I’ll be flying out of Chicago to Bangkok next month. It doesn’t look like I can make the trip directly (I don’t know if there is a direct flight or not…wish there was, but can’t seem to see it on my company travel website).
My choices for making a connection appear to be Tokyo (1 1/2 hour layover), Shanghai (2 1/2 hour layover), or Hong Kong (1 hour layover). Which of these three would be the best choice for me (a midwest USA person with no foreign language skills).
I’d be looking at ease of travel within the airport, with as little hassle as possible…with respect to language, or signage, or confusing layout, etc.
I can’t imagine how you’d have a problem in any one of those airports. You’ll find English signs in all of them, and it’s not like there’s anything so difficult about getting from one gate to another that would create a problem you’d need to worry about. I think you’d have more problems traveling around Bangkok than any of those airports.
But I think Hong Kong has the nicest airport of the bunch. My only reservation is that 1 hr isn’t a heck of a lot of a layover.
I’ve not been to any of those airports, though I have been to Osaka, Beijing, and the old Hong Kong airport. As an English-speaker passing through, I doubt if you will have any problems. All relevant signs will be in English as well as in the local language(s), and any information desk will have at least one person speaking English. I’d make my choice based on time, and perhaps also on what airline you would be using.
JAL direct to Tokyo, layover at fine hotel on their dime, including meals, boarding pass at hotel checkout, arrive Bangkok feeling much more refreshed and less jet lagged.
You save time on the non stop part, (I was, most often, coming from Toronto into Chicago to make this connection and then also going on from Bangkok) which is why I was always shopping for this flight, but arriving less jetlagged is not to be understated either.
JAL is a great airline to fly. Gentlest entry to Asia in this travelers experience. If you like sushi you’ll be in heaven.
Skip the European breakfast and go with the Asian offering, much more edible.