Tell me about Thai Smile Air - Thaismileair
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Programs: DL 1MM Platinum, UA 1k, HH Silver, BonVoy Platinum
Posts: 1,146
Tell me about Thai Smile Air - Thaismileair
Has anybody flown this?
Where is check-in, can you still go to the Domestic *Gold check-in counter --- and do they have a separate check-in row or is it just mixed with Thai?
Same lounges?
Same miles earned?
Anything I'm missing? (one thing I did learn was that if you want to fly the "old" C on the online website you need to use the International booking tab, not the domestic tab if you want to find real C availability - though I haven't made a purchase yet it looks like all systems go. On the Thai Smiles redirect it is hard to find real C class only A320's or at least on the dates I am looking)
Thanks!
Powers
Where is check-in, can you still go to the Domestic *Gold check-in counter --- and do they have a separate check-in row or is it just mixed with Thai?
Same lounges?
Same miles earned?
Anything I'm missing? (one thing I did learn was that if you want to fly the "old" C on the online website you need to use the International booking tab, not the domestic tab if you want to find real C availability - though I haven't made a purchase yet it looks like all systems go. On the Thai Smiles redirect it is hard to find real C class only A320's or at least on the dates I am looking)
Thanks!
Powers
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
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There's already been quite a bit of discussion if you do a search within this forum.
Here are the highlights: it is TG in every way except new rock hard seats, no W/V cheap fares and crappy European style busineconomy seating.
Benefits of *G are maintained.
Here are the highlights: it is TG in every way except new rock hard seats, no W/V cheap fares and crappy European style busineconomy seating.
Benefits of *G are maintained.
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Programs: DL 1MM Platinum, UA 1k, HH Silver, BonVoy Platinum
Posts: 1,146
Cheers, Powers
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
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Any good threads to recommend? I searched of course Thaismile, Thai smile, Thai smile air, thaismileair.com and didn't see that much in terms of actual experience flying with them, just a few comments here and there and complaining about being routed on them or someone saying they are going to try it. I've flown plenty of A320's so that part isn't new - at the airport, check-in, only bus gates, meals onboard?, brand new planes?, that sort of thing is why I opened a thread. Anyway, I found out how to just book C on the normal TG planes without going via Smile Air, so no problems for now.
Cheers, Powers
Cheers, Powers
Bags: *G allowance
Lounge: *G allowance
Price: Higher than TG
Gates: Apron or jetway; dom and int destination so same bus gate hassle
Meals (Y): Bag with snack and water bottle. garbage not picked up.
New planes: Yes, with rock hard seats.
Conclusion: Higher prices, less comfort, no C = Avoid when possible.
#5
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Melbourne/Bangkok
Programs: A3*G, QF PLATINUM, BA GOLD, VA GOLD, HH DIAMOND
Posts: 2,245
well not necessarily higher prices. e.g. Tg mainline don't fly to Macau so there is no comparison. and on a through fare from international city to bkk then on to domestic Tg smile flight there is no difference in price.
Thai smile is mostly the same on the ground as TG. it's just a bit of a cost cutting measure to pay the crews less I think.
Thai smile is mostly the same on the ground as TG. it's just a bit of a cost cutting measure to pay the crews less I think.
#7
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well not necessarily higher prices. e.g. Tg mainline don't fly to Macau so there is no comparison. and on a through fare from international city to bkk then on to domestic Tg smile flight there is no difference in price.
Thai smile is mostly the same on the ground as TG. it's just a bit of a cost cutting measure to pay the crews less I think.
Thai smile is mostly the same on the ground as TG. it's just a bit of a cost cutting measure to pay the crews less I think.
Yes. For all *A you'll earn with Thai Smile as if it was TG mainline.
#8
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: KKC/TPA
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I haven't flown Smile yet. But from what I've read, the "inflight entertainment" is better. The cabin crews are not standard TG crews; they are all newly-hired 20-somethings, and I believe also female-only.
#9
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#10
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: BOI, BKK
Programs: DL Platinum, UA Platinum
Posts: 57
I agreed, I've flown the Thai Smile HKT-CNX last week. The service, food, and seat pitch in regular economy are the same as FD and DD. One sandwich and a bottle of water in a fancy bag are free, other than that you have to purchase.
#11
Original Poster
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Okay, the hack of being able to book BKK-HKT in business by choosing the International tab on the Thai website (and thereby avoiding Thai Smiles) seems to be fixed/broken. Is there any other way to book on real Thai flights online at the moment? Expedia seems to be authorizing it, but can't work it out on thaiairways.com.
Cheers, Powers
Cheers, Powers
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
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Okay, the hack of being able to book BKK-HKT in business by choosing the International tab on the Thai website (and thereby avoiding Thai Smiles) seems to be fixed/broken. Is there any other way to book on real Thai flights online at the moment? Expedia seems to be authorizing it, but can't work it out on thaiairways.com.
Cheers, Powers
Cheers, Powers
#13
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: NE & SE Asia, N America
Programs: TG ROP Gold, Lifetime OZ Diamond Plus, BA Gold
Posts: 3,105
http://www.thaismileair.com/thaismil...g_smile_en.htm
vs.
http://www.thaiairways.com/offers/sp...spiring_en.htm
Example, BKK-CNX in W, excluding taxes, 1820 THB for weekday flights on Thai Smile, vs. 2135 THB for TG mainline.
#14
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Join Date: Mar 2008
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Actually, I notice they now have a promotion on their website that does beat mainline TG's specials:
http://www.thaismileair.com/thaismil...g_smile_en.htm
vs.
http://www.thaiairways.com/offers/sp...spiring_en.htm
Example, BKK-CNX in W, excluding taxes, 1820 THB for weekday flights on Thai Smile, vs. 2135 THB for TG mainline.
http://www.thaismileair.com/thaismil...g_smile_en.htm
vs.
http://www.thaiairways.com/offers/sp...spiring_en.htm
Example, BKK-CNX in W, excluding taxes, 1820 THB for weekday flights on Thai Smile, vs. 2135 THB for TG mainline.
The fare discrepancy between M-Th and F-Sun is also rather interesting.
#15
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: NE & SE Asia, N America
Programs: TG ROP Gold, Lifetime OZ Diamond Plus, BA Gold
Posts: 3,105
Nok or Air Asia I think are probably normally still cheaper, but I'd personally choose Thai Smile or either of them. For the little extra, it's worth it to be earning miles, get my extra baggage allowance if necessary, and knowing that TG customer service is behind it.