TR: LHR-CDG-BKK-HAN with BA C and TG F & C
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Nairobi
Programs: LX, AZ, BA, LH, SA
Posts: 316
TR: LHR-CDG-BKK-HAN with BA C and TG F & C
Just thought I’d share some pics and thoughts on a recent trip to Vietnam.
First a short hop to Paris, with an overnight there.
London Heathrow -Paris Charles de Gaulle
BA316
ETD: 14.50 (ATD 14.57)
ETA: 17.05 (ATA 17.17)
In the air: 15.19-17.04
A/C: Airbus A320
Seat: 06F
Cool T5 art.
Galleries North was very busy. There was a queue to get in.
I’m addicted to Kettle Chips. Thank goodness BA lounges are never in short supply!!
Galleries Terrace, not quite as fancy as the Concorde Terrace, but still by far the most pleasant area of the lounge
Rediscovered brand is well advertised.
Main lounge was crowded.
Seat 6F. CE consisted of 7 rows today and was nearly full.
It was pretty cool to spot this plane during taxi. Is this an official Bahrain State aircraft?
I have nothing but praise for BA for delivering a polished product on a flight that is in the air for just about 45 minutes.
I wasn’t aware that BA uses Terminal 2A at CDG. I had failed to check beforehand. Not quite the most attractive Terminal at CDG to be honest.
TG933
Paris Charles de Gaulle-Bangkok
ETD: 21.40 (ATD 21.39)
ETA: 13.55+1 (ATA 14.02+1)
In the air 21.59-13.50+1
Boeing 777-300
Seat 01A
Terminal 1 at CDG is no better of course. It’s like stepping right back to the Seventies.
The Star Alliance lounge is reached via a lift and an unattractive corridor. You’d easily believe you’re in the wrong direction were it not for the signpost.
Star Alliance needs to get its act together at CDG. The First Class lounge is at best a very average business class lounge. It was empty when I visited.
Drinks selection is so basic you could easily forget you’re in Paris…
Food selections only marginally better
The design is a hazard for anyone picking this seat.
First a short hop to Paris, with an overnight there.
London Heathrow -Paris Charles de Gaulle
BA316
ETD: 14.50 (ATD 14.57)
ETA: 17.05 (ATA 17.17)
In the air: 15.19-17.04
A/C: Airbus A320
Seat: 06F
Cool T5 art.
Galleries North was very busy. There was a queue to get in.
I’m addicted to Kettle Chips. Thank goodness BA lounges are never in short supply!!
Galleries Terrace, not quite as fancy as the Concorde Terrace, but still by far the most pleasant area of the lounge
Rediscovered brand is well advertised.
Main lounge was crowded.
Seat 6F. CE consisted of 7 rows today and was nearly full.
It was pretty cool to spot this plane during taxi. Is this an official Bahrain State aircraft?
I have nothing but praise for BA for delivering a polished product on a flight that is in the air for just about 45 minutes.
I wasn’t aware that BA uses Terminal 2A at CDG. I had failed to check beforehand. Not quite the most attractive Terminal at CDG to be honest.
TG933
Paris Charles de Gaulle-Bangkok
ETD: 21.40 (ATD 21.39)
ETA: 13.55+1 (ATA 14.02+1)
In the air 21.59-13.50+1
Boeing 777-300
Seat 01A
Terminal 1 at CDG is no better of course. It’s like stepping right back to the Seventies.
The Star Alliance lounge is reached via a lift and an unattractive corridor. You’d easily believe you’re in the wrong direction were it not for the signpost.
Star Alliance needs to get its act together at CDG. The First Class lounge is at best a very average business class lounge. It was empty when I visited.
Drinks selection is so basic you could easily forget you’re in Paris…
Food selections only marginally better
The design is a hazard for anyone picking this seat.
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Nairobi
Programs: LX, AZ, BA, LH, SA
Posts: 316
Gloomy tunnel to the gates.
Thai flies 777s to Paris leased from Jet Airways with superior products in F and C.
This evening departure to Bangkok appears to appeal more to premium passengers than economy. Loads are 6/8 in F, 90% in business and about 25% in economy. Despite high loads in F and C, I doubt this flight was profitable.
Service was charming but sadly interaction between the crew and passengers was marred by the FA’s very uncertain command of english.
Pre-departure bubby was Veuve Cliquot Rose’ Vintage, strangely served in brandy glassware.
PJ’s. Not sure about the colour to be honest.
Very poor slippers and a rather interesting amenity kit. It was well stocked but strangely enough eyeshades and earplugs need to be asked separately.
The individual closet is similar to the one found on BA’s New First.
The long trip ahead.
Masses of legroom, large TV and what looks like a rather comfy buddy seat.
The control panel reveals the lessor.
Menus are presented in Thai’s stylish fabric binder.
Menus for tonight. I had pre-ordered the Lobster. The FA was unaware when she enquired about my choices, which I thought was rather odd. But at least it was onboard.
The wines.
Dom is served after take-off with nuts.
Refills are offered with a plate of canapes.
Table setting is a bit modest in my view for First. The bread basked contained a variety of cold breads, although there was a further offer of garlic bread.
Caviar served with trimmings and Melba toast (I prefer actual toasts).
Very nice seafood starter.
Onion soup was good but lukewarm.
Pre-ordered lobster, supposedly with an american sauce nowhere to be seen. It had a good cheese and coriander based sauce nonetheless.
Thai flies 777s to Paris leased from Jet Airways with superior products in F and C.
This evening departure to Bangkok appears to appeal more to premium passengers than economy. Loads are 6/8 in F, 90% in business and about 25% in economy. Despite high loads in F and C, I doubt this flight was profitable.
Service was charming but sadly interaction between the crew and passengers was marred by the FA’s very uncertain command of english.
Pre-departure bubby was Veuve Cliquot Rose’ Vintage, strangely served in brandy glassware.
PJ’s. Not sure about the colour to be honest.
Very poor slippers and a rather interesting amenity kit. It was well stocked but strangely enough eyeshades and earplugs need to be asked separately.
The individual closet is similar to the one found on BA’s New First.
The long trip ahead.
Masses of legroom, large TV and what looks like a rather comfy buddy seat.
The control panel reveals the lessor.
Menus are presented in Thai’s stylish fabric binder.
Menus for tonight. I had pre-ordered the Lobster. The FA was unaware when she enquired about my choices, which I thought was rather odd. But at least it was onboard.
The wines.
Dom is served after take-off with nuts.
Refills are offered with a plate of canapes.
Table setting is a bit modest in my view for First. The bread basked contained a variety of cold breads, although there was a further offer of garlic bread.
Caviar served with trimmings and Melba toast (I prefer actual toasts).
Very nice seafood starter.
Onion soup was good but lukewarm.
Pre-ordered lobster, supposedly with an american sauce nowhere to be seen. It had a good cheese and coriander based sauce nonetheless.
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Nairobi
Programs: LX, AZ, BA, LH, SA
Posts: 316
Pre-plated cheese. Good but nowhere as good as LH or LX offerings.
A selection of pastries for dessert (apple tartlet, chocolate cake and lemon choux)
The cabin prepares for the night
The seat viewed from the buddy seat
You can’t beat the seat width and recline.
There is a strange bump in between the reclined seat edge of the buddy seat. Not sure it was specific to this seat but it was easily evened out with a pillow.
Strangely enough there was no turn-down service, just two pillows and a quality blanket and that was it. Sleep was somewhat spoilt by a good 1-hour of heavy turbulence over central Asia, but when that eased I slept for 6 solid hours. The seat is the most comfortable I’ve been on so far.
I wake up with 1h 40min to landing, and the crew quickly and efficiently serve an impressive breakfast which has 5 choices.
OK-ish espresso and a very sad carton orange juice.
Delicious fresh fruit and muesli, alongside a bakery basket with a selection of pastries and breads (all warmed this time).
Apple crepe. This was very good.
Cold cuts and cheese.
Bathroom amenities included Bulgari and Ferragamo products.
The crew graciously thank each passenger, however I’m left with the impression that despite their charm and hard work the F experience fell somewhat below the likes of BA.
TG564
Bangkok-Hanoi
ETD: 17.50 (ATD 17.48)
ETA: 19.40 (ATA 19.37)
In the air: 18.04-19.34
Airbus A330
Seat 11K
Golf buggies await F passengers to whisk them to immigration or to the F class lounge.
I start with a massage at the Spa. No problem getting a 60min “Touch of Silk” treatment with a further 10min jacuzzi, even though I was now technically a C-class passenger.
The Spa has a separate and well appointed waiting lounge for F.
Welcome drink, iced ginger tea and cold towel.
The treatment room is in fact a mini spa in itself complete with jacuzzi and changing room with adjoining shower.
Mini-spa
Jacuzzi with a relaxing mood light
Separate changing room
A selection of pastries for dessert (apple tartlet, chocolate cake and lemon choux)
The cabin prepares for the night
The seat viewed from the buddy seat
You can’t beat the seat width and recline.
There is a strange bump in between the reclined seat edge of the buddy seat. Not sure it was specific to this seat but it was easily evened out with a pillow.
Strangely enough there was no turn-down service, just two pillows and a quality blanket and that was it. Sleep was somewhat spoilt by a good 1-hour of heavy turbulence over central Asia, but when that eased I slept for 6 solid hours. The seat is the most comfortable I’ve been on so far.
I wake up with 1h 40min to landing, and the crew quickly and efficiently serve an impressive breakfast which has 5 choices.
OK-ish espresso and a very sad carton orange juice.
Delicious fresh fruit and muesli, alongside a bakery basket with a selection of pastries and breads (all warmed this time).
Apple crepe. This was very good.
Cold cuts and cheese.
Bathroom amenities included Bulgari and Ferragamo products.
The crew graciously thank each passenger, however I’m left with the impression that despite their charm and hard work the F experience fell somewhat below the likes of BA.
TG564
Bangkok-Hanoi
ETD: 17.50 (ATD 17.48)
ETA: 19.40 (ATA 19.37)
In the air: 18.04-19.34
Airbus A330
Seat 11K
Golf buggies await F passengers to whisk them to immigration or to the F class lounge.
I start with a massage at the Spa. No problem getting a 60min “Touch of Silk” treatment with a further 10min jacuzzi, even though I was now technically a C-class passenger.
The Spa has a separate and well appointed waiting lounge for F.
Welcome drink, iced ginger tea and cold towel.
The treatment room is in fact a mini spa in itself complete with jacuzzi and changing room with adjoining shower.
Mini-spa
Jacuzzi with a relaxing mood light
Separate changing room
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Nairobi
Programs: LX, AZ, BA, LH, SA
Posts: 316
Royal First lounge entrance.
No problem getting one of the private mini-lounges in early afternoon.
Another welcome drink and chilled towel.
Service in the lounge was prompt, courteous and generally impeccable.
The famous Mossaman curry, tasty and just the right size.
Main lounge is equally quiet
Boaring is through a bus gate.
Thai uses an A330 on this route. Seat 11K is in the first row.
Hot towels and drinks before departure.
Menu (though without any choice) and separate wine card.
Unfortunatelty food was passable, at best.
The old logo here and there.
Near empty cabin.
The flight is really short.
The customary orchid gift before arrival.
Landing was on time. The queue for immigration and the wait for bags were both respectable at Hanoi’s Noiba airport.
No problem getting one of the private mini-lounges in early afternoon.
Another welcome drink and chilled towel.
Service in the lounge was prompt, courteous and generally impeccable.
The famous Mossaman curry, tasty and just the right size.
Main lounge is equally quiet
Boaring is through a bus gate.
Thai uses an A330 on this route. Seat 11K is in the first row.
Hot towels and drinks before departure.
Menu (though without any choice) and separate wine card.
Unfortunatelty food was passable, at best.
The old logo here and there.
Near empty cabin.
The flight is really short.
The customary orchid gift before arrival.
Landing was on time. The queue for immigration and the wait for bags were both respectable at Hanoi’s Noiba airport.
#7
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX MarcoPolo (SL), BA Executive Club (GO)
Posts: 1,852
Great trip report, TG's Royal First Class Lounge in BKK is really something hard to beat. Its funny that the small control monitor on the CDG-BKK sector had the Jet Airways logo as the opening screen. I would have thought TG would have removed that, but perhaps it is permanently programmed in.
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,447
I have to wonder about this too, how hard it is to get the home screen changed, the cost can't be that much or Jet AIrways wont allow it, aren't these planes just leased from Jet Airways and will be returned to service by them?
Great trip report, TG's Royal First Class Lounge in BKK is really something hard to beat. Its funny that the small control monitor on the CDG-BKK sector had the Jet Airways logo as the opening screen. I would have thought TG would have removed that, but perhaps it is permanently programmed in.
#13
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Programs: Asia Miles, Royal Orchid Plus, World Perks
Posts: 108
#15
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: BA Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,809
Great report! I'd forgotten about the terrace at Galleries North, will have to go back there at some point.
CDG, yuck. They should tear that terminal down.
As always, the Thai F food looked amazing. I'm surprised though that no turn down service was offered and in fact, the amenities for sleeping seemed rather poor. No duvet in F?
The Thai ground experience at BKK looks very special indeed. One day....
CDG, yuck. They should tear that terminal down.
As always, the Thai F food looked amazing. I'm surprised though that no turn down service was offered and in fact, the amenities for sleeping seemed rather poor. No duvet in F?
The Thai ground experience at BKK looks very special indeed. One day....