A Royal Thai Afternoon

Today’s routing would involve two Thai Airways flights. The first, a quick HAN-BKK hop onboard one of Thai’s new 787s, was a paid economy ticket purchased three days before departure for only $159 USD. I had contemplated purchasing a business class ticket for about $120 more, but ultimately decided to rough it in economy for the short flight. My second flight would mark the beginning of my return United MileagePlus first class award: BKK-HKG-ICN-FRA-IAD booked on Thai, Asiana, and Lufthansa for just 70k miles.

Following a very inexpensive 40 minute taxi ride (~$12) from the Intercontinental Hanoi Westlake, I arrived at Noi Bai’s large and modern international terminal. There was no wait for check-in and, knowing the business class seatmap showed just one seat occupied, I inquired if there were any paid upgrade opportunities available for business class. To my surprise, I was quoted an additional $290 to upgrade – which was more expensive than the cheapest available walkup business class fare! No thanks! The agent checking me in offered me an exit row aisle with a promise to block the neighboring seat. The flight was very lightly loaded with economy only half full and business class ultimately consisting of just one passenger. I was also successful checking-in for my Bangkok-Hong Kong flight on Thai, despite being booked on separate reservations.

Noi Bai International Airport Premium Lounge Hanoi

Almost all non-Skyteam airlines utilize the Noi Bai International Airport-operated premium lounge. After making it through security, the lounge is a quick walk and escalator ride away. The lounge featured plenty of seating and great views of the airfield, but the food offerings looked tired and the drink selection was limited to soft drinks, beer, and one bottle of red wine. On the plus side, there was a live Yankees game on the television! Yes, I was watching my first Yankees game of the season from an airport lounge in Hanoi! One of the friendly lounge agents come over to inform me that boarding had commenced, and escorted me and one other passenger all the way to the nearby boarding gate. Excellent handing for a contract lounge.



Thai Airways 561
Hanoi to Bangkok
Boeing 787-8
May 2, 2015
10:35A-12:25P (sked)
10:45A-12:26P (actual)
Flight Time: 1hr26min
Economy Class
Seat 48C



This flight would be the fifth 787 livery that I’ve flown (ANA, Qatar, United, JAL, and now Thai). Thai Airways only recently begun receiving their 787 orders in late 2014, and was still using them on just a collection of shorthaul regional flights and the Bangkok-Perth route. It would also be my first 787 flight in economy. As I made my way to the back of the bus, I couldn’t help but notice that Thai’s colorful seat design kept the economy cabin looking roomy and bright. As promised, my neighboring seats remained empty and the exit row legroom was plentiful. I was actually pleased having saved the cost difference for business class on this flight.





Our takeoff and climb out were incredibly smooth, and meal service began quickly in the economy cabin with the flight attendants serving from front to rear. Lunch was a sizeable boxed meal with a chilled chicken noodle salad, cake, and fruit cup. A beverage service quickly followed, I asked for a glass of white wine. While it wasn’t on the beverage cart, the flight attendant quickly grabbed some from the galley. It was very drinkable – even enjoyable. Not bad for such a quick segment in coach!

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Upon landing at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport we pulled into a remote stand necessitating a shuttle bus transfer, despite almost every nearby gate being unoccupied. To my complete surprise, there was a Thai agent holding my name at the front door of the aircraft, and a private van waiting just for me! This was completely unexpected because I didn’t realize Thai provided this service for first class passengers and I was traveling on completely separate tickets – one of which being an economy ticket – although I had checked-in for my connecting flight in Hanoi.

I was driven directly to the security transfer area, escorted through a minimally-invasive security check, and then driven through the passenger terminal to Thai’s fantastic lounge complex. I’ve always had very favorable views of Thai’s ground service for first class passengers in Bangkok, and those impressions were only exceeded today!

Thai Airways Royal First Lounge and Royal Orchard Spa Bangkok

My top priority upon entering the lounge was to book a spa treatment at Thai’s phenomenal Royal Orchard Spa facility. By far, the best airport spa facility in the world, in my opinion and experience. I had my choice of treatment times, so I scheduled an hour long massage at 2pm, followed by 30 minutes in the sauna and steam room facility. That allowed me some time to relax for an hour in the Royal First lounge.

I was escorted back and offered one of the private seating areas, but elected instead to take a seat in the main portion of the lounge. The wonderful ladies in the lounge tried to entice me with offers of lunch, but I opted for just a glass of Champagne (non-vintage Moet & Chandon Imperial).



Around 2pm I was escorted across the hall to Thai’s sprawling spa complex. As a first class passenger I was entitled to a full hour treatment in one of the spa suites. I opted for the full body oil massage with medium-firm pressure. Just like all my previous visits, I was thoroughly pleased with the quality of massage I received. I would have gladly paid over $100 for the same level of service elsewhere.



I'm still not sure what the bath tub is for. I suppose a first class passenger could just book a spa suite for a bath instead of a massage? Have any FlyerTalkers actually done that?



I provided around $10 in Thai baht for a tip (I’m still not sure what the tipping etiquette is here – although my tips are always very graciously accepted) and was escorted across the hall to the sauna and steam room facilities, which had already been prepared for my use. I cannot think of a more relaxing way to spend a layover in an airport!



I finished my visit with a cup of tea and a few sweets in the first class relaxation area of the Royal Orchard Spa before heading back over to the Royal First lounge. While some airlines offer 15 minute massages for first class passengers, I’m always amazed how far above-and-beyond Thai delivers on its spa offerings. I ended up spending nearly two hours in the spa complex, and felt so incredibly relaxed by the end it was nearly unthinkable to imagine that I was actually in an airport!



After about 10 more minutes it was time to board, and I was escorted down to the departure gate which was a short walk away from the lounge. It’s amazing how quickly three-and-a-half hours go by when flying Thai first class from Bangkok. While I was contemplating spending the day in Hanoi and taking the evening Dragonair flight to Hong Kong, I’m ultimately glad I decided to have a Royal First Saturday afternoon at Suvarnabhumi Airport compliments of Thai Airways!

Thai Airways 606
Bangkok to Hong Kong
Boeing 747-400
May 2, 2015
4:00P-7:45P (sked)
4:18P-7:49P (actual)
Flight Time: 2hr15min
First Class
Seat 1A

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The last time I flew a Thai 747 was last summer from Bangkok to Tokyo Haneda, and similar to that flight I was hoping for a last-minute aircraft swap to the new first class. Unfortunately, that was not going to happen today as stepping aboard I noticed the old style first class suites – which were still perfectly fine for such a short fight only a little more than two hours long.





Today’s first class cabin would fill to just 4 of 10 seats occupied. Accompanying me would be an elderly Thai couple and an affable British expat businessman. I selected seat 1A – a favorite of mine deep in the 747’s nose – and fortunately the neighboring seat 1K remained empty for the flight affording an additional level of privacy. I was promptly greeted by a very flamboyant elderly Thai gentleman who would be serving as my primary flight attendant. He offered a cold towel and promised to return with some Champagne. Thai’s service tends to be on the formal side, and he came back to pour me a glass of 2004 Dom Perignon served quite properly from a silver tray. He was also gracious enough to provide several additional refills as we awaited pushback. I could already tell this was going to be a great flight.



We had a slight delay of about 15 minutes before we pushed back, but we were close to the departing runway and soon lifted off into a rather ominous looking sky.



Despite a quite a few bumps in the initial climbout, the seatbelt sign was quickly turned off and in-flight service began with – you guessed it – another glass of the Dom. While not my favorite Tete de Cuvée, I can hardly complain considering the brevity of this route.




As usual when flying Thai Royal First regionally, I had pre-orderd the lobster thermidor, but here’s a look at this afternoon’s menu anyways:









I love how Thai does not water down the first class wine offerings on its regional flights. Right or wrong, a 2 hour regional hop to Hong Kong features the exact same wine list as a 12 hour longhaul flight to London.

Lunch began with a bread basket and some aromatic Tom Yum Kung soup.





Next up was the lobster thermidor. As I’ve written before, it reminds me of Singapore Airlines’ business class lobster thermidor offering – but I’m nonetheless grateful for being able to pre-order this dish on such a short flight.



I was next offered a cheese plate, and opted to switch to the Château Batailley Bordeaux – a wine the used to be a staple of American Airlines’ international business class wine list – if you can imagine that! In any case, it paired just fine with Thai’s somewhat underwhelming cheese plate.



The meal concluded with a dessert offering of banana caramel and coffee mousse paired with an assortment of Thai sweets on offer due to the upcoming 65th Anniversary of the King’s coronation, which was to be observed on May 5th.



I should take a moment to add that the meal service was performed flawlessly by my very attentive and, quite frankly, a bit over-the-top flight attendant. I wish I had noted his name, because despite looking like he was well into his 60s, he delivered every course with both pomp and energy. I wish I could describe it better, but I will forever remember his service.

The entire lunch service took around 90 minutes. Just before commencing our descent, I got up to stretch my legs. With the sun setting of the left side of the aircraft, the nose of the 747 had an ethereal glow throughout the cabin.



I was asked if I wanted anything else prior to landing, and I acquiesced to a glass of Blue Label on the rocks, which was served preciously at our top of descent.



Making up a few minutes en route, we touched down on Hong Kong’s Runway 25R just around our scheduled arrival time. We pulled onto the stand about 4 minutes late and were instructed – as expected – that first class passengers would receive arrivals assistance upon deplaning. The elderly Thai couple flying in First Class had a Thai Airways agent greet them and escort them into a buggy, leaving the British expat and me waiting. After patiently waiting about 3 minutes, a different Thai representative approached and informed us that as of yesterday Thai was no longer providing arrivals assistance for first class passengers! My British first class companion was fuming. I’m fine with receiving no arrivals assistance, but don’t tell me after nearly half the plane has deplaned! Not surprisingly, we joined a long line after finally arriving at the immigration queue. A disappointing ending to an otherwise excellent flight and brilliant ground handling in Bangkok.