Superdeals: 40–80% off flights from North America to Thailand

Direct flight routes to Thailand

Currently there are no non-stop flights between North America and Thailand. All routes require at least one connection.

Layover/stopover options

Tokyo Narita/Haneda (NRT/HND) – JAL and ANA offer connections with typical layover times of 2-4 hours. Modern facilities with excellent transportation to city center for longer layovers.

Seoul Incheon (ICN) – Korean Air and Asiana provide extensive connections. Average connection time 3 hours. Free transit tours available for layovers over 6 hours.

Taipei (TPE) – EVA Air and China Airlines operate frequent flights with 2-3 hour connections. Known for efficient transit processes and excellent airport lounges.

Hong Kong (HKG) – Cathay Pacific offers reliable connections. Typical layover time 3-4 hours. Outstanding shopping and dining options during longer layovers.

Dubai (DXB) – Emirates provides connections with average 4-hour layovers. Massive terminal with extensive amenities and possible stopover packages.

Time vs money

Routes with longer layovers or multiple stops typically offer lower fares. Premium carriers through major Asian hubs generally command higher prices but provide better service and reliability.

Tips and recommendations

• Book layovers of at least 3 hours when transiting through major Asian hubs to account for potential delays.


• Consider overnight layovers in Seoul or Tokyo to break up the journey and explore another destination.


• Flights connecting through Tokyo or Seoul typically offer better on-time performance than other hubs.


• Book multi-carrier itineraries through online travel agencies to access better routing options and sometimes lower fares.


• Avoid connections requiring terminal changes in large hubs like Beijing or Shanghai.

• Korean Air’s Seattle-Seoul-Bangkok route offers excellent value with fares typically 15-20% below market average and generous 34″ pitch in economy. The airline’s A330-300 features upgraded economy cabin with better recline than competitors, while their hub in Seoul provides convenient 2-hour connections. Bonus: you can add a free stopover in Seoul in either direction.
• Flying Japan Airlines via Tokyo-Narita from Vancouver or Los Angeles provides premium economy seats at near-economy prices if booked 6-8 months ahead. Their 787-9 aircraft offers industry-leading 33″ pitch even in regular economy, and the carrier consistently ranks highest in transpacific service quality. Connection times in Narita are efficiently scheduled at under 2 hours.
• For West Coast travelers, EVA Air’s departure from San Francisco offers a sweet spot in premium economy pricing, often just $300-400 more than regular economy for significantly better comfort. Their Boeing 777-300ER features excellent cabin air quality and humidity control, while Taipei hub provides fast connections to Bangkok with total journey times under 19 hours.
• Consider Turkish Airlines from Toronto or Chicago for competitive fares and superior catering, with prices often 25% below Asian carriers. While total journey time is longer via Istanbul, the airline offers free stopover packages including hotel stays, and their A350 aircraft features new economy seats with enhanced cushioning.
• For East Coast departures, Emirates via Dubai from Boston or New York frequently offers promotional fares that match or beat Asian carriers. Their A380 economy cabin provides 32-34″ pitch and industry-leading entertainment systems, while Dubai’s ultra-efficient hub ensures connection times under 3 hours to Bangkok.

1. Booking direct flights only Many travelers overlook more affordable and comfortable options via Seoul, Tokyo, or Taipei that can save hundreds of dollars and often provide better service through Asian carriers like Korean Air, JAL, or EVA Air.
2. Flying into Pattaya or Phuket first Landing at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) typically offers more competitive fares and better connection options to other Thai destinations than flying directly to secondary airports.
3. Traveling during Songkran Booking flights during Thailand’s New Year celebration (mid-April) means paying premium prices and dealing with overwhelming crowds both at airports and throughout the country.
4. Tight connections at BKK Not allowing enough time (at least 3 hours) for immigration and connecting flights at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport can result in missed connections due to notoriously long immigration queues.
5. Last-minute summer bookings Waiting to book flights for June-August travel can result in paying up to 40% more than booking 4-6 months in advance, as this is peak season for North American travelers.

EVA Air

Best for: Consistently high service quality and comfortable seating even in Economy Class.

Serves 11 North American cities to Bangkok, with Seattle, Los Angeles, and New York (JFK) being the major hubs. EVA Air offers generous 34-inch seat pitch in Economy, above-average meal quality, and well-timed layovers in Taipei averaging 2-3 hours. Their Economy Class consistently ranks among top 10 worldwide, with passenger satisfaction rate at 85%.

Korean Air

Best for: Most extensive route network from North America to Thailand with excellent entertainment options.

Operating from 13 North American cities including Los Angeles, New York (JFK), and Vancouver as primary departure points. Their Seoul Incheon hub provides efficient 2-4 hour connections to Bangkok. Economy seats feature 33-inch pitch and adjustable headrests. Passengers particularly praise their Korean and Western meal options and extensive movie selection in English.

Japan Airlines (JAL)

Best for: Superior meal quality and exceptional customer service in Economy Class.

Connects 8 North American cities to Bangkok, mainly through Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York (JFK). JAL’s Sky Wider Economy seats offer 33-34 inch pitch and increased width. Their Tokyo layover is well-organized, typically 2-3 hours. Their economy meal service receives highest ratings among Asian carriers, and they maintain a 90% on-time performance record.

All Nippon Airways (ANA)

Best for: Most comfortable Economy Class seats among airlines serving Thailand routes.

Services 10 North American cities, with Chicago, Los Angeles, and Vancouver as major gateways. Features an industry-leading 34-inch seat pitch in Economy and innovative leg support system. Tokyo layovers are efficiently timed at 2-3 hours. Their Economy Class catering includes both Japanese and International options, and they consistently receive above 80% positive passenger reviews.

Using regional Asian carriers to save on Thailand flights

Leveraging regional Asian airlines can significantly reduce costs when flying to Thailand from North America, but requires strategic planning and flexibility.

Key strategy components

1. Split your journey – Book separate tickets: one from North America to a major Asian hub (Tokyo, Seoul, or Singapore), and another from there to Thailand using a regional carrier
2. Target budget-friendly hubs – Focus on airports served by low-cost carriers like AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, or Scoot. Singapore and Kuala Lumpur are particularly good connection points
3. Build in buffer time – Allow at least 6 hours between flights when booking separate tickets to account for delays and immigration

Money-saving considerations

Regional carriers often offer promotional fares that can slash connection costs by 50-70%. Airlines like AirAsia frequently run sales for routes to Bangkok or Phuket for under $100 one-way from Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. Combining these deals with competitive transpacific fares to major Asian hubs can result in total savings of $300-600 compared to single-ticket options.

This approach works best when booking 4-6 months ahead and traveling during shoulder season (May-June, September-October).