Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus - TG domestic C Class

Hi everyone.

I was recently looking on TG website for BKK/KBV (Krabi) on TG in C class for August and got prices but did not book.

Now that I am looking again, I get an error message, asking to try again later.

Expedia will only offer in Y and says that the aircraft is an A 320.

Neither TG website nor Seatguru show A 320 in the list of planes operated by TG.

I can read on the Net that TG just ordered A350 and A 320 for later delivery, but started to lease A 320 as soon as 2012.

Does anyone know if C class was scrapped or not from flights to/from Krabi?

Thank you.

probably the A320-flight will be operated by new "Thai Smile"-brand which will be launched in July...............

probably the A320-flight will be operated by new "Thai Smile"-brand which will be launched in July...............

I agree. I don't think TG has any intention of using the A320 on routes other than Thai Smiles.

I agree. I don't think TG has any intention of using the A320 on routes other than Thai Smiles.

I agree. And Thai Smiles doesn't have C class but they have Smile Plus which has more legroom than regular Y class.

I agree. And Thai Smiles doesn't have C class but they have Smile Plus which has more legroom than regular Y class.

Most probably they will switch to a convertible cabin divider for their C-Class product, which is common use world-wide.
Amadeus still shows C-class option for the flights between KBV and BKK operated by A320.

I agree. And Thai Smiles doesn't have C class but they have Smile Plus which has more legroom than regular Y class.

That sounds eerily similar to a Nok Air kind of seating arrangement.

I agree. And Thai Smiles doesn't have C class but they have Smile Plus which has more legroom than regular Y class.

Isn't Thai Smile the low cost arm of TG?

If so, they'd better review their pricing....

Air Asia is € 40 and TG € 125 ....

Hoping they sort it out and offer whatever premium product such as C class or Smile Plus....

If anyone knows anything, please let me know.

Thank you in advance.

Isn't Thai Smile the low cost arm of TG?

If so, they'd better review their pricing....

Air Asia is € 40 and TG € 125 ....

My guess is that they're attempting to be a semi-LCC with respect to labor costs, less than full service, etc., but not so much on the cost of the ticket. Previously they've been losing considerable money on their domestic operations and needed to subsidize it with their profitable international operations. At least that's what I understand the situation is. It wouldn't really make any sense to try to duplicate Air Asia in all respects, including pricing, because they'd be right back where they started from with respect to losing money, if not worse.

My guess is that they're attempting to be a semi-LCC with respect to labor costs, less than full service, etc., but not so much on the cost of the ticket. Previously they've been losing considerable money on their domestic operations and needed to subsidize it with their profitable international operations. At least that's what I understand the situation is. It wouldn't really make any sense to try to duplicate Air Asia in all respects, including pricing, because they'd be right back where they started from with respect to losing money, if not worse.

Héhé... Are you being ironic?

If the price is higher than with Air Asia, there has to be a better product/service, otherwise no one will fly with them (other than long haul connecting PAx who will not bring the revenue they need).

Once Air Asia introduces their Red Carpet service in Thailand, there will be little reason to fly TG even in Premium class.

Héhé... Are you being ironic?

If the price is higher than with Air Asia, there has to be a better product/service, otherwise no one will fly with them (other than long haul connecting PAx who will not bring the revenue they need).

Once Air Asia introduces their Red Carpet service in Thailand, there will be little reason to fly TG even in Premium class.

Sorry, but I consider the CEO of Air Asia to be probably the most despicable businessman I know of. They will never get a single baht from me. Their business practices are just absolutely disgusting. No matter how they package their garbage, it still stinks.

Sorry, but I consider the CEO of Air Asia to be probably the most despicable businessman I know of. They will never get a single baht from me. Their business practices are just absolutely disgusting. No matter how they package their garbage, it still stinks.

I had read that he was quite an autocratic person but do not follow up much on Air Asia (which I hardly ever fly). I would not fly Ryanair for (among other things) the same reasons you mention about Air Asia's CEO.

This does not solve my problem with TG not offering C class on the BKK/KBV route though. :(

I had read that he was quite an autocratic person but do not follow up much on Air Asia (which I hardly ever fly). I would not fly Ryanair for (among other things) the same reasons you mention about Air Asia's CEO.

This does not solve my problem with TG not offering C class on the BKK/KBV route though. :(

I guess you will have to slum it in economy for an hour. How positively awful!

If the price is higher than with Air Asia, there has to be a better product/service, otherwise no one will fly with them (other than long haul connecting PAx who will not bring the revenue they need).

Once Air Asia introduces their Red Carpet service in Thailand, there will be little reason to fly TG even in Premium class.

Let's see, lounge access, *A accrual, baggage included. Sounds to be leagues above the awfulness that is Air Asia and worth the additional money to also not give 1 THB to FD/AK.

Let's see, lounge access, *A accrual, baggage included. Sounds to be leagues above the awfulness that is Air Asia and worth the additional money to also not give 1 THB to FD/AK.

It is also worth noting that if anything goes wrong with your Air Asia flight, they will do their utmost best to screw you out of your money/refund/etc. While TG might not be the greatest, they still adhere pretty much to standard protocol of airlines with respect to treating passengers decently and looking after them when a problem occurs. I imagine they will do similar with Thai Smiles. When you get screwed with Air Asia and need to buy a very expensive ticket because of their incompetence, ruin your vacation, etc., then someone using Air Asia will realize that for some of us it's simply not worth taking the chance in an attempt to save some money.

The connecting passengers are certainly one group that will find Thai Smiles to be advantageous. But quite clearly they are not the only ones. Even if I had all the time in the world and no connecting flights to worry about and was traveling light, I still wouldn't even think of using Air Asia, and I think many others are also in the same position. Now I have used Nok Air in the past and would consider them in the future if given the opportunity, and weighing the advantages of Thai Smiles over them, ie. lounge access, *A mileage, etc. I'm not very keen on LCC's, but also not totally opposed to them. It's only Air Asia and 1-2-3go/Orient Thai that I'm totally opposed to flying.

I guess you will have to slum it in economy for an hour. How positively awful!

;)

Flying Y for an hour is not an issue.

Queue, luggage allowance, crowd, lack of seating in case of delay etc is. This is what matters more to me and where C class makes a huge difference.

It is also worth noting that if anything goes wrong with your Air Asia flight, they will do their utmost best to screw you out of your money/refund/etc. While TG might not be the greatest, they still adhere pretty much to standard protocol of airlines with respect to treating passengers decently and looking after them when a problem occurs. I imagine they will do similar with Thai Smiles. When you get screwed with Air Asia and need to buy a very expensive ticket because of their incompetence, ruin your vacation, etc., then someone using Air Asia will realize that for some of us it's simply not worth taking the chance in an attempt to save some money.(...)

I have flown Air Asia only twice, so have no experience. Not being interested in flying with Air Asia, I have not followed up the reviews on the net.

What you write looks like the reports on Ryanair!

My main concern is on the ground, not in the air, for such a short flight.

TG offered a more expensive but superior service when flying C. I have not flown domestic TG in Y for a long time (if ever) so saw Air Asia Red Carpet service as a an alternative to TG in Y.

But they have Red Carpet service neither in BKK nor in KBV. :(

Main problem will be luggage. If flying with Air Asia, you can buy up to 40 Kg in advance. So nothing to worry about at the airport (provided all else goes well, I understand your message).

The ticket with TG is not only 3 times more expensive (I would not mind if the service was better), but the luggage limit is the usual one for economy. I do NOT want to go through the hassle of paying for overweight luggage at the airport which usually involves being sent to whatever counter where a long queue will be waiting for you and then go back to the check-in counter to find another queue! Hate it.

P.S. The ThaiSmileAir website does not offer the BKK/KBV route yet. They show it on their map, but it is not in the drop down menu for the destination. Any idea about that?

Air Asia is € 40 and TG € 125 ....

Hoping they sort it out and offer whatever premium product such as C class or Smile Plus....



Just out of curiosity, is this a o/w FD Y vs o/w TG C? The TG price could be a r/t in Y, but I'm not sure where the numbers are coming from.




P.S. The ThaiSmileAir website does not offer the BKK/KBV route yet. They show it on their map, but it is not in the drop down menu for the destination. Any idea about that?

The only route they're showing so far is BKK-MFM.

Just out of curiosity, is this a o/w FD Y vs o/w TG C? The TG price could be a r/t in Y, but I'm not sure where the numbers are coming from.

I got the prices on TG from Expedia since TG site shows an error message.

€ 41 is o/w with FD
€ 125 is o/w with TG in Y.

Can't get a price in C any more, other than via Koh Samui at ridiculous prices (and long journey time).

The prices are for o/w in both cases (Air Asia price is promotional).

The only route they're showing so far is BKK-MFM.

The map shows KBV as well. :) : http://www.thaismileair.com/thaismile/en/where-we-fly.htm

I got the prices on TG from Expedia since TG site shows an error message.

€ 41 is o/w with FD
€ 125 is o/w with TG in Y.

Can't get a price in C any more, other than via Koh Samui at ridiculous prices (and long journey time).

The prices are for o/w in both cases (Air Asia price is promotional).

The price your giving for TG Y is full fare eco and the cost of a restricted o/w C. The cheapest o/w I'm seeing on a random date (Y) is south of $100US. Not sure why you're getting an error message... what dates are you looking at?

Also, TG doesn't fly USM-KBV, that would be Bangkok Air, PG. Expedia is not your friend here.



The map shows KBV as well. :) : http://www.thaismileair.com/thaismile/en/where-we-fly.htm

I should have been clearer. BKK-MFM is the only route for sale at the moment.

The price your giving for TG Y is full fare eco and the cost of a restricted o/w C. The cheapest o/w I'm seeing on a random date (Y) is south of $100US. Not sure why you're getting an error message... what dates are you looking at?

Am looking at BKK/KBV on 20 August and KBV/BKK on 29.

Just spoke with TG in BKK.

- r/t with Thai Plus service was quoted at THB 6710 incl. tax
- o/w KVB/BKK same Thai Plus at THB 3330.

Also, TG doesn't fly USM-KBV, that would be Bangkok Air, PG. Expedia is not your friend here.

Correct. Code share. Not interesting.

Am looking at BKK/KBV on 20 August and KBV/BKK on 29.

Just spoke with TG in BKK.

- r/t with Thai Plus service was quoted at THB 6710 incl. tax
- o/w KVB/BKK same Thai Plus at THB 3330.



Looks like Aug 4 is the last day mainline TG flies that route. The prices you're being quoted are higher than half the current Y fares. :eek:

Looks like Aug 4 is the last day mainline TG flies that route. The prices you're being quoted are higher than half the current Y fares. :eek:

o/w promotional fare was quoted by the same person @ THB 2545 and r/t @ THB 5140.

The fares I mentioned are for Thai Plus.

;)

Flying Y for an hour is not an issue.

Queue, luggage allowance, crowd, lack of seating in case of delay etc is. This is what matters more to me and where C class makes a huge difference.

then you just need status

then you just need status

One rarely has status with all alliances. This is when business class fare comes handy.