Man-LHR-BKK-HKT TG/BD
Feb 15, 2003, 10:06 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Harrogate UK
Programs: SK*G, BD*S, HH-Gold
Posts: 198
Man-LHR-BKK-HKT TG/BD
Man - Lhr
BD587
Airbus A320
Arrived at Manchester way early due to threat of snow and was booked on a flight at 1235, i was aware of an earlier flight departing at 1055 so I approached the ticket desk and asked if it was possible to go standby on the earlier flight, i was told it would cost an extra 75.00 to change flight so i decided to spend a little extra time in the DIamond CLub Lounge and wait for the later flight. That was until I got to the check in desk, I have a *A Gold card with SK so i checked in at the business class desk, the very nice friendly chheck in agent said your here early would you like me to switch you to the earlier flight, i immediately said yes i headed for the lounge boarding card in hand. Spent a while in the Diamond Club lounge and had a really good chat with the lounge receptionist about the bmi and bmi baby and where the next base will be. Boarding was about to be commenced when the lounge lady came over and said that
they needed to balance the plane out and needed to move a couple of people up front, very nice i thought!
Flight was very busy up in economy but only 4 pax in the 6 rows of business class, i personally dont think its worth paying business class for the difference offered but the upgrade was appreciated, we got the box of goodies which included a chicken and bacon roll a pack of grapes and chocolate biscuit. Arrived on time in LHR but was sent to a remote stand and had to be bussed to the terminal. Luggage took 45 minutes to appear, why does it always take so long at heathrow
Bag appeared and i headed into London via Heathrow Express to spend the night
LHR-BKK
TG911
Boeing 747-400<new Layout>
Business Class
Check in at LHR is handled by Air Canada, check in at seperate business class counter was quick and was told that Thai used the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge and that i could use the fastrack line. I was very suprised that they did not check the luggage before check in like most airlines in terminal 3. ANyway did some shopping in terminal 3 shopping mall and headed off for the Maple Leaf lounge, this lounge was full to bursting so i decided to leave and head down to the SQ lounge which was very nice and quiet and an excellent view over the runway. the lounge agent informed me the flight would not be called but to watch the departure screen in the lounge.
The gate was displayed and i headed off for the gate, went through a passport check and was told to immediate board, i had been assigned a seat on the lower deck which was weird as it only had a 2-2 config with one side having no windows as the galley is down one half of the cabin. Hot towels and pre departure drinks were offered along with a excellent selection of newspapers and magazines. Took off on time with a full aircraft with exception of first class where only one person was accommodated
Menu was as follows
Cocktail Snack - Thai Fish Cake
Venison and Chicken Terrine with Hot SMoked Salmon
Mixed Green Salad
Fillet of Cod with Pancetta
or
Roast Duck Chinese Style
or
Chicken Kiev
or
Pork in Red Curry
Cheese Tray with Crackers
Chocolate Cluster with Chocolate Sauce
Tea Coffee etc
Second Serving
Triangle Sandwiches
Tea Coffee etc
Third Serving
Fresh Fruits and Yoghurt
Tortilla Potato Cheese, Green Asparagus, Roast Back Bacon and Grilled Tomato
or
Instant Noodle SOup with Chinese Roast Pork
Bread and Jam
Tea Coffee etc
The food and service was excellent with the exception of the sandwhiches which basically were given to you without a plate and they were 3 quarters of bread will fillings still wrapped in cling film, not really of standard of business class
In flight entertainment was on PTV but only 4 feature fills and a couple of docu soaps not really enough for 12 hour flight
Seats were diapointing leg rests were not long enough and cushions were very hard on ur rear end.
Arrival in Bangkok luggage appeared within 5 minutes of arriving at carousel and was heading into bangkok within 20 mins of landing
BKK-HKT
TG921
Boeing 747-400 New Layout
Business Class
Check in at Domestic Terminal was very smooth no lines and all hold baggage is screened prior to check in. No lines at the Royal Executive Check in Desks and I was processed immediately. An invite to the domestic business class lounge was a nice begining although the lounge needs brightening up but they have offers of snacks and drinks and newspapers available. As TG have policy of assigning *A Gold into the first class cabin on domestic flights i was allocated seat 1K which is in the nose cone on this 747, it had been refitted with the new 180 degree seats and pvt screens the only downside is you feel very low to the floor of the plane. On boarding hot towels and orange juice offered (no alcohol on TG domestic flights) and to my suprise a hot breakfast which was better than average for airline breakfasts. Numerous offers of more coffee and OJ and in no time we were descending into Phuket. Be warned 747 is a big aircraft for Phuket and the brakes are slammed on as soon as the wheels touch down. Baggage appeared 10 mins after landing and outside to a waiting car to my resort hotel
Stayed in a fantastic Boutique Hotel only 20 rooms but very nice views over the beach and fantastic food and service, if you wanna take a peek the website is http://www.baanyindee.com
HKT-BKK
TG222
Boeing 747 400 Old Layout
Business Class
On check in was informed flight would be delayed by 50 minutes due to late arrival of the incomming aircraft. Once again assigned a seat in the first class cabin and headed off to the Royal Executive Lounge which is very refreshing bright and airy and a central island with drinks, and food sandwiches and some nice tuna pastry parcels. Boarded and immediate you could see the difference in the old style verses the new style aircraft I would be very upset if I was travelling distance and paid for first class very old fashioned seats with no PVT and leg room i would guess aorund 50". No food service on this flight although lots of OJ tea coffee and hot towells and a small pastry which I could not tell what it contained. Headed though the middle of a thunder and lightening storm which was quite hairy! Landed at Bangkok and was put onto a remote stand and had to deplane via steps onto coaches to the terminal. Once again baggage was very quick and the Priority stickers seem to work in Thailand.
Welcoming site of the Airport Representative fromt he Peninsula Hotel Greeted me on arrival, he even remembered which football team i support back in UK and its over 6 months since I was last at the hotel.
The Peninula hotel just has to be the best hotel in Bangkok, was sad to check out and leave, took the hotel car to the airport and yes it is expensive but sometimes you have to spoil yourself.
On arriving at the terminal was met by the Peninsula Airport Representative who tool my luggage and escorted me into the terminal.
All hold luggage has to be screened prior to check in at Bangkok so he instructed me to go to check in and he would get my luggage screened, i went to check in and he immediately bypassed the queue of about 30 people and went straight to the front and got the checked sticket attached to my suitcase.
No line at the Royal Executive Check in Desks so was attended too straight away, while i was checking in the representative aske for 500BHT so he could go and get my departure tax voucher. Boarding cards and lounge invite in hand he took me to the immegration entrance where I expected to say good bye, was very suprised when he attached his airport id badge and took me in to the immegration area bypassing a queue of about 200 people and took me through the VIP/Diplomatic Channel. Does anyone know if this is a normal thing for Peninsula to do for its guests??
BKK-LHR
TG910
Boeing 747-400 New Layout
Business Class
Headed for the Thai Royal Orchid lounge which was very convenient for my departure gate, a good selection of drinks both soft and alcoholic and a very good selection of hot and cold food.
Headed off to gate 14 for departure and was impressed that every passenger was hand frisked and all hand luggage searched once again by hand. Departed Bangkok 15 mins late and was quickly handed menus and ofered drinks and hot towels. Dinner was served about 30 mins after take off. Menu as follows
Smoked Salmon with Goose Liver Mousse and Green Asparagus
Sweet and Sour Garoupa Fish
or
Fillet Steak with Peppercorn Sauce
or
Fillet of Pork with Cream Mushroom Sauce
or
Red Chicken Curry with Rice
Rolls, Garlic Bread etc
Cheese Tray with Fresh and Dried Fruits
Assorted Mini French Pastries
Tea Coffee etc
Breakfast
Fresh Fruits and Yoghurt
Cheese and Mushroom Omelet with Chicken Sausage
or
Crepes filled with Creamed Asparagus
ir Instant Noodle Soup with Fish and Shrimp Balls
Breakfast Breads etc
Tea and Coffee
Food was just ok for business class but by no means impressive and like any late departure out of Bangkok seems to be thrown at you in a hurry to get the cabin lights out
Inflight Entertainment - Yes this was the new model with the PTV but Thai need to think more about selections, only 4 selections of movies and 3 of them the same as the outward flight to Bangkok
Seat Comfort - Very hard seat and leg rest useless as not long enough
Arrived at Heathrow 90 mins early and headed off to the FLight Connections Centre to transfer to Terminal 1
LHR-MAN
BD584
Airbus A321
Economy Class (but upgraded to Business)
Got to the Diamond CLub Lounge with about 2 hours to spare, caught up on the UK news with the good selection of newspapers and had some nice coffee and breakfast pastries.
Boarded through Gate 6 and when the gate agent launched my boarding pass through the reader it bleeped and she changed my seat number stating it was my lucky day and i was to be seated in business class, not bad 2 BMI upgrades in 2 weeks all on a £23 return ticket. Breakfast Box consisited of fresh fruit salad a Yoghurt drink a Bacon Panini and that all import sachet of Heinz Tomato Sauce. Inflight service was excellent and i really do think BMI staff are trying very hard to get the product right.
Landed at Manchester to find my suitace ripped apart so a claim to BMI for a new one!
overll impressions of Thai Business product is poor, they really need to work hard to catch up with other star alliance carriers, i would not fly again in business with them unless some major improvments are done and would even ditch a direct flight to change planes in europe either with sas at cph, lh at fra or os at vie as i think these airline have it better in my opinion
Hope you enjoyed the report
BBJ
[This message has been edited by BigBadJohn (edited 02-20-2003).]
BD587
Airbus A320
Arrived at Manchester way early due to threat of snow and was booked on a flight at 1235, i was aware of an earlier flight departing at 1055 so I approached the ticket desk and asked if it was possible to go standby on the earlier flight, i was told it would cost an extra 75.00 to change flight so i decided to spend a little extra time in the DIamond CLub Lounge and wait for the later flight. That was until I got to the check in desk, I have a *A Gold card with SK so i checked in at the business class desk, the very nice friendly chheck in agent said your here early would you like me to switch you to the earlier flight, i immediately said yes i headed for the lounge boarding card in hand. Spent a while in the Diamond Club lounge and had a really good chat with the lounge receptionist about the bmi and bmi baby and where the next base will be. Boarding was about to be commenced when the lounge lady came over and said that
they needed to balance the plane out and needed to move a couple of people up front, very nice i thought!
Flight was very busy up in economy but only 4 pax in the 6 rows of business class, i personally dont think its worth paying business class for the difference offered but the upgrade was appreciated, we got the box of goodies which included a chicken and bacon roll a pack of grapes and chocolate biscuit. Arrived on time in LHR but was sent to a remote stand and had to be bussed to the terminal. Luggage took 45 minutes to appear, why does it always take so long at heathrow
Bag appeared and i headed into London via Heathrow Express to spend the night
LHR-BKK
TG911
Boeing 747-400<new Layout>
Business Class
Check in at LHR is handled by Air Canada, check in at seperate business class counter was quick and was told that Thai used the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge and that i could use the fastrack line. I was very suprised that they did not check the luggage before check in like most airlines in terminal 3. ANyway did some shopping in terminal 3 shopping mall and headed off for the Maple Leaf lounge, this lounge was full to bursting so i decided to leave and head down to the SQ lounge which was very nice and quiet and an excellent view over the runway. the lounge agent informed me the flight would not be called but to watch the departure screen in the lounge.
The gate was displayed and i headed off for the gate, went through a passport check and was told to immediate board, i had been assigned a seat on the lower deck which was weird as it only had a 2-2 config with one side having no windows as the galley is down one half of the cabin. Hot towels and pre departure drinks were offered along with a excellent selection of newspapers and magazines. Took off on time with a full aircraft with exception of first class where only one person was accommodated
Menu was as follows
Cocktail Snack - Thai Fish Cake
Venison and Chicken Terrine with Hot SMoked Salmon
Mixed Green Salad
Fillet of Cod with Pancetta
or
Roast Duck Chinese Style
or
Chicken Kiev
or
Pork in Red Curry
Cheese Tray with Crackers
Chocolate Cluster with Chocolate Sauce
Tea Coffee etc
Second Serving
Triangle Sandwiches
Tea Coffee etc
Third Serving
Fresh Fruits and Yoghurt
Tortilla Potato Cheese, Green Asparagus, Roast Back Bacon and Grilled Tomato
or
Instant Noodle SOup with Chinese Roast Pork
Bread and Jam
Tea Coffee etc
The food and service was excellent with the exception of the sandwhiches which basically were given to you without a plate and they were 3 quarters of bread will fillings still wrapped in cling film, not really of standard of business class
In flight entertainment was on PTV but only 4 feature fills and a couple of docu soaps not really enough for 12 hour flight
Seats were diapointing leg rests were not long enough and cushions were very hard on ur rear end.
Arrival in Bangkok luggage appeared within 5 minutes of arriving at carousel and was heading into bangkok within 20 mins of landing
BKK-HKT
TG921
Boeing 747-400 New Layout
Business Class
Check in at Domestic Terminal was very smooth no lines and all hold baggage is screened prior to check in. No lines at the Royal Executive Check in Desks and I was processed immediately. An invite to the domestic business class lounge was a nice begining although the lounge needs brightening up but they have offers of snacks and drinks and newspapers available. As TG have policy of assigning *A Gold into the first class cabin on domestic flights i was allocated seat 1K which is in the nose cone on this 747, it had been refitted with the new 180 degree seats and pvt screens the only downside is you feel very low to the floor of the plane. On boarding hot towels and orange juice offered (no alcohol on TG domestic flights) and to my suprise a hot breakfast which was better than average for airline breakfasts. Numerous offers of more coffee and OJ and in no time we were descending into Phuket. Be warned 747 is a big aircraft for Phuket and the brakes are slammed on as soon as the wheels touch down. Baggage appeared 10 mins after landing and outside to a waiting car to my resort hotel
Stayed in a fantastic Boutique Hotel only 20 rooms but very nice views over the beach and fantastic food and service, if you wanna take a peek the website is http://www.baanyindee.com
HKT-BKK
TG222
Boeing 747 400 Old Layout
Business Class
On check in was informed flight would be delayed by 50 minutes due to late arrival of the incomming aircraft. Once again assigned a seat in the first class cabin and headed off to the Royal Executive Lounge which is very refreshing bright and airy and a central island with drinks, and food sandwiches and some nice tuna pastry parcels. Boarded and immediate you could see the difference in the old style verses the new style aircraft I would be very upset if I was travelling distance and paid for first class very old fashioned seats with no PVT and leg room i would guess aorund 50". No food service on this flight although lots of OJ tea coffee and hot towells and a small pastry which I could not tell what it contained. Headed though the middle of a thunder and lightening storm which was quite hairy! Landed at Bangkok and was put onto a remote stand and had to deplane via steps onto coaches to the terminal. Once again baggage was very quick and the Priority stickers seem to work in Thailand.
Welcoming site of the Airport Representative fromt he Peninsula Hotel Greeted me on arrival, he even remembered which football team i support back in UK and its over 6 months since I was last at the hotel.
The Peninula hotel just has to be the best hotel in Bangkok, was sad to check out and leave, took the hotel car to the airport and yes it is expensive but sometimes you have to spoil yourself.
On arriving at the terminal was met by the Peninsula Airport Representative who tool my luggage and escorted me into the terminal.
All hold luggage has to be screened prior to check in at Bangkok so he instructed me to go to check in and he would get my luggage screened, i went to check in and he immediately bypassed the queue of about 30 people and went straight to the front and got the checked sticket attached to my suitcase.
No line at the Royal Executive Check in Desks so was attended too straight away, while i was checking in the representative aske for 500BHT so he could go and get my departure tax voucher. Boarding cards and lounge invite in hand he took me to the immegration entrance where I expected to say good bye, was very suprised when he attached his airport id badge and took me in to the immegration area bypassing a queue of about 200 people and took me through the VIP/Diplomatic Channel. Does anyone know if this is a normal thing for Peninsula to do for its guests??
BKK-LHR
TG910
Boeing 747-400 New Layout
Business Class
Headed for the Thai Royal Orchid lounge which was very convenient for my departure gate, a good selection of drinks both soft and alcoholic and a very good selection of hot and cold food.
Headed off to gate 14 for departure and was impressed that every passenger was hand frisked and all hand luggage searched once again by hand. Departed Bangkok 15 mins late and was quickly handed menus and ofered drinks and hot towels. Dinner was served about 30 mins after take off. Menu as follows
Smoked Salmon with Goose Liver Mousse and Green Asparagus
Sweet and Sour Garoupa Fish
or
Fillet Steak with Peppercorn Sauce
or
Fillet of Pork with Cream Mushroom Sauce
or
Red Chicken Curry with Rice
Rolls, Garlic Bread etc
Cheese Tray with Fresh and Dried Fruits
Assorted Mini French Pastries
Tea Coffee etc
Breakfast
Fresh Fruits and Yoghurt
Cheese and Mushroom Omelet with Chicken Sausage
or
Crepes filled with Creamed Asparagus
ir Instant Noodle Soup with Fish and Shrimp Balls
Breakfast Breads etc
Tea and Coffee
Food was just ok for business class but by no means impressive and like any late departure out of Bangkok seems to be thrown at you in a hurry to get the cabin lights out
Inflight Entertainment - Yes this was the new model with the PTV but Thai need to think more about selections, only 4 selections of movies and 3 of them the same as the outward flight to Bangkok
Seat Comfort - Very hard seat and leg rest useless as not long enough
Arrived at Heathrow 90 mins early and headed off to the FLight Connections Centre to transfer to Terminal 1
LHR-MAN
BD584
Airbus A321
Economy Class (but upgraded to Business)
Got to the Diamond CLub Lounge with about 2 hours to spare, caught up on the UK news with the good selection of newspapers and had some nice coffee and breakfast pastries.
Boarded through Gate 6 and when the gate agent launched my boarding pass through the reader it bleeped and she changed my seat number stating it was my lucky day and i was to be seated in business class, not bad 2 BMI upgrades in 2 weeks all on a £23 return ticket. Breakfast Box consisited of fresh fruit salad a Yoghurt drink a Bacon Panini and that all import sachet of Heinz Tomato Sauce. Inflight service was excellent and i really do think BMI staff are trying very hard to get the product right.
Landed at Manchester to find my suitace ripped apart so a claim to BMI for a new one!
overll impressions of Thai Business product is poor, they really need to work hard to catch up with other star alliance carriers, i would not fly again in business with them unless some major improvments are done and would even ditch a direct flight to change planes in europe either with sas at cph, lh at fra or os at vie as i think these airline have it better in my opinion
Hope you enjoyed the report
BBJ
[This message has been edited by BigBadJohn (edited 02-20-2003).]
