amolkold

TG 607
HKG-BKK
Boeing 747-400 (old configuration)
Seat 1A, F

Before entering the jetway, I was gifted a "Star Alliance 15 Years" luggage tag, since I was flying a founding member on the 15th anniversary of that glorious day. Thanks for letting US have access to your award inventories, y'all!

I entered the 747 to a symphony of “Sawadees,” a bit familiar after having spent a few days in Thailand the week prior. It was an old cabin on the left, probably the anti-Emirates A380, but still plenty comfortable for a short 1000-mile journey. A flight attendant showed me to my seat, 1A, and I was soon warmly greeted by the purser with the firmest of handshake.

“Welcome, Mr. amolkold, we are very glad to have you onboard. How do you like the cabin, is it all right?”

Hey SQ, this is how you acknowledge a cabin downgrade. Then again, I guess TG has the process down pat … I mean, it's even called getting "TG'd."




Bulkhead legroom. I would have switched to the K side for view of HK but saw from the Airport Express that the airport was doing reverse takeoff/landing patterns ...


A plus for simplicity?

Anyway. The purser soon returned with a glass of Dom 2002 (compared to the 2003 on EK’s flights). All this flying in premium class may make me become "AA'd."

Despite the aging hard product, I could tell the food would be much better than EK’s when I perused the menu.


Menu presentation

Menu:

And links to the wine menu:
Whites | Reds | Others (a bit blurry)

Rather than order off the menu, I kept with my pre-ordered meal of Lobster Thermidor, which was pretty good! I’ve heard it isn’t that great when it’s catered out of BKK, so I made sure to order it from a different airport.


Canapés


Table setting. One thing about the old product is that the table isn't as large as one would like


Can't go wrong with salmon ...


Lobster Thermidor, with a small side of noodles I requested


Cheese Plate


Dessert

Although this flight had a heavier F load than both my EK flights combined (including myself: 3 and 1 on EK, 6 on TG tonight), dinner service was really relaxed. In between courses, the purser went around to each passenger, asking how the meal was, and engaging in conversation (ours revolved around my weekend in Hong Kong).

I sure hope that TG limits the use of these old 747s on long-hauls ... they're perfect for short-haul flights, but the table/IFE situation would downright upset me on a longer flight.


Resorting to emergency IFE

About 45 minutes out of BKK, I noticed the passengers in row 2 were American as well, and were talking about things that would make an FTer giddy. In particular, their conversation of the LH A380 piqued my interest. I soon joined in, surprised to hear that neither of them had heard of FT. We went in-depth comparing experiences of the Lufthansa A380 in F versus the Emirates A380 in F. It was a great conversation amongst 3 guys who just love to fly, and didn't devolve into an elite card throw-down a la ‘Up in the Air!’

Upon landing at BKK, we were given a remote parking position. TG provided a bus solely for F passengers and so I continued my conversation with the two other passengers from the flight. Unfortunately, I never got their names! As soon as the bus reached the terminal, we were each greeted by our own personal assistant who escorted us through fast-track at security and to baggage claim. Mine insisted on getting my bag for me and walking me all the way to my ground transportation meeting area.


So .... do I just awkwardly stand back here?

Despite the old product, it was still a great flight! Great food, great crew, and great conversation with fellow flying heads. The 1000 miles went by quickly.