Delay

I had signed up to Flight Alerts from GF via virtually there and at 2119 GMT I received a SMS advising me that my flight was delayed until 1025.

Check-In in Bangkok

Check-In is done in Row G with the plane leaving from Gate G X.
There is a separate counter for First and Business with 2 counters for Standard Passengers, however when I approached both Premium counters were blocked by either people with extra bags who wanted to pay or other people requiring additional attention.

I queue for a while and when the business counter became free I tried to use that but was pushed out of my way by some Queue monitoring person who directed another person to it.
Someone from behind the counter saw that, come over and apologized and promised me the next counter.

The business class counter became available and 45 minutes later I had my boarding pass. The person behind the counter was not speaking English beside “moment please” , “problem here, need talk to boss”. He argued with a lady in GF outfit for a while about my ticket and my request to tag it only to LHR instead DUB which he got translated from the GF lady. They called another GF dressed lady who looked at me, than at my ticket and told them that there was a MAAS on my ticket and they should check me in. She apologized, informed me, that in MCT the plane is going to wait for me and that she is going to escort me to the Lounge. I asked her what the problems were, she said, that it’s new computers, the overnight stop in my ticket and the MAAS on it, but that everything was okay. She also told me that Special Services will great me in LHR and ensure that I get a hotel.

First Impressions on GF Part of the Trip

Not the best to be honest. I don’t appreciate if 2 people argue in a language I don’t understand in front of me about something they obviously have problems with and ignore my questions if there is something wrong.

Immigration

With boarding pass in hand and GF escort I paid my departure tax (500 BAHT) at a counter in front of the immigration area, got it controlled and queued for immigration. In 2 minutes I was in front of someone who put up a “closed sign”, when I backed up, he gestured for me to approach, stamped my passport and departure slip and waived me through. Again, not a single word of dialog.

Lounge (LHR)

GF uses a 3rd party lunge, the CIP Business & First Lounge. The lounge is on the 3rd floor near to gate area G and also used by Northwest as Club/First/Business and by US for the same. It also displays the Star Gold logo.

The lounge is basic, offering space for about 50 people in large couch like seats. There is a fridge with cold non alcoholic drinks and some beer. There is also a buffet area with sandwiches, pastry and lots of cake.

At 0915 I asked about the delay and when I should go to the Gate and she told me go now you are late. I told her that there is a delay and she said, no there is not. I asked her to confirm and she finally picked up a phone. Then she advised to leave at 0945.

Boarding

I was told by the GF lady that I need to go up to Level 4 again and pass security there but I saw that there was a security check on the same level as the lounge so I passed that within seconds. Then I actually had to go a level down to the real gate. So if you are there, don’t go up to Level 4 again, say on the lounge level.

Boarding finally started at 1000, no announcement about the delay was made. There were 2 people in First and 1 (one) in Business. About 40 people were in Ecco.

The Seat

Old seats again, sadly.

The Flight/Food

French Sky Chef (again) and excellent food offerings with the offer to combine the full and the bedsit menu as I please. I took the beef and was not disappointed. Not as good as LAN Chile but nearly reaching it.

The Flight/Service

Both the Sky Chef and the FA were there all the time. Fresh water, fresh fruit and a constant check if I needed something.

Arrival

We arrived 45 minutes late in MCT and debarked from the front door into a waiting bus, the bus was only for F and C. It actually had different seat, more comfortable than for standard passengers.
Out of the bus into the MCT airport following the “transfer” signs passing a brief inspection of boarding card and a security check. I guy standing on the monitor, that’s it. Nobody else there. I wonder what happens if you set up the alarm.


Boarding

Down to the gate, inspection of the boarding pass and again into a bus. Funny enough the same driver/bus that greeted us when we landed.
The bus parked at the front door and when entering we were greeted by an English Sky Chef and a Cabin Service Manager. And guess: the same guys in F and C that were on the BKK-MCT leg.

The Seat

New Sky beds on a 332 and I regretted 2 K because the noise and light from the Galley for C coming is not good. The Sky Chef told me to swap seat.

The Flight/Food

The Sky Chef offered to combine the normal and Bedsit menu and took my order (salad/veal/pancakes). And I was very happy with it. 2 hours before we approached LHR I asked the FA for a sandwich and the Sky Chef offered different types.

The Flight/Service

Excellent, I was worried from other peoples posts but this crew did know what they were doing and ensured that I got what I wanted.

Arrival

We arrived 19 minutes late and at the gate some announcements were made about people that need to contact ground staff. My name was not on that announcement, but the second I stepped out of the plane a GF staffer approached me, greeted me with name and told me to wait a second please. (Now how did she know who I was?).

She said, that she is sorry about the mix-up with the Meet & Greet on my outbound flight and if there is anything she can do now beside ensuring that I get my vouchers for the night?

I thanked her and she provided me with a hotel hoppa return ticket and a voucher for 1 night in the Radisson Edwardian including dinner and breakfast. I asked about a Fast Track Immigration voucher (in case iris does not work) and she handed me one over. She also explained how to find the hotel hoppa bus stop.

Immigration

With both iris scanners running and no queue there I was through in 15 seconds. Amazing how difficult it is after a long flight to stand still to get the iris recognized.

Overnight Stay

The hotel full and the check-in guy really tried hard to find a big bed for me, which he did. He also gave me vouchers for Dinner (value 19.95 Pounds) and Breakfast (value 14.95 Pounds). Not that I was hungry, I only cared about the bed.

Now, TV on just now and what do I see, plane crash in New York. Oh my God......

Verdict

As previously said, if I had to pay full price I would not have done it this way, but for the value for money provided (especially giving that they also paid the hotel in LHR) this is steal.