Bangkok Weekend on Thai A350 Economy
May 26, 2019, 8:26 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,681
Bangkok Weekend on Thai A350 Economy
It was time to fly again over the recent long weekend holidays, and it was another 'pilgrimage' trip for great thai food in the Land of Smiles. Flights to and fro were booked on Thai Airways, which offered reasonable fares for the long weekend period. TG operates 5x daily on the SIN-BKK route, and 2 of the flights are flown on their brand new A350 aircraft, which would be the aircraft I am flying on both legs.
TG's check-in counters at Changi opens 2.5hrs before flight, and I was there rather early as I wanted to check out the new Jewel in Changi. Among the first to check-in and received the colourful boarding pass.
The new Jewel shopping complex is attached to Terminal One, and it was actually my first visit to the new attraction, though I stayed rather near the airport. Amid all the hoohas, it offered an instagrammable setting with lush greenery and world's tallest indoor waterfall. Other than that, it was the usual shopping, eateries and entertainment outlets found in many other shopping complexes, though some are exclusive to Jewel only at the moment. Wonder how long the hype will last.
Left Jewel and headed through immigration into the Departure in search of some food. Spotted QR's A350-1000.
Decided to head to the Dnata lounge to check it out. The lounge is used by a few airlines, mainly SkyTeam airlines and airlines with no alliances. Entry is also available to membership holders, including Priority Pass. As it was the lull period, the lounge was actually pretty quiet.
Coffee/tea and bar area.
TG's check-in counters at Changi opens 2.5hrs before flight, and I was there rather early as I wanted to check out the new Jewel in Changi. Among the first to check-in and received the colourful boarding pass.
The new Jewel shopping complex is attached to Terminal One, and it was actually my first visit to the new attraction, though I stayed rather near the airport. Amid all the hoohas, it offered an instagrammable setting with lush greenery and world's tallest indoor waterfall. Other than that, it was the usual shopping, eateries and entertainment outlets found in many other shopping complexes, though some are exclusive to Jewel only at the moment. Wonder how long the hype will last.
Left Jewel and headed through immigration into the Departure in search of some food. Spotted QR's A350-1000.
Decided to head to the Dnata lounge to check it out. The lounge is used by a few airlines, mainly SkyTeam airlines and airlines with no alliances. Entry is also available to membership holders, including Priority Pass. As it was the lull period, the lounge was actually pretty quiet.
Coffee/tea and bar area.
May 26, 2019, 8:40 am
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,681
Dining area. The dining options were not too exciting at this time of the day.
Only grabbed a light bite from the buffet.
Headed to the gate, which was at the far end of the terminal.
The gate area is comfortable and cosy.
Our A350 being prepped.
SQ's A350ULR resting on the tarmac.
Busy taxiway.
Only grabbed a light bite from the buffet.
Headed to the gate, which was at the far end of the terminal.
The gate area is comfortable and cosy.
Our A350 being prepped.
SQ's A350ULR resting on the tarmac.
Busy taxiway.
May 26, 2019, 8:55 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,681
18 May 2019
Thai Airways
TG 404
Singapore (SIN) - Bangkok (BKK)
A350-900
HS-THF
Economy Class
Flight Time: 2H01M
Boarding was called.
Heading to the beautiful A350 aircraft.
Welcomed by two beautiful Thai cabin crew at the door.
Turned left into the economy cabin. Seat designs were modern and beautiful. On each seat was a pillow. Blankets were available upon request as well.
Beautiful A350 swept winglet.
Each seat had a huge IFE touchscreen monitor with remote control. Under the monitor was a USB port and a headphone jack. The seat was also fitted with a footrest. Power sockets were available under the seat. Legroom was decent.
Pillow, blanket and headphones.
Reading materials.
Thai Airways
TG 404
Singapore (SIN) - Bangkok (BKK)
A350-900
HS-THF
Economy Class
Flight Time: 2H01M
Boarding was called.
Heading to the beautiful A350 aircraft.
Welcomed by two beautiful Thai cabin crew at the door.
Turned left into the economy cabin. Seat designs were modern and beautiful. On each seat was a pillow. Blankets were available upon request as well.
Beautiful A350 swept winglet.
Each seat had a huge IFE touchscreen monitor with remote control. Under the monitor was a USB port and a headphone jack. The seat was also fitted with a footrest. Power sockets were available under the seat. Legroom was decent.
Pillow, blanket and headphones.
Reading materials.
May 26, 2019, 9:15 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,681
Despite the full flight, boarding was completed very efficiently, and doors were closed well ahead of schedule. Safety video was shown, and it was the new TG fantasy-themed safety video.
Starting the short taxi to the runway.
Loved the camera view!
It was only a short taxi to the runway and after holding for a few departures ahead, we took off from Rwy20C.
For some reason, flight map information was unavailable.
Starting the short taxi to the runway.
Loved the camera view!
It was only a short taxi to the runway and after holding for a few departures ahead, we took off from Rwy20C.
For some reason, flight map information was unavailable.
May 26, 2019, 9:39 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,681
Climbing above the clouds.
The IFE selection were updated with new movies. More than sufficient selection for this short flight. I chose the comedy, Dumplin.
Meal service started shortly after.
Meal and beverages selection were available in the IFE system. The meal selection was similar to what I had a year ago on the same flight. Not sure of how TG rotates their menus.
Meal tray served. They ran out of the Snapper choice, so went for the Curry chicken with Nasi Goreng. The tray came with a side salad with dressing, warm bun with butter, banana crumble dessert, plastic cutlery and a bottle of drinking water.
Salad was fresh and crunchy. Banana crumble was a tad dry for my liking.
The main course was flavourful and very tasty.
The IFE selection were updated with new movies. More than sufficient selection for this short flight. I chose the comedy, Dumplin.
Meal service started shortly after.
Meal and beverages selection were available in the IFE system. The meal selection was similar to what I had a year ago on the same flight. Not sure of how TG rotates their menus.
Meal tray served. They ran out of the Snapper choice, so went for the Curry chicken with Nasi Goreng. The tray came with a side salad with dressing, warm bun with butter, banana crumble dessert, plastic cutlery and a bottle of drinking water.
Salad was fresh and crunchy. Banana crumble was a tad dry for my liking.
The main course was flavourful and very tasty.
May 26, 2019, 9:59 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,681
Continuing with my movie
After the meal trays were distributed, the crew came down the aisle with the beverage cart, offering coffee/tea and other beverages. Wines were offered earlier with the meal distribution. Unlike previously flights on TG, it seems that TG has done away with displaying the full bar selection on the cart top, instead they just had the common wines/coffee/tea/juice/coke on display, aka SQ-style. I had a cup of diet coke.
Meals cleared and it was 30min till we started the descent into BKK. An arrival video was shown.
Descending and flying pass the airport.
Making a turn to finals.
Gears down.
After the meal trays were distributed, the crew came down the aisle with the beverage cart, offering coffee/tea and other beverages. Wines were offered earlier with the meal distribution. Unlike previously flights on TG, it seems that TG has done away with displaying the full bar selection on the cart top, instead they just had the common wines/coffee/tea/juice/coke on display, aka SQ-style. I had a cup of diet coke.
Meals cleared and it was 30min till we started the descent into BKK. An arrival video was shown.
Descending and flying pass the airport.
Making a turn to finals.
Gears down.
May 27, 2019, 6:50 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,681
Landing on Rwy19R.
Taxied to the gate.
Disembarking
It was a full but pleasant and smooth flight on Thai, with efficient service, good catering and a great hard product for this short flight. A very satisfactory flight.
On this trip, I stayed at The Lancaster Bangkok, which is near the Makassan station of the airport rail. The hotel is quite new, with well furnished and very comfortable rooms, as well as modern appliances.
There is a rooftop swimming pool.
Taxied to the gate.
Disembarking
It was a full but pleasant and smooth flight on Thai, with efficient service, good catering and a great hard product for this short flight. A very satisfactory flight.
On this trip, I stayed at The Lancaster Bangkok, which is near the Makassan station of the airport rail. The hotel is quite new, with well furnished and very comfortable rooms, as well as modern appliances.
There is a rooftop swimming pool.
May 27, 2019, 7:06 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,681
Makassan train station ahead.
Dinner was at Somboon Seafood at the Centralworld branch.
Dessert at After You.
Lancaster Hotel offers a respectable breakfast buffet.
Visit to Chatuchak on a cloudless warm day.
Lunch at OrTorKor Market.
To Erawan Shrine for some prayers on Vesak day.
Dinner was at Somboon Seafood at the Centralworld branch.
Dessert at After You.
Lancaster Hotel offers a respectable breakfast buffet.
Visit to Chatuchak on a cloudless warm day.
Lunch at OrTorKor Market.
To Erawan Shrine for some prayers on Vesak day.
May 29, 2019, 7:20 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,681
Some pretty good fusion cuisine at White Flower Factory.
However the café/restaurant is still famous for its wonderful selection of cakes, especially the coconut cake!
Hotel breakfast
Visit to the new icon of Bangkok, Icon Siam shopping mall.
At the lower level, there is a 'floating market' offering all sorts of local thai food.
However the café/restaurant is still famous for its wonderful selection of cakes, especially the coconut cake!
Hotel breakfast
Visit to the new icon of Bangkok, Icon Siam shopping mall.
At the lower level, there is a 'floating market' offering all sorts of local thai food.
May 29, 2019, 7:45 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,681
The upper floors are just like any other shopping mall. There is a nice view of the river from the upper floor.
Lunch at a popular roast meat place near Saphat Taksin.
And a delicious dinner at Saengchai Phochana restaurant at Thonglor.
Famous mango sticky rice.
On the departure day, took the Airport Rail back to the airport. Spotted SQ's albino A330 landing as SQ974.
Checked in at the TG counters with no queues.
However it was a different story at immigration with a 30min wait at least to clear. Decided to visit the new Turkish Airlines Lounge.
Lunch at a popular roast meat place near Saphat Taksin.
And a delicious dinner at Saengchai Phochana restaurant at Thonglor.
Famous mango sticky rice.
On the departure day, took the Airport Rail back to the airport. Spotted SQ's albino A330 landing as SQ974.
Checked in at the TG counters with no queues.
However it was a different story at immigration with a 30min wait at least to clear. Decided to visit the new Turkish Airlines Lounge.
May 31, 2019, 8:32 pm
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,681
The lounge is clean and modern, but very empty as the TK departures were later in the evening.
Buffet selection includes some hot food, salads, sandwiches and cakes, hot and cold beverages (including Turkish coffee), an a mini live pide station. Selection is good for a priority pass lounge, but pales in comparison to the neighbouring SQ Silver Kris Lounge.
Heading to the departure gate, which was quite a walk away from the lounge.
Buffet selection includes some hot food, salads, sandwiches and cakes, hot and cold beverages (including Turkish coffee), an a mini live pide station. Selection is good for a priority pass lounge, but pales in comparison to the neighbouring SQ Silver Kris Lounge.
Heading to the departure gate, which was quite a walk away from the lounge.
May 31, 2019, 8:49 pm
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,681
21 May 2019
Thai Airways
TG 409
Bangkok (BKK) - Singapore (SIN)
A350-900
HS-THB
Economy Class
Flight Time: 1H53M
Boarding has already commenced at the gate. TG's 1st A350 aircraft would be operating the flight to SIN.
Economy bulkhead
Boarding in progress.
Out the window with the Star Alliance queen beside.
Boarding completed and safety video played.
Another sister A350 pushed back for Dubai.
Firing up the IFE system.
Pushed back and taxied to the runway.
Thai Airways
TG 409
Bangkok (BKK) - Singapore (SIN)
A350-900
HS-THB
Economy Class
Flight Time: 1H53M
Boarding has already commenced at the gate. TG's 1st A350 aircraft would be operating the flight to SIN.
Economy bulkhead
Boarding in progress.
Out the window with the Star Alliance queen beside.
Boarding completed and safety video played.
Another sister A350 pushed back for Dubai.
Firing up the IFE system.
Pushed back and taxied to the runway.