Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus - London to Bangkok

It's the first time I have used this forum so apologies if I get this wrong.

About to book with Thai Airways in economy London to Chiang Mai via Bangkok return. My husband is tall (6'2") and has sciatica so any long journey with cramped legs is not good for him. Any idea how we can best get the maximum leg room for him? He's under 40 and otherwise fit and strong so could easily open an exit door in case of emergency.

It's the first time I have used this forum so apologies if I get this wrong.

About to book with Thai Airways in economy London to Chiang Mai via Bangkok return. My husband is tall (6'2") and has sciatica so any long journey with cramped legs is not good for him. Any idea how we can best get the maximum leg room for him? He's under 40 and otherwise fit and strong so could easily open an exit door in case of emergency.

Call TG office in London and ask them to put a note that your husband is tall and would like to be seated at an emergency exit row. On the day of travel, arrive at the airport early to ensure that he gets his seat. TG economy seat pitch is pretty good at 34" I believe, BA's is like only 30-31".

Hi LPH, welcome to the TG board, your first post was excellent, any other questions, does your husband get a reaction to the sciatica from the chilli or garlic in the food, maybe we should discuss this?, regards bkkrop

Another tip: do not tell the Thai office about your husbands sciatica, just tell them he is over 6'2"...

Cheers,

AG. :-:

Dear LPH,

To be quite honest, the changes for exit row seats are between low and zero. But as TGflyer already said, the TG Y cabin is pretty generous. The seat pitch varies from 32" – 34.5". For your reference I enclose a link to the German TG website with the detailed seat plan. You can pick a row with 34".

http://thaiair.de/media/File/sitzplaene_747-400.pdf

Row 47DEFG e.g. even has 34.5". Yes, I travel with a measuring tape. Luckily the 7443 has no AVOD (I take the risk of being cursed) so there is ample under seat space to spread legs. I am 6'4" and can even cross my legs in these seats.

Let TG know about your husband's condition. He might have problems walking the sometime endless distances at Suvarnabhumi. Read the seat map and request seats per your preference. Furthermore I would suggest to have TG put WCHR (wheelchair ramp) into your reservation. I don't know about Heathrow, but upon your arrival at BKK a decent young gentleman will await you at the aircraft door, put hubby into a wheelchair and whisk you through immigration. If one (or both) of you have *A gold status he will take you then to the domestic Royal Silk lounge and pick you up in time for pre-boarding your flight to CNX. (You also get pre-boarded at LHR!)

You probably will have a bus gate for the leg BKK-CNX. So if he has problems climbing stairs chose WCHS (wheelchair stairs) instead of WCHR. Then you will be put in a mini van that rises up aircraft level and you will exclusively board through door 2R.

Well, that flight will be short and if you end up in an A300 legroom is not that good.

Arriving at CNX at the aircraft door another nice boy will await you with a wheelchair, takes you to luggage claim and helps you with your treasures though customs. Most times there is a second person from TG ground staff around and you get an overall treatment most F-pax would envy.

Should you need a taxi to go downtown Chiangmai, let him know. Just a few steps from baggage claim is the taxi counter. They radio a cab for you and hand you a voucher. No payment yet. The boy will still stay with you and wait with you curb side until the taxi arrives. Takes about five minutes because the parking lot is next to the domestic area. Then he and the driver will help you to load your bags into the trunk.

Trip downtown takes about 10 mins. and costs 120 baht.

Give the boys at BKK and CNX small tips (40-50 baht) and big smiles and you will have a trip really smooth as silk.

Is this your 1st trip to Thailand?

Hi Fan2502.
Yes, now I have, sorry, I often speed read and only grab what I want to know and I admit I hadn't read the bit about the porters.
Everytime you arrange these Meet & Greets, you have different staff, so It will be good for the posters to have an alternative if something goes wrong.
Very informative post, Fan2502, I enjoy your well thought out replies, regards bkkrop