Flight Report: TG791 Thai Airways Non-stop JFK – BKK Service

Thai Airways Non-stop JFK – BKK Service (TG791)

Carrier: Thai Airways

Plane Model: A340-500

Flight Class: Royal Silk Class

Sleeper Seat: Yes

Best Seat in Business Class: 11E/F

Duration of Flight: 16 Hrs 30 Mins

Date of Travel: Dec 19, 2005



Check in at JFK airport was quick and efficient despite the busy travel season. There were three separate check-in sections: Royal Silk, Premium Economy and Economy. Thai Airways, like Singapore Airlines, offers Swiss Air Lounge for the use of its premium class passengers at JFK. The lounge was clean, bright and spacious. The breakfast foods offered there however left little to be desired.

I looked forward to boarding this Thai Airways (TG) flight. It was the first non-stop passenger flight between New York and Bangkok. This flight was launched just recently and utilized a new Airbus 340-500. Since I took the non-stop Singapore Airlines (SQ) flight between Newark and Singapore last year, I wanted to compare the service and flight conditions of these two non-stop flights to South East Asia and see which one I would prefer more.

There were two flight attendants that greeted me at the door. I was seated in the first row of the Royal Silk Class. By the way, the best seats on this flight in Royal Silk Class were seat # 11E and 11F. The best seats in Premium Economy were the bulkhead seats and the best seats in Economy section were the exit row. Purple was the main color theme of the business class cabin, to match the color of the Orchid, the national flower of Thailand and logo of the national carrier. Flight attendants walked by several times offering pre-departure drinks (the standard water, orange juice and champagne) and reading materials. We departed JFK as scheduled.

Unlike the old business class seats on Thai Airways, the business class seats installed on this flight were the "pod" seats, with AVOD entertainment and a flat bed that angles downward. While the seats were definitely more comfortable than those of SQ (much newer too), the selection of movies/games/audio CDs were not as great as those of the Singapore flagship carrier. There were three meals served (and snacks offered in between those meals) and they were all delicious.

These were the options listed in the menu handed out to the Royal Silk class passengers:


First Serving

Hot Savories

Scallops on a stick and fish cake

First Course

Salmom Salad E-sarn Style

Smoked Duck, Apple and Celery Salad with Hazelnuts

Mixed Green Salad with Thousand Island or Balsamic Dressing

Main Meal

Broiled Tournedos Steak with Port Wine Sauce

Pom-pin Potatoes, Carrot and Zucchini

Or

Stir-Fried Prawn with Sweet and Sour Sauce, Steamed Thai Hom Mail Rice, Broccoli

Or

Salmon in Curry "Chu-Chee", Steamed Thai Hom Mail Rice, Stir-Fried Oriental Vegetables

Or

Grilled Chicken with Tomato Basil Sauce, Penne Pasta, Sauteed Zucchini and Broccoli

Assorted Roll, Garlic Breads, Toast, Butter

Assorted Cheese Tray/ Fresh Fruit

Dessert

Coconut Mousse Round, Tea, Coffee, Espresso, Cappuccino

Mid-Meal Snacks

Noodles Soup and Garnitures or

Assorted Openfaced Sandwiches

Second Serving

Canapes

First Course

Prawn and Prosciutto with Fresh Cocktail Sauce

Main Course

Stir-Fried Prawn with Garlic and Pepper

Steam Thai Hom Mali Rice, Fresh Green Beans and Carrot

Or

Stir-Fried Flat Rice Noodles with Barbecued Pork Char-sew, Broccoli and Pepper

Assorted Roll, Garlic Breads, Toast, Butter, Cheese, Fresh Fruit Tray

Dessert

Passion Fruit Mousse in Chocolate Cup

Tea, Coffee, Espresso, Cappuccino

Third Serving

Mixed Green Salad with Olive Oil Vinegar Dressing

Stir-Fried Japanese Noodles with Chicken (Yakisoba)

Chocolate Pralines

Tea, Coffee

Service on Thai Airways is definitely more personable that that of Singapore Airlines. The flight attendants on this particular flight were not as robotic as those SQ flight attendants. They noticed minor things such as turning on the reading lights for you or even checking back with a passenger to see if they had received what they had requested or had enjoyed their meals. I was very hungry between the first meal and the second meal and the flight attendant that I had requested some snacks from kept checking in with me to make sure that I had enough food to eat and was not hungry for the duration of the flight. They definitely feed you a lot on this flight because it is a long flight.

We arrived at Bangkok Dan Moung airport on time. I quickly went to the Thai Airways’ business class lounge to get a complimentary shower and massage (believe me, both really come in handy after a long flight!). All in all, this was a really comfortable flight. I don’t think you need to be in Royal Silk Class to enjoy the comfort. Economy or Premium Economy classes on this flight are already much better than those of US carriers. It seems that Thai Airways, once the carrier known for its attentive service in the 80s, is making a big comeback and will give other Asian carriers such as Singapore Airlines or Cathay Pacific a run for their money.