EVA Air flights from Los Angeles to Bangkok take off from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and touch down at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK). Flights need to cover over 8,200 miles, with an average total flight time of 17 hours. All journeys will require a brief stopover en route, which will almost always be in Taipei (EVA Air's global hub). Travelers can expect at least nine flights per day, and over 60 weekly departures, with peaks in tourist numbers between November and March.
Located about 15 miles south-west of central Los Angeles, LAX is the world's third-busiest airport, serving over 80 million passengers every year - from backpackers to Hollywood icons. EVA Air's services use the airport's Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT), which offers plenty of places to dine, shop for essentials, and has excellent transport connections to LA via highways and FlyAway buses.
Suvarnabhumi Airport is Bangkok's premier airport, and is the 11th-busiest in Asia, dealing with about 60 million travelers annually. The airport has a single terminal, making arrivals simpler, and is about 19 miles east of Bangkok's central neighborhoods. Within Arrivals, there are places to eat, ATMs, on-site WiFi, along with numerous options for onward travel.
Flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to Bangkok (BKK) with EVA Air aren't a matter of hopping from LA to San Francisco. Instead, Los Angeles and Bangkok are separated by over 8,000 miles of Pacific Ocean. Stops will also be required along the way, as EVA Air doesn't fly direct on this route, which means that total journey times range from 17 hours to over 30 hours.
Flight times may vary a little, but generally travelers will find around 6-9 flights with journey times of under 22 hours, as well as a few outliers which take between 22 and 33 hours. Services depart daily, so there should be a flight to suit most traveler's schedule.
EVA Air offers year-round services, so all occasions should be covered. Peak tourist season tends to last from November through March. There may also be spikes in the number of visitors in April when Thailand celebrates Songkran (New Year).
EVA Air (or Evergreen Airways) is based in Taoyuan City on the island of Taiwan. Founded in 1989, the company serves over 40 locations - mainly in the Asia Pacific region. Its fleet includes Airbus and Boeing planes, and the company has an excellent safety record, with no accidents since it started flying in 1991.
EVA specializes in premium, 5-star services, offering comfortable landside and on-board experiences. The company provides at least nine indirect flights from LAX to BKK every day. Most services leave shortly before midnight, although there should also be mid-morning departures.
Flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to Bangkok (BKK) with EVA Air cover a range of classes, from Economy to First Class. Meals can be pre-ordered 24 hours before traveling, and include vegetarian meals, options for special diets, religious meals, and food for infants as well.
On the ground, both LAX and BKK offer a premium experience for travelers. For instance, EVA Air passengers can use the Star Alliance lounge at TBIT, which offers terrace dining, comfortable seating, and work spaces. Unlimited WiFi is available as well, although customers will need to renew their connection in 45-minute sessions.
BKK also offers free WiFi connectivity, making it easier to arrange taxis or accommodation upon arrival. Services at Arrivals are fairly basic, but there will be a place to grab a coffee or a bite to eat, and plenty of options for continuing journeys.
Getting to LAX should be fairly easy. FlyAway buses run from Van Nuys, Hollywood, Union Station, and Long Beach, while the Green Line of LA's MetroLink network runs to nearby Avalon LAX Station. From there, travelers can take free shuttles to the departure terminals. Alternatively, ride share apps like Uber and private taxis are available, while numerous parking lots cater for self-driving travelers.
Upon arrival at BKK, travelers will have a few options. They can take the Airport Rail Link, which runs into central Bangkok in around 40 minutes via Phaya Thai station. Buses 551, 552, and 554 also run from the airport's Transportation Center, offering cheaper transfers. Taxi services run from the Transportation Center, so a shuttle ride will be needed. Expect transfers to take 30-40 minutes in most cases. Finally, car rental companies like Budget and Avis are present in the terminal and could be the ideal option for vacationers.
All American visitors to Bangkok will need a US passport, which is valid for at least six months after arrival. No visa will be needed, but a valid return ticket is essential. When traveling between LA and Bangkok, keep in mind that Thailand is 14 hours ahead of the US west coast, so set any watches or mobile phone clocks accordingly, and try to prepare a few days beforehand.
The weather will also need some adaptation. Bangkok tends to be a lot more humid and wet than Los Angeles. Temperatures rarely dip below 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and April is the hottest month of all, when temperatures average around 89 degrees. There's also a rainy season between July and October, when it's essential to have protective clothing when seeing the sights.
Learning some Thai will be an advantage, although most people in tourist areas speak some English. The same applies to behavior. Thais tend to dress smartly in public and taking off shoes inside homes and temples is expected. Be sure not to criticize the monarchy, and be friendly, but not too friendly. For example, it's poor manners to touch a Thai person's head, and that applies to statues as much as human beings.
See the Grand Palace
Hands down Bangkok's premier historical attraction, the Grand Palace is home to the beautiful Jade Buddha statue, and has been the official residence of Thai kings since 1782 (but it's totally open for tourists to explore). Be sure to dress smart when visiting and enlist a guide to make sure you don't miss any little details.
Do some floating shopping
In Bangkok, the markets aren't always on land. In fact, the most famous of the city's shopping neighborhoods is Damnoen Saduak, where the vendors sell their wares from boats that are crammed with fruit, flowers, and fish. There are even floating noodle restaurants, offering fresh, delicious food for shoppers to devour.
Go temple hopping
Bangkok is filled with stunning Buddhist temples, most of which contain magnificent statues of the Buddha himself. The Golden Buddha of Wat Traimit (whose origins are a mystery), the massive Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, and the elegant Wat Suthat are all unmissable highlights.