CHECKIN
After my short but holiday in Kuala Lumpur for my 40th Birthday,I thought I would let the celebrations continue with a further treat !
I would be flying from Kuala Lumpur to Lahore via Bangkok….for GBP 425.00…in Thai Airways ‘Royal Silk Business Class !
I arrived at KUL at 0930am but checkin was just being setup and I was told they would open at 10am.
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I sat and waited nearby until 0955am just as Desks were being setup.
I was Checked in in no time by a friendly lady ; The Thai Airways KUL Duty Manager Mohammed who was stood nearby wished me a nice flight !
It sure was nice and exclusive to be flying Business Class and having paid for it too !
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Boarding Passes and Premier Lane invitation.
As I began walking off to immigration a gentleman from POS Handling approached me and said he would escort me to the Royal Orchid Lounge.
He carried my bag to the monorail and escorted me to the lounge and advised the Duty Manager had asked him to escort me !
Last minute Malaysian shopping !
ROYAL ORCHID LOUNGE KUALA LUMPUR
Upon arrival at the lounge, the friendly Michelle said the wifi was not working and the toilets were out of service. Brilliant !
I used a washroom nearby and came back to the lounge to grab a quick bite and maybe do some work. A 2018 youtube review for this flight/route showed the toilets were out of service then too.
There was some noise from 2 guys in the lounge including one who had a sports tournament on a small pocket tv.
I was hoping not to be sat next to either onboard as I am unable to bear noise from inconsiderate people ( think @passengershaming on Instagram ). A not so deep look at the Lounge as I was fairly busy during my short time in there. There were many traditional Thai ornaments and artefacts.
Nuts and Lemony coke with crispy garlic bread !
Just after Michelle helped me setting up a PC, Mr Lon the Thai Station Manager came and put his hand together in a Wai.
He thanked me for flying Thai Airways and said that as a Belated birthday gift, he would open up the VIP area of the lounge for me ! #exclusive !
Malaysia Airlines staff dropped in to give me a birthday gift of an amenity kit by Aspinall of London !
Close to boarding time Michelle escorted me to my gate and wished me a nice flight ! Live security announcements concluded with "Have a nice flight" and slipers were offered to go through a further security check.
It may not look it here, but I noted that a huge proportion of the waiting passengers were of Pakistani and Indian origin.
BOARDING
And here is my ride to Bangkok !
HS-TKA is a 21 year old 777-300 named "Sriwanna"
She is configured with 34 Royal Silk and 330 Economy Class seats.
I was chosen to board first and I was delighted ! I Boarded at 1255pm. A very friendly steward Chandrabat welcomed me and as we chatted, he asked if id flown the A380 of Thai ?
I quickly got some Economy Class shots - hence a lil blurry on photo 1 !
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WELCOME ABOARD ROYAL SILK - SEAT HIGHLIGHTS
Time to look around my Royal Silk cabin !
The 2 x 3 x 2 seating looked spacious and the cabin décor was a bit aged but unmistakably Royal Silk ! .
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A Nice hot fluffy scented towel was brought to me - I asked for small tray for the purpose of a photo !
There were Menucards in the seat pocket and economy headsets on the seat. I wasn’t too bothered about the headsets for such a short flight, but on a longhaul flight ( which this 777 often operates,it would have seemed poor.
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The tv screen was very fuzzy but I wasn’t in mood for tv. Imagine that on a 12 hour flight to Europe though – and in Royal Silk too.
Meal orders were taken by the friendly Ms Jun and the flight was fully boarded by 1325pm
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At 1330pm the safety video played as we began taxying towards the runway.
The flight time was advised by both Ms Joy and captain as 1hr 50 mins approx.
Pushback was at 1335pm.
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Just weeks after this flight, at least one of Malaysia's A380's would be based at Manchester to repatriate passengers after Thomas Cook Airlines and the Thomas Cook group went bust.
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At 1345pm after a long and powerful take off roll we lifted off into sunny Malaysian skies !
Once we started levelling out, a Premeal drink was served.
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At 1401pm there was a PA which was very very muffled and inaudible – the 773 was 21 years old right enough so I wasn’t surprised !
The Crew had to be seated between courses due to turbulence which made for some comical yet ”heart in mouth” moments.
The whole aircraft shaking and my ringside seat at the front of the mammoth 773 really made me feel every bump and shake !
The service attention to detail was impeccable as always on Thai Airways.
INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT
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INFLIGHT LUNCH - THE ROYAL SILK WAY !
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I chose the Prawn option and it did not dissapoint ! Strange to get a disposable salt and pepper holder which is not befitting in a Premium Cabin.
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Prawntastic !
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The dessert duo seemed rather boring ( and very small )so I requested the economy dessert knowing it would be amazing and big ! – fruit jelly on shaved coconut cooked in condensed milk – Ms Jun said “enjoy sir ! the dessert was thoughtfully brought along with tuna starter – apologies for blur tuna photo
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And I had more !
WASHROOM - ORCHID SERVICE IN THE TOILETS TOO !
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Divana colognes - scentsational - photo taken in galley !
THAI AIRWAYS CABIN CREW - THE AMBASSADORS OF THAILAND
As you know from my 2017 Lahore to Bangkok review, I am a huge fan of the care from Thai Airways crews.This flight would show that many times !
After my meal, Ms Jun asked if I wanted tea or coffee ? I advised no at which she smiled cutely ad said to let hner know if I need anything else.
Ms Sutasini offered immigration forms – when I asked if I can have 2 as souvenier ( even though I didn’t need even one) she smilingly pulled out a Thai Airways pen and gave it to me as a gift ! I love Thai Airways for this reason. The thoughtfulness is unrivalled !
The thoughtfulness does not end there. I had a delightful Economy Class desert packaged for me to take away plus a cutesy gift from Ms Jun !
The Inflight Manager had wanted to give me a champagne bottle as gift for my wedding however he said I may not get through security. I advised I wouldn’t have been able to accept anyway as I don’t drink alcohol (for religious reasons ).
I had Photos with the crew – The Inflight Manager then surprised me when he gave me a bridal teddy bear for my bride as a gift !
After all that loveliness, we began to prepare for arival in Bangkok.
We landed at 1435pm having enjoyed beautiful views of Bangkok in the distance….how I long to go back !
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Star Alliance partner Lufthansa's A340 D-AIGO "Offenbach" which had arrived from Frankfurt shortly before us.
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Some of my crew were flying to Chiang Mai after this flight. I thanked my crew for a wonderful flight ! Even with an aged aircraft, the service was sensational !
Upon my request,I was met on arrival in the airbridge and escorted to the lounge – I am not sure if this is widely available but I was glad to be availing of the service. I was fastracked through security and liquids are checked by the way.
I had been promised a Myanmar Airways gift bag from the airline and after collecting this, headed to the Royal Silk lounge in Bangkok.
Thank You so much for reading and see you onboard my TG345 flight from Bangkok to Lahore !
