BigBadJohn

Thailand Trip Report BD/OS/NG/TG

My winter holiday to holiday has finally arrived and despite last minute flight time changes necessitating in an overnight at Heathrow prior to my departure went without hitch.

Leeds Bradford to London Heathrow
Friday 3rd October 2003
BD 413
Fokker 100
1050/1200
Economy Class Seat 14A

Since BMA uses the old Fokker 100 I decided never to fly business class in this route again due to BMI offering exact same seats for business and economy, no automatic lounge access at LBA so the only conceivable difference is the Bento Box meal. I picked up a special web fare on www.bmi.com for £21.00 plus taxes one way. A very uneventful flight, one pass of drinks, and a packet of nice biscuits. Arrived on time and for once at Heathrow luggage was quickly delivered.

I jumped on the Heathrow Hopper £3.00 each way to the Sheraton Skyline £36.00 plus tax for one night via www.priceline.co.uk . As i am a Starwood Gold on check in they upgraded me to a business room with high speed internet access and a very large sleigh style king bed. The room had a fantastic view of the indoor atrium containing the indoor pool.

The next morning checked out and waited for the Heathrow Hopper, unfortunately the Sheraton Skyline is the last hotel on the H3 route so after 2 buses came already full decided I need to jump a cab which the hotel arranged within minutes albeit at a cost of £9 for a 4 minute ride!!

Heathrow Terminal 2 – Vienna
Saturday 4th October 2003
OS 452
Airbus 321
0935/1245
Business Class Seat 5A

No queues at check in at Heathrow Terminal 2, a very helpful check in assistant checked my bags thru to Bangkok and informed me that Austrian Airlines uses the Lufthansa Business Lounge at Heathrow. Security line was long and took about 15 minutes to get through. I bypassed all the shops and headed straight thru to the LH business lounge. The lounge here is split into two, one side business lounge and the other side is a Senator Lounge. The lounge was semi busy for a Saturday morning. No real food offerings except some very nice muffins and biscuit selections, for drinks a full selection of alcohol including champagne is offered. We had a 20 minute delay due to the late arrival of the incoming aircraft once boarding started they boarded by row number from the back of the aircraft to the front.

The business class section was 50% full and economy was 100% full, again not bad loads for a Saturday morning. I was very surprised to be offered a pre departure drink in proper glass glasses, a choice of Champagne, orange juice or water. They also passed through the cabin with a selection of English and European newspapers and a pair of headphones for the in-flight entertainment.

Once airborne the friendly crew offered a full drinks service followed by the in-flight snack. This was an understatement and was excellent.

Menu –

To start – A salad of buffalo mozzarella with cherry tomatoes and drizzled with organic pesto

Followed by – A fillet mignon with potato gratin

Followed by – Fresh Berries in a light jelly with Chantilly custard

I was astounded by this menu for a flight of 90 minutes.

Landed to schedule at Vienna Airport but due to construction at the airport ended up on a bus gate and had to be transported to the non schengen part of the airport.

I had already got my boarding class for my flight to Bangkok so headed straight to the Austrian Airlines Business lounge in the A Gates area. The lounge is very nice and was very quiet, a nice view across the tarmac towards the active runway. Some plane spotting and saw an Egypt Air 737-800, an Iran Air A310, along with numerous OS group aircraft. The lounge again offered a full bar service and also had a Hot Soup with croutons available along with some cheese and crackers.


Vienna- Bangkok
Saturday 3rd October 2003
OS 3015 operated by Lauda Air
Boeing 777-200
1440/0600
Business Class Seat 1K

The flight came up on screen as boarding in the business lounge so I headed down to the A gate area to find a queue of about 100 people waiting to get into the gate area. Vienna Airport operates security screening at each gate and with one scanner and one metal detector is nowhere near enough for an aircraft the size of 777. No separate line for business class so had to endure the 45 minute wait. Got into the lounge that seated approx 100 along with 340 about to board, and as you can imagine, was chaos. In the end the gate agent asked security to open up the adjacent gate as we were to have a 1 hour delay due to an aircraft technical problem. The one thing I would criticise Austrian Airlines for is the lack of information. I only found out about the delay because I asked when boarding was about to start, they made no announcement until 50 minutes into the delay. Once the aircraft was serviceable they announced boarding and a mad scramble for the gate and the buses waiting to transport us out to the aircraft. It sure is weird climbing the steps of a 777.

Lauda operate the aircraft in a 2 class configuration Amadeus Class for business in a 2-3-2 and economy class config is 3-4-3.

On arriving at my seat the stewardess offered to hang my coat and then offered pre flight drinks consisting of OJ, Champagne and Water. They handed out amenity kits which are useable after as fanny packs, they consisted of Socks, tooth brush and paste, ear plugs and mask. Once airborne they handed around a welcome cocktail which was like rocket fuel…very potent…. It should have carried a health warning!

They then handed around personalised menus with your name on top, a nice touch and a nice food selection along with drink selections and a order form for your breakfast to hand in . The menu is transcribed below:-

First Service

Caesar Salad with Fillet of Beef – with cherry tomatoes and croutons

Or

Salad of Prawns Andaluz

Or

Selection of Antipasti

Soup Course

Wild Spinach Cream with Demels Cheese sticks

Main Course

Fillet of Veal with a Mushroom Risotto
And Vegetable Tempura

Or

Grilled Sea Bass

Or

Guinea Fowl Stuffed with Goose Liver Brioche

Desserts

Assorted Cheese and Exotic Fruits

Or
Chocolate Praline Soufflé with warm Chocolate Sauce

Or

Do & Co’s Tiramisu

Or

Pina Colada Sorbet


I got to admit it was one of the best in-flight meal experiences I have ever experienced including first class. It was presented fantastically and really you would have imagined it to be from a top restaurant rather than an in-flight meal. They actually have an in-flight chef in charge of all the catering fro business class complete with the chef’s hat!

For those interested I have also detailed the wine selection

White Wines – Dornleiten Austrain Reisling 2000
Bodegas Miguel Torres Vina Sol 2001
Guy Sanget Sancerre 2001

Red Wines - Jois Burgenland Blauer Zweigelt 2001
Rioja Marques de Caceres 1998
Chianti Classico Riserva 1999

Champagne - Piper Heidsieck


Second Serving – Breakfast

Please choose from the following

Natural Yoghurt with Fresh Strawberries
Cornflakes
Fresh Fruit Selection

Coffee, Tea, Hot Chocolate

Orange Juice, Grape Juice, Milk

Scrambled Eggs with Chives served with Breakfast potatoes and Canadian Ham

2 Eggs Sunny Side Up with Bacon and Ham

Breakfast Bread and Pastry Basket

I normally hate airline breakfast but once again Lauda excelled in both selection and quality

Lauda operate an individual entertainment system in each seat and had 6 movies and a couple of documentary offerings along with nose and belly cameras. The games system was not operational on this flight.

We arrived in Bangkok 20 minutes late and arrived in Terminal 2 at Bangkok, for once no queues at immigration perhaps this is due to the APEC summit happening in Bangkok this month. My suitcase was already on the belt when I arrived. So from landing to walking out of the customs area in 20 minutes must be a world record for Bangkok.

I decided to walk down to the Domestic Terminal as after a 10 hour flight I needed some exercise.


Bangkok-Chiang Mai
Sunday 5th October 2003
TG 102
0815/0935
Airbus A300-600 Seat 15A
Business Class

The domestic terminal was very busy; all luggage at Bangkok is screened prior to reaching the check in desks. 5 desks open for business class and after 5 minutes I was on my way to the Executive Lounge. A lot of comments against the domestic lounge but at the end of the day it is comfortable, it has drinks and snacks and it has very clean toilets. Drinks were all non alcoholic and selection of breakfast pastries available. Flight was called and the business cabin was 50% full. The captain announced the flight time of 55 minutes. Immediately after take off the crew laid a table cloth and produced a tray containing a fresh fruit salad, a slice of pizza, a warm bread roll with jam and normal orange juice and coffee, again tremendous for a 55 minute flight. One thing for certain within Thailand it’s always worth paying the extra £20 or so for the business class experience. Landed early and for once my bag was one of the first off the belt and I headed outside to meet my driver to take me to the Royal Princess Hotel in Chiang Mai.

This hotel used to be the Dusit Inn and was renamed a couple of years ago but still remains part of the Dusit Group. To be honest the public areas are a little tired but the rooms seem to have had a recent upheaval. I was advised by a colleague to join the Dusit Frequent Stay Club, this gave me free airport transfers, a one room upgrade and a late check out if required. The very kindly gave me a Junior Suite which was very adequate.

Chiang Mai – Phuket
Tuesday 7th October 2003
TG129
1135/1315
Airbus A300-600 Seat 14A
Business Class

The hotel has a list of all flights leaving Chiang Mai in the reception area and corresponding transfer times. Check in was excellent no wait kerbside to executive lounge in 6 minutes…..

Executive Lounge in Chiang Mai is a small comfortable area, full selection of drinks again non alcoholic and a nice buffet consisting of sandwiches, savouries and pastries and cakes. The filled profiteroles were exceptional!

Flight was called and only 2 other people in the business cabin and the economy section was only 1/3 full. Pre departure drinks of Orange or Iced Tea. Once again immediately after take off a table cloth was placed down and a lunch tray placed down. This consisted of Sweet and Sour Chicken with boiled rice and vegetables followed by fresh fruit. Constant checks to see if your drinks were full were made. For information economy class received a box containing a sandwich and fruit.

Touched down in Phuket in the middle of a rain storm. Met at the entrance by the hotel driver and taken on the 45 minute ride to my home for the next 10 nights. I was very fortunate to be recommended this small 5* boutique hotel on the hillside above the resort of Patong. Tranquillity during the day, but within easy reach of the vibrant night life of Patong in the evening. The Baan Yin Dee has been for choice of hotel for my last 3 visits to Phuket and the best way to describe it is ‘a little gem’ www.baanyindee.com .

Return details will be posted on my return to UK

Seat 2A

Excellent, nicely detailed report so far. I had no idea Lauda Air's Business Class was so nice.

Have a great time in Thailand!

Carfield

Agree about OS and NG service -- Lauda Air's meals are really nice and like the chef services (not to mention some of the handsome chefs they hired)... The personalized menu service is nice. I only wish that OS will give a bit more legroom on the Boeing 777s... unfortunately, NG is like a more leisure oriented airline these days... I am surprised to see the same fancy meal serviecs remained... but NG is a good airline nonetheless...

Thanks for the report so far! Look forward to the rest of the trip report and thanks for the menu transcripts!

Carfield

LH738

I'm looking forward to read the next part. Excellent report.

See this thread (e.g.) how to use the public buses to go to the airport hotels around LHR. These buses are free of charge and much more reliable compared to the hotel Hoppa bus which is always advertised by the hotels.


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Pictures from hotel stays
Basic Hotel stays/nights/points calculator
Short overview: KLM FD, LH M&M

BigBadJohn

Part 2

Sorry for the delay guys but 2 weeks in hospital having a heart valve replaced and no internet!!!!!

14th October 2003
TG 222
Phuket – Bangkok
1010/1135
Airbus A330
Business Class

Checked in at Phuket just after 9am place was very quiet, no one at Business Class Check in desk so brisked through check in onto security and into the TG Royal Executive Lounge. Nothing special, a selection of hot and cold drinks, no alcohol, and some tuna and cheese sandwiches. Lounge seemed very sterile and after a while I left for a walk around the small departure lounge. Saw an IL6 of the Russian presidents flight POCHNA and a Silk Air A320 bound for Singapore.

Flight boarded on time and I was impressed by my first impressions of an A330. Seemed to be more leg room than on the A300 and was definitely brighter in appearance. Pre departure drinks served immediately of Orange Juice, Iced Tea or Water. In-flight service consisted of a choice of non alcoholic drinks and a small pastry. Arrived in Bangkok 15 minutes early, luggage on belt within 10 mins and off to find my driver for my hotel.

Met driver for the Conrad Hotel outside and he took me to a pick up point while he retrieved his car from the car park, a nice Mercedes S class in a deep red colour whisked me off on the Toll Road towards central Bangkok. A Cold Towel and Bottle of Conrad chilled water offered on route. This new hotel is located in the embassy district, attached to the All Seasons Mall. When I checked in I was told they had upgraded me to a Corner Room but it wouldn’t be ready for approx 15-20 mins. I sat in lobby and waited until the assistant escorted me to my room.
Now as APEC was about to happen in Bangkok, Bangkok wasn’t Bangkok if you get my drift. No food sellers, no fake watches of pirate DVD on display in the night markets and a lot of the roadside stalls/hawkers disappeared. However if you asked for what u wanted someone would take you to the goods you required. Security was evident all over Bangkok, not only BTS security but armed police on every Monorail station. The day after I checked in at the Conrad they installed airport style metal detectors and luggage x-ray machines in the main entrance of the hotel along with about 10 security personnel dotted round the lobby and lift areas. This seemed a bit stupid because if you entered from the All Seasons Mall you were not checked!!. Room rate was $109.00 plus tax booked thru http://www.conrad.com.

Due to APEC I had to change hotels during the visit and decided to burn some Starwood Miles and try the new Westin Grande Hotel in Bangkok. To start off with the hotel is not new, it’s taken over an old 4 star hotel and remodelled the rooms. The hotel was very clinical and had no atmosphere. I was allocated a room on the Starwood Preferred Guest Floor and my only comment is that I definite was not Westin 5 Star standard but more like a superior 3 star.

Time had come to head back to the airport for the flight home, I was travelling back to Vienna on a daylight service with Lauda Airlines. I read in the newspaper that the traffic was going to be disrupted and allowed myself 1 hour 15 mins to get to the airport and it was a good job I did, the toll roads had been closed to allow speedier movement for APEC delegates and we hit a traffic jam where we didn’t move for 35 minutes.

19th October 2003
OS 3016 operated by Lauda
Bangkok – Vienna
1300/1840
Boeing 777-200
Business Class

After finally making it to the airport located the Austrian Airlines desk in Terminal 2. All hold baggage is screened prior to check in. Two desks for business class and 6 for economy no lines at all. The check in clerk checked me through to London Heathrow and issued a lounge pass for the Lufthansa Lounge in Bangkok. Paid my 500bht departure tax (why can this not be incorporated in the ticket price?) and headed though immigration. I like the idea of hand baggage trolleys it makes life a lot easier when browsing the shops. Ok what can I say about the Lufthansa Lounge? Uncomfortable, small, poor selection of drinks, only snacks were potato chips and a coffee machine that brews enough coffee for about 4 people then has to be remade, more a household coffee percolator than one for a business class lounge….get the idea?

Again left the lounge early as I knew I had a long walk to the new 51-55 pier in Terminal 2. This is a very nice addition to Bangkok, very bright, very comfortable and very cool. Boarded about 45 mins prior to departure and sat for 45 mins without anything from the flight crew. The business class cabin was about 60% full and I had an empty seat next to me which was nice. Pre departure drinks served once doors shut and were taxiing to the runway, a choice of OJ, Champagne or Water. Good video selections and as it was a daylight flight I managed to fit in 5 movies. Immediate after take off crew distributed headsets, amenity packs and menus for the flight and asked everyone to close the window shades, I can understand it on a night flight but on a daytime flight it’s nice to look at the scenery if it’s not clouded over especially over India and Afghanistan. Meal served almost immediate which again seems stupid but then again I was not intending to sleep. Menu is below, wine list as outward flight

Starters

Deep Fried Chicken Breast on a bed of Potato Salad
Or
California Sushi Rolls
Or
Spicy Prawns on a Avocado and Tomato Salsa

Soup Course

Beef Consume with Wantons

Main Course

Rack of Lamb with Salsa Verde
Or
Steak Arugula with Rosemary Potatoes
Or
Seared Salmon with Lemon Risotto and Pakchoi

Desserts

Coffee and Vanilla Bean Panacotta
Or
Crepes with Apricot Jam
Or
Berry Parfait

Assorted Cheeses and Exotic Fruits


The second food serving was served aprox 2 hours out of Vienna and consisted of a choice of the following:-

Breast of Corn Fed Chicken with a Mushroom Risotto
Or
Pasta Primaverde

Apple and Poppy Seed Cake

Coffee or Tea
Once again Lauda excelled in the in flight catering, it was a true restaurant quality meal and service.

We hit some pretty strong headwinds over the Middle East and I began to panic that the 50 minute transfer time in Vienna was slowly diminishing and this was the last connection to London that evening, I spoke to the purser and she told me not to worry they would ensure that the ground staff would be aware of the connecting passengers.

We arrived at Vienna with 40 minutes to spare before my departure to Heathrow, I was first at the exit door when the jetty attached. Why is it when you get a short connection you always have the longest distance between your arrival and departure gate. I rushed through Vienna airport up escalators, down escalators and through the central shopping area. Got to the gate just as boarding had commenced


19th October 2003
OS 457
Vienna – Heathrow 1900/2120
Airbus A321
Seat 1A Business Class

I was very stressed when I boarded and flopped into 1A on the Airbus A321, business was 80% full. No pre departure drinks on this segment. Exactly same meal service as the outbound LHR-VIE segment which was a little disappointing, can’t explain why!

Flight arrived at Heathrow Terminal 2 on time and unfortunately the jetty was not working so we had to deplane by stairs on go on the dreaded bus tour of the inners of Heathrow. Passport check was busy but by time I reached baggage claim my luggage was on the carousel, not only had I made a 40 minute connection but so had my luggage!!. Congratulations to Austrian for getting both me and my luggage through a connection in that length of time.

Already had a Heathrow Hopper hotel voucher and headed over to the Sheraton Skyline for the night, booked this through priceline for £35 per night for the room, on check in they upgraded me to SPG floor thanks to my Starwood Gold Card.

Same problem as on the outward with the return transfer so once again got the hotel to get me a cab to the airport.

20th October 2003
BD 414
Heathrow – Leeds Bradford 1305/1400
Fokker 100
Seat 15A Economy

Checked in using BMI self check in machines, very easy to use and they have a fast bag drop right next to them, saves the horrendous queues in Terminal 1.
Flight departed on time from gate 6 and in-flight served with a sandwich and a coffee. I find the BMI sandwiches very acceptable for a flight of 45 minutes. Arrived on time at Leeds and baggage on carousel 10 minutes after landing.

I am a regular flyer to Thailand and I would rate the airlines I have recently flown upon in the following Order for business class

Seat Comfort

1 Scandinavian
2 Austrian/Lauda
3 Lufthansa
4 Thai

In-flight Meals

1 Austrian/Lauda
2 Scandinavian
3 Lufthansa
4 Thai

In-flight Service

1 Austrian/Lauda
2 Thai
3 Scandinavian
4 Lufthansa

Airport Lounges

Heathrow Bangkok

1 Scandinavian Thai
2 Thai Scandinavian
3 Lufthansa/Austrian Lufthansa/Austrian


Hope this helps, next trip report will be my first long haul in economy for a few years United from LHR-ORD-SFO-HNL-LAX-IAD-LHR

Hope all you fellow FT’s have a great Christmas

BBJ

Carfield

Thanks for an excellent report! I love it...

I hope your heart is not giving you too much trouble now and you are feeling much better now. Thanks for finishing this wonderful trip report!

Get some rest and merry Christmas to you!

Carfield

ual744777sta

Great Report! About the longest distance on a short connection thing, well that's just life. Maybe its a conspiracy. Hope you have fun on UA. At least you choose a route with the highest chance of E+.

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RTW4

HOpe that all is well and that your recouperation is going well. Also, this trip report is excellent.... Great description of LAUDA food