SkyTeam member China Eastern Airlines brings us a deal today from London to Chiang Mai starting at £463 (~€530). This fare includes 23kg checked luggage. Departures are available from March to June.
Our availability calendar highlights all possible flight dates at the lowest price for trips up to 28 days. It will forward you to Kayak with your selected flight dates.
First, you will fly from London to China with China Eastern on a Boeing 777 with a 3-4-3 configuration, and for the flights from Shanghai to Chiang Mai, you will fly with China Eastern on an Airbus 320 family with a 3-3 configuration. On some dates, you may have to fly to or from Gatwick for one leg and the other leg from Heathrow, but almost all dates for £463 (~€530) in June are round trips from Gatwick.
Search & Book
This deal will expire on April 15, 2024 but tickets can sell out before that date. A minimum stay of six days, and a maximum stay of three months applies. Available dates are between March and June.
You can find suitable dates using our calendar above or with the help of Google Flights. We recommend booking directly on China Eastern’s website, but you can find cheaper prices with Kayak. However, booking on OTAs has its downsides.
Why is booking with an airline better than with an online travel agency?
More often than not, online travel agencies offer lower fares than airlines do. We still recommend booking with the airlines directly. There are two main reasons for that:
Better Customer Service
In case any problems like delays, cancellations or missed connections arise, you can communicate directly with the airline. The airline has to take care of you because you have a contract with them.
If a travel agency issues your ticket, you may have to reach out to them first. You also depend on your OTA to forward information like flight changes instead of receiving them directly from the airline. In many cases, you may get a prime exhibition of responsibility shifting rather than problem-solving.
This especially applies to premium tickets. You don’t want to spend more than €1,000 to wind up with some budget OTA’s telephone hotline in case anything goes wrong.
Baggage and Other Fees
Economy fares not including hold luggage are industry standard by now. In most cases, travel agencies charge much higher baggage fees than the airlines themselves. If bags are not included in your fare, airlines are often the cheaper alternative.
This also applies to other things like food services, insurances or priority treatment. In almost all cases, you pay less for additional amenities when booking on the airlines’ website.
Mileage
This ticket is issued in booking class Z. Here are the miles and points you can earn from this deal:
- 4,448 Miles on Aeromexico Club Premier
- 3,706 RDM + 740 MQD on Delta SkyMiles
- 3,706 Points on SAS EuroBonus
- 3,706 Award Miles + 70 Tier Points on Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- Customize Calculation
Destination
Information & Tips for Thailand
Thailand is famous for its vibrant cities, beautiful beaches, and rich cultural heritage. Key sights include the Grand Palace and Wat Pho in Bangkok, the ancient city of Ayutthaya, and the islands of Phuket and Koh Samui. The currency is the Thai baht (THB), and while credit cards are commonly accepted in tourist areas, cash is often preferred in local markets. The cost of living is generally low, with budget accommodations and street food available, but prices can rise in more touristy areas. The weather is tropical, with a hot, rainy season from May to October and a cooler, dry season from November to February.
Getting around Thailand is fairly easy, with a mix of modern and traditional options. In cities like Bangkok, public transport includes the Skytrain (BTS), metro (MRT), and river ferries, which are convenient but can get crowded. Taxis and motorbike taxis are also widely available. For intercity travel, buses and trains are common and affordable, though train journeys can be slow. Domestic flights are frequent and often the fastest way to travel longer distances, especially to popular islands or northern regions. However, traffic congestion in urban areas can be a challenge, particularly during rush hours.
We’ve compared various esim providers, such as Nomad, Airhub, and RedteaGO. To see which plan is best for your travel needs and which network offers the best coverage, feel free to read our detailed guide:
The Best eSIM Plans for Thailand 🇹🇭 Compared (Bangkok, Phuket…)
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