Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus - TG 795 LAX-BKK advice

First time post to Flyertalk, but have read it a ton along the way..

am traveling once again on an A340-500 ULH to BKK in mid-Feb. I'm a bit confused on the routing as it appears the flight durations vary depending on how far north the pilots take the plane... is this really a full 18hrs or does TG really work ATC to get the best route?

Also, meal times seem to be every 8-9 hrs. why does TG work it this way when SQ (SFO-HKG) works the 14.5hrs more efficiently? I'd like to give the massive valium my doc gave me time to work....

During the winter months the jet stream shifts further north and is stronger against west bound TPAC flights so generally they have to fly further north than in summer months and have longer flight times. But yes they do work with ATC to get the most efficent route and flight time can vary depending on jet stream conditions.

IIRC (my own massive doses of Ambian clouds my memory), you get three meals, two full meals and a light meal, on TG795, accounting for the disparity in meal timing.

Given the distance, it is a really nice flight. The plane is very nice in all classes and service is great.

This post probably is best in the Thai Airways forum.

Yes, on the westbound LAX-BKK it is usually at least 17 and maybe closer to 18 hours. On the eastbound BKK-LAX, a good strong tailwind can knock a couple of hours off this. Depends on time of year and weather.

There are three meals on this flight each direction all classes of service. The first about a couple of hours after takeoff and beverage service, the second light meal roughly halfway (many people sleep through this), and the third a couple of hours before landing. How would you propose an alternative for TG to time its meal services?

Interesting that you note the 2nd meal is a light one, as I've read elsewhere to the contrary, so thanks for clearing that up a bit. If it's a light meal, then even better for the sleep schedule. Still, it seems that cabin crews really want to get people sorted out no later than 2hrs after takeoff. If I know that the next meal time is 9-10 hours later (I've read that TG works it about 8 hours later), that makes the current flight time around 12 with about 5-6 to go. One can nod off a touch before the last light meal. It's the timing of the 2nd meal that is important as I try to break up long flights in segments to get the optimal sleep / entertainment mix. Hope that helps.

The reality of it is I'd love more opportunities to become an expert at this....

I went recently. The flight time to BKK was 17:45 and the map showed we went over the pole. I was shocked hearing the time, but I go to log a new record in my book! The flight back was only 13:45, which is quite a difference in time. There was also a tailwind on much of the way back that was well over 100 mph. So clearly YMMV.

The food was quite generous. Three meals is enough. The mid-flight snack in Y seemed to be larger on the way to BKK than on the way back, but justifiably so. One word of caution and this may not apply in J: the food from LAX is geared toward an American/Thai taste a la an amazing Pad Thai as a dinner choice. On the way back the dinner choice consisted of either dark meat chicken (maybe I am just a white-meat snob) or some weird fish, so more Thai oriented. TG serves all of their flights very well and 795/794 are no exceptions. Also, they offer Oreos on request out of LAX. :cool:

Enjoy the Royal Orchid Service!

BKK-LAX: between 13-14 hrs, never more than 14 based on my past 3-4 flights in two years (most recent one on Jan 21, 2011). 3 Meals (2 full + 1 light) with shrimp wonton or noodle soup upon request between meals.

LAX-BKK: Definitely more than 17 hrs, most recent experience on Jan 6, 2011. 3 full meals, I was so full that I didn't ask for noodle soup in between meals like I normally would. :)

Thanks kiam for posting this :)
I'm going to be doing this on Feb. 4th and so I've been wondering the same sort of thing myself. While this is a long one, it isn't completely out of my experience. IAD->JNB was about 19 hours, although that does include a fuel-stop in DKR during the summer months. Going back is almost as long.
I clocked it at 17 hours.

BKK-LAX: between 13-14 hrs, never more than 14 based on my past 3-4 flights in two years (most recent one on Jan 21, 2011). 3 Meals (2 full + 1 light) with shrimp wonton or noodle soup upon request between meals.

LAX-BKK: Definitely more than 17 hrs, most recent experience on Jan 6, 2011. 3 full meals, I was so full that I didn't ask for noodle soup in between meals like I normally would. :)

i flew lax-bkk in november, was 16 hours 30 in the air.

Also, you can check Flightaware - http://flightaware.com/live/flight/THA795 - which has pretty accurate take-off-to-touch-down times. I remember my flight on 1/13 being about 16:45 and they clocked it at 16:48, so not too bad!

I'm booked in J on 795. Does anyone know if you can pre-book your meal like SQ does book the cook?

I've done a short review of this flight on my blog this week. Click the link below to take a look if you want.

http://www.aussieflyer.net/2011/01/going-for-platinum-part-13-las-vegas-to.html

I'm booked in J on 795. Does anyone know if you can pre-book your meal like SQ does book the cook?

Unfortunately, there is no BTC equivalent on TG J.

Anybody think there is a chance for BKK to be shut down with the recent protests? I'm leaving for my honeymoon to USM on the 5th of Feb connecting through BKK. This would be no bueno.

Anybody think there is a chance for BKK to be shut down with the recent protests? I'm leaving for my honeymoon to USM on the 5th of Feb connecting through BKK. This would be no bueno.

It seems unlikely. The Thai's protest pretty much continuously throughout the year for various things.

Anybody think there is a chance for BKK to be shut down with the recent protests? I'm leaving for my honeymoon to USM on the 5th of Feb connecting through BKK. This would be no bueno.

As the year progresses and the bickering about when (and if) to hold an election really comes to the fore I'll be slightly concerned about the ramifications.

I'd be quite surprised if the airports are once again closed.

As for the short term you've no concerns in this regard.

I'd be quite surprised if the airports are once again closed.

As would I. After the initial sh*tstorm that happened during/after the initial airport closures, it is highly unlikely the military/government (same thing ;)) will allow another shutdown at swampy. It would probably take hundreds of thousands of multiple colors choking the expressway to have any affect.

Thanks guys for the responses.... we spent alot of money on our tickets and have a limited timeframe and you have put our minds at ease.

Has anyone noticed that today's flight from LAX is flying into Don Muang Int'l (old BKK international) versus BKK (the new one)?? Anyone know why??

Where did you get that information? That has to be a mistake...

flightaware. check it out. i think it's a goof too, but you never know.

I've done a short review of this flight on my blog this week. Click the link below to take a look if you want.

http://dazz81.blogspot.com/2011/01/going-for-platinum-part-13-las-vegas-to.html

Outstanding article on your blog

Has anyone noticed that today's flight from LAX is flying into Don Muang Int'l (old BKK international) versus BKK (the new one)?? Anyone know why??

Where did you get that information? That has to be a mistake...

For whatever reason, Flightaware ALWAYS lists the latest departure (e.g. the one that hasn't taken off yet but is scheduled) as going into DMK. No idea why. Rest assured DMK has no scheduled TG traffic.

Outstanding article on your blog

Thanks boss. It might come in handy for those asking about TG795 as many people do.

Yes Dazz, that is a very well presented accounting of the flight, with good photos too. One question: I was under the assumption that the showers at the Star Lounge at TBIT/LAX were for First Class passengers, as I seem to recall they were in/near the First Class section of the lounge. Is that not the case? Are showers available to THAI Business Class pasengers too? Or for that matter, any Star Gold that gets admission to the lounge (flying economy or PE?)

Yes Dazz, that is a very well presented accounting of the flight, with good photos too. One question: I was under the assumption that the showers at the Star Lounge at TBIT/LAX were for First Class passengers, as I seem to recall they were in/near the First Class section of the lounge. Is that not the case? Are showers available to THAI Business Class pasengers too? Or for that matter, any Star Gold that gets admission to the lounge (flying economy or PE?)

Sam - I just walked in there and went into a shower room. I don't recall seeing anything saying they were for First Class. Nobody stopped me, in fact there was not any staff around at all.

Yes Dazz, that is a very well presented accounting of the flight, with good photos too. One question: I was under the assumption that the showers at the Star Lounge at TBIT/LAX were for First Class passengers, as I seem to recall they were in/near the First Class section of the lounge. Is that not the case? Are showers available to THAI Business Class pasengers too? Or for that matter, any Star Gold that gets admission to the lounge (flying economy or PE?)

Sam, in my only TBIT departure, about 2 years ago, in the C lounge, I walked into the back (on the left if I remember) and checked out the showers.

There was nothing indicating this was off limits, nobody blocking access. I had been out with a local friend that day and caught a Dodgers' game and needed a shower before the flight back to BKK.

It's been 2 years and I can't account for any changes which might have occurred since then, but at the time they were definitely accessible to C pax.... and I believe to the left in the back of the lounge, whereas the F section is to the right..... on this last point I could well be mistaken.

I have used the TBIT *A lounge showers twice in the last 8 months--both while waiting for the LAX-BKK TG flight. Once I was flying Royal Silk and once I was flying Premium Econ. (I am ROP Gold). Both times needed an attendant as the shower rooms were individually locked and had to be opened. No issues.

Okay, thanks for the feedback everybody. Next time I'll just walk in there like I own the place. ;)

Does anyone have advice about securing the exit row? I fear I am in the bottom fare class bucket (flying with a bunch of MBA students).