100 Travel Stories
Flying Thai Airways
Flying Thai Airways for the first time was “smooth as silk”. Fasten your seat belts and enjoy the flight!
“The First Choice Carrier with Touches of THAI”
THAI Airways has its origins in 1960 as a joint venture between Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) and Thailand’s domestic carrier, Thai Airways Company.
The Thai Airways logo – one of the best looking airline logo in the world – combines several visual elements, suggestive of a tropical orchid, the richness of Thai silk and hints of classical design motifs.
Flying Thai Airways from Bangkok to Taipei
The Booking
At the time of booking my best choices were to fly from Bangkok to Taipei via Hong Kong by using the low-cost carrier Hong Kong Airlines or to choose a direct flight with Thai Airways.
With stops of 8 hours or even more in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Airlines is a pretty good choice if you wish to take a look at Hong Kong between flights. The downsides are losing one day and the arrival time in Taipei being at night.
The direct flights are very convenient, only 3 and a half hours. In the end I booked an early flight, economy class, with Thai Airways.
Thai Airways is part of the Star Alliance network and earning points is always a good thing. Unfortunately, Thai Airways economy class is not eligible for Aeroplan miles. Check before booking.
The Boarding
Boarding the plane at the Suvarnabhumi Airport is quick and efficient. Thai Airways even have a special check-in counter for infants, disable people and monks!
Thai Airways counter at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport
The Flight
“Sawasdee”
The first impressions are of a welcoming crew and a colorful, up-beat interior.
Welcome aboard!
The seats have alternate colors of purple, dark blue and orange, resembling the colors of the beautiful orchid flowers.
Thai Airways flight attendant
The crew is wearing both, traditional Thai and modern uniforms.
Thai Airways flight attendant in Thai traditional uniform
The flight attendants are attentive and helpful.
Thai Airways flight attendant helping a passenger
The Plane
The plane on this route is an Airbus A330.
My seat was a window seat, 50A, quite comfortable. The only inconvenience was the rather huge entertainment box underneath the seat in front of me, this making impossible to extend my legs. Luckily, the seat beside me was empty.
View from seat 50A, Airbus A330
The Entertainment
In-flight movies with a large selection of titles and genres keep you awake during the flight. Use the remote to navigate instead of the touch screen.
Inflight entertainment
Thai Airways has one of the best in-flight magazines, a magazine that you actually read, called “Sawasdee” (hello). It contains up-to-date information on where to travel, visit, eat, and stay.
The Food
Cheese omelette, ham, potatoes and vegetables was a very fulfilling meal. Add a glass or two of red wine and you are setup for a pleasant flight!
Thai Airways meal
The main meal also comes with fruit salad, yogurt, croissant and butter.
Hot towel service is a nice touch for a short flight.
“Sabai, Sabai”
To sum up my first experience flying Thai Airways I will use the Thai expression “Sabai Sabai”. It means “everything is great, relax, take it easy”.
Flying Thai Airways over Taiwan
Awards
Thai Airways has been awarded Best Economy Class 2015 by AirlineRatings.com.
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