As I am on vacation in Thailand, it is getting urgent to finish the FRs for the trip I did back in March 2013.
I had just arrived from TPE and ran back upstairs to the China Airlines check-in counters with my suitcase to see if they could check me in for my next flight back to Los Angeles via Taipei.
The ground staff was a little taken aback by my request as I was very very early and they were checking in the flight previous to mine. I told him that I didn't want to move to the earlier flight, I just wanted to get rid of my bags, go airside and wait for my flight in the lounge. After consulting with his supervisor he took my bags and gave me my boarding passes as well as taking my bags away from me.
I went through immigration and security formalities and I was airside in no time. Shops everywhere you look !
Everybody knows this statue in Bangkok as this is the first thing you see when getting airside.
I went straight to the lounge. I am starting to know it rather well as it is the 3rd time that I use China Airlines in Business Class out of Bangkok.
Lounge is small but I like it !
Stunning white orchids in the lounge.
Here is what is available to eat or drink in the lounge.
Air France was on the front page of Flight-report.com with a flight to Toronto.
Selection number 3, the sweets !
After a while I decide go and walk in the terminal… I grab a mango with sticky rice, my favorite, and go back to the lounge to savor my find !
When I come back it is a new flight that is on the front page of Flight-report !
It is time to go, I grab my stuff and head to my boarding gate.
My Airbus is here waiting for us before it heads back home to Taipei.
In the gate area, people are waiting for the boarding announcements.
I turn left to board through the first door !
Here I am on board B-18303. It is sporting the usual burgundy leather seats in the regional configuration.
My seat for the next 3 odd hours.
The female cabin attendant offers pre-departure drinks and nibbles, I go for an apple juice.
The cabin is not really full, plenty of free seats, the one next to me will remain empty.
British Airways Boeing 747-400 is waiting next to us !
The cabin crew hands out the menu, I can see what was on offer on the Taipei to Bangkok flight and then i check what's available on my flight. I had preordered my food on China Airlines website.
British Airways is gone, alliance partner Cathay Pacific is now standing near us.
Just before we depart from the gate, the chief purser starts the safety demonstration video.
We go past a few airplanes including this Transaero 767-300
Skyteam partner Vietnam Airlines
Thai Airways ground engineers will soon release us after we have finished our push back.
Same Transaero 767 from the front
Orient Thai 747-300 with a white tail
Sights of 747's is going to get rarer !
Nordwind, another russian operator in Bangkok.
Seat pocket contains the different magazines and catalogs, the slippers and the headphones.
Thai Airways anniversary livery on the 747-400 is waiting for its next mission.
This is where that British Airways 747 went to hide !
Star Alliance partners, Swiss and Austrian
Thai Airways is at home in Suvarnabhumi
We're getting at the runway's threshold ready to depart.
I flew one of these behemoth !
This is definitely Thai Airways home !
Video system is wishing us welcome on board !
We're climbing over the suburbs of Bangkok.
Sky Fantasy the China Airlines video system is on !
Getting comfortable for the flight !
The sun is setting over Thailand.
I start a movie while the cabin attendants are getting in action and start to dress the tables !
Here is the starter, Smoked Halibut and marinated salmon.
The main dishes will make their appearance shortly after !
I went for the Wok fried sliced beef fillet.
After the main course is finished the crew clears the trays and offer the desserts, a plate of fresh fruits and a red berries mouse.
I had a glass of Riesling with the meal, I like that wine for its sparkling taste !
After dinner I went for a walk in the plane.
We're getting there, only 30 minutes till we arrive in Taipei.
We arrived in Taipei a little bit ahead of time which will give me enough time to get to the lounge before heading to my gate and meet up with my friend that I left in Taipei for the day !
Here is our jetway to disembark.
On my way to the D gates to catch my flight to Los Angeles.
Next episode TPE-LAX !
Thanks for sharing this nice report on CI. Creative way to display sandwiches and pastries at the lounge, but not the most practical. There seems to be plenty of food options at the lounge. The sweets in the shape of fruits look amazing.
Of the two Taiwenese carriers, it seems that BR has the edge when it comes to their premium cabin, especially the seats. It's nice to read that CI prices their product competitively.
I like the offer at the lounge, especially the dimsum, they look appetizing :)
Service on board is pretty good too with service on plate.
Thank you for this report...and waiting for the next ones to come :)
Thanks for this long awaited continuation of this interesting routing! Yes, I imagine the check-in staff were rather confused by the fact that you were turning right back to TPE, LOL. The lounge is very nice with a good offering. Beautiful photos as always. Looking forward to the next leg!
Thanks for sharing this FR
Quick turnaround to have the benefit of ex-BKK fares ?
Lounge has a good food choice
Catering on board is good for a 3 hours flight
Are the main course choices on the website the same that the onboard choices ?
You are most welcome !
Yup, even after paying a one way ticket TPE-BKK in Business, it was cheaper with ex-BKK fares to LAX ! I did a fare comparison and it was a no brainer, cheaper and more miles ! WIN-WIN !
Lounge is small but the amount of food is excellent !
Catering for 3 hours is ample indeed.
Main course choice is the same, it is not Book the Cook like on SQ but I will do with this as I am insured my preferred choice of meal like this !