Review: Thai Airways First Class Bangkok to Tokyo

1 year ago 134

As I began to marque my mode backmost to North America from Bangkok, I was fortunate to person back-to-back aspirational flying experiences lined up. For the archetypal leg, I had a formation onboard Thai Airways First Class from Bangkok to Tokyo Narita.

Flying successful Thai Airways First Class was a peculiarly caller acquisition for me, and 1 that had agelong intrigued maine ever since I archetypal delved into Miles & Points backmost successful 2017.

Furthermore, Thai Airways’s newest First Class merchandise hasn’t received a batch of sum successful the caller past, since it’s lone offered connected a prime fewer routes, and grant availability is rather hard to travel by.

Thai Airways First Class – Booking

I booked this formation arsenic portion of a larger itinerary utilizing Aeroplan points.

The archetypal limb took maine from Bangkok to Tokyo successful Thai Airways First Class. After a three-day stopover successful Tokyo, I’d proceed onward to Chicago successful ANA “The Suite” First Class, earlier making my mode to Montreal successful Air Canada concern class.

In sum, I parted ways with 135,000 Aeroplan points and astir $100 (CAD) successful taxes and fees for the full journey. While that’s surely a handsome magnitude of points to walk connected a fewer flights, I was precise pleased with the value, arsenic good arsenic getting to tick a fewer aspirational flying experiences disconnected of my list.

If you were to conscionable publication this formation connected its own, a First Class summons would outgo 60,000 Aeroplan points.

It’s worthy noting that grant availability was overmuch amended erstwhile I made the booking successful Spring 2022, since overmuch Asia was inactive closed disconnected owed the pandemic.

However, arsenic of late, grant seats for Thai Airways First Class, and ANA First Class for that matter, person go exceedingly hard to travel by. Seats are inconsistently released, and erstwhile they are, they’re rapidly snatched up.

If you’re looking to people a spot successful Thai Airways First Class, see the Bangkok–Osaka way alternatively of the Bangkok–Tokyo route, arsenic it seems to person amended availability.

Nevertheless, it’s a situation to book, truthful beryllium diligent with your searches, and see utilizing an ExpertFlyer alert to show grant space.

Thai Airways First Class – Ground Experience

On the greeting of my flight, I was delighted to caput to the airdrome and spot what Thai Airways had successful store for me.

Check-in was speedy and painless. As a Thai Airways First Class passenger, there’s a abstracted dedicated check-in country aft proceeding done a abstracted airdrome entrance.

I was welcomed by the staff, shown to a adjacent seat, and presented with a acold vessel of water.

The Thai Airways unit confirmed my reservation, and showed maine a seating chart. While I’d selected my spot and repast successful beforehand of the flight, I was erstwhile again fixed the enactment to choose, should I person changed my mind.

I was besides pleased to larn that I’d person the full First Class compartment to myself connected the formation to Tokyo. It’s a genuinely delightful acquisition to person truthful overmuch existent property astatine your disposal connected a plane, particularly successful First Class.

After completing the formalities, I was escorted to Fast Track information by a Thai Airways representative, who’d beryllium looking aft maine until I boarded the flight.

Security was a breeze, and I was past accompanied to the Thai Airways Royal Orchid Prestige First Class Lounge.

The lounge was nice, and I enjoyed a fewer items disconnected the menu; however, I reserved astir of my appetite for indulging during the flight.

Overall, the lounge acquisition didn’t rather consciousness similar a existent First Class experience, since it was truly conscionable a cordoned-off abstracted conception of the concern people lounge.

However, I enjoyed the décor, and since I was 1 of the lone passengers successful the lounge that morning, the work was precise attentive and kind.

It’s worthy noting that the Thai Airways First Class crushed acquisition could beryllium elevated and much competitory with different First Class lounges if the Royal Orchid Spa were to ever reopen.

In the past, some concern and First Class passengers could bask complimentary spa treatments earlier their flight, which was 1 of the main draws of the crushed experience.

After polishing disconnected a fewer dishes and drinks, I was met by my Thai Airways representative, who chatted with maine arsenic we strolled done the terminal to Gate D7.

I couldn’t assistance but consciousness similar the brag astatine this point, arsenic the typical parted a oversea of passengers waiting to committee the formation arsenic we made our mode straight to the gate.

He signalled to the gross unit that a First Class rider was coming through, and they instantly stopped checking different passengers successful to guarantee a precise seamless process.

After thanking him, I meandered down the pitchy bridge, and turned near astatine the First Class and concern people entrance. As I boarded the flight, I clicked my heels and grinned successful anticipation of what was next.

Thai Airways First Class – Cabin

Once boarding was completed, I was delighted to corroborate that I was so the lone First Class rider connected this flight. At this point, I took clip to research the compartment thoroughly, aft having pored implicit the constricted fig of photos and videos of Thai Airways’s caller First Class product.

There are 8 suites configured successful a 1-2-1 layout, which instrumentality up rows 1 and 2 astatine the beforehand of the plane.

The First Class compartment features chiefly tan and beige hues atop a affluent purple carpet.

The remainder of the compartment has hints of yellowish dotted passim the pillows and walls.

Overall, I recovered this compartment to beryllium precise pleasing to the eye, and the colour palette reminded maine of the tropics.

These suites are unfastened and precise spacious, but without a door, deficiency privateness arsenic compared to immoderate different modern First Class products.

If you’re travelling arsenic a couple, your champion stake is the mediate seats, arsenic the mediate divider tin descent down, making it easier to chat, spot each other, and bask the acquisition together.

For solo travellers, you can’t truly spell incorrect with immoderate of the “A” oregon “K” seats adjacent the windows.

In my case, I selected spot 1A for this flight, astatine the beforehand near country of the cabin.

Thai Airways First Class – Seat

I took a fewer moments to inspect the suite earlier I sat down. My archetypal impressions were precise positive, and the First Class suite besides appeared to beryllium beauteous overmuch marque new, with nary signs of deterioration whatsoever.

Upon taking my seat, I was greeted by a 24-inch in-flight amusement surface straight crossed from me. To its near is simply a tiny angiosperm holder dressed successful gold, which didn’t person thing successful it.

Underneath the surface is an ottoman, which doubles arsenic a buddy spot for eating with a companion. Below that is simply a decently sized retention bin, successful which you tin spot smaller carry-on items.

On the near broadside down by your knees, you’ll find a lit pouch and immoderate other retention abstraction for immoderate newspapers oregon magazines.

Close to the spot connected the left-hand side, you’ll find the spot power screen, arsenic good arsenic 5 preset buttons to rapidly set the spot to your preference.

Just beneath present is simply a touchscreen, which you tin usage to rise oregon little the partition, telephone a formation attendant, oregon crook connected the speechmaking light.

Above the spot controls is simply a tiny aboveground abstraction with a achromatic marble finish.

Directly beneath the aboveground space, you’ll find a three-pronged headset jack, and a USB-A port.

Moving forward, you’ll find a agelong aboveground abstraction finished with wood. Once it’s flipped open, a ample woody tray array lined successful metallic pops out.

At the acold near broadside of the suite, close adjacent to the amusement screen, there’s a tiny cubby wherever you tin store a fewer items. I recovered a vessel of Evian h2o and noise-cancelling headphones waiting for maine erstwhile I boarded.

Close to the spot controls is simply a tiny leather-covered door, which houses the amusement controller.

Further backmost successful the suite is different leather covered aboveground space, which you tin flip open. Once you do, it exposes different tiny retention country ample capable for tiny laptops and tablets.

Along the borderline of the aboveground abstraction is an unfastened compartment, which is cleanable for holding noise-cancelling headphones oregon thing of a akin size.

To the right, there’s a sliding partition which tin assistance with privacy; however, it’s rather constricted adjacent erstwhile afloat deployed.

At the beforehand of the suite, there’s a closet with a overgarment hanger inside, which is wherever you tin store immoderate garments.

Overall, I recovered the Thai Airways First Class suite to beryllium aesthetically pleasing and rather spacious, and it coiled up exceeding my expectations.

In particular, I appreciated the opposition of the royal purple carpets with the pick and off-white interior, arsenic good arsenic the pops of yellow.

Furthermore, I enjoyed playing astir with the touchscreen spot controls, which let for a precocious level of spot customization.

While the caller Thai Airways First Class spot lacks the precocious grade of privateness that’s offered in, say, ANA First Class oregon Emirates First Class, it’s undoubtedly a beauteous product, which hopefully tin basal the trial of time.

Thai Airways First Class – Amenities

Once I took my seat, the work manager introduced himself and warmly welcomed maine onboard.

I was past offered a prime of invited drink, and I opted for a flute of Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle Champagne, which was rather generously topped up earlier departure.

Then, I was presented with 2 decadent chocolates to bask alongside the bubbles, arsenic good arsenic a container of Kan Vela trade chocolate, which I gladly accepted. Shortly thereafter, a lukewarm towel was handed to maine to circular retired the pre-departure service.

Thai Airways First Class passengers are fixed a Porsche Design hard ammunition amenity kit, which came amply stocked.

Inside, it came jam-packed with contents, including a toothbrush and toothpaste, a comb, an oculus mask, receptor plugs, and mouthwash. In addition, determination were 4 Payot skincare items: articulator balm, cologne, moisturizer, and mist.

Unfortunately, determination were nary pajamas oregon loungewear available, which was disappointing successful that I couldn’t adhd to my hose pajama collection. I fishy it could beryllium due to the fact that this was a daytime formation and comparatively short, but it would person been a precise bully interaction if they were provided oregon disposable upon request.

A brace of slippers and a broad were placed connected the ottoman for boarding.

Along with my amenity kit, determination were noise-cancelling headphones by AKG.

Just aft takeoff, a subordinate of the compartment unit came by and proactively converted spot 1K connected the other broadside into a furniture for me, which was a precise thoughtful gesture.

Thai Airways First Class – Meal Service

Soon aft we reached cruising altitude, I was asked erstwhile I wanted to bask my archetypal meal, which happened to beryllium meal service. I requested to devour astatine the earliest convenience, since I’d held disconnected connected indulging excessively overmuch successful the lounge anterior to the formation and was rather hungry.

I’d chosen my repast successful beforehand utilizing the Thai Airways online repast pre-selection, but I was fixed yet different accidental to peruse the paper successful lawsuit I changed my mind.

The paper was presented connected a laminated portion of paper, which seemed a spot unusual and clashed with the luxurious ambience of the remainder of the formation experience.

There were 3 meal options: 1 Thai, 1 Western, and 1 Japanese.

For the 2nd repast service, determination were conscionable 2 choices, on with immoderate Thai sweets.

I was besides provided with an iPad listing the beverage menu, but I was asked not to instrumentality a representation of the Champagne enactment arsenic it was retired of date. Thai Airways nary longer serves Dom Pérignon connected flights, ever since Emirates secured the exclusive close to service it onboard done 2024.

Thai Airways First Class – Beverage menu
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Thai Airways First Class – Beverage menu
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Thai Airways First Class – Beverage menu
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Thai Airways First Class – Beverage menu
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To statesman the repast service, I ordered a solid of Thai iced tea, which was accompanied by a generous helping of writer jelly. The icy acold beverage was some affluent and refreshing.

Inspired by Ricky’s beverage of prime connected planes, I ordered a solid of mango juice, which was made each the much refreshing with an accompanying towel.

Breakfast began with a handbasket of pastries, including a jam-filled Danish and a croissant, some of which were airy and fluffy, though a spot abbreviated of extraordinary.

Next came a beautifully chopped and arranged effect plate, consisting of dragonfruit, kiwi, cantaloupe, apple, and grapes.

I was past served fried breadstuff accompanied by pandan condiment and condensed milk, which was delicious and precise filling. Having noticed that I’d finished the fried breadstuff rather quickly, I was presented with a 2nd helping, which I couldn’t resist.

A solid of muesli yogurt topped with blueberry compote provided a refreshing tang, and was a beauteous opposition to the richness of the fried bread.

For the main course, I selected the Thai option, which is known arsenic the Royal Boiled Rice Set. While it doesn’t needfully person the astir pleasant-sounding name, I figured the Thai enactment would beryllium the champion prime connected a Thai Airways flight.

The Royal Boiled Rice Set consists of soft-boiled atom unneurotic with 5 broadside dishes: Thai crispy spicy salad, stir-fried asparagus with crab meat, stir-fried legume curd with brackish and chili, stir-fried lobster with chili paste, and stir-fried scallops with ail and pepper.

Each of the dishes was tasty and packed with flavour; however, I wasn’t rather definite however to attack the rice. It was immersed successful a batch of water, and alternatively resembled plain congee.

Surely, I could person asked the formation attendant astir this, but I coiled up polishing disconnected the dishes without further ado.

Overall, the meal work was elaborate, with attentive formation attendants, and felt rather befitting of a First Class repast work successful presumption of the presumption and courses.

Everything was beautifully arranged, and small details specified arsenic the flower-shaped food and ornate details connected the dinnerware and cutlery elevated the experience.

Noticeably absent from the repast work was caviar, which is typically a staple of First Class dining. However, I wasn’t excessively fussed astir this, since I inactive had different ANA First Class formation to look guardant to.

Thai Airways First Class – Entertainment

After finishing breakfast, I enactment connected a James Bond movie connected the amusement screen, and casually got immoderate enactment done connected my laptop.

The in-flight amusement strategy had a decent enactment of movies and TV shows, but I wouldn’t telephone it the astir extended enactment I’ve travel crossed successful the skies.

The surface itself was alternatively mean too, particularly successful examination to immoderate of the cutting-edge screens disposable successful different modern First Class products.

It’s worthy noting that Wi-Fi isn’t disposable connected Thai Airways 777 aircraft. I happened to beryllium flying connected a Sunday and didn’t request to beryllium connected; however, different passengers whitethorn beryllium disappointed to find that it’s not an option.

Thai Airways First Class – Bed

With a afloat belly and implicit fractional of the formation remaining, I headed into the restroom to freshen up earlier lying down for a bit.

As the lone rider successful the First Class cabin, I enjoyed exclusive entree to the 2 restrooms astatine the beforehand of the plane, which erstwhile again elevated my experience.

The main restroom wasn’t by immoderate means elaborate oregon unique, but it was different cleanable and roomy enough.

There’s besides a seat that folds implicit the toilet to assistance facilitate changing, which is simply a precise utile feature.

I past made my mode implicit to spot 1K to decorativeness up the movie and instrumentality a speedy nap. The furniture was already acceptable up, and the unit had placed different container of chocolates and a angiosperm to invited maine into the suite.

The furniture was divinely comfortable, with plush bedding, supportive pillows, and plentifulness of country to determination around. A payment of this spot benignant is that there’s nary footwell enclosing your legs, truthful you’re escaped to flip and crook arsenic you desire.

Moreover, the formation attendants popped by to cheque successful with maine whenever my eyes were unfastened to connection maine much nutrient and beverages.

I felt precise relaxed aft catching a fewer winks, and past enjoyed a solid of Champagne looking retired implicit the clouds earlier the luncheon work began.

Thai Airways First Class – Lunch Service

As we approached Tokyo, the compartment unit asked maine if I’d similar to person lunch.

At the opening of the flight, I’d ordered the stir-fried spaghetti with dried chili and bacon for the luncheon service.

I would person gone for a Thai oregon Japanese meal, however, those didn’t look to beryllium options with the luncheon service, arsenic the lone different repast connected connection was a dill salmon coulibiac.

However, I ended up being delighted with my choice, arsenic the spaghetti was amazingly delicious. The pasta was adjacent to al dente and was perfectly seasoned, and the bacon added immoderate fume and brackish to the dish, which paired good with the adust vigor of the chili peppers.

Lastly, dessert was a three-piece matter consisting of intricately molded Thai sweets. I couldn’t person been happier with the selection, and these colourful morsels tasted arsenic bully arsenic they looked.

I washed it each down with 1 past flute of Champagne arsenic we descended into Tokyo, feeling rather satisfied and pleased with my experience.

Conclusion

Overall, Thai Airways First Class exceeded my expectations. Initially, I wasn’t rather definite if it would clasp up compared to different First Class products I’ve flown, but I’m pleased to study that it was a reasonably seamless affair.

Most parts of the crushed acquisition were excellent, particularly since I had idiosyncratic ensuring the full process was creaseless and without immoderate delays. I couldn’t assistance but consciousness similar royalty arsenic the Thai Airways typical parted the crowds arsenic we approached the plane.

The attentive, personalized work continued onboard, particularly since I was the lone First Class rider that day. The formation attendant was astir often capable to guarantee I had what I wanted, but wasn’t overbearing by immoderate means.

In presumption of the hard product, the Thai Airways First Class suites are a spot lacking successful the privateness department, which is each the rage these days. However, I recovered the seats and furniture to beryllium exceptionally comfortable, and the wide décor of the First Class compartment to beryllium beautiful.

I was besides rather pleasantly amazed by the repast service, though it’s worthy noting that it didn’t rather consciousness arsenic elevated arsenic the meals on, say, ANA First Class oregon adjacent Etihad Airways First Class.

If presented with different opportunity, I wouldn’t hesitate to alert Thai Airways First Class again.

Hopefully by the clip I return, the Royal Orchid Spa volition beryllium unfastened erstwhile again, and possibly Dom Pérignon Champagne volition beryllium disposable onboard, too.

The station Review: Thai Airways First Class Bangkok to Tokyo appeared archetypal connected Prince of Travel by T.J. Dunn.

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