Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus - Equipment changes on Australia routes

I know TG does a fare amount of equipment swaps on the Australia routes, but wanted to see if there was any city or equipment where that might happen less. Once in the past I got an old 747 swapped for what was scheduled as a newer 747, it was terrible, but at least a daytime flight.
Right now, I am looking at SYD-BKK and see 2x daily listed as 346 equipment. Any thoughts on if that is a more stable bet than say the 777? We could also fly BNE-BKK just about as easily, so curious if there is more of less swap likelihood in a given city? If it's just a complete crapshoot, then I guess that's what we have to live with...

I know TG does a fare amount of equipment swaps on the Australia routes,.

Hi stephem, well you know something, I don't!

I do MEL-BKK-xxx, at least once a month, and SYD every three months, and BNE I will no longer do since they put the new timetable in, I do not see these equipment swaps you talk about. I haven't seen a THAI 744 in Australia for ages, and I would kill to have the 346 back on the MEL run.

Bangkok is only a 9 hour run, if you do the evening flights, the 346,772,773 all have great beds, the food is good, not brilliant, but then BKK return in C is $3350 and if you travel Y without mileage, the fare is $895, with mileage $1243. If you fly out of SYD, there's FIRST class for $4750 return if you buy the fare in BKK and if you are a Gold ROP, buy your way into comfort for $867 standby uipgrade.

Changing airlines is always a problem, many of the regulars ex MEL use TG because SQ put the old 773 on the Australian run, QF put us onto Jetstar and GA have a bad connection in CGK. We don't have a problem with TG, I find them very reliable. On an average we leave before time more times than not, I enjoy the lounges in BKK, MEL and SYD and whilst I am tired of the menu, I like the confidence TG gives me, I arrange meetings from 8am onwards and I have never been let down yet, we pull into BKK at 5.30am every time.

It's your call, my advice is not to believe what you read, regards bkkrop

That's good to hear. I was speaking from personal experience, when I worked in Singapore and used CPSTAR and CASTAR tix to commute around the region for work. That was 2 years ago, so it sounds like things have changed. I'll be on another CPSTAR this time (and my wife on an award redemption), and I just didn't want to get stuck with an old seat if I could avoid it.

Hi stephem, don't get me wrong, these birds break down like any other piece of equipment, and if they decide to do it outside of Thailand, it's hard to pull a replacement out of thin air, but if you are heading into SYD, with your background, it's easy enough to escape a disaster. I am pretty sure SYD gets 3 a day now, with the right amount of knowledge/status, you can avoid a problem:rolleyes:. That old 747 is still around, as late as this morning it flew to Bombay. If you have any work in Indonesia, one time give GA a spin. Brand new 332 with lie flat beds in the most spacious C cabin I have ever seen, a completely new attitude, good crews and a fast flight through to SIN via CGK from either MEL or SYD. With the recent advent of cheap business class tickets, I have ceased castar in favour of buying return tickets out of BKK/CGK/HKG, it works, it's a hell of a lot cheaper (MEL_CGK_SIN_MEL for $1450 in D), but OMG does it take a lot of planning, I need a PA just to follow me around with the tickets and to remind me which ones I have, enjoy your flying, on a good day, TG is as good as the rest in this region, and if you want to get to BKK from Australia fast, they are the only one:), regards bkkrop

Hop on the A346 - it is a lovely aircraft...!

SYD now has 3 flights: 1 x 772 and 2 x A346... Both birds are a pleasure to fly in...

Enjoy!

Cheers,

AG. :-:

many of the regulars ex MEL use TG because SQ put the old 773 on the Australian run,

I think you managed to forget that only one of SQ's three daily flights is done with a crappy 773. The other two are currently operated by the new 77W and some fat ugly new thing called an A380. Maybe you should mention this if you want to start comparing TG to SQ ex-MEL.

Anyone who flies TG should prepare themselves that the aircraft could be swapped. Period. It does not seem to happen that often these days (and I sincerely hope I am not tempting fate there...) but it does happen. Fact.

If you know they do this, and are preapred for the worst, I find it a much easier way of dealing with it if it happens. It's the poor sods who don't frequent the travel sites and have spent a large amount of money for that one off special event I feel sorry for. I just wish TG did as well.

[QUOTE=MAN Flyer;12751464]Maybe you should mention this if you want to start comparing TG to SQ ex-MEL. QUOTE]

Dear MAN flyer, I feel sick and ashamed, I've upset you, but honestly you misunderstood me, I couldn't afford the $5000 to fly on SQ everytime I flit over to BKK, the A380 arrives too late and the Hyatt charges me $650 to overnight, whereas in BKK it's only $185, but comparing SQ to TG, you have to be jesting, TG is so much faster and they only extract $3000 from me.

FWIW, it's the "poor sods" who make life on this board Oh so interesting, and when it slows down we try to bait SQ flyers, or throw in a story about babies in first class;). If TG ever get their act together, we will have to take up knitting in the afternoon and have sponge baths at night, regards bkkrop

Dear MAN flyer, I feel sick and ashamed, I've upset you, but honestly you misunderstood me, I couldn't afford the $5000 to fly on SQ everytime I flit over to BKK, the A380 arrives too late and the Hyatt charges me $650 to overnight, whereas in BKK it's only $185, but comparing SQ to TG, you have to be jesting, TG is so much faster and they only extract $3000 from me.

FWIW, it's the "poor sods" who make life on this board Oh so interesting, and when it slows down we try to bait SQ flyers, or throw in a story about babies in first class;). If TG ever get their act together, we will have to take up knitting in the afternoon and have sponge baths at night, regards bkkrop

Oh dear.

Maybe you should read the OP's question again. He asked about equipment swaps on the Australia route. You then couldn't resist having a pop at SQ despite them not even being mentioned, and despite the fact that I am sure I have read posts from you telling people how you've been taking adavantage of recent SQ sales, not the 'I couldn't afford 5000' you mention above. Not being economical with the SQ truth again, are we ?. ;)

As for baiting SQ flyers, well you're so far off course on that one when it comes to me and SQ that you'll need the assistance of the coastguard to get you back on course. I've blasted SQ ( and continue to) as much as anyone around in the last few years me old mucker, so sorry to shatter that myth.

As for 'bait' and and getting upset, oh the irony. We can see the steam coming out of your ears everytime someone dares mention something bad (even if its the truth) about your beloved TG. You've even had to start a thread about how good they are to try and stem the tide. :D

Oh, and if TG ever 'get their act together' I'll be as pleased as anyone, as it will give SQ some decent competition for a change. The problem is, I think we both know that is not going to happen anytime soon.

Oh dear.

Maybe you should read the OP's question again. He asked about equipment swaps on the Australia route. You then couldn't resist having a pop at SQ despite them not even being mentioned, and despite the fact that I am sure I have read posts from you telling people how you've been taking adavantage of recent SQ sales, not the 'I couldn't afford 5000' you mention above. Not being economical with the SQ truth again, are we ?. ;)

As for baiting SQ flyers, well you're so far off course on that one when it comes to me and SQ that you'll need the assistance of the coastguard to get you back on course. I've blasted SQ ( and continue to) as much as anyone around in the last few years me old mucker, so sorry to shatter that myth.

As for 'bait' and and getting upset, oh the irony. We can see the steam coming out of your ears everytime someone dares mention something bad (even if its the truth) about your beloved TG. You've even had to start a thread about how good they are to try and stem the tide. :D

Oh, and if TG ever 'get their act together' I'll be as pleased as anyone, as it will give SQ some decent competition for a change. The problem is, I think we both know that is not going to happen anytime soon.

+1. Amen to that. However, as we are ll a cheery bunch over here no feelings were hurt in the making of this exchange of words ;)

... despite the fact that I am sure I have read posts from you telling people how you've been taking adavantage of recent SQ sales, not the 'I couldn't afford 5000' you mention above. Not being economical with the SQ truth again, are we ?. ;) Everytime I leave home on anything other than TG, I feel awkward, I sometimes have the urge to go onto the Qantas or Singapore board and say, "Gee that was an awesome flight".

But I find that strong medication, mind altering drugs, a martini or two and a good long lie down dimishes the desire. If the urge is too great, placing the right hand in a vice overnight in a freezer works

I don't mind talking up Garuda, they have been belted around the chops so much, someone has to stand up for them, Singapore treat me the same way I treat people, and I don't like it:), regards bkkrop

Singapore treat me the same way I treat people, and I don't like it:), regards bkkrop

Oh yes, I can well understand how anyone who is besotted with TG feels when they fly with SQ. It must be such a shock to the system. ;)

Now, now...

It has to be said, NO airline is perfect...

At times, one may fly with an airline for price, schedule or indeed for the sheer pleasure... Either way, none are going to be perfect, everytime.

Both TG & SQ are better than many out there, however TG price does win a lot of business ex-Aust. Granted SQ has won a load of travellers with the recent sales, me included! But at certain times of the year when ones budget may be low, I take TG and very rarely have a bad flight (touch wood)...

Cheers, AG. :-: