Originally Posted by
Chiro1979
Out of curiousity what are the improvements to the meal service? Being my first TG flight, I won't have anything to compare it with, but I'm just curious. Last time I flew to BKK I flew with TK, and their meals in J were awesome.
I have to say that I found the TG J meal service pretty decent before the improvement - since I first started flying the LHR-BKK route in 2013 it used to be pretty consistent 4-course meal, usually a couple of nicely presented cold seafood / salad starters, Thai or Western main. The whole meal is really more like an international style with Thai touches.
Now, the main event is the "samrab" - a proper Thai street food experience recreated at 40,000 ft. Authentic and refined Thai flavours that would give any Bangkok fine dining establishment a run for its money (I should be their copywriter
) The tom yum was among the best I have tasted anywhere on land or in the air. I have not tried the Western menu and personally would probably never bother, as I love Thai food and there is not enough good Thai food in London!
And, aside from the main meals, you now also get an all-day snacking menu with a dozen of selections ranging salad to steak to noodles to satay skewers.. last time I flew on the LHR-BKK 77W, they had grilled pork neck which neither I nor Mrs CS tried (as we were both too full...). Sadly the menu is different on the BKK-LHR so we haven't tried it as yet. I may well try it tomorrow as I'm back on the LHR-BKK (A380 this time so not sure if the menu will be the same)
.
I have not seen many people comment on the drink service, which is also definitely improved. *Two* kinds of champagne now flow freely in J, take your pick between Duval Leroy and Veuve Clicquot - and I'm pretty sure it's not my recent TG Gold status as I've seen this applied throughout the cabin - but the staff are *extremely* active in giving top-ups at taxi and even during take-off. Like your caffeine? How about some filter coffee from beans grown in the Northern Highlands around Chiang Mai?
Compared to other airlines, the new TG LHR-BKK J meal is probably the second best aeroplane meal I've ever tasted - second to the full-on Japanese traditional meal with 16-year old sake I once had on ANA J. I remember being impressed with TK as well.
All in all, the new meal service is a real improvement throughout - not only the "hard product" (as it were) of the food and drinks, but I do notice the staff taking greater pride in explaining the menu, topping up beverages etc. I think if you liked TK, and like Thai food, you'll love the new TG meal service (and you don't get a fake chef!!).