Aussie Trip Part 4 & 5: Qantas' refreshed domestic J & Thai F
Oct 4, 2014, 10:32 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: New York
Posts: 7,340
Aussie Trip Part 4 & 5: Qantas' refreshed domestic J & Thai F
Aussie Trip Report Part 4– Refreshed Business Class on Qantas Mainline Fleet & Farewell to 767
Given what has happened to my hometown, Hong Kong, I have been distracted for the past few days, but this trip report still needs to be completed. Instead of writing too much about it, I am just going to quick wrap it up!
I used my American Airlines for this ticket, and yes I purposefully routed myself through Melbourne, as I wanted to experience the Qantas’ 767 one more time before its retirement in December. However, I think I really like the new domestic business class seats on the 737s, as the seat pitch is comfortable. Compared to Virgin Australia’s business class on its 737s, Qantas’s 737s are definitely more comfortable and the service is actually more polished too. However the new domestic business class seats on 767s are quite disappointing especially the tight seat pitch. It is almost as bad as Delta’s domestic first class B767-300s.
September 23, 2014; Tuesday
QF 797 ASP (Alice Springs) to MEL Lv1155 Arr1500 Boeing 737-800 Winglet VH-XZE “Pine Creek”
Alice Springs is basically a Qantas only airport, and mid morning is definitely a peak time, as there are flights to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Darwin, and Ayers Rock all departing between 11am and 1pm.
Alice Springs Airport Qantas Check-in counter
Flight information
Change of gates
Gate 7/8/9 – Main boarding area
Qantas Club at Alice Springs – sorry only one picture, as it was very crowded. There was a cold cut and sandwich bar, which is fairly typical at all Qantas lounges.
Gate 9 – Melbourne
Our flight to Melbourne was delayed due to the late arrival of the inbound flight. The pilot later explained that they had a last minute swap of the 737s, due to mechanical reason. Since I had more than two hours transit time, I was fine, but the check-in agent told me that Qantas would provide each passenger a $15AUD voucher at the only café in the airport. I was really not expecting a voucher for a sixty-five minutes delay and in the end I just grabbed some bottled waters. Boarding finally began at 12:51pm, and it was very crowded, as the other flights also began to board.
Busy Apron filled with Qantas 737s
VH-NXL – just arrived from Cairns and heading to Ayers Rock next
VH-XZE “Pine Creek” to Melbourne
Impressive refreshed Qantas business class cabin – there were two other passengers in business class but I managed to snap some pictures before they boarded!
I was offered a choice of Lemon Squash/Drink or water on both flights, shortly after being seated
Beverage tray and armrest
Seat recline and Legrest button
Power outlet at the armrest
Door was closed at 1:09pm and we taxied to R/W30 at 1:15pm.
Alice Springs was a place, where planes were stored. I spotted a few Tiger A320s and Qantas’ Boeing 767s.
We took off at 1:18pm and flying time was two hours and two minutes with a cruising attitude of 37,000feet.
In-flight service included a pre-meal beverage with packaged roasted cashews and pretzels
There was an one-tray lunch service afterward, and today’s choice include a Pan-fried salmon with caper butter and mashed cauliflower puree or Chinese style braised pork with sweet chili sauce, steamed rice, and vegetables, along with a Foccacia roll and sliced bread, as well as a slice of pecan pie. The Pork was not very good, but it was okay for a two hours flight. Both Paul, the F/A in charge of J cabin, and Alyssa, the cabin manager, were very friendly and checked on the passengers throughout the flight. Nothing was too much to ask. When I later asked for a mint tea, I was automatically offered some Macadamia nut cookie. I was impressed with the service.
Silver cup to hold used tea bag
Seat in full recline position
Legroom shot
NG interior
Entertainment – Personal Television
Descent began at 2:57pm and it was a beautiful day at Melbourne.
We landed on R/W27 at 3:50pm and then parked at Gate 7 five minutes later. Surprisingly this flight was continuing to Sydney.
Given what has happened to my hometown, Hong Kong, I have been distracted for the past few days, but this trip report still needs to be completed. Instead of writing too much about it, I am just going to quick wrap it up!
I used my American Airlines for this ticket, and yes I purposefully routed myself through Melbourne, as I wanted to experience the Qantas’ 767 one more time before its retirement in December. However, I think I really like the new domestic business class seats on the 737s, as the seat pitch is comfortable. Compared to Virgin Australia’s business class on its 737s, Qantas’s 737s are definitely more comfortable and the service is actually more polished too. However the new domestic business class seats on 767s are quite disappointing especially the tight seat pitch. It is almost as bad as Delta’s domestic first class B767-300s.
September 23, 2014; Tuesday
QF 797 ASP (Alice Springs) to MEL Lv1155 Arr1500 Boeing 737-800 Winglet VH-XZE “Pine Creek”
Alice Springs is basically a Qantas only airport, and mid morning is definitely a peak time, as there are flights to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Darwin, and Ayers Rock all departing between 11am and 1pm.
Alice Springs Airport Qantas Check-in counter
Flight information
Change of gates
Gate 7/8/9 – Main boarding area
Qantas Club at Alice Springs – sorry only one picture, as it was very crowded. There was a cold cut and sandwich bar, which is fairly typical at all Qantas lounges.
Gate 9 – Melbourne
Our flight to Melbourne was delayed due to the late arrival of the inbound flight. The pilot later explained that they had a last minute swap of the 737s, due to mechanical reason. Since I had more than two hours transit time, I was fine, but the check-in agent told me that Qantas would provide each passenger a $15AUD voucher at the only café in the airport. I was really not expecting a voucher for a sixty-five minutes delay and in the end I just grabbed some bottled waters. Boarding finally began at 12:51pm, and it was very crowded, as the other flights also began to board.
Busy Apron filled with Qantas 737s
VH-NXL – just arrived from Cairns and heading to Ayers Rock next
VH-XZE “Pine Creek” to Melbourne
Impressive refreshed Qantas business class cabin – there were two other passengers in business class but I managed to snap some pictures before they boarded!
I was offered a choice of Lemon Squash/Drink or water on both flights, shortly after being seated
Beverage tray and armrest
Seat recline and Legrest button
Power outlet at the armrest
Door was closed at 1:09pm and we taxied to R/W30 at 1:15pm.
Alice Springs was a place, where planes were stored. I spotted a few Tiger A320s and Qantas’ Boeing 767s.
We took off at 1:18pm and flying time was two hours and two minutes with a cruising attitude of 37,000feet.
In-flight service included a pre-meal beverage with packaged roasted cashews and pretzels
There was an one-tray lunch service afterward, and today’s choice include a Pan-fried salmon with caper butter and mashed cauliflower puree or Chinese style braised pork with sweet chili sauce, steamed rice, and vegetables, along with a Foccacia roll and sliced bread, as well as a slice of pecan pie. The Pork was not very good, but it was okay for a two hours flight. Both Paul, the F/A in charge of J cabin, and Alyssa, the cabin manager, were very friendly and checked on the passengers throughout the flight. Nothing was too much to ask. When I later asked for a mint tea, I was automatically offered some Macadamia nut cookie. I was impressed with the service.
Silver cup to hold used tea bag
Seat in full recline position
Legroom shot
NG interior
Entertainment – Personal Television
Descent began at 2:57pm and it was a beautiful day at Melbourne.
We landed on R/W27 at 3:50pm and then parked at Gate 7 five minutes later. Surprisingly this flight was continuing to Sydney.
Oct 4, 2014, 10:33 am
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: New York
Posts: 7,340
QF 448 MEL-SYD Lv1645 Arr1810 Boeing 767-300ER VH-OGI “City of Port Augusta”
Due to the delay, I did not bother to go to the Qantas Club. The windows in front of gate 12 provided a nice view of these two 767s heading to Sydney within the next hour.
VH-OGI was parked at a strong position, so that was my only close up of the 767.
VH-OGL – 5pm shuttle to Sydney
Boarding began at 4:23pm, and business class passengers were welcomed first. I had a chance to take a few cabin pictures.
Business Class
Economy Class
Recline button
Beverage tray
Q Streaming available on this flight – iPad at each seat – there are a huge selection of televisions and movies
Pre-takeoff glass of water
The flight was busy, but not full. Push back began at 4:45pm and the plane took off from R/W34 at 4:54pm.
Flying time was an hour and five minutes with a cruising attitude of 39,000feet.
iPad holder
There was a refreshment service, which was a choice of Dill Soup – vegetable soup and Tuna Nicoise Salad, accompanied with sliced sourdough bread and Pecan Pie
Seat in Recline position
Sunset over Sydney
Descent began at 5:28pm and we landed on R/W34L at 5:59pm, and parked at Gate 6 six minutes later.
My priority tagged bag came out at 6:18pm. I was impressed with the baggage deliverance time.
Just a short conclusion, Qantas is actually quite a nice airline, and I am lucky enough to fly on two refreshed planes. Boeing 767 Business class cabin is perhaps a bit disappointing but since they are used on primarily short flights, it is okay. Boeing 737 business class cabin is actually quite impressive.
Due to the delay, I did not bother to go to the Qantas Club. The windows in front of gate 12 provided a nice view of these two 767s heading to Sydney within the next hour.
VH-OGI was parked at a strong position, so that was my only close up of the 767.
VH-OGL – 5pm shuttle to Sydney
Boarding began at 4:23pm, and business class passengers were welcomed first. I had a chance to take a few cabin pictures.
Business Class
Economy Class
Recline button
Beverage tray
Q Streaming available on this flight – iPad at each seat – there are a huge selection of televisions and movies
Pre-takeoff glass of water
The flight was busy, but not full. Push back began at 4:45pm and the plane took off from R/W34 at 4:54pm.
Flying time was an hour and five minutes with a cruising attitude of 39,000feet.
iPad holder
There was a refreshment service, which was a choice of Dill Soup – vegetable soup and Tuna Nicoise Salad, accompanied with sliced sourdough bread and Pecan Pie
Seat in Recline position
Sunset over Sydney
Descent began at 5:28pm and we landed on R/W34L at 5:59pm, and parked at Gate 6 six minutes later.
My priority tagged bag came out at 6:18pm. I was impressed with the baggage deliverance time.
Just a short conclusion, Qantas is actually quite a nice airline, and I am lucky enough to fly on two refreshed planes. Boeing 767 Business class cabin is perhaps a bit disappointing but since they are used on primarily short flights, it is okay. Boeing 737 business class cabin is actually quite impressive.
Oct 4, 2014, 10:35 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: New York
Posts: 7,340
Aussie Part Five: Thai Airways Boeing 747-400 – forever inconsistent
I don’t think I really have anything to say about Thai Airways, except that there are definitely cutbacks on catering, in terms of quality and quantity. The service was pretty good on board, especially on the long haul segments from Sydney to Hong Kong via Bangkok. The ground service in Sydney was definitely lacking, compared to Bangkok. Other than priority check-in, there was no ground escort service like in Bangkok Airport. But it was sort of expected, and I preferred the freedom to visit shops and of course to visit Singapore Airlines’ First Class lounge.
September 24, 2014; Wednesday
TG 472 SYD-BKK Lv1540 Arr2200 Boeing 747-400 HS-TGB “Si Satchanalai”
Thai used Aisle G for check-in, and there is a separate check-in for three service classes.
Photo of Thai Airways’ Boeing 747-400 HS-TGB at Sydney – just an interesting note, HS-TGB actually arrived from Bangkok the day before, and they stayed there till the next afternoon.
Virgin Australia’s Boeing 777-300ER VH-VPF to Los Angeles
Singapore Airlines Silver Kris First Class Lounge at Sydney
It was a very impressive facility, and the service was much more personable than Singapore Changi’s Private room. The staffs did not treat TG First class passengers any differently. There was a menu, on top of a buffet.
Dining Room Area
Laksa from the menu
Individual First Class Lounge Suites
Seating Area in the front
Wines
Seating Area in front of the window with a view of tarmac
Gate 51
Boarding began at 3:15pm, and after the usual pre-boarders, first and business class passengers were welcomed onboard first.
First Class Cabin Shot – I was the first one I board and I had the chances to take some cabin shots and I was lucky to get the newer first class suites.
Solo window seat
Middle Pair seats
Newspapers and Magazine
Seat features:
1. Literature Pocket and power outlet location
2. Flower Vase
3. Entertainment console and pocket
4. Hangar of jacket
5. Tray Table
6. Seat Control – Lights and Adjustment of Seats
Pre-takeoff beverage was offered along with hot towels and a Porsche Design Purple amenity kit
I notice some scratches of the seat panel.
Door was closed at 3:43pm and we pushed back five minutes later. We took off from R/W34L at 3:56pm. Flying time was nine hours and seven minutes.
View after takeoff from Sydney
Printed Menu &Wine List:
Wine List:
Wine List
Our champage and wines have been carefully selected by experts. We are delighted to served them to our premium passengers in a rotation basis. Please consult with cabin attendants for the availability, so that you can experience these special wines at different times when you fly with THAI.
White Wine:
Le Demoiselle de Sigalas 2010
Chateau De Cruzeau Pessac-Leoganan 2009
Montagny Premer Cru 2009
Red Wines
Chateau Larmande St. Emilion 2009
Chateau Fleur Cardinale 2007
Givry Premer Cru Clos du Cellier Aux Moines 2010
Dom Pérignon Vintage 2004
1795 Extra Cognac Otard
I am impressed with chilled glass of Dom Perignon!
Warmed mixed nuts will be offered
Dinner was offered next and here is the dinner menu:
First Serving
Canapés
White Sturgeon Caviar with Garnishes
First Course
Lobster Crayfish and Smoked Salmon with Garnitures
Salad
Mixed Green Salad with Thousand Island and Pesto Dressing
Main Course
Briased Lamb Shanks with Marinated Sauce
Sweet Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Red Capsicum, sautéed Spinach
Or
Pan-fried Salmon with White Wine and Pesto Sauce
Mashed Potatoes, Mixed Vegetables
Or
Stir-fried Beef with Black Bean sauce
Egg Noodles, Mixed Vegetables
Or
Chicken Thigh with Bamboo Shoot in Red Curry
Steamed Thai Hom Mali Rice
Stir-fried Mixed Vegetables
Assorted Bread, Butter
Assorted Cheese, Fresh Fruits
Dessert
Berry Cheesecake with Double Cream
Tea, Coffee, Espresso, Cappuccino
The only course missing is the canapé course, but the F/As offered me some canapés later during midflight!
After dinner service, I took a picture of the seats in recline and full flat position before the typical lights out process!
Position One:
Full Flat Position:
Bottled water – local brand was offered shortly afterward
The F/A offered some canapés in the middle of the flight – Scallop canapé, duck breast canapé, and sundried tomato & cheese canapé!
The routing today:
Kandos –340-Mudgee-Gulgong-360-Concurry-380-Katherine-Burrundie-Dawin-Lospalos-Sulawesi-Tutong/Bangar Seri Begawan-Go Cong-PNH/Phnom Penh-Bangkok
Second meal was offered about two hours prior to arrival.
Second Serving
Soup
Cauliflower Cream Soup
Hot Light Meal
Tomato Mozzarella Quiche
Potatoes, Chorizo Sausage
Mesclun with Italian Dressing
Or
Stir-Fried Udon Noodles with Oyster sauce
Stir-Fried Pork with Mango and Vegetables, Oriental Sauce
Dessert
Fruit Pudding with Vanilla Cream
Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Malt
Chocolate
Decent began at 9:33pm local Bangkok time, and we landed on R/W19L at 10:03pm, and we parked at a remote bay 111 at 10:15pm. First class passengers were escorted to an exclusive van.
Goodbye HS-TGB
Ground service was as expected, and there was some wait for the baggage to arrive. There was a line at custom but the ground agent said something in Thai to the custom officer, and I was off to my pre-ordered van.
I don’t think I really have anything to say about Thai Airways, except that there are definitely cutbacks on catering, in terms of quality and quantity. The service was pretty good on board, especially on the long haul segments from Sydney to Hong Kong via Bangkok. The ground service in Sydney was definitely lacking, compared to Bangkok. Other than priority check-in, there was no ground escort service like in Bangkok Airport. But it was sort of expected, and I preferred the freedom to visit shops and of course to visit Singapore Airlines’ First Class lounge.
September 24, 2014; Wednesday
TG 472 SYD-BKK Lv1540 Arr2200 Boeing 747-400 HS-TGB “Si Satchanalai”
Thai used Aisle G for check-in, and there is a separate check-in for three service classes.
Photo of Thai Airways’ Boeing 747-400 HS-TGB at Sydney – just an interesting note, HS-TGB actually arrived from Bangkok the day before, and they stayed there till the next afternoon.
Virgin Australia’s Boeing 777-300ER VH-VPF to Los Angeles
Singapore Airlines Silver Kris First Class Lounge at Sydney
It was a very impressive facility, and the service was much more personable than Singapore Changi’s Private room. The staffs did not treat TG First class passengers any differently. There was a menu, on top of a buffet.
Dining Room Area
Laksa from the menu
Individual First Class Lounge Suites
Seating Area in the front
Wines
Seating Area in front of the window with a view of tarmac
Gate 51
Boarding began at 3:15pm, and after the usual pre-boarders, first and business class passengers were welcomed onboard first.
First Class Cabin Shot – I was the first one I board and I had the chances to take some cabin shots and I was lucky to get the newer first class suites.
Solo window seat
Middle Pair seats
Newspapers and Magazine
Seat features:
1. Literature Pocket and power outlet location
2. Flower Vase
3. Entertainment console and pocket
4. Hangar of jacket
5. Tray Table
6. Seat Control – Lights and Adjustment of Seats
Pre-takeoff beverage was offered along with hot towels and a Porsche Design Purple amenity kit
I notice some scratches of the seat panel.
Door was closed at 3:43pm and we pushed back five minutes later. We took off from R/W34L at 3:56pm. Flying time was nine hours and seven minutes.
View after takeoff from Sydney
Printed Menu &Wine List:
Wine List:
Wine List
Our champage and wines have been carefully selected by experts. We are delighted to served them to our premium passengers in a rotation basis. Please consult with cabin attendants for the availability, so that you can experience these special wines at different times when you fly with THAI.
White Wine:
Le Demoiselle de Sigalas 2010
Chateau De Cruzeau Pessac-Leoganan 2009
Montagny Premer Cru 2009
Red Wines
Chateau Larmande St. Emilion 2009
Chateau Fleur Cardinale 2007
Givry Premer Cru Clos du Cellier Aux Moines 2010
Dom Pérignon Vintage 2004
1795 Extra Cognac Otard
I am impressed with chilled glass of Dom Perignon!
Warmed mixed nuts will be offered
Dinner was offered next and here is the dinner menu:
First Serving
Canapés
White Sturgeon Caviar with Garnishes
First Course
Lobster Crayfish and Smoked Salmon with Garnitures
Salad
Mixed Green Salad with Thousand Island and Pesto Dressing
Main Course
Briased Lamb Shanks with Marinated Sauce
Sweet Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Red Capsicum, sautéed Spinach
Or
Pan-fried Salmon with White Wine and Pesto Sauce
Mashed Potatoes, Mixed Vegetables
Or
Stir-fried Beef with Black Bean sauce
Egg Noodles, Mixed Vegetables
Or
Chicken Thigh with Bamboo Shoot in Red Curry
Steamed Thai Hom Mali Rice
Stir-fried Mixed Vegetables
Assorted Bread, Butter
Assorted Cheese, Fresh Fruits
Dessert
Berry Cheesecake with Double Cream
Tea, Coffee, Espresso, Cappuccino
The only course missing is the canapé course, but the F/As offered me some canapés later during midflight!
After dinner service, I took a picture of the seats in recline and full flat position before the typical lights out process!
Position One:
Full Flat Position:
Bottled water – local brand was offered shortly afterward
The F/A offered some canapés in the middle of the flight – Scallop canapé, duck breast canapé, and sundried tomato & cheese canapé!
The routing today:
Kandos –340-Mudgee-Gulgong-360-Concurry-380-Katherine-Burrundie-Dawin-Lospalos-Sulawesi-Tutong/Bangar Seri Begawan-Go Cong-PNH/Phnom Penh-Bangkok
Second meal was offered about two hours prior to arrival.
Second Serving
Soup
Cauliflower Cream Soup
Hot Light Meal
Tomato Mozzarella Quiche
Potatoes, Chorizo Sausage
Mesclun with Italian Dressing
Or
Stir-Fried Udon Noodles with Oyster sauce
Stir-Fried Pork with Mango and Vegetables, Oriental Sauce
Dessert
Fruit Pudding with Vanilla Cream
Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Malt
Chocolate
Decent began at 9:33pm local Bangkok time, and we landed on R/W19L at 10:03pm, and we parked at a remote bay 111 at 10:15pm. First class passengers were escorted to an exclusive van.
Goodbye HS-TGB
Ground service was as expected, and there was some wait for the baggage to arrive. There was a line at custom but the ground agent said something in Thai to the custom officer, and I was off to my pre-ordered van.
Oct 4, 2014, 10:37 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: New York
Posts: 7,340
After a quick overnight in Bangkok, I returned to Hong Kong on TG 606.
TG 606 BKK-HKG Lv1600 Arr1945 Boeing 747-400 HS-TGY “Dararasmi”
I am not going to say much about Thai’s service, but I will let the pictures speak!
Check-in at Bangkok
Royal First Class Lounge – not too busy when I arrived
Dining Room – first time seeing it
HS-TGY at Bangkok – Gate C9 – we had an escort but no golf cart
Another suite 747
My seat 3A
The flight was full in first class, but half empty in business and economy class. We took off from R/W19R at 4:17pm.
Flying time was a short two hours and twenty minutes and we stayed at 37,000feet. The service got under way quickly after takeoff.
Beverage & mixed nuts
There was no more hot savory service.
Here is the menu today:
Soup
Spring Chicken and Galangal in Coconut Milk Soup
Main Course
Poached stuffed Chicken with banana in yellow curry
Steamed Thai Hom Mali Rice
Sautéed Vegetables
Or
Wok-seared New Zealand Lamb Loin with Onion, Brown Sauce
Tossed Healthy Noodles with Fried Shallot and Garlic
Or
Seared Prawn with pepper compote served with Vanilla Veloute
Tossed Seaweed Pasta
Assorted Bread, Crackers, Butter
Cheese and Fresh Fruits
Dessert
Apple Tart with Vanilla Anglaise
Tea, Coffee
Espresso, Cappuccino
TG 606 F – MENU F: SEP 2014
But I ordered something new today. Thai Airways is offering this exclusive Thai set meal now, and the courses are more filling than the normal menu. So I gave it a try! I tried most courses except the Thai Dessert.
Here was the menu provided on the website:
Tom Yum Prawn soup – delicious and there were four prawns in the soup!
The entrée was huge:
Deep-fried marinated chicken with lemongrass
Deep-fried marinated fish – not included when I ordered the meal
Stir-fried minced beef with garlic chili & basil
Thai Omelet
Steamed rice
Black & white glutinous rice with longan
Honestly I really enjoyed this Thai menu, and for medium haul regional flights, this is a good menu to order. But I am not a Thai food expert, so I can’t really give you a Thai perspective. From a Chinese perspective, I enjoyed the Thai menu.
For dessert, I went back with the Western dessert. I have the Apple Pie.
But I noted a new addition, which was a tray of assorted Thai sweets.
Hot tea in lemon
Descent began at 7:05pm local time, and as expected, there was some ATC hold, but not too bad!
View of Hong Kong
We landed on R/W25R at 7:37pm and parked at gate 48 at 7:45pm. Golf Cart service was still provided here in Hong Kong, which was appreciated when your plane was parked far.
Conclusion:
It is an interesting trip and I am happy to get to fly a few airlines, and visit a few additional Australian cities. I really enjoy visiting Uluru and hope you enjoy this trip report. I wish I can do a bit more commentary, but there are more important events happening in Hong Kong now and I need to spend a bit more time supporting the protestors before heading to the US soon. Anyway here is a link to all the pictures of this trip, as well as a sub album on Uluru.
http://s1213.photobucket.com/user/Ca...eSeptember2014
Thank you for reading!
Carfield
TG 606 BKK-HKG Lv1600 Arr1945 Boeing 747-400 HS-TGY “Dararasmi”
I am not going to say much about Thai’s service, but I will let the pictures speak!
Check-in at Bangkok
Royal First Class Lounge – not too busy when I arrived
Dining Room – first time seeing it
HS-TGY at Bangkok – Gate C9 – we had an escort but no golf cart
Another suite 747
My seat 3A
The flight was full in first class, but half empty in business and economy class. We took off from R/W19R at 4:17pm.
Flying time was a short two hours and twenty minutes and we stayed at 37,000feet. The service got under way quickly after takeoff.
Beverage & mixed nuts
There was no more hot savory service.
Here is the menu today:
Soup
Spring Chicken and Galangal in Coconut Milk Soup
Main Course
Poached stuffed Chicken with banana in yellow curry
Steamed Thai Hom Mali Rice
Sautéed Vegetables
Or
Wok-seared New Zealand Lamb Loin with Onion, Brown Sauce
Tossed Healthy Noodles with Fried Shallot and Garlic
Or
Seared Prawn with pepper compote served with Vanilla Veloute
Tossed Seaweed Pasta
Assorted Bread, Crackers, Butter
Cheese and Fresh Fruits
Dessert
Apple Tart with Vanilla Anglaise
Tea, Coffee
Espresso, Cappuccino
TG 606 F – MENU F: SEP 2014
But I ordered something new today. Thai Airways is offering this exclusive Thai set meal now, and the courses are more filling than the normal menu. So I gave it a try! I tried most courses except the Thai Dessert.
Here was the menu provided on the website:
Tom Yum Prawn soup – delicious and there were four prawns in the soup!
The entrée was huge:
Deep-fried marinated chicken with lemongrass
Deep-fried marinated fish – not included when I ordered the meal
Stir-fried minced beef with garlic chili & basil
Thai Omelet
Steamed rice
Black & white glutinous rice with longan
Honestly I really enjoyed this Thai menu, and for medium haul regional flights, this is a good menu to order. But I am not a Thai food expert, so I can’t really give you a Thai perspective. From a Chinese perspective, I enjoyed the Thai menu.
For dessert, I went back with the Western dessert. I have the Apple Pie.
But I noted a new addition, which was a tray of assorted Thai sweets.
Hot tea in lemon
Descent began at 7:05pm local time, and as expected, there was some ATC hold, but not too bad!
View of Hong Kong
We landed on R/W25R at 7:37pm and parked at gate 48 at 7:45pm. Golf Cart service was still provided here in Hong Kong, which was appreciated when your plane was parked far.
Conclusion:
It is an interesting trip and I am happy to get to fly a few airlines, and visit a few additional Australian cities. I really enjoy visiting Uluru and hope you enjoy this trip report. I wish I can do a bit more commentary, but there are more important events happening in Hong Kong now and I need to spend a bit more time supporting the protestors before heading to the US soon. Anyway here is a link to all the pictures of this trip, as well as a sub album on Uluru.
http://s1213.photobucket.com/user/Ca...eSeptember2014
Thank you for reading!
Carfield
Oct 5, 2014, 10:49 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: New York
Posts: 7,340
Thanks for your kind comments!
Pajamas are still available on the SYD-BKK segment. I did not wear them during this daytime flight. I was working on this trip report series during the whole flight. I did not want to sleep till I got to Bangkok.
Carfield
Pajamas are still available on the SYD-BKK segment. I did not wear them during this daytime flight. I was working on this trip report series during the whole flight. I did not want to sleep till I got to Bangkok.
Carfield
Oct 7, 2014, 11:51 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: UA, Bonvoy, Amex Plat
Posts: 1,582
Thanks for another thorough and thoroughly enjoyable trip report! ^
I'll be taking that BKK-HKG flight on the 744 in F in January on my way from SIN-ORD. Looks like a very nice service for such a short flight, and I am now looking forward to it even more!
I'll be taking that BKK-HKG flight on the 744 in F in January on my way from SIN-ORD. Looks like a very nice service for such a short flight, and I am now looking forward to it even more!
Oct 17, 2014, 4:54 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Programs: VA WP, NZ *A SG
Posts: 529
Great TR! I'm doing the same TG flights in a few weeks. At the start of the TR you seemed quite critical of TG but all the photos made the experience pretty flawless? Do you really need a 5 course meal for a 3 hour flight?!
You were extremely lucky to get new F on BKK-HKG- that route is usually old F!
You were extremely lucky to get new F on BKK-HKG- that route is usually old F!
Oct 19, 2014, 10:57 am
#14
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: YVR - Vancouver, with most winter weekends in Whistler.
Programs: Aeroplan 35K, Alaska MVP, Marriott Titanium / Lifetime Platinum, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 4,609
Surprisingly the purple Porsche Design amenity kit in TG SYD-BKK Royal First looks surprisingly like my TG Business Class kits that I received ICN-BKK-DXB in April of this year.
Wonder if they ran out or have a larger purple Porsche Design kit for First Class now?
Wonder if they ran out or have a larger purple Porsche Design kit for First Class now?