Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus - New or Old Biz Class BKK/KTM/BKK?

Can someone help me out and let me know if the TG flight to KTM from BKK is with the new biz class seats or the old ones?

Thanks!

UG

According to a few random dates in Jul using KVS tool, it looks like TG are using 772, which has new biz. Be aware though, that THAI can substitute aircraft and nothing is sure 100% my 772 BKK-SIN in new C turned into a very dated AB6 :(

[KVS Availability Tool 2.8.2/Lite - Apollo: ITN/US-ARL] (http://KVS.UnrealNetwork.com/Tool/?R)
BKK Bangkok Int'l TH [VTBD]
KTM Kathmandu Tribhuvan NP [VNKT]
TUE 03 Jul 2007

Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Availability
--------- ------ ---- --------- ---- --------- ---- ---- -----------------------------------------
TG 319 BKK 10:40 KTM 12:45 772 0 C4 D4 J4 Z4 Y4 B4 M4 H4 Q4 T4 K4 S4 V4 W4


Cheers, TK

Hi,

It should be the new C.

In the last 3 or so years it's always been the 772, at least when i have flown, and now given that all their 772s are re-furbished, we always get the new C. I fly this route quite often on TG 319/320 (also, see my username).

I was once chatting on-board with a cabin crew and was told that there are crew restriction on who can fly to KTM. Only pilots/co-pilots who have spent a lot of time training specially for KTM can fly the route, and so it's rare for anything else to be flown.

The flights are full to the brim these days and TG also is almost the main airline flying asian cargo to kathmandu, so I doubt we'd see the AB300, but i am not sure how a 773 sub would work.

I have once seen a chartered 747 at KTM (Orient Thai) though I always thought it was impossible to land a 747 at this airport. It was used to fly Nepali soldiers to their United Nations mission (I guess somewhere in Africa).

I much appreciate you assistance! I will let you know how it goes. On a side note, if you get this on time, is the Le Meridien a good property to stay? Or the Hyatt?

UG

Hi,

UG,

If you are here on holiday, then I would think the Le Meridien is a good choice, as it's a holiday resort. and has character and a golf course, but it's slightly located off-site from the city.

The Hyatt is also not that conveniently located, but is still easier to access and would prefer that if i were on business and have to meet people.

both hotels are pretty good, but you'd find 'modern' amenities at Hyatt while at Le-Meridien you'll find 'character'

hope that helps. PM me, as i happen to be in KTM these days..

--
A bit of info on the KTM airport for those interested.

I have seen an AN 124 at KTM airport, and as you mention the 747-200s from Orient Thai. Austrian used to fly their 340-300 on schedule, and now and then the Gulf Air 340-300 also shows up here. I have read stories about the AN 225 Myria as well as the concorde land in KTM, but those were long before I was flying so much.

The Thai 772 is the largest shceduled daily airliner into KTM. Korean Air flies a 777 every week, but i am not sure which variant it does. Otherwise i see a regular run of 737s, A310s, A300s, A330s, A319/320/321s, 757s and also 767s, MD82, and a F27 now and then.

The restriction with KTM airport is that the aircraft should be able to quickly clear the hills around the valley after take off. and the runway is slightly sloped on the 02 end, so needs to be careful to avoid tail-strike with longer planes. but i do hope to see a A340-600 here one day.:)

Most of the flights out of KTM take off in a STOL mode, fully rev up the engine at the end of the runway and let go of brakes and the plane is off the ground almost at the half-way mark of the runway and the runway is 10,000 ft. I enjoy it.. but i think quite a lot of people get scared :D . The Nepal Airlines (RA) 757s and Druk air 319, those take off like rockets..

---

thanks

Very interesting stuff!

If you want to be in the center of town the Yak and Yeti is the usual place to be. If you want something affordable that has a lot of charm try the Summit Hotel in Patan - I like the location. For lunch/dinner try Chez Caroline at Babar Mahal Revisited.

Hi,

I hope this question would suit this topic. I'm looking for a one-way KTM-BKK around October, November. What is the going price on TG for the economy class?

I also would love to know if the through ticket KTM-BKK-LHR with a longish stopover in BKK (3-4 months) is available from Kathmandu agents, and if it costs less than buying KTM-BKK and BKK-LHR separately.

Many thanks indeed.

Hi,

I hope this question would suit this topic. I'm looking for a one-way KTM-BKK around October, November. What is the going price on TG for the economy class?

I also would love to know if the through ticket KTM-BKK-LHR with a longish stopover in BKK (3-4 months) is available from Kathmandu agents, and if it costs less than buying KTM-BKK and BKK-LHR separately.

Many thanks indeed.

It would be better to go with 2 sepearte tickets as tickets out of KTM are more expensive these days