Nov 5, 2015, 10:10 am
Last edit by: Matt4
QR to and from Bangkok
What to expect
A recent trip report for this journey, can be found here:
Photos of the Cabin
You will find photos galore of the J cabin on the A380 and 777 which are some of the aircrafts QR use on the DOH-BKK-DOH route.
You will find photos galore of the F cabin on the A380 here.
Aircraft Layouts
A380: 1-2-1 layout in F and J, 3-4-3 (Lower deck) and 2-4-2 (Upper deck, only accessible for OneWorld status passengers unless the lower deck is full) in Y
787: 1-2-1 layout in J and 3-3-3 in Y
777: 2-2-2 layout in J, 3-3-3 or 3-4-3 (QR834 DOH-BKK-HAN, QR835 HAN-BKK-DOH) in Y
A340-600: 2-2-2 layout in J and 2-4-2 in Y
Which Lounge should I use at BKK?
There are multiple lounges to use in Bangkok, and the best option for you will likely be determined by the time of your flight, and the location of your departure gate.
QR are in the process of opening their own lounge in Bangkok, but as of April 2016, we know very little other than it will be located on Concourse D. Until then, QR recommend J and F passengers use the lounges provided by Thai Airways. These lounges are scattered throughout the airport.
For F passengers, you will get an invitation to use the Thai Airways Royal First Lounge, which is located on Concourse E. It is a small area, but QR no longer have an Agreement to use the larger Thai Airways Royal First Lounge on Concourse D. The small area is roped off, and there is a small menu (no buffet), with a decent drinks selection.
For J passengers, and Y passengers with status (Silver and higher) you will receive an invitation to use the Thai Airways Royal Silk Lounge. These are located on Concourse C, Concourse D, and Concourse E. A map of the lounges can be found here.
OneWorld Emerald or Sapphire card holders or F or J passengers have also access to two lounges situated on or near the 3rd floor, Concourse G: the recently-opened (2015) Cathay Pacific Lounge (04:00 to between 18:30 and 01:00), and the Japan Airlines lounge (05:45-09:55, 18:00-00:40). While the CX and JL lounges are quite close together, they can be a distance from the QR gates - so keep an eye on the time!
Connecting from Thai (TG) domestic
Thai will through check-in your bags and facilitate you as a "CIQ" passenger through an airside transfer at BKK. They will do this even if you are travelling to BKK on a completely separate TG ticket, but you will need to show evidence of the QR flight (ticket number or online check-in receipt). This is based on leaving from Chiang Mai, but should work for other Thai airports.
The process is particularly useful in avoiding security queues landside to airside at BKK, and gets neatly around QR's restrictions on check-in opening times at the airport.
CIQ stands for Customs Immigration and Quarantine: nothing to do with Chiquimula airport in Guatamala
Will I be given pyjamas and an amenity kit? Reports vary, but have a look at this thread before flying to prepare your expectations -
What meals are served? This is dependent on the timing of your flight and class of travel, but 1 or 2 full meals are usually offered by QR. Menus can be found via the QR Dashboard. F menus and Y menus are here.
Will I be offered Fast-Track through Immigration?
- Departure from BKK : you will get a Fast-Track (Premium Lane) voucher if travelling in J or F, or travelling in Y with Silver, Gold or Platinum status.
- Arrival to BKK : if you are traveling in J or F, you will be provided with a Fast-Track voucher upon landing in Bangkok. Hold on to your boarding pass as you deplane, as the brown Fast Track vouchers are sometimes given out at the top of the gate rather than on the plane. If you are traveling in Y with Silver, Gold or Platinum status, you have to request the Fast-Track voucher at the QR agent at the gate.
What time does check-in open? Check in opens 3 hours before your departure time. QR police this quite strictly.
What to expect
A recent trip report for this journey, can be found here:
Photos of the Cabin
You will find photos galore of the J cabin on the A380 and 777 which are some of the aircrafts QR use on the DOH-BKK-DOH route.
You will find photos galore of the F cabin on the A380 here.
Aircraft Layouts
A380: 1-2-1 layout in F and J, 3-4-3 (Lower deck) and 2-4-2 (Upper deck, only accessible for OneWorld status passengers unless the lower deck is full) in Y
787: 1-2-1 layout in J and 3-3-3 in Y
777: 2-2-2 layout in J, 3-3-3 or 3-4-3 (QR834 DOH-BKK-HAN, QR835 HAN-BKK-DOH) in Y
A340-600: 2-2-2 layout in J and 2-4-2 in Y
Which Lounge should I use at BKK?
There are multiple lounges to use in Bangkok, and the best option for you will likely be determined by the time of your flight, and the location of your departure gate.
QR are in the process of opening their own lounge in Bangkok, but as of April 2016, we know very little other than it will be located on Concourse D. Until then, QR recommend J and F passengers use the lounges provided by Thai Airways. These lounges are scattered throughout the airport.
For F passengers, you will get an invitation to use the Thai Airways Royal First Lounge, which is located on Concourse E. It is a small area, but QR no longer have an Agreement to use the larger Thai Airways Royal First Lounge on Concourse D. The small area is roped off, and there is a small menu (no buffet), with a decent drinks selection.
For J passengers, and Y passengers with status (Silver and higher) you will receive an invitation to use the Thai Airways Royal Silk Lounge. These are located on Concourse C, Concourse D, and Concourse E. A map of the lounges can be found here.
OneWorld Emerald or Sapphire card holders or F or J passengers have also access to two lounges situated on or near the 3rd floor, Concourse G: the recently-opened (2015) Cathay Pacific Lounge (04:00 to between 18:30 and 01:00), and the Japan Airlines lounge (05:45-09:55, 18:00-00:40). While the CX and JL lounges are quite close together, they can be a distance from the QR gates - so keep an eye on the time!
Connecting from Thai (TG) domestic
Thai will through check-in your bags and facilitate you as a "CIQ" passenger through an airside transfer at BKK. They will do this even if you are travelling to BKK on a completely separate TG ticket, but you will need to show evidence of the QR flight (ticket number or online check-in receipt). This is based on leaving from Chiang Mai, but should work for other Thai airports.
The process is particularly useful in avoiding security queues landside to airside at BKK, and gets neatly around QR's restrictions on check-in opening times at the airport.
CIQ stands for Customs Immigration and Quarantine: nothing to do with Chiquimula airport in Guatamala
Will I be given pyjamas and an amenity kit? Reports vary, but have a look at this thread before flying to prepare your expectations -
What meals are served? This is dependent on the timing of your flight and class of travel, but 1 or 2 full meals are usually offered by QR. Menus can be found via the QR Dashboard. F menus and Y menus are here.
Will I be offered Fast-Track through Immigration?
- Departure from BKK : you will get a Fast-Track (Premium Lane) voucher if travelling in J or F, or travelling in Y with Silver, Gold or Platinum status.
- Arrival to BKK : if you are traveling in J or F, you will be provided with a Fast-Track voucher upon landing in Bangkok. Hold on to your boarding pass as you deplane, as the brown Fast Track vouchers are sometimes given out at the top of the gate rather than on the plane. If you are traveling in Y with Silver, Gold or Platinum status, you have to request the Fast-Track voucher at the QR agent at the gate.
What time does check-in open? Check in opens 3 hours before your departure time. QR police this quite strictly.
QR to and from Bangkok (BKK) - Non Lounge Discussion
May 28, 2015, 10:56 am
#61
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: BA Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,809
May 28, 2015, 3:24 pm
#62
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA - Gold for Life, CCR & GGL; IC Spire Elite Ambassador; Diamond Hilton Honors; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 6,720
Correct.
The gentleman at QR F check in said we could use the F Lounge as we were OWE. Shame we missed it but 15 minutes would not have given us much time to enjoy the right lounge.
Plenty of Krug in the A380 lounge more than made up for it😄
The gentleman at QR F check in said we could use the F Lounge as we were OWE. Shame we missed it but 15 minutes would not have given us much time to enjoy the right lounge.
Plenty of Krug in the A380 lounge more than made up for it😄
May 28, 2015, 3:42 pm
#63
Moderator: Qatar Airways
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: LHR/NCE/MIA
Programs: BAEC GfL & GGL, SQ Gold, Amex Centurion, Mucci des Chevaliers des Bons Mots et Qui Savent Moucher
Posts: 8,948
Interesting as the Thai F lounge is exclusively for F passengers, and not OWE.
May 28, 2015, 3:49 pm
#65
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA - Gold for Life, CCR & GGL; IC Spire Elite Ambassador; Diamond Hilton Honors; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 6,720
I am sure that someone with more experience of Thai and BKK will know the situation.
Certainly, I had little expectation of accessing an *A F lounge through my OWE status.
May 29, 2015, 3:17 am
#67
Moderator: Qatar Airways
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: LHR/NCE/MIA
Programs: BAEC GfL & GGL, SQ Gold, Amex Centurion, Mucci des Chevaliers des Bons Mots et Qui Savent Moucher
Posts: 8,948
May 29, 2015, 9:15 am
#68
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: BHX
Programs: LH Sen for life; QR Plat; FB Gold; Bonvoy Gold for life
Posts: 370
Thai has one main F Class Lounge at BKK. It is on the D concourse, (where all the shops are immediately behind security). This is the lounge with the semi-private rooms. Next to it is the main D concourse Royal Silk (Business Class) Lounge. This is huge but gets absolutely packed out between 21:00 and 24:00. QR J passengers can use this lounge.
In addition Thai has two lounges opposite each other at the start of the E Concourse. One used to have a small, frankly pathetic, F scetion but I think that may have been closed. With substantial "efficiency" savings over the last couple of years it is rare that both these lounges are open at the same time. There is a furtehr Thai business class lounge at the start of the C Concourse. I believe QR passengers in J can use any of the Thai business lounges but the most convenient would be whichever of the E Concourse lounges is open at the time as my experience is that QR flights leave from E Gates.
In addition Thai has two lounges opposite each other at the start of the E Concourse. One used to have a small, frankly pathetic, F scetion but I think that may have been closed. With substantial "efficiency" savings over the last couple of years it is rare that both these lounges are open at the same time. There is a furtehr Thai business class lounge at the start of the C Concourse. I believe QR passengers in J can use any of the Thai business lounges but the most convenient would be whichever of the E Concourse lounges is open at the time as my experience is that QR flights leave from E Gates.
May 29, 2015, 3:44 pm
#69
Join Date: May 2006
Programs: BA GGL CCR
Posts: 87
I flew out of Bangkok yesterday I was in first so used the main first class lounge near the c end of d gates ( if that makes sense!). Lounge ok - food menu offered via I pad with pictures of the dishes - food actually pretty good and we left from a c gate so it was pretty convenient. No spa access though.
Jun 12, 2015, 6:55 am
#70
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: UK
Programs: BA - Gold, On Business, Turkish Elite
Posts: 59
10 hrs transit in BKK - what to do
Hello fellow travellers
Any ideas on what to do for 10 hrs transit from 10 am to 8 pm? Will qr lounge (I think it's Thai royal orchid) allow me to access in the morning for a shower? And then maybe I can take a transit tour I'm thinking. Any idea if this is available and if anyone has taken it? Are there any alternative options to kill time at the airport? Many thanks
Any ideas on what to do for 10 hrs transit from 10 am to 8 pm? Will qr lounge (I think it's Thai royal orchid) allow me to access in the morning for a shower? And then maybe I can take a transit tour I'm thinking. Any idea if this is available and if anyone has taken it? Are there any alternative options to kill time at the airport? Many thanks
Jun 12, 2015, 8:03 am
#71
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: QR Platinum
Posts: 470
Hello fellow travellers
Any ideas on what to do for 10 hrs transit from 10 am to 8 pm? Will qr lounge (I think it's Thai royal orchid) allow me to access in the morning for a shower? And then maybe I can take a transit tour I'm thinking. Any idea if this is available and if anyone has taken it? Are there any alternative options to kill time at the airport? Many thanks
Any ideas on what to do for 10 hrs transit from 10 am to 8 pm? Will qr lounge (I think it's Thai royal orchid) allow me to access in the morning for a shower? And then maybe I can take a transit tour I'm thinking. Any idea if this is available and if anyone has taken it? Are there any alternative options to kill time at the airport? Many thanks
But i think for soi cowboy it is too early. Hehe...
Jun 12, 2015, 1:45 pm
#72
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: The Embassy
Posts: 677
I live in Bangkok. 10hrs, you could go to Siam Paragon and all the malls there, you could do the Grand Palace and a few traditional tourist sites like that, you could go foodie trawling around Ekkami and Thong Lo. Everyone speaks English, it'll be an easy mini trip, well worth doing.
Jun 12, 2015, 6:58 pm
#73
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: OZ, Perth
Programs: QF QR Silver, DJ,TG,MH
Posts: 509
Your answers are helping me as well. I have the same stopover in BKK. Coming from KUL on MH at 10, then out on QR at 8pm.
In addition to your above suggestions, I was thinking of some time in a dayroom hotel - spend some time around the pool, with maybe a poolside lunch.
Do you know any hotels that would offer this ? (inclusive airport shuttle ?) Walking distance to shopping would be a bonus.
In addition to your above suggestions, I was thinking of some time in a dayroom hotel - spend some time around the pool, with maybe a poolside lunch.
Do you know any hotels that would offer this ? (inclusive airport shuttle ?) Walking distance to shopping would be a bonus.
Jun 13, 2015, 5:11 am
#75
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Bangkok
Programs: QR - Gold, EY - Gold
Posts: 37
You mean complementary transit tour ? I don't think there's any. But there's tourist info center at the arrival floor that you can check it out.
But it's rather easy to get to town from the airport by airport link (it's a sky train but the Thais would refer to it as "airport link". The word sky train implies another system (BTS) which connect within BKK city)
You can take airport link to Phyathai and connect to BTS to Paragon, Terminal 21, the famous Jatuchak market (if you're there on the weekend)
You can also take airport link to Makkasan and connect to MRT subway system to Hua Lam Pong which is a walkable distance to China Town.
The major tourist sites e.g. Grand Palace, Marble temple are not reachable by BTS or MRT. You will need to take taxi or tuktuk and may run a risk of getting a drivers who will try to convince you to tailors, souvenir shops or seafood restaurant (with the premium prices). So take that into consideration when planning your time.
Have fun.
But it's rather easy to get to town from the airport by airport link (it's a sky train but the Thais would refer to it as "airport link". The word sky train implies another system (BTS) which connect within BKK city)
You can take airport link to Phyathai and connect to BTS to Paragon, Terminal 21, the famous Jatuchak market (if you're there on the weekend)
You can also take airport link to Makkasan and connect to MRT subway system to Hua Lam Pong which is a walkable distance to China Town.
The major tourist sites e.g. Grand Palace, Marble temple are not reachable by BTS or MRT. You will need to take taxi or tuktuk and may run a risk of getting a drivers who will try to convince you to tailors, souvenir shops or seafood restaurant (with the premium prices). So take that into consideration when planning your time.
Have fun.