For probably our North American members.  My daughter needs to go to New York next month (she will stay about 10 days), so a few questions.

-I would like recommendations on which is the best way to travel...East via Tokyo or HK/TPE or West via Dubai/Doha.  Basically which is the best direction to travel due to time changes etc.

-I would only want one stopover in probably either of the places mentioned above.

-Not bothered so much on price, so only reliable airlines. (she will be flying economy).

Any info or ideas from any members would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Usually hkg via cathay pacific is the quickest 

33 minutes ago, thainet said:

For probably our North American members.  My daughter needs to go to New York next month (she will stay about 10 days), so a few questions.

-I would like recommendations on which is the best way to travel...East via Tokyo or HK/TPE or West via Dubai/Doha.  Basically which is the best direction to travel due to time changes etc.

-I would only want one stopover in probably either of the places mentioned above.

-Not bothered so much on price, so only reliable airlines. (she will be flying economy).

Any info or ideas from any members would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Flying westbound is much easier on the body adjusting to the time change. I would say BKK-DXB-JFK, then JFK westbound on the return trip. The only thing crossing the dateline you "lose" a day. 

4 minutes ago, freedom42 said:

Flying westbound is much easier on the body adjusting to the time change. I would say BKK-DXB-JFK, then JFK westbound on the return trip. The only thing crossing the dateline you "lose" a day. 

And here is the reason why
Which Direction Is Easier for Jet Lag: Bangkok to New York or New York to Bangkok?
Traveling from Bangkok to New York (westward) is generally easier on the body for jet lag than flying from New York to Bangkok (eastward). Here’s why:
The Science Behind Jet Lag Direction
    •    Westward (Bangkok → New York):
    •    Your day effectively gets longer.
    •    Most people’s natural circadian rhythms are slightly longer than 24 hours, so the body more easily adapts to delaying sleep (staying up later).
    •    Symptoms of jet lag are usually less intense and recovery is quicker for the majority of travelers.
    •    Eastward (New York → Bangkok):
    •    Your day gets shorter.
    •    The body finds it more difficult to advance sleep (go to bed and wake up earlier than normal), which can cause more severe jet lag.
    •    Adjusting to a shortened day is harder for most
 

Not answering the question per se, but just wanted to add that Newark (EWR) is an additional option besides JFK.

I'm flying to NYC to business next week, and, despite the bad press it is getting, a friend there said Newark is just as easy/cheap/fast to get into NYC as JFK.

Yes, Newark to Manhattan is easy. $12 direct train to Penn Station.

East vs West makes little difference. It’s a 12 hour time zone jump (11 during Daylight Saving Time) any way you fly. Quickest flights are going to be 20-21 hours in either direction. East or west, if you leave at the same time, you arrive at the same time and day. But, pay attention to what time the various flights leave as that determines what time you arrive, and decide whether you want the long leg first or second. For instance, NYC-LHR-BKK is a 7 hour red eye followed by 12 hours from Heathrow to BKK. Whereas NYC-HND-BKK starts with 13 hours leaving mid day, followed by a second leg of 6 hours.

Have done both routes extensively. Eastbound from EWR through London, Paris, Munich, Stockholm, Zurich, Delhi. Westbound from EWR through Tokyo and HKG. Haven’t tried DXB.

1 hour ago, Touchagrey said:

Yes, Newark to Manhattan is easy. $12 direct train to Penn Station.

East vs West makes little difference. It’s a 12 hour time zone jump (11 during Daylight Saving Time) any way you fly. Quickest flights are going to be 20-21 hours in either direction. East or west, if you leave at the same time, you arrive at the same time and day. But, pay attention to what time the various flights leave as that determines what time you arrive, and decide whether you want the long leg first or second. For instance, NYC-LHR-BKK is a 7 hour red eye followed by 12 hours from Heathrow to BKK. Whereas NYC-HND-BKK starts with 13 hours leaving mid day, followed by a second leg of 6 hours.

Have done both routes extensively. Eastbound from EWR through London, Paris, Munich, Stockholm, Zurich, Delhi. Westbound from EWR through Tokyo and HKG. Haven’t tried DXB.

I agree.  Whether east or west.  You can get to jfk around 20-21hours at the quickest.  I noticed the bkk-tyo route usually lags behind by a few hours. I believe it is because it's going north and then eventually coming back south.  

Edited July 18, 20251 yr by jsmithj88

I do this flight all the time. Would not go to Newark as it’s a pit and those atc problems. Never fly economy so can’t comment on that. But I would for sure go through the Middle East. First leg is not as long, which would be my preference if in an economy seat. Connections are better. Terminal 6 at jfk is really bad (ana). I can answer questions if you have any. I’ve done most airlines at this point on that route. 

1 hour ago, jsmithj88 said:

I agree.  Whether east or west.  You can get to jfk around 20-21hours at the quickest.  I noticed the bkk-tyo route usually lags behind by a few hours. I believe it is because it's going north and then eventually coming back south.  

The lag going through Tokyo depends on the layover time. Here’s a 20 hr 5 min through Narita that came in at $783 one way. But yes…United to Newark, so not super desirable.

 

51 minutes ago, Speakbottle said:

I do this flight all the time. Would not go to Newark as it’s a pit and those atc problems. Never fly economy so can’t comment on that. But I would for sure go through the Middle East. First leg is not as long, which would be my preference if in an economy seat. Connections are better. Terminal 6 at jfk is really bad (ana). I can answer questions if you have any. I’ve done most airlines at this point on that route. 

Newark was my home airport for 35 years (ugh!) International long haul flights seem to always get pushed to the front of the ATC queue, but god help you if you need to make a domestic connection through Newark.

With Global Entry I could get from the gate to my car in about 15 min, but that probably won’t help the OP. Now that I’ve moved away, gotta figure out how to whittle down those United points before pointflation makes them totally worthless.

25 minutes ago, Touchagrey said:

The lag going through Tokyo depends on the layover time. Here’s a 20 hr 5 min through Narita that came in at $783 one way. But yes…United to Newark, so not super desirable.

 

The airlines you want to fly through Japan, ANA and JAL, tend to have long layovers to BKK. Cathay too, and that flight from NYC to HKG would be brutal in economy. Cathay business is really good, but pricing has been high. Taiwan airlines have better connections, but again brutal flight.  That's why I would suggest going through the Middle East in OPs case, maybe there are some good options through Asia though. 

Take a look at Singapore Airlines.  Bkk To Singapore, then Singapore to either JFK (which I did) or Newark.  It's currently the longest daily commercial flight in the world BUT look at some of the YouTube videos.  They don't have regular economy on that plane, Business and Premium Economy only.   I found the Premium Economy to be pretty competitive overall.  It is a long ass flight BUT if you can knock yourself out with some sleeping pills in a Premium Econ seat (its not close to lay flat but way better than regular Economy) then it can be very manageable.  

Just like to thank everyone for their contributions so far ..extremely helpful🙏