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As I started to make my manner again to North America from Bangkok, I used to be lucky to have back-to-back aspirational flying experiences lined up. For the primary leg, I had a flight onboard Thai Airways First Class from Bangkok to Tokyo Narita.
Flying in Thai Airways First Class was a very novel expertise for me, and one which had lengthy intrigued me ever since I first delved into Miles & Factors again in 2017.
Moreover, Thai Airways’s latest First Class product hasn’t obtained a variety of protection within the current previous, because it’s solely supplied on a choose few routes, and award availability is kind of troublesome to return by.
Thai Airways First Class – Reserving
I booked this flight as half of a bigger itinerary utilizing Aeroplan factors.
The primary leg took me from Bangkok to Tokyo in Thai Airways First Class. After a three-day stopover in Tokyo, I’d proceed onward to Chicago in ANA “The Suite” First Class, earlier than making my method to Montreal in Air Canada enterprise class.
In sum, I parted methods with 135,000 Aeroplan factors and round $100 (CAD) in taxes and charges for all the journey. Whereas that’s certainly a good-looking quantity of factors to spend on a couple of flights, I used to be very happy with the worth, in addition to attending to tick a couple of aspirational flying experiences off of my record.
If you happen to have been to only guide this flight by itself, a First Class ticket would price 60,000 Aeroplan factors.
It’s value noting that award availability was a lot better once I made the reserving in Spring 2022, since a lot Asia was nonetheless closed off due the pandemic.
Nonetheless, as of late, award seats for Thai Airways First Class, and ANA First Class for that matter, have develop into exceedingly troublesome to return by. Seats are inconsistently launched, and when they’re, they’re rapidly snatched up.
If you happen to’re trying to rating a seat in Thai Airways First Class, think about the Bangkok–Osaka route as an alternative of the Bangkok–Tokyo route, because it appears to have higher availability.
Nonetheless, it’s a problem to guide, so be diligent together with your searches, and think about using an ExpertFlyer alert to observe award area.
Thai Airways First Class – Floor Expertise
On the morning of my flight, I used to be delighted to go to the airport and see what Thai Airways had in retailer for me.
Verify-in was fast and painless. As a Thai Airways First Class passenger, there’s a separate devoted check-in space after continuing by way of a separate airport entrance.
I used to be welcomed by the employees, proven to a close-by seat, and offered with a chilly bottle of water.
The Thai Airways employees confirmed my reservation, and confirmed me a seating chart. Whereas I’d chosen my seat and meal upfront of the flight, I used to be as soon as once more given the choice to decide on, ought to I’ve modified my thoughts.
I used to be additionally happy to study that I’d have all the First Class cabin to myself on the flight to Tokyo. It’s a very pleasant expertise to have a lot actual property at your disposal on a airplane, particularly in First Class.
After finishing the formalities, I used to be escorted to Quick Observe safety by a Thai Airways consultant, who’d be taking care of me till I boarded the flight.
Safety was a breeze, and I used to be then accompanied to the Thai Airways Royal Orchid Status First Class Lounge.
The lounge was good, and I loved a couple of gadgets off the menu; nonetheless, I reserved most of my urge for food for indulging in the course of the flight.
General, the lounge expertise didn’t fairly really feel like a real First Class expertise, because it was actually only a cordoned-off separate part of the enterprise class lounge.
Nonetheless, I loved the décor, and since I used to be one of many solely passengers within the lounge that morning, the service was very attentive and sort.
It’s value noting that the Thai Airways First Class floor expertise might be elevated and extra aggressive with different First Class lounges if the Royal Orchid Spa have been to ever reopen.
Prior to now, each enterprise and First Class passengers might take pleasure in complimentary spa therapies earlier than their flight, which was one of many predominant attracts of the bottom expertise.
After sprucing off a couple of dishes and drinks, I used to be met by my Thai Airways consultant, who chatted with me as we strolled by way of the terminal to Gate D7.
I couldn’t assist however really feel just like the boss at this level, because the consultant parted a sea of passengers ready to board the flight as we made our manner on to the gate.
He signalled to the gate employees {that a} First Class passenger was coming by way of, they usually instantly stopped checking different passengers in to make sure a really seamless course of.
After thanking him, I meandered down the jet bridge, and turned left on the First Class and enterprise class entrance. As I boarded the flight, I clicked my heels and grinned in anticipation of what was subsequent.
Thai Airways First Class – Cabin
As soon as boarding was accomplished, I used to be delighted to substantiate that I used to be certainly the one First Class passenger on this flight. At this level, I took time to discover the cabin completely, after having pored over the restricted variety of photographs and movies of Thai Airways’s new First Class product.
There are eight suites configured in a 1-2-1 format, which take up rows 1 and a pair of on the entrance of the airplane.
The First Class cabin options primarily tan and beige hues atop a wealthy purple carpet.
The remainder of the cabin has hints of yellow dotted all through the pillows and partitions.
General, I discovered this cabin to be very pleasing to the attention, and the color palette jogged my memory of the tropics.
These suites are open and really spacious, however with no door, lack privateness as in comparison with another trendy First Class merchandise.
If you happen to’re travelling as a pair, your greatest wager is the center seats, as the center divider can slide down, making it simpler to talk, see one another, and benefit from the expertise collectively.
For solo travellers, you possibly can’t actually go incorrect with any of the “A” or “Okay” seats close to the home windows.
In my case, I chosen seat 1A for this flight, on the entrance left nook of the cabin.
Thai Airways First Class – Seat
I took a couple of moments to examine the suite earlier than I sat down. My preliminary impressions have been very optimistic, and the First Class suite additionally gave the impression to be just about model new, with no indicators of damage in anyway.
Upon taking my seat, I used to be greeted by a 24-inch in-flight leisure display straight throughout from me. To its left is a small flower holder wearing gold, which didn’t have something in it.
Beneath the display is an ottoman, which doubles as a buddy seat for eating with a companion. Under that could be a decently sized storage bin, in which you’ll be able to place smaller carry-on gadgets.
On the left facet down by your knees, you’ll discover a literature pocket and a few additional space for storing for any newspapers or magazines.
Near the seat on the left-hand facet, you’ll discover the seat management display, in addition to 5 preset buttons to rapidly regulate the seat to your choice.
Just under here’s a touchscreen, which you should utilize to lift or decrease the partition, name a flight attendant, or activate the studying mild.
Above the seat controls is a small floor area with a white marble end.
Immediately under the floor area, you’ll discover a three-pronged headset jack, and a USB-A port.
Shifting ahead, you’ll discover a lengthy floor area completed with wooden. As soon as it’s flipped open, a big wood tray desk lined in steel pops out.
On the far left facet of the suite, proper subsequent to the leisure display, there’s a small cubby the place you possibly can retailer a couple of gadgets. I discovered a bottle of Evian water and noise-cancelling headphones ready for me once I boarded.
Near the seat controls is a small leather-covered door, which homes the leisure controller.
Additional again within the suite is one other leather-based lined floor area, which you’ll be able to flip open. When you do, it exposes one other small storage space giant sufficient for small laptops and tablets.
Alongside the sting of the floor area is an open compartment, which is ideal for holding noise-cancelling headphones or something of an identical measurement.
To the correct, there’s a sliding partition which will help with privateness; nonetheless, it’s fairly restricted even when totally deployed.
On the entrance of the suite, there’s a closet with a coat hanger inside, which is the place you possibly can retailer some clothes.
General, I discovered the Thai Airways First Class suite to be aesthetically pleasing and fairly spacious, and it wound up exceeding my expectations.
Specifically, I appreciated the distinction of the royal purple carpets with the cream and off-white inside, in addition to the pops of yellow.
Moreover, I loved enjoying round with the touchscreen seat controls, which permit for a excessive degree of seat customization.
Whereas the brand new Thai Airways First Class seat lacks the excessive diploma of privateness that’s supplied in, say, ANA First Class or Emirates First Class, it’s undoubtedly an exquisite product, which hopefully can stand the check of time.
Thai Airways First Class – Facilities
As soon as I took my seat, the service director launched himself and warmly welcomed me onboard.
I used to be then supplied a alternative of welcome drink, and I opted for a flute of Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle Champagne, which was fairly generously topped up earlier than departure.
Then, I used to be offered with two decadent goodies to take pleasure in alongside the bubbles, in addition to a field of Kan Vela craft chocolate, which I gladly accepted. Shortly thereafter, a heat towel was handed to me to spherical out the pre-departure service.
Thai Airways First Class passengers are given a Porsche Design exhausting shell amenity package, which got here amply stocked.
Inside, it got here jam-packed with contents, together with a toothbrush and toothpaste, a comb, a watch masks, ear plugs, and mouthwash. As well as, there have been 4 Payot skincare gadgets: lip balm, cologne, moisturizer, and mist.
Sadly, there have been no pajamas or loungewear obtainable, which was disappointing in that I couldn’t add to my airline pajama assortment. I think it might be as a result of this was a daytime flight and comparatively quick, however it will have been a really good contact in the event that they have been supplied or obtainable upon request.
A pair of slippers and a blanket have been positioned on the ottoman for boarding.
Together with my amenity package, there have been noise-cancelling headphones by AKG.
Simply after takeoff, a member of the cabin crew got here by and proactively transformed seat 1K on the other facet right into a mattress for me, which was a really considerate gesture.
Thai Airways First Class – Meal Service
Quickly after we reached cruising altitude, I used to be requested once I wished to take pleasure in my first meal, which occurred to be breakfast service. I requested to eat on the earliest comfort, since I’d held off on indulging an excessive amount of within the lounge previous to the flight and was fairly hungry.
I’d chosen my meal upfront utilizing the Thai Airways on-line meal pre-selection, however I used to be given one more alternative to peruse the menu in case I modified my thoughts.
The menu was offered on a laminated piece of paper, which appeared a bit odd and clashed with the luxurious atmosphere of the remainder of the flight expertise.
There have been three breakfast choices: one Thai, one Western, and one Japanese.
For the second meal service, there have been simply two decisions, together with some Thai sweets.
I used to be additionally supplied with an iPad itemizing the beverage menu, however I used to be requested to not take an image of the Champagne choice because it was old-fashioned. Thai Airways not serves Dom Pérignon on flights, ever since Emirates secured the unique proper to serve it onboard by way of 2024.
To start the meal service, I ordered a glass of Thai iced tea, which was accompanied by a beneficiant serving to of grass jelly. The icy chilly beverage was each wealthy and refreshing.
Impressed by Ricky’s beverage of alternative on planes, I ordered a glass of mango juice, which was made all of the extra refreshing with an accompanying towel.
Breakfast started with a basket of pastries, together with a jam-filled Danish and a croissant, each of which have been mild and fluffy, although a bit wanting extraordinary.
Subsequent got here a superbly reduce and organized fruit plate, consisting of dragonfruit, kiwi, cantaloupe, apple, and grapes.
I used to be then served fried bread accompanied by pandan sauce and condensed milk, which was scrumptious and really filling. Having observed that I’d completed the fried bread fairly rapidly, I used to be offered with a second serving to, which I couldn’t resist.
A glass of muesli yogurt topped with blueberry compote supplied a refreshing tang, and was a beautiful distinction to the richness of the fried bread.
For the principle course, I chosen the Thai possibility, which is named the Royal Boiled Rice Set. Whereas it doesn’t essentially have essentially the most pleasant-sounding title, I figured the Thai possibility could be your best option on a Thai Airways flight.
The Royal Boiled Rice Set consists of soft-boiled rice along with 5 facet dishes: Thai crispy spicy salad, stir-fried asparagus with crab meat, stir-fried bean curd with salt and chili, stir-fried lobster with chili paste, and stir-fried scallops with garlic and pepper.
Every of the dishes was tasty and filled with flavour; nonetheless, I wasn’t fairly positive tips on how to method the rice. It was immersed in a variety of water, and somewhat resembled plain congee.
Absolutely, I might have requested the flight attendant about this, however I wound up sprucing off the dishes with out additional ado.
General, the breakfast service was elaborate, with attentive flight attendants, and felt fairly befitting of a First Class meal service when it comes to the presentation and programs.
Every part was superbly organized, and little particulars such because the flower-shaped butter and ornate particulars on the dinnerware and cutlery elevated the expertise.
Noticeably absent from the meal service was caviar, which is usually a staple of First Class eating. Nonetheless, I wasn’t too fussed about this, since I nonetheless had one other ANA First Class flight to look ahead to.
Thai Airways First Class – Leisure
After ending breakfast, I placed on a James Bond movie on the leisure display, and casually acquired some work executed on my laptop computer.
The in-flight leisure system had a good choice of motion pictures and TV reveals, however I wouldn’t name it essentially the most in depth choice I’ve come throughout within the skies.
The display itself was somewhat unusual too, particularly compared to among the cutting-edge screens obtainable in different modern First Class merchandise.
It’s value noting that Wi-Fi isn’t obtainable on Thai Airways 777 plane. I occurred to be flying on a Sunday and didn’t have to be linked; nonetheless, different passengers could also be dissatisfied to search out that it’s not an possibility.
Thai Airways First Class – Mattress
With a full stomach and over half of the flight remaining, I headed into the restroom to clean up earlier than mendacity down for a bit.
Because the lone passenger within the First Class cabin, I loved unique entry to the 2 restrooms on the entrance of the airplane, which as soon as once more elevated my expertise.
The primary restroom wasn’t by any means elaborate or distinctive, but it surely was in any other case clear and roomy sufficient.
There’s additionally a bench that folds over the bathroom to assist facilitate altering, which is a really helpful characteristic.
I then made my manner over to seat 1K to complete up the movie and take a fast nap. The mattress was already arrange, and the employees had positioned one other field of goodies and a flower to welcome me into the suite.
The mattress was divinely snug, with plush bedding, supportive pillows, and loads of room to maneuver round. A good thing about this seat kind is that there’s no footwell enclosing your legs, so that you’re free to toss and switch as you need.
Furthermore, the flight attendants popped by to verify in with me each time my eyes have been open to supply me extra meals and drinks.
I felt very relaxed after catching a couple of winks, after which loved a glass of Champagne looking over the clouds earlier than the lunch service started.
Thai Airways First Class – Lunch Service
As we approached Tokyo, the cabin crew requested me if I’d prefer to have lunch.
At the start of the flight, I’d ordered the stir-fried spaghetti with dried chili and bacon for the lunch service.
I’d have gone for a Thai or Japanese meal, nonetheless, these didn’t look like choices with the lunch service, as the one different meal on supply was a dill salmon coulibiac.
Nonetheless, I ended up being delighted with my alternative, because the spaghetti was surprisingly scrumptious. The pasta was near al dente and was completely seasoned, and the bacon added some smoke and salt to the dish, which paired effectively with the dry warmth of the chili peppers.
Lastly, dessert was a three-piece affair consisting of intricately molded Thai sweets. I couldn’t have been happier with the choice, and these vibrant morsels tasted pretty much as good as they regarded.
I washed all of it down with one final flute of Champagne as we descended into Tokyo, feeling fairly glad and happy with my expertise.
Conclusion
General, Thai Airways First Class exceeded my expectations. Initially, I wasn’t fairly positive if it will maintain up in comparison with different First Class merchandise I’ve flown, however I’m happy to report that it was a reasonably seamless affair.
Most components of the bottom expertise have been wonderful, particularly since I had somebody guaranteeing all the course of was easy and with none delays. I couldn’t assist however really feel like royalty because the Thai Airways consultant parted the crowds as we approached the airplane.
The attentive, personalised service continued onboard, particularly since I used to be the lone First Class passenger that day. The flight attendant was round typically sufficient to make sure I had what I wished, however wasn’t overbearing by any means.
By way of the exhausting product, the Thai Airways First Class suites are a bit missing within the privateness division, which is all the fad as of late. Nonetheless, I discovered the seats and mattress to be exceptionally snug, and the general décor of the First Class cabin to be stunning.
I used to be additionally fairly pleasantly shocked by the meal service, though it’s value noting that it didn’t fairly really feel as elevated because the meals on, say, ANA First Class and even Etihad Airways First Class.
If offered with one other alternative, I wouldn’t hesitate to fly Thai Airways First Class once more.
Hopefully by the point I return, the Royal Orchid Spa will probably be open as soon as once more, and maybe Dom Pérignon Champagne will probably be obtainable onboard, too.
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