With Thai Airways, we had a major difference in experience in domestic flights compared to our domestic Air China flight a few days earlier. Although a compact seating experience, the hospitality of the Thai’s was much warmer and enjoyable.

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This post is one chapter in our Around the World in Star Alliance First Class via China, Thailand and Spain. This trip was booked using Air Canada Aeroplan miles. For more information on how this trip was booked, please see our trip introduction here. For other parts of the trip, please see this index.

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Review: Thai Airways, Boeing 777-200, Bangkok – Phuket

We left the lounge early to arrive to an overcrowded gate. Once again, the reserved flight was different than the equipment that was provided.

That’s an awfully large Airbus 300!! One of the cool things about domestic air travel in Thailand is that they have these massive wide body jets flying around on domestic routes.

Thai Airways
BKK – HKT (Bangkok Survarnabhumi Airport – Phuket International Airport)
TG 205 – Economy Class (Y)
10:00 AM – 11:20 AM
May 13, 2012
Booked: Airbus 300
Flown: Boeing 777-200

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On Board Thai Airways Domestic:

We got on board and experienced a very tight economy seat on a Boeing 777-200. There was AVOD in the back of every economy seat in a 3-3-3 configuration. The seat room was tight but not unbearable.  We had a Bangkok Airways coral and fish painted aircraft at gate A4 next to us on the apron.

A Thai Airways Domestic Flight:

As we took off, were able to see some of the more unique landscape that make South East Asia such a wonderful place to visit. It started with the fields surrounding Bangkok. Soon, islands were within our view.

At around this time as we levelled off at cruise altitude, the seat ahead of me came back into the full recline position. With a swish, I literally lost about 45% of the available room between the seats. Needless to say, it would be VERY uncomfortable for a lonerg flight. Those readers that are considering an economy seat on the Boeing 777-200 equipment type for a long haul beware!! It would not be a comfortable experience. 

The Meal Service: A Sandwich Snack

For just a one hour flight, we were still given a quick mini snack. It was a small sandwich with the crusts cut off consisting of a tuna filling, a ham filling and one that looked like egg, but was a strange liquid goo. 

Beautiful views as we crossed over the Bangkok bay. 

As we touched down at Phuket International Airport, there were always lots of strange aircraft that you don’t always get the opportunity to see. 

The Russians are in town – Transaero Boeing 747.

Overall:

The Thai Airways Domestic Service allows travellers to experience large wide body aircraft on select domestic routes. If you play your cards right, you can fly a large aircraft on some short haul flights. Despite this, the personal space on these larger aircraft isn’t all too generous. A small meal is also served, which is a welcome touch.

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