aislealways

It's my first time. Go easy on me. I'm a quick learner...

It all started with the annual holiday trip to and from Europe and Thailand. I�m English see (although we don�t talk about it too much) and he�s Thai (and it�s all Som Tam, Wawee Cofee and Krapow Moo � and we talk about that a lot).

We always use the 50% miles deal with TG to fly First, it�s a treat and something we both enjoy HUGELY.

So when the chance came up to fly on the A380 in First, well, we�d be bananas not to take it. So we did. Even though it meant connecting in Frankfurt (which I believe is in a place called Germany).

We�d had a bad Frankfurt experience previously on a trek to Istanbul, with a cancelled TK flight leading to 12 hours (overnight) sleeping on metal seats outside the HON lounge. NOT a good look. Fingers crossed.

I won�t bore you with our flights from Singapore to Bangkers, suffice to say they were adequate. Although one thing did sound an alarm for me. The fact that my partner (we�ll call him KK for that is a nick name) was allocated 11K and I was allocated 16a. Which is weird as we both normally get front row seats. That�s not an EGO thing. It�s a LEG thing. But we were together. Which is nice.

It transpires that whilst in Jakarta 24 hours earlier and somewhat over tired, I�d omitted to reenter my TG*P number when checking in, which one has to do on mileage tickets (which feels like a technology oxymoron, but, aria god ai as they say)�

The usual service from SIN to BKK it was though, full cans of Perrier (you don�t get that on SQ) 3 drink runs minimum before and during meal service and spanking good garlic bread. All was good. No play play.

On arrival into Bangkok�s Bangkok Airport (otherwise known as Soowarnapooooooooom) we were greeted with a buggy and like water off a tin roof we glided to the lift, through security (no pat down today sadly) and off to the Royal Berst Gart Lounge (which is Thai for Royal First Class Lounge).

Greeted with familiarity by the team there (who are wonderful) and escorted to somewhere to sit. It�s busy tonight..

It�s a spanking good place. It really is. First Dom here, KK isn�t an alcohol drinking, so another gallon or Perrier for him. And we had a smoke in the smoking room. Which appears to have a large alabaster vulva shaped statue inside � when you see it you�ll know.

No pics, have them if you want them. Listen; always order the grilled pork and sticky rice. It�s amazing.

So off to board. As I recall its gate C4, no buggy or escort needed but always offered. Plenty of Wai�s (where there�s a will there�s a wai) and we set off.

Boarding is NOT a mess contrary to lots of comments on here and within moments we walk into the First Cabin. Greeted by name and I start to cluck around 1a with KK behind me in the better 2a (I asked him to swap on the return, but I�m too darn kind)�

So let�s take a look�


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That�s what we see. And we see a gorgeous Rimowa amenity kit (or as we call them a mini-ticket, try it, you�ll like it). It�s the folly of kits, as it has little use but so much beauty.

Below we see hygienically wrapped pyjamas in the new grey look. Which we like very much. Best to go a size smaller methinks. I was (M) much to the surprise of my kooky flight attendant (we�ll come back to THAT).


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Let�s look at another white-balance on this (my mistake)�

Now we see slippers on the foot rest. I took a duvet. It�s the same as the newer business class duvets. Which I love anyway (and prefer to the old first kits). And below the ottoman is more storage, which actually fitted my Rimowa and bag for the whole flight. Gotta tell you, you aint no one special carrying Rimowa to Germany.

Now, the seat. Ahhhh the seat�


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It�s hard to describe, as I�ve previously attempted to, the calmness and style of the cabin. I�ll try to.

We talk about Modern Thai style a lot in my family (basically me and KK, as we plan to build our house in Chiang Mai)� This cabin has it. It�s intrinsically Thai, from the branded curve on the bulkheads. The Thai art in the cabin, the golds, purples and brown wood look. Then it�s clean. Oh so clean. Not because it�s new, but because it�s well finished. Sharp.

Mood lighting is also used throughout the flight, making it warm, inviting and frankly making it feel luxurious.

It was love at first flight... I�ll show you more cabin on the return when I whipped out my big one (Camera) so this outbound will be brief.

Today�s menu�


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Here�s where the kee hit the fan A LITTLE BIT.

When I ordered the curry (look, trust me, you fly Thai, you live with a Thai, you love Thai food, you eat That as often as you can)� I was told point blank there was no more left. I was a bit surprised. And I supposed a little in a �DYKWIA� way, being a Platinum I was kinda hoping to be asked first. So I was crest-fallen.

Anyways, they miraculously found me a portion and we were off�


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Caviar


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Starter, a little bit J but still nice.


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Curry. Look you lot, Thai curry is OILY. That�s how it IS. It was delicious.


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Cheese. Cut to order. Who cut my cheese?


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Sleepypops. Told that mattress pads are on order.


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Breakfast. Soft boiled eggs to order! Amazing. How long have I missed this? This was a �killer app� for me. The protein boy. Arroy mak! A little soy/seasoning sauce and I ended up having 4.


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KK ended up having EGGS and MAMA and a full breakfast. Yet he�s still do damn fit.


So how was it?

Generally speaking, FINE TO GOOD.

Well, look, about half way through the flight, having been frustrated about curryorder-gate, I went back to the galley and asked to see the manifest�

As I had feared, because I had not included my FFP in check in, there was no note of my status and that�s why my order was last. It all made sense.

And lead me to realize that most things are made better by ANOTHER glass of Dom and ANOTHER Perrier (we drank the cabin dry of Perrier)
And that�s it really.

That�s the flight. That�s YOUR starter, for now, here comes your entre�. More detail, more pictures and way more wit (one can only hope)�

aislealways

This flight was a triumph. A tour de fource in First Flights from Frankfurt to Far Away (see what I did there?).

Although the outbound was spanking good. This took TG First to new highs. And I’ll tell you why.

From the step we boarded this flight to the moment we walked off onto the air bridge we felt ensconced in care, service and affection.

The cabin crew looking after us was a delight to be served by. Much like the cabin she was modern, Thai but not old school subservient. She kindly knelt to serve (until I said there was no need) and brought every amenity on a silver tray.

Unlike the outbound magazines were laid out on the table in front of every seat along with a selection of newspapers and an orchid. I haven’t seen this before in First.


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Here’s the seat for today’s flight.

We’ll take a full tour shortly. But you’ll see that I’m already well supplied with Dom (poured at seat with napkin and tray service) Perrier (no can this time, he said ‘we’ll certainly take care of that for you’) a menu and the ubiquitous moist towel. Where would we be without a damp cloth.

I tend to use them to clean the seats, not because I’m OCD but mostly because I’m OCD.


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Here’s my cubby hole.

Now you’ll see nothing needed to go in overhead bins but KK did stow overhead (he’s SOOOO 2001). I like all my stuff next to me. And I popped a shirt and shorts in the dinky wardrobe on the right there. Hanger enabled inside. Smart, well made, useful. Just like KK.

That table slides right out. Bit like old SQ 744 First (which I loved) and I love it here too. Very stable, chic and useable.

Also, coming up, you’ll see how we defied convention (or at least a sticker that said ‘DO NOT OCCUPY’ on the ottoman to dine together.)


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My least favourite picture, I’ve just got this thing about dark holes.

Anyway. We have three of these along the side to store all the gubbins. I shoved one of the Singapore sized pillows in there along with the duvet. I thought about bringing home a baby in one, but it was too cold to hang around in supermarket car parks. Just like on every a380 I’ve been on (EK, SQ, TG) they all spring open with about the power of the mind…


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So there’s the compartment which holds a power supply – was always on) two USB ports (charging) space for the Rimowa and the IFE controller. All new and squeaky clean. Simple, classy, operational.


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Someone said there was too many food pics on trip reports. So here’s one of the personal lights. It wobbles like a chameleon’s eye (when you need it to) and appears to have 3029420 different settings (ok 3).

This is a magazine rack with content in to make me look smart. KK doesn’t need to do that because he is an Asian and they are all born with degrees.


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Thai is the world’s first airline to have light panels known to reduce the affects of Seasonally Affected Disorder (SAD). That’s a lie. But this panel, methinks, could have been a remote screen/slate, but isn’t. However… it’s now well crafted metal with a glass blue/purple light that is ACTUALLY RATHER COOL and I kept on throughout. I know, I’m like that.


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I wish they had bigger champagne glasses.

Now, onto the multipurpose area (which is now being renamed the Lounge, which is far better IMO).


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I LOVED this space. I used it a couple of times, to sit and read, to repack my bags, to basically get away from the Germans staring at me as I spoke broken Thai to the crew (trying to impress KK as he likes it when I go native)… It’s cool, calm, chilled. And if the curtains are closed on the cabin, it’s really calming. Bring it on.

We asked to dine there but actually preferred being in a seat so we can see the sky.


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Looking back from the Lounge. Curtains open.

Into the Loo.

So 2 loos for First, one in front on the A side and one at the read on the K side. A is far larger and has this awesome changing area…


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Which I did use. Because I like to come off a plane clean-ish.


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This is a big mirror. Which is good because I have a big head.


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This is where you make a wee. It’s far away so I’d recommend standing closer when it comes to doing the do.


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Whole vanity unit. It’s not stocked fully as we’re on the ground and frankly I should be back in my seat.


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Floor shot. I love the blend of wood, cream, chalk, gold and purple in the cabin.


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Looking back. KK right behind me. He’s not disfigured (he’s dead handsome) but I blurred him.


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Me. Oh I forgot to tell you, there’s a Do Not Disturb light on the controller and the wall. So you can be left alone. Not me. oh no.


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I never fail to revert to being 9 when this is about to happen.


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So, up in the air. Let’s EAT!

First a glance at the menu.

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More after the break!

aislealways

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We start at the beginning. A nice way to open.


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We ask to eat together. We get laid together (as it were). I think the setting is very classy.


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I mean, who wouldn�t?


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A proper caviar service on a proper table. I LOVE this. It�s so old school but so perfect. And I decided to go for the vodka (cue raised eyebrows from KK) the crew thought I was pinching the bottle�


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I like a big portion. And boy were we served well�


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The starter. Crab etc. You can see. It was crisp and fresh.

Now towards the main. Now I live with a Thai. I love Thai food. So we asked for Prik Nam Bpla. Basically chilli and fish sauce. She didn�t have fresh chilli (which I didn�t and don�t expect out of a place called �Germany�) but she made this up for us and put it in crockery. Which I thought was spanking kind.


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Geng Geow Wan. Green curry. I have to tell you this was delicious. (With a lot more fish sauce and prik bon/chilli powder)� It�s hard to get this wrong and on TG some might say unacceptable. But this was more than acceptable and was gone in moments�


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Cheese please. I didn�t want fruit (I spend my life surrounded by fruits) so just salty cheesy goodness� from a trolley, two to serve. Like it SHOULD be.


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KK likes his fruit.


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This crumble cake was delicious.


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And then espresso and off to bed.

I think. To be honest managed a fair bit of White Wine by this point. Anyhoo I slept for five hours and work up to this�


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It�s a beautiful cabin. The opposite of the bling of EK. Not as dark and contraption-ey as an SQ suite and brighter and more spacious than SQ F 777, Better than BA First in my opinion (space IS luxury)�.

There was an �anytime menu� on this flight as well as a full breakfast serving. I like the anytime menu. I had biscuits and chocolate (and a lot of Perrier)


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Breakfast is served. Double espresso (Illy) a smoothy and a croissant for KK. Which he didn�t eat. Which I did. Note to self, more cardio.


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Then muesli�


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I just love MAMA Tom Yum. Some say it�s �cheap trash� I don�t give a chuff. It�s addictive, delicious and if MSG was bad for you why don�t 2bn Asians have a headache every day? Bring it on.


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Eggs again. Sweet joy!


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A delayed picture of the breadkast (KK snuffled the crispy bacon � which WAS crispy)


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And that�s it. From there on, getting ready, waking up. Berocca to go, more water. Lakes of coffee and a thank you from the entire crew. An extremely pleasant flight.


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concorde02

Nice report!.. too bad no pics of the berst gart lounge. I will try grill pork with sticky rice next time then. I was there a few weeks ago after a year of not being there. I found that the food quality changed a bit.. not as good as it used to, for Thai food. I am Thai so I judge it from the Thai taste.

aislealways

I live with Thai krub, he thinks the moo yang is ARROY MAK... Especially the nam jim...

I have a tonne of pictures of the Berst Gart lounge. Can post here if you want to see...

Thanks for the kind words. Sawatdee bee mai krub.

flyingmusicianlax

FANTASTIC TR! Got to do TG F on the 346 last year, can't wait to try it on the 388!

OMFG, I almost fell out of my chair laughing. Tell it, sister!

spizzy

Excellent TR. So funny in parts. Do you know what vintage Dom they served and do you have a picture of the wine list?

Looking forward to experiencing TG A380 F on a HKG-BKK sector in the near future.

hkskyline

The middle 2 seats didn't seem that private. Is there a screen that can be pulled out to separate the two seats?

RussianTexan

I'd love to see a picture of the vulva statue, if it's all right. Or is that vulva-shaped statue?

aislealways

Yes, there's an electronic screen (some Germans struggled with the fact it was motorised - odd) that come up very high. Almost to meet the wall around it. So can be very private.

aislealways

To be honest it's not a form I've witnessed - or indeed appreciated - that much in my life, but it certainly lent itself to that environ.

I'm there next week, will get a shot for you.

Airgroovin

Excellent trip report! Loved it! ^

Cheers,

AG. :-:

shorttd

Great report - just the right amount of detail and photos.

Enjoyed the humour as a fellow ex-pat Brit. Shame we didn't get to see the lovely KK since you showered him with such praise.

aislealways

Spizzy, sorry, I didn't get the wine list (I'd probably had too much)... The Dom was 2011. The wines included a lot of Chateau's... as I recall. Nothing stunning.

But drinkable for sure.

aislealways

That's very kind of you. KK is an international man of mystery. Apparently.