GwailoSIN

I read this in a comment on OMAAT:
‘THAI area already doing this on their Scandinavian routes — selling discounted J seats as “Premium Economy”
Source: http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.c...usiness-class/


Can anybody shed light on this? How does it work? J seat but Y food and service?
How can these flights be booked? I tried to price it out on Google Flights and CheapOair but it doesn't show PE on the Scandinavian flights. And the THAI website of course doesn't work either and just gives an error message.

Thanks

MSPeconomist

Why not ask OMAAT?

BHIL

I fly CPH-BKK in PE every month. The flight can be booked on TG website but the number of seat are very limited and often sold out well in advance.

You get the full flat J-seat on the 777-300ER but soft product is Y. It used to be better in the past but lately also the champagne and choice of red/white wine is also gone so now you just have to enjoy the nice seat.

Prices are however very high. From CPH you can get J-fares on many other airlines cheaper than the PE-fare on TG.

GwailoSIN

Thanks so much BHIL! Exactly what I as looking for!

GwailoSIN

I did but as this was written in a reader comment (not by an OMAAT writer) and the person didn't reply, I thought I'd try my luck here.

Kacee

This is exactly the right place to ask.

BHIL

You're welcome. If you want more details about the soft and hard product in PE just let me know. I flew the route two weeks ago and will do another roundtrip in October or November.

Since the introduction of PE to CPH/ARN in 2004, I have done so many trips that I have lost count

Kraafish

So please tell me you choose other airlines?

ChampagneSocialist

Sorry to dig up an old thread - can anyone confirm that the J seat / Y soft product still holds true for premium economy on the BKK-CPH (TG 950)? It looks like it when I try to select a seat on a dummy booking.

(Expensive yes, but the point is that it is within PE-only company policy )

Thai-Kiwi

Yes. The rear J cabin on the 77W is used for PE onto Scandinavian routes, so the same fully lie flat seat. Can't comment on the soft product.

THD

Yes lie flat J seats sold as premium economy. Meals are economy but plated differently. If memory serves juice on boarding and hot towel after take off

BHIL

Memory is spot on. You get glas instead of plastic cups

ChampagneSocialist

Thanks everyone, I'm looking to my next trip on what must be the world's best PE hard product (chuckle) and probably Thai's best kept secret!?

To share my booking experience - I ended booking flex fares on ARN-BKK roundtrip via our corporate TA. I saw lower saver fares (non refundable) bookable on TG website too. Booking about a month in advance and availability didn't look too scarce on the seat selection - this was available via my TA booking interface so not sure if TG website offers it for non-Golds - I bagged myself a window seat on both ways (the proper one with tray table by the aisle). Though mid September is also low season.

By the way, I saw some availability on the ARN-BKK and CPH-BKK flights for my dates on the same metal but as an SAS codeshare (via TA and not on SAS website), nothing on the return leg. It seems plausible that Scandinavians may be more naturally inclined to book via SAS than via TG. Also I found no availability on any flights to/from OSL.

My initial plan had been to book a one way BKK-BHX on a single ticket (with a 45m connection in CPH on SAS), but I figured in the end I could fly PE roundtrip ways if I nested the whole thing within an LHR-CPH or LHR-ARN positioning flight (I opted for SAS, *possibly* less risky than BA or LCC in the unlikely event of misconnection, also I believe *G lounges are nicer).

The only remaining dilemma for me: I'll reluctantly give up the samrab, but is there any duty free outlet for chilled Duval Leroy at ARN, so that I can self-enhance my PE experience??

RedChili

Congratulations! You're probably right that it's the best premium economy hard product out there. On the other hand, some other airlines often have business class tickets for sale at a lower price than Thai's premium economy out of ARN. I've seen lower prices with airlines such as QR, TK, AY and even LX.

Mid-September is absolutely low season for Scandinavia-Thailand. Many flights have a cabin factor of 25-50%, so it's pretty easy to find seats. I believe that OSL is sold as a two-class plane, so that's the reason why you couldn't find premium there.

The same flights booked as SK codeshare are usually far more expensive. I don't think many Scandinavians book the flights that way. Many Scandinavians are actually loyal members of Thai's ROP.

Thai-Kiwi

I dont think TG sell PE on BKK-OSL at present.

We flew BKK-OSL-BKK in Jun specifically due to my GUP on the originally booked BKK-CPH only putting me into PE and not J!

TG is Seoul said that since PE wasn't sold on the BKK-OSL route I could GUP my Q fare into J.