu. It was atrocious. Passengers going to KTM, just pray you're off the plane first and thus the first to immigration.
We drove to Kathmandu city and checked into the Yak and Yeti Hotel. This is the nicest hotel in all of Kathmandu, and most of the Everest trekkers stay here. We couldn't wait to go to Lukla three days later.
There was a helicopter that took much of the gear to Lukla before us, but we got to fly the Yeti Airlines DeHavilland DHC6 Twin Otter! This was going to be awesome! We got to the airport at around 7:00am to the commuter terminal where lots of people were waiting to go to Lukla.
The chartered helicopter.
The terminal in the Kathmandu Airport.
Then the bad news. There were clouds all over Lukla, and we couldn't depart on time. Nepalese Aviators have a saying...don't fly into the clouds, there are mountains in the clouds! We needed a clear day to get out of KTM and into LUK, but we didn't have that. We waited and waited until around 3pm, then we finally loaded the plane and got ready to depart.
The humerous flight board.
Loading up the Twotter.
The cockpit.
Finally, we taxied out to the runway and took off.
Then, about ten minutes into the flight, we turn around. We are heading back to Kathmandu. A Yeti Airlines correspondent in Lukla reported it was unsafe to fly in there. So we turn around and head back to KTM. That is one less day of acclimitization now we don't have.
The confused/annoyed personnel/passengers.
Oh well. Better safe than sorry, of course. We unloaded all the gear, and returned to the Yak and Yeti Hotel. Tomorrow will be better.
The next day, we return to KTM. It is a beautiful day, and it looks like we'll be getting to Lukla! Who hoo!
Our boarding pass.
A Dornier DO228 also going to Lukla.
The new message board.
The KTM tarmac.
Our new captain and the cockpit.
The beautiful mountains.
That white stuff is mountains blowing off the snow, not clouds.
30 minutes later, we dodged through a few more mountains, and a tiny little airstrip showed up.
This landing was amazing. Smooth as silk, into a 9000 foot high one way 1500 foot runway. Makes Courchevel look like a walk in the park. Only the DO228 and the Twin Otter have good enough performance to get into these airstrips.
The beautiful Lukla.
We then hiked to the Mt. Everest base camp. This was one hell of a trek, and we stopped in Namche Bazaar and a few other places. After two days on base camp, we turned around and walked back to Lukla.
More Lukla pictures.
Here is a great idea of what a takeoff at Lukla looks like.
We loaded up quickly (the right engine was still running the whole time), and we got on and rocketed out of there. A female pilot took us smoothly back to Kathmandu.
April 19, 2007
Thai Airways International Flight 320
Boeing 777-200 (HS-TJE)
Depart: Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) 1:50pm
Arrive: Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) 6:20pm
Load Factor: 100%
Cruising Altitude: FL370
Seat: 40A (economy)
It was time to return to Seattle. We arrived quite early to Kathmandu, went through about one million security checkpoints, and not a lot of room to work with other passengers. Finally, they called boarding and we went towards our triple seven.
There she is!
Antonov AN124 on the tarmac at Kathmandu.
Qatar A300 coming from Doha.
We rocketed out of KTM, with thunder clouds around us stretching high into the heavens. The captain, like the one coming into KTM, maneuvered that thing around like a cessna. Landing back in Bangkok was smooth and nice, as we waited 24 hours for our flight to Taipei.
Another example of the beauty in Suvarnabhumi.
April 20, 2007
China Airlines Flight 66
Boeing 747-400 (B-18208)
Depart: Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) 08:25am
Arrive: Taipei Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) 1:00pm
Load Factor: 100%
Cruising Altitude: FL390
Seat: 5K (Business Class, First Row Top Deck)
We arrived back at Bangkok, and checked in at the China Airlines counter. Time for a nice surprise. Y class was full, so we got bumped up to Business Class!!! Top of the B747, with access cards to the lounge. Wow! We were quite grateful, but tried to get bumped up to business for the TPE-SEA route (as we are both big guys), but no can do. Oh well. At least one business class leg is better than none.
We took off, and the F/As brought out linen and silverware for the meal service in business class! Holy crap!! This is much different than the American carriers. But hey, I'm not complaining. We watched Blood Diamond on the PTV, which was a good movie, yet quite violent. Shortly thereafter, we started descending into TPE.
Some overview shots of Taipei.
Touchdown was quite nice, and immigration was quick and painless. There was another 3 hours to kill, so we walked around the airport again. We arrived early back at the gate, as it was time to go home.
April 20, 2007
China Airlines Flight 16
Airbus A340-300 (B-18805)
Depart: Taipei Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) 4:20pm (4:20 on 4:20 (I don't smoke pot, by the way, I am a pilot for Christ's Sake!)
Arrive: Seattle International Airport (SEA) 12:25pm
Load Factor: 100% (good to see for the route!)
Cruising Altitude: FL350
Seat: 9A
We taxied out to runway 23, and took a nice long time before climbing into the sky away from Taipei. Went out over the Aleutian Islands again, and down the coast of Alaska. We watched two Cate Blanchet movies, Notes on a Scandal and The Good German. Both were fun and enjoyable. I was also able to sleep for five hours, which was wonderous! After waking up, we were around Vancouver Island out over the Pacific Ocean.
We came in over the Tatoosh VOR in Northwest Washington. Before making a few clever turns to get lined up with SeaTac. We flew straight in to runway 16C, with a nice smooth touchdown. I even saw my two sons and my dog waiting at the water tower a few seconds before touchdown (the water tower is a good spotting place at SEA). Immigraton was quick and painless, even though Northwest Airlines flight 86 from NRT arrived a few minutes earlier. Man, those A340s sure are comfortable for a long flight over the oceans.
Hope you enjoyed reading my report! Thanks for reading!
IcLCY From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2006, 207 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (1 year 8 months 3 weeks 2 days 1 hour ago) and read 3338 times:
Quoting Thepilot (Thread starter): KTM is a horrible international gateway, especially if you are not Nepalese. There are many many checkpoints, and not many guards. There is one line for the Nepalese, and one line for everybody else. There are literally two guards working the international line for around 200 international passengers. It took us, I kid you not, around two hours to get off the plane and through security to Kathmandu. It was atrocious. Passengers going to KTM, just pray you're off the plane first and thus the first to immigration.
I've been to KTM a fair few times for trekking & projects, always through DOH on QR & have never waited more than 20 mins. Recieved nothing but a friendly welcome from everyone. Lines tend to be longer for those that get their visa in advance. I always print off & complete the visa form before at home then all thats needed to do is fill out landing form & pay the fee & away you go. It always makes me laugh to see those who got visa's in advance running to immigration only to find a queue, I always wave as I sail through, no hassle, no queue!
Airlinebrat From United States, joined Jan 2005, 500 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (1 year 8 months 3 weeks 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 3045 times:
Quoting N174UA (Reply 8): Well I won't waste any time....I'll nominate this for best trip report of 2007!
I'll second that!! The pictures and video of Lukla were stunning. The new BKK looks expansive.
I am starting to think about another trip to Asia next winter or spring. Perhaps China with a rail trip over Tanggula Pass to Lhasa, Tibet then down to Nepal. After seeing this report and pictures, I think I have to go.
I'm leavin on a jet plane. Don't know when I'll be back again....
AirCop From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 10, posted (1 year 8 months 3 weeks 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 2954 times:
Great pictures; one question why did you have to clear immigration in Taipei? My wife and I took the China #7 overnight from LAX and connected to the same flight to BKK, we just went to the transfer desk, and that was it. Did you have any complaints with China? I didn't, but I understand after writing my trip report, some people here avoid China at all costs.
Thepilot From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 12, posted (1 year 8 months 3 weeks 1 day 18 hours ago) and read 2887 times:
Quoting TurkishWings (Reply 4): This has to one of the best TRs on A.net.. I enjoyed every bit of it.. Thanks a lot for sharing...
Quoting N174UA (Reply 8): Well I won't waste any time....I'll nominate this for best trip report of 2007!
Quoting Airlinebrat (Reply 9): I'll second that!! The pictures and video of Lukla were stunning. The new BKK looks expansive.
Wow, thank you very much for those kind words! I am very glad you enjoyed it!
Quoting AirCop (Reply 10): Great pictures; one question why did you have to clear immigration in Taipei? My wife and I took the China #7 overnight from LAX and connected to the same flight to BKK, we just went to the transfer desk, and that was it. Did you have any complaints with China? I didn't, but I understand after writing my trip report, some people here avoid China at all costs.
I am sorry, I mixed up Bangkok and Taipei. In Taipei, the entire ternimal was international, so there was no going through immigration, since it was just a transfer. Sorry that wasn't made more clear.
China Airlines was great. Definetely will fly them again. There was a business class upgrade, so yeah, it was great. Economy product was better than the American carriers, but was cattle class none the less. Don't know why people want to avoid China Airlines. It would be interesting to fly Eva out of SEA next time, to compare the products. The 747 is also significantly faster than the A340. But the A340 was outrageously comfortable. The 2-4-2 configuration is wonderful.
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From , joined Dec 1969, posts, 
Top of the B747, with access cards to the lounge. Wow! We were quite grateful, but tried to get bumped up to business for the TPE-SEA route (as we are both big guys), but no can do. Oh well. At least one business class leg is better than none.
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