Discount fares to Thailand

In the wake of last year’s tsunami that devastated the Thai coast, airlines and hoteliers have rolled out deep discount deals to lure travelers back, and one of the latest comes from Malaysia Airlines.

The airline is selling round-trip economy passage from Los Angeles International or Newark's Liberty International Airport to Bangkok and the island of Phuket for $699.

To take advantage of this deal, purchase tickets before January 31. You'll have to travel between January 9 and May 31, 2006. This discount airfare is classed as an "adult net fare". There is no discount for children. The price does not include approximately $165 per ticket in taxes and fees, nor does it include the cost of any applicable fuel surcharge.

There is no minimum stay requirement and the maximum is three months.

Malaysia Airlines flies from Los Angeles to the carrier's hub at ultra-modern Kuala Lumpur International five times per week: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. From Kuala Lumpur, connect to Bangkok or Phuket. There are three weekly round-trips from Newark to Kuala Lumpur. Flights to Malaysia Airlines' hub depart at Newark on Mondays, Thursday, and Saturdays.

Asian airlines have been perhaps the most service-intensive and Malaysia Airlines is a good example of this. It is one of just four 5-star carriers in the world, and flies to more than 100 destinations.

For the past three years, Independent Skytrax Research has ranked Malaysia Airlines as possessing the world's best cabin staff. While all sorts or plaudits are lavished on airlines' front-of-the airplane service, Skytrax also rates the airline as having the best economy class.

For an airline that flies long, trans-oceanic, distances, that kind of praise can make a difference.

© Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler