Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus - New Low in Intra-Asia C Catering?

Have had few segments on TG's C in the past couple of months, but I have never been impressed about TG's "food" in business class, whether it would be short/medium/long haul.

IMHO, the catering on the BKK-HKG sector that I took on Friday on probably the oldest A330 they could find, was absolutely the worst I have ever seen.

So business class menu choices were:
Omelet
Fish
Chicken Curry
Vegetarian Pasta

I asked the FA what were the choices in economy, because didn't find any of these acceptable, and was told that the last two were the economy choices.

Luckily, I had spent the transfer time at the SQ's lounge @ BKK and had some dim sum there, so decided to skip the whole "dog" food service on TG.

When I was walking to the gate TG used for this flight, I passed the EK A380 that was taking off for the same destination 15 minutes later.

I am just curious, how TG is competing with all the other carriers serving on this route with the oldest possible equipment they can find and the "food" and service they provide on these flights?

I am sure the oldest A330 is on the Yangon route, I flew it 3 times last week, and the food was similar to what you enjoyed on the HKG run. I am sure you will agree, the HKG flight was full, it always is, the Yangon flights were full, I flew back down under and that flight was full, and you have to ask why?

For me it comes down to service, I want a flight back on the weekend, who else can fly me, who else cares now days about connections to other ports. SQ doesn't, neither does CX, QF gave up, Garuda gave it a half hearted push. The people in the lounge are the same faces I see in HKG and BKK, if you are going to base yourself in Thailand and need quick connecting daily flights to neighbouring countries, you have one option, and you certainly will not pick it because of the food. TG maybe going the same way with it's new airline, let's hope not.

The daily to MNL is on the 3rd oldest A330 in the fleet (in deference to RGN and HKG of course!)... and the food is equally terrible. Abysmal actually.

However, I'm sure the alternative for me (PR) is no better.

I am sure the oldest A330 is on the Yangon route, I flew it 3 times last week, and the food was similar to what you enjoyed on the HKG run. I am sure you will agree, the HKG flight was full, it always is, the Yangon flights were full, I flew back down under and that flight was full, and you have to ask why?


I was actually connecting from SGN. Not sure what they served on the SGN-BKK as I slept the whole flight. The plane on the SGN-BKK leg was with the shell seats.

The equipment was really a disgrace. I had something similar on the TPE-BKK last year. The flight in business class was less than 50% full as everyone had seat next to them unoccupied. Not sure about the economy.

TG's prices out of BKK are higher than UL, RJ, ET, EK & other who operate on this route that all have better equipment than Thai and the food, if they serve anything at all, cannot be any worse.

BTW I was at a home party in Ho Chi Minh city the night before. I was joking that maybe I should take leftovers with me to the TG flight so that they could reheat some. Oh boy how right I was.

I am flying back to Bangkok on Monday, but this time on 747 F. If nothing else at least I can drink Dom this time..

TG's prices out of BKK are higher than UL, RJ, ET, EK & other who operate on this route that all have better equipment than Thai and the food, if they serve anything at all, cannot be any worse.



Almost all airlines charge more in their home market. this is a common thing around the world most frequent flyers would be well aware of. none of those other airlines offer the frequency that TG does with either a single daily, or only select days per week. the business traveller going to HK for a daytrip or overnight business trip will select TG for this alone.

Have had few segments on TG's C in the past couple of months, but I have never been impressed about TG's "food" in business class, whether it would be short/medium/long haul.

IMHO, the catering on the BKK-HKG sector that I took on Friday on probably the oldest A330 they could find, was absolutely the worst I have ever seen.

So business class menu choices were:
Omelet
Fish
Chicken Curry
Vegetarian Pasta

I asked the FA what were the choices in economy, because didn't find any of these acceptable, and was told that the last two were the economy choices.

Luckily, I had spent the transfer time at the SQ's lounge @ BKK and had some dim sum there, so decided to skip the whole "dog" food service on TG.

When I was walking to the gate TG used for this flight, I passed the EK A380 that was taking off for the same destination 15 minutes later.
I am just curious, how TG is competing with all the other carriers serving on this route with the oldest possible equipment they can find and the "food" and service they provide on these flights?

What are the acceptable (Good) choices for you in business class?

What are the acceptable (Good) choices for you in business class?

Can't speak for the OP, but TG's hard product on the HKG route varies (I think there are 3 different aircraft flying the route). As for the soft product (food!), the omelet is just as bad on a 744 as it is on a 773 or 330.

EK has a good product, but for business travelers, the daily flight (especially ex-BKK) is not very convenient.

The equipment is a hit and miss, it ranges from the very old Airbus and the 747 All Series to their newer equipment with the Shell Business Class and the 747-400. There will be the A380 tested on this route very soon I heard.

In regards to the catering, on the flights where TG does not offer the pre-order service it is always a disgrace and barely (if at all) edible. I found that on the BKK-HKG the meal order option is always available in C & F so at least something. Though I have to admit the quality of that food varies a lot. My last Steak could have killed someone if thrown at a person. *gulp*

For me it comes down to service, if you are going to base yourself in Thailand and need quick connecting daily flights to neighbouring countries, you have one option, and you certainly will not pick it because of the food.

I am not a TG apologist, but admit that for flights up to three hours their C product is just fine.

The new online preorder meals ex BKK are quite nice and you can escape the Y style main courses (the starters, cheese and dessert are much better).

On a very bright side I think their bevearge selection improved. Laurent Perrier Champagne is not bad and Chartron Trébuchet makes a nice Chardonnay (Pouilly Fuissé). Also the Château La Rouvière 2005 is pleasant.

And most importantly you arrive mostly on time and the C immigration problem appears to be resolved.

Mr. holtju 2 ,

my heart just broke when I read about inferior catering offered on a recent Thai flight bound for Hongkong .

This event obviously able to ruin your well being I may suggest that you might be far better off using direct flights from SGN to HKG in future thus definitely avoiding being poisoned by Thai Airways and saving a lot of time .

I find Thai Air food mostly acceptable though I always thought my standards in consuming food are extremely high but maybe yours are higher .

" So business class menu choices were:
Omelet
Fish
Chicken Curry
Vegetarian Pasta "

Care to eleborate on what you found wrong with this selection as you did not even eat it ?

Almost all airlines charge more in their home market. this is a common thing around the world most frequent flyers would be well aware of. none of those other airlines offer the frequency that TG does with either a single daily, or only select days per week. the business traveller going to HK for a daytrip or overnight business trip will select TG for this alone.

Of course.

What are the acceptable (Good) choices for you in business class?

Mr. holtju 2 ,

my heart just broke when I read about inferior catering offered on a recent Thai flight bound for Hongkong .

This event obviously able to ruin your well being I may suggest that you might be far better off using direct flights from SGN to HKG in future thus definitely avoiding being poisoned by Thai Airways and saving a lot of time .

Care to eleborate on what you found wrong with this selection as you did not even eat it ?

First of all I am not a foodie, but would have thought that they would have had a choice or two that had catered to a western traveler.



In regards to the catering, on the flights where TG does not offer the pre-order service it is always a disgrace and barely (if at all) edible. I found that on the BKK-HKG the meal order option is always available in C & F so at least something. Though I have to admit the quality of that food varies a lot. My last Steak could have killed someone if thrown at a person. *gulp*



The new online preorder meals ex BKK are quite nice and you can escape the Y style main courses (the starters, cheese and dessert are much better).



Thanks for reminding me to pre order the meal ex-Bangkok. Just did it for my flight tomorrow. Hope that the steak is not as hard as skywalkerLAX's.

My last Steak could have killed someone if thrown at a person. *gulp*

In my opinion, Thailand has some of the worst steaks in the world. I've never found any steak even remotely resembling a good steak. And the situation certainly isn't any better with airline food departing from Thailand. I've completely given up on steak that's been prepared in Thailand. I'll take just about anything else as an alternative. If the only option is something equally disgusting, I'll just nibble on the salad/dessert/etc.

Have had few segments on TG's C in the past couple of months, but I have never been impressed about TG's "food" in business class, whether it would be short/medium/long haul.

IMHO, the catering on the BKK-HKG sector that I took on Friday on probably the oldest A330 they could find, was absolutely the worst I have ever seen.

So business class menu choices were:
Omelet
Fish
Chicken Curry
Vegetarian Pasta

I asked the FA what were the choices in economy, because didn't find any of these acceptable, and was told that the last two were the economy choices.

Luckily, I had spent the transfer time at the SQ's lounge @ BKK and had some dim sum there, so decided to skip the whole "dog" food service on TG.

When I was walking to the gate TG used for this flight, I passed the EK A380 that was taking off for the same destination 15 minutes later.

I am just curious, how TG is competing with all the other carriers serving on this route with the oldest possible equipment they can find and the "food" and service they provide on these flights?

Have you had any CX food lately ? Flew TG from HKG to BKK to RGN return in Y and found the food acceptable. Food on EK similar to that on TG, but of course, you get the endless entertainment with A380. Have an upcoming flight to BKK on CX (mileage ticket) and can't say I look forward to it. I can see though, that being on the TG Boeing 747 is not exactly very pleasant either.....

BTW had a decent HKG-BKK F flight this week, although they sent the old equipment for this sector. I really like the UA F lounge over TG one @ HKG. I was there alone for about half an hour before I moved to the TG lounge.

But then I had a service meltdown on my BKK-SIN C sector yesterday.

I asked for Laurent-Perrier and received mineral water. When I said that this wasn't what I ordered, they brought me white wine. This was when the champagne bottle was in full view on their cart.

Asked to speak with a purser, whose English was equally bad. She had trouble understanding what this Laurent-Perrier is.

BTW had a decent HKG-BKK F flight this week, although they sent the old equipment for this sector. I really like the UA F lounge over TG one @ HKG. I was there alone for about half an hour before I moved to the TG lounge.

But then I had a service meltdown on my BKK-SIN C sector yesterday.

I asked for Laurent-Perrier and received mineral water. When I said that this wasn't what I ordered, they brought me white wine. This was when the champagne bottle was in full view on their cart.

Asked to speak with a purser, whose English was equally bad. She had trouble understanding what this Laurent-Perrier is.

I would never use Thai any more .

Neither drink any Perrier nor any other water .

Asked to speak with a purser, whose English was equally bad. She had trouble understanding what this Laurent-Perrier is.

Why can't you just make her life easy and say, "champagne"?

The new online preorder meals ex BKK are quite nice and you can escape the Y style main courses (the starters, cheese and dessert are much better).

.

Thanks Behuman, I did try the new meals, had a duck dish which was great. they bring it out first, everybody looks and wants to know what you are having. It didn't take long to organise but when i did go to do it again, I couldn't get on the site, and being in a hurry, moved on and forgot about it

But then I had a service meltdown on my BKK-SIN C sector yesterday.

I asked for Laurent-Perrier and received mineral water. When I said that this wasn't what I ordered, they brought me white wine. This was when the champagne bottle was in full view on their cart.



So you said laurent-perrier and you received perrier? do you really class this as a service meltdown? Goodness, it seems a pretty innocent error to me.

So you said laurent-perrier and you received perrier? do you really class this as a service meltdown? Goodness, it seems a pretty innocent error to me.

Note that then they brought me white wine after I pointed out that this isn't what I ordered.

Why can't you just make her life easy and say, "champagne"?

Normally, when I order a soda, I say Pepsi or Coke. Don't think that it should be overtaxing for the TG crew to know the champagne brand they are carrying.

Note that then they brought me white wine after I pointed out that this isn't what I ordered.

how exactly did you word this, did you say 'i didnt order this'?

I mean honestly, why not just say, 'champagne please'. simple right?

I mean honestly, why not just say, 'champagne please'. simple right?

:) I've been pretty busy on Thai over the last weeks. I worked out it was always going to be better to ask for chardonnay rather than Pouilly Fuissé. Using French as a lingua franca for an english-speaker in Thailand is always going to end in tears...

To be honest though, the catering is slightly disappionting in C, but always a pleasant surprise in Y. The first, plated, offering of the longer-haul C meal is usually great, but the main course in a foil container is less than pleasing.

Short-haul regional flights (Hanoi, Rangoon) were in Y, and left me happy. The longer regional routes (Jakarta and Singapore) were very comfortable C-class, though it's probably better to avoid the last row of the C cabin: there seems to be awful lot of dumping stuff in the gap behind your seat.

The overnight BKK MAD flight two weeks' back was packed in C. The service was very mechanical, sometimes flustered, and characterised by a complete absence of Spanish speakers among the cabin crew. Food so-so, foil containers again.

On the flight out from Madrid, the F cabin was occupied by only three of us. The meal service was so rushed we were getting packed off to bed before we overflew Greece ....

Something of a farce disembarking in LHR, where the purser tries to push the F passengers through the jostle of C passengers waiting to get off. I'm sure there's a good reason for not using the foward door to connect to the airbridge - any takers?

To be honest though, the catering is slightly disappionting in C, but always a pleasant surprise in Y. The first, plated, offering of the longer-haul C meal is usually great, but the main course in a foil container is less than pleasing.

Food so-so, foil containers again.



oh no, foil containers in C making an appearance again. it's disgusting!

Safety in SEA airspace under most serious threat .

Cockpit crew of Thai Airways bound for BKK ordering two glasses Perrier water might be supplied with ... I hesitate to spell it .

May I therefore most respectfully suggest to eliminate any Champagne from the Thai drinks list that could possibly sound like orange juice , water , Coca Cola , tea or Red Bull . Taittinger might be the solution , brut .

Note that then they brought me white wine after I pointed out that this isn't what I ordered.

Why didn't you keep the water and use it to sparkle up the wine. :D

Keeping it simple and saying 'champagne' when there's one only producer on offer is always the best bet.

Just flew back in Y from China and agree on the catering as a surprise. starters are a miss mostly but main have always been pretty good.

However, I have to concur on the C catering and somewhat mechanical services at times. Fish has never been good on TG, I can't eat eggs so that leaves me with Y food....

Said that, my weekly choices of flights are mainly CZ or MU offerings vs TG and I know which is I'd take by a mile.

Agree that EK 380 is not so convenient as I do tend to take TG for the miles and timing, however whenever time allows, it is always such an event and such an enjoyable flight on the EK big bird....

Can't see TG sorting this out anytime soon as most Thais love everything about TG. I'd say it'll be a good start to get rid of those male attendants' uniforms (they look so 80s and never fit hem!) and get so real lie flat in c!

Said that, my weekly choices of flights are mainly CZ or MU offerings vs TG and I know which is I'd take by a mile.



And is what ?

And is what ?

I don't know about MU, but in my experience regional CZ in C and Y utilitarian at best. The food is bland and tasteless, the crew barely speaks English, and your fellow passengers, mostly Chinese, are often a loud and obnoxious bunch. Also, CAN may be one of the worst places in the world for an international to domestic transfer (and vice versa).

Why can't you just make her life easy and say, "champagne"?

Cause it would detract from OP's polished image as a DYKWIA...

I don't know about MU, but in my experience regional CZ in C and Y utilitarian at best. The food is bland and tasteless, the crew barely speaks English, and your fellow passengers, mostly Chinese, are often a loud and obnoxious bunch. Also, CAN may be one of the worst places in the world for an international to domestic transfer (and vice versa).

I'd take Chinese pax over obnoxious and often louder VITs and their entourage any day.

But I agree with your assessment of CZ hard product and service. MU is slightly better specially service wise. It does help to have a basic command of Mandarin though if you wanna travel domestic or regional in/around China.

Cause it would detract from OP's polished image as a DYKWIA...

So what has judging fellow FTalkers as being DYKWIA :td::td: to do with the original topic?

So what has judging fellow FTalkers as being DYKWIA :td::td: to do with the original topic?

There's a bit of pretension involved to ask for the champagne by name when there's only one choice on offer (and the pronounciation could well be misunderstood). I agree that it has nothing to do with DYKWIA.

Said that, my weekly choices of flights are mainly CZ or MU offerings vs TG and I know which is I'd take by a mile.



Just in case ezzerbkk wishes to let us know that he prefers CZ or MU biz against TG I wish to add that the initial desaster of being supplied with Perrier water instead of Laurent Perrier champagne would not happen at MU or CZ because they supply neither of these liquids . Neither do they trouble themselves with supplying Thai or western newspapers , printed menues or , god forbid , a selection of wines . " Fish or meat , Sir ?" opens the dinner festivities and if god is with you , the beer is cold .

Aircraft mostly would be 767 , assembled in the very early days of flying through the air in metal tubes .

The only advantages against TG are more convenient departure times which is why I use them and the female attendants are prettier . The latter as a tecnical remark only , personally I would prefer a Thai female subject at any given time even at double the age and weight .

Nuff said

Somkiat. Totally agree. However I do feel that TG C service is below that of SQ, CX, EK, VS. etc. The hard product yes (Even the A380 seems to be behind the EK offering), food, lounge...., a touch behind.

But yep, no way I'd get on CZ or MU when I can get on a TG.

Oh and I also refuse to get on those 767s...

Mr Ezzer ,

I did indeed spend several sleepless nights under the obviously wrong impression that you prefer Chinese airlines in comparison to our beloved Thai International .

Your point of SQ, CX, EK, VS offering better value here and there might be the full truth but are meaningless to myself as I do not use those companies .

On a sidenote : i just got aware that a female subject from America has been appointed as MD of the Oriental BKK , hell what is this world heading for ??

ON the BKK-CMB route the starter was dried up tuna fish straight out of a tin placed on a bed of lettuce with some packet of "dressing".

Pretty gross.

The main is only good if you choose any "Indian" option such as a curry.

The dessert is usually very dry and tasteless.

That said, the service is usually just fine.

: i just got aware that a female subject from America has been appointed as MD of the Oriental BKK , hell what is this world heading for ??

somkiat I love your posts, but this one upsets me. Tell me it isn't true, has Kurt and Jan left the building for keeps?

Your point of SQ, CX, EK, VS offering better value here and there might be the full truth but are meaningless to myself as I do not use those companies .



See there lies the problem. How are you supposed to comment about TG's "food" and service compared to others if you only fly TG? It is competitive market there and I always compare the price, service, alliance (if any), and miles earned when buying a ticket.

TG cannot live in a "vacuum" and tout about "Royal Orchid Service", if all you get is economy food on china in business and crews whose English is cursory.

TG cannot live in a "vacuum" and tout about "Royal Orchid Service", if all you get is economy food on china in business and crews whose English cursory.

Why not? Seems to me they have plenty of company with other Asian airlines doing similar. Even some of the 5-star airlines have some flight attendants who's English sometimes isn't up to par. I've just learned that it's one of the things you have to accept when flying in Asia, or else limit yourself to a very select few airlines.

Sure, it would be better if their FA's spoke perfect English, but personally I'd rather pay the cheaper prices and put up with English that's not quite there.

See there lies the problem. How are you supposed to comment about TG's "food" and service compared to others if you only fly TG?

Where , oh Mr / Mrs Holtju 2 did I ever say that I use nothing but TG ?? I did in fact say that I use Chinese carriers if they offer more convenient departure times back to the City of Angels . I say different too mut why you no read ? See there lies the problem .

somkiat I love your posts, but this one upsets me. Tell me it isn't true, has Kurt and Jan left the building for keeps?

Mr/Mrs BKKROP ,

we are in fact arriving at a situation that after the unrepeatable Khun Kurt another subject from Germany did take over the Olenten and for 3 years only . Mr Jan is heading back to the Unites States now taking over the MO New York plus a mysterious and most likely totally useless management position within the group . My heart broken , this is not what I call continuity .

Next one is the queue is a female individual again from the US but also with a US passport and working background in HKG MO properties . May Buddha be with her , I have as such nothing against women . The opposite , actually .

May I respectfully add that I enjoy the enormous privilege of looking back at 106 visits to the Olenten since 1997 , the property being one of the great places on the planet . I hope it stays like this . One never knows .

My experience on the HKG-BKK and the HKG-HKT route has been dismal.The food is often dried out or inedible. Sorry, but on this expensive route, and it can be expensive, TG could at least pay for some decent catering. I'd take a fresh sandwich instead of the chicken skin surprise.

There is only one direct flight on the HKG-HKT route, otherwise you have to connect via BKK which adds 2 hours minimum. The 14:30 from HKT is right in the hunger zone and you don't land until 19:30 or later. So a meal is appreciated. And if you don't make that flight you get stuck on a connection which adds another 2-5 hours.

True, TG is one of the few legacy airlines that offers a snack on a short haul flight, but I can do without the coloured glop on a plate in lieu of a drink. On the last BKK-HKT flight it was some sort of pink fish paste. There is no alcohol on the BKK-HKT flights. Not that there was much selection on last months HKG-BKK flight. (They had no white and only one red.) And yes I often need a drink. TG uses that flying coffin on the HkT-BKK route. If you sit downstairs you get the config with the galley on one side so, windows are only on the A side. A drink dulls the pain of the experience. These are the 20 year old+ worn out seats with the burnt out shared screen in the cabin. Yes, they do use the AB 330 on the HKG-HKT route but they are getting rather tatty. I suppose the equipment matches the geriatric FAs that scowl the entire flight.

Mr/Mrs BKKROP ,

we are in fact arriving at a situation that after the unrepeatable Khun Kurt another subject from Germany did take over the Olenten and for 3 years only . Mr Jan is heading back to the Unites States now taking over the MO New York plus a mysterious and most likely totally useless management position within the group . My heart broken , this is not what I call continuity .

Next one is the queue is a female individual again from the US but also with a US passport and working background in HKG MO properties . May Buddha be with her , I have as such nothing against women . The opposite , actually .

May I respectfully add that I enjoy the enormous privilege of looking back at 106 visits to the Olenten since 1997 , the property being one of the great places on the planet . I hope it stays like this . One never knows .

indeed!

TG cannot ..tout about "Royal Orchid Service", if all you get is economy food on china in business.....

You're lucky ;), meals served on china was but a dream on my recent series of TG C-class flights.

No idea if the food was also served in the economy-class cabin, but it was definitely handed out packed in foil containers, their tops graciously removed before the containers were plonked on my tray.

The food was defo nothing special, and its presentation hardly seductive.

Awfully sorry for defending meals being served in alumin(i)um in the exclusive ambience of a TG plane :

Under aspects of hygiene an aircraft kitchen would come close to a Chinese rural prison I may say . Anything eatable arriving in a closed box in front of my seat I consider a pleasant event in particular as usually the kitchenette is sort of next to the toilets .

In reality I don`t care of course , it is just an intelligent argument I believe and further you may fold the foil later and throw it at somebody .

In reality I don`t care of course , it is just an intelligent argument I believe and further you may fold the foil later and throw it at somebody .

Throw`it away??? Don't be ridiculous. One takes home the foil container and uses it to recreate the fabulous TG cabin atmosphere at stylish dinner parties.