Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus - BKK to Chiang Mai - 747 and 330 Royal Silk

I am booking a couple of domestic flights from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and I have questions on seating and options.

Thai's web site does not appear to allow seat selection so I can't tell the layout of the cabin on either plane so it can be matched with SeatGuru to get my seat selection details.

Has anyone flown the 747 or 330 to/from BKK to Chiang Mai? What is Royal Silk like on these flights?

I never knew Thai offered wide-bodied flights until I was leaving Chiang Mai recently on a over-crowded cramped AirAsia flight and saw a TG 747 on the tarmac. (BTW, TG also flies the 777).

Also, anyone know the usage pattern or inside-info on how/why these wide-body planes can be used by TG on these short-haul domestic flights?

Thanks all!

The big bird are primarily used for TG's tourist laden routes. Domestically i don't think the cost is worth anything more than Y (actually, with the current domestic prices i don't even think Y is worth it), but other will differ.

You'll get a meal but no alcohol.

Seats cannot be selected for domestic flights until 24 hours out.

Thai has people coming in from around the world in 'waves' of arrivals and departures, so the first and last few flights of the day to and from Thai domestic destinations like Chiang Mai and Phuket are packed full of transfer passengers, hence the need for 747, 777 and A330 on these flights.

Also - the widebody fleet can spend a whole day in Bangkok between flights so they have time to operate a few domestic legs.

You won't know the configuration of the aircraft until 24 hours before, and even then it is subject to change at the last moment, and regularly does. You will be quite comfortable in business class for the one hour sector on any of the 777, 747 and A330 aircraft.

Other airlines operate widebodies domestically on short flights where the capacity is needed. In Japan, the Philipines and Australia for example.

cheers

The big bird are primarily used for TG's tourist laden routes. Domestically i don't think the cost is worth anything more than Y (actually, with the current domestic prices i don't even think Y is worth it), but other will differ.

You'll get a meal but no alcohol.

Seats cannot be selected for domestic flights until 24 hours out.

I will differ. Higher baggage allowance, shorter check-in queues, expedited security line (in BKK), and lounge access warrant the added expense - within reason, of course. Granted, your Star Alliance level may get you some of the above, but if you are status-less, I would consider the ease and relaxation that (in theory) accompanies flying up front. 24 hours out, I could not pre-select F seats in the nose of the 744, but they gladly gave me (family of 4) these seats at the airport. A nice, albeit short, ride. No booze, but food was good and attention was excellent.

I will differ. Higher baggage allowance, shorter check-in queues, expedited security line (in BKK), and lounge access warrant the added expense - within reason, of course. Granted, your Star Alliance level may get you some of the above, but if you are status-less, I would consider the ease and relaxation that (in theory) accompanies flying up front. 24 hours out, I could not pre-select F seats in the nose of the 744, but they gladly gave me (family of 4) these seats at the airport. A nice, albeit short, ride. No booze, but food was good and attention was excellent.

Expedited security? For domestic flights? That's a new one for me, I've never seen nor heard of it. At the same time, it's never taken me more than 5 minutes to clear domestic security at BKK.

You're correct that there is a higher baggage allowance (10kg) and shorter check in lines. You're also correct that as *G none of this matters to me. :D

Domestic flights containing an F cabin can only have those seats allocated at the airport as far as i know.

If you've got the disposable income have at it. For a 60 minute flight the additional cost is a bit much for me. Then again TGs domestic Y prices after April 1 are too much for me.