BKK-MNL
TG620 Royal Silk class
Dep. 09.05
Boeing 777-200
Seat 11A


Checking in at the Star Gold counter for this TG Y ticket to MNL, I was offered to upgrade at 8000 baht, which she said I would get miles for. I thought that was interesting as I’m flying on a reward ticket this leg. Anyhow I decided to try it as I haven’t been in Thai international C, although only regional this time.

I paid the upgrade was and was ushered through Thai premium check-in at the B-zone, were they even have their own priority immigration and then straight down the elevator to the Royal Silk Lounge, which was a very large and smooth (as silk) facility. Had some eggs, bacon, toast, dumplings and fresh fruit for breakfast. Free Wi-fi was nice, and a good selection of international newspapers.

TG620 to Manila had recently been changed to add a tag-on to Osaka. As I passed security and entered the pre-boarding area I was happy to have upgraded as it was chock a block full. Royal Silk and Star G boarding was called and it was nice to see two bridges for separate premium boarding. I went left following the Royal Silk and Royal First signage. This Boeing 777-200 was a 2-class service so no first passengers today.
I was pleasantly surprised to see the Pod style seats in business this morning, in a 2-2-2- configuration, this is the lie-flat sleeper usually offered on long-haul. I was immediately offered a pre-departure drink, choice of tea, orange juice or water. I went for orange juice and moments later another steward came around with a bottle of Pommery champagne offering to everyone. Don’t you just love being offered Champagne without asking at
9.30 in the morning? I happily obliged and decided that the upgrade was already worth it.

My seatmate, a Japanese fellow, had a little accident and spilled his drink in his seat. He was sputtering ”sorry, sorry” while the purser directed no less than 3 FA’s to clean up everything and have a new drink in place in no time. Has was moved to 1F so I was by myself in 1A without a seatmate which is always nice to put my stuff, especially in bulkhead.
Starter was goose liver, grilled apple, smoked salmon with horseradish cream, capers and tomato and it was very tasty. I washed this down with some dry Chardonnay.
For main course I went for the prawns in red curry, I did not feel like Japanese food that early in the morning or else I would have tried the eel. I mean, we’re talking about a breakfast flight here, and this was the lightest meal option in my eyes. The curry was spicy and very good. I skipped the cheese and just had some fruit in stead. Chocolate cake for dessert was not very tempting either so I settled for a black coffee.

Making the most out of the nice seating on this flight I reclined into the lie-flat position and tried to sleep a little before coming into Nino Aquino. Only 15 minutes before landing did the fasten seatbelt sign come on, which I thought was very nice as it gave me maximum time to sleep. We had to circle Manila once, I could see a PR 747 on final so our slight delay out of BKK has lost us our slot. Only a couple of minutes extra, and I did not mind the nice views of Manila.
Touching down it was announced all passengers had to deplane, those bound for Osaka had to bring all their belongings and have them screened before re-entering. Seems a little fuzzy, since everyone had just come through security at BKK anyhow. We taxied past the Philippine Airlines terminal before coming to the international terminal used by all foregin airlines.

My ride to Manila at the gate in BKK
My seatmate moved to the middle section
Menu and paper in hand
Breakfast menu
Starter
Main course