Note: I did not take as many pictures as I hoped for, or should have. I blame the lack of experience in planning for a proper review but also the fact that all of this adventure was so surreal and enjoyable that I did not think much of it and just tried to take as much of the experience in as I could.
We arrived at BKK on a stormy night (22:30) pretty much on schedule and parked at a remote stand. At the bottom of the stairs, a TG ground staff was holding a sign with our names on it. A couple and I were directed towards a small shuttle. We waited for a few minutes for the couple's assistant (who was flying Y) to join us. All other passengers boarded a transfer bus back to the terminal. After a short, yet interesting ride under the very large terminal, we were led back inside the building through a service door. During that short ride, I learned that the assistant would be travelling business class on the party's next flight and the couple appeared to request that he joins them to the F lounge. Although I was happy that the assistant was provided with some comfort, I stopped eavesdropping and focused on the views of the beautifully lit aircrafts at this hour of the night.
We entered the terminal very close to a security check area. Whereas there were no dedicated lines for F passengers, we were very kindly and expressly helped through the process by TG ground staff. Once through security, we boarded a cart on our way to the TG First Class Lounge, full speed and honking (that left to be desired, a bit).
Shortly after entering the lounge, a TG attendant greeted me by name and as she was walking me through the beautiful hallway of the lounge, she enquired whether I was interested in a massage at the Royal Orchid Spa. Experiencing this level of service while travelling was a first for me. My flight to LHR was not scheduled for another 150 minutes and she informed me that I would have plenty of time to enjoy the SPA and the lounge. After a few minutes, during which I was served champagne, she came back to confirm my appointment at 23:30.
TG First Class Lounge
I unwound with champagne in one of the comfortable lounge chairs and, at 23:20 was led to the SPA and offered an excellent cold tea and refreshing oshibori. The massage room was as described by others, very nicely decorated, with all modern bathroom amenities. We were ready to start! I appropriately dressed myself with a fashionably acceptable black mesh underwear and enjoyed a relaxing massage, perfect to relieve all tension accumulated during the previous week of work.
I went back to the lounge and patiently waited for my flight in one of the alcoves, while catching up on some reading.
It was already boarding time. After a combination of cart driving and walking to reach our gate, I was one of the first to board, which allowed me to take a few pictures of the cabin. An orchid, some chocolate and a rimowa amenity kit were waiting at my seat. Shortly after I arrived, our flight attendant came to introduced herself, help me with my jacket and offered me a drink, Dom Perignon it was. For the duration of the flight, her kind presence was felt but she offered a level of service, which to me, neared perfection as I barely noticed it; whatever was required, appeared at the proper time. En français, le meilleur service est celui qui sait se faire oublier, that was it.
Suite 2K offers a lot of privacy
As general boarding proceeded downstairs, the F cabin slowly filled with passengers. It was full that night. I was offered PJ and visited the lavatory on the front port side of the cabin. Back at my seat, it was time to look at the menu for tonight. Flight route And we took off. I was offered a free 20MB internet pass, which worked pretty well, just enough to send a couple of pictures home. Dinner started with caviar… and proceeded with prawns (ordered off the menu before the flight), cheese and dessert. Although THAI sometimes offers unique desserts on special occasions (anniversary dates, or His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun’s birthday), the dessert tonight was not meant to highlight anything. It was pretty, but of an appearance that was a bit too artificial for my taste. After a few hours of decent sleep, I woke up above Poland. Breakfast was served, THAI offers good espressos and cappuccinos, I tried both. After a few hours, we were on our way down to LHR. I had some time to kill while waiting for my flight to YOW (8h!) and visited all Star Alliance lounges available at the Queens' Terminal (T2). A few pictures of the Maple Leaf Lounge, where I showered and once refreshed, went for a bit of shopping. Before boarding flight AC889 (767-300ER, Seat 8A classic pods) to YOW.
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Verdict
Thai Airways
9.1/10
Cabin9.5
Cabin crew10.0
Entertainment/wifi9.0
Meal/catering8.0
Thai Airways Royal First Class Lounge
9.6/10
Comfort10.0
Meal/catering9.0
Entertainment/wifi9.5
Services10.0
Bangkok - BKK
9.4/10
Efficiency10.0
Access8.0
Services10.0
Cleanliness9.5
London - LHR
8.6/10
Efficiency8.5
Access9.0
Services8.5
Cleanliness8.5
Conclusion
I had an excellent time in F with Thai Airways. Departing from BKK offers the incredible experience of the First Class Lounge. Cabin is well designed and the seat comfortable. The service that night was excellent. Thanks for reading, comments are welcome to improve future reviews.
9 LIKESLIKE TO THANK THE AUTHORTHANKS ! FLIGHT-REPORT LIKED
Well, good morning - really? I didn't even think of trying anything else in BKK when flying TG in F. Aeroplan. Taxes, fees and surcharges are minimal on aeroplan award tickets with TG. From memory, less than 0.5% of the cost of a one way ticket.
Have you heard that AIR CANADA is planning to abandon Aeroplan in recent days? What do you think about it? Should i register with Aeroplan now? Award winning airlines like SQ, would they still willing to cooperate with Aeroplan, or New Air Canada FFP?
Greetings, Zalex, welcome on board Flight-Report, and thank you for sharing this FR.
It’s good to know that TG’s reputable ground service at their home base remains unchanged, especially during an era of cost-cutting.
“I appropriately dressed myself with a fashionably acceptable black mesh underwear and enjoyed a relaxing massage, perfect to relieve all tension accumulated during the previous week of work.” -I don’t suppose you work in the hospitality industry? Or are you a historian? To be frank, I cannot think of a job that would require a Canadian to travel to Siem Reap.. Singapore, Hong Kong, KL, yes - as they’re financial and/or oil hubs. But Siem Reap? Please do enlighten me..?
“Back at my seat, it was time to look at the menu for tonight.” -I must say, the menu looks incredible!
“It was pretty, but of an appearance that was a bit too artificial for my taste.” -And how did it taste?
Does TG offer mattress padding for F passengers? If so, how was the bedding?
You’ve noted that you visited all Star Alliance lounges during your layover at LHR, which do you favour most, and which lounge is on the other end of the spectrum?
Good report all around!
Thanks again for this FR, and once again, welcome on board Flight-Report :)
Hello Razza_Pr - Thanks for your comment and questions. Ha! Not a historian, nor in the hospitality industry. I am an engineer. The dessert was a bit of a let down. The charlotte was very nice but the small tart was underwhelming as it lacked the flavours that the picture may suggest. Yes, there was a thin mattress cover. The duvet was light and soft but I found the cabin a bit hot. The PJs were very comfortable. At LHR, I visited AC, UA, LH and SQ lounges. I am usually quite happy with maple leaf lounges but this layover allowed me to try alternatives, which I appreciated. My favourite lounge for snacks and coffee was the Lufthansa lounge (it was early morning). It also had the most pleasant staff at the front desk. I must admit that I was very pleasantly surprised with the United Lounge. It was spacious and well appointed with a modern look, clean with great views. I only spent a brief moment in the SQ lounge and do not feel I can appropriately comment. I ended up spending most of the time in the MLL as it offers a very private section with day beds where I could work and doze off a bit. The feeling of privacy offered there was not encountered in the other lounges ( maybe in some of the SQ seats?). While spending a lot of time at the airport, I find that these more intimate sections are a true privilege.
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398 reviews
5 Comments
It’s good to know that TG’s reputable ground service at their home base remains unchanged, especially during an era of cost-cutting.
“I appropriately dressed myself with a fashionably acceptable black mesh underwear and enjoyed a relaxing massage, perfect to relieve all tension accumulated during the previous week of work.”
-I don’t suppose you work in the hospitality industry? Or are you a historian? To be frank, I cannot think of a job that would require a Canadian to travel to Siem Reap.. Singapore, Hong Kong, KL, yes - as they’re financial and/or oil hubs. But Siem Reap? Please do enlighten me..?
“Back at my seat, it was time to look at the menu for tonight.”
-I must say, the menu looks incredible!
“It was pretty, but of an appearance that was a bit too artificial for my taste.”
-And how did it taste?
Does TG offer mattress padding for F passengers? If so, how was the bedding?
You’ve noted that you visited all Star Alliance lounges during your layover at LHR, which do you favour most, and which lounge is on the other end of the spectrum?
Good report all around!
Thanks again for this FR, and once again, welcome on board Flight-Report :)
Ha! Not a historian, nor in the hospitality industry. I am an engineer.
The dessert was a bit of a let down. The charlotte was very nice but the small tart was underwhelming as it lacked the flavours that the picture may suggest.
Yes, there was a thin mattress cover. The duvet was light and soft but I found the cabin a bit hot. The PJs were very comfortable.
At LHR, I visited AC, UA, LH and SQ lounges.
I am usually quite happy with maple leaf lounges but this layover allowed me to try alternatives, which I appreciated.
My favourite lounge for snacks and coffee was the Lufthansa lounge (it was early morning). It also had the most pleasant staff at the front desk. I must admit that I was very pleasantly surprised with the United Lounge. It was spacious and well appointed with a modern look, clean with great views.
I only spent a brief moment in the SQ lounge and do not feel I can appropriately comment. I ended up spending most of the time in the MLL as it offers a very private section with day beds where I could work and doze off a bit. The feeling of privacy offered there was not encountered in the other lounges ( maybe in some of the SQ seats?). While spending a lot of time at the airport, I find that these more intimate sections are a true privilege.
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