Thai Airways is one of the more unique carriers to grace the Star Alliance network. It generally has great reward seat availability, a unique in service product that involves elaborate costume changes on the part of it’s flight attendants, and world class transfer services at Bangkok Survharnabhumi airport that include massages for all Business Class and First Class travelers. This flight certainly set the mood for our inbound flight connecting through Bangkok on our way to the United Arab Emirates.

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Review: Thai Airways Royal Silk Business Class A330-3 Bangkok Survharnabhumi – Dubai

“Thai Airways offers one of the most unique flying experiences by offering traditional Thai Hospitality, Thai oriented cuisine on board and the most purple themed aircraft around“

After a wonderful time at the Thai Airways Royal Orchid Spa and time spent in the Thai Airways Royal Silk Lounge, It soon came time for our next leg. From the lounge, we headed over across the hall to Gate D1A, the gate that is usually used for bus departures. 

Thai Airways International
Royal Silk Business Class
BKK-DXB (Survarnabhumi Bangkok International Airport – Dubai International Airport)
TG517 – Business Class (I)
4:15 PM – 7:40 PM
April 17, 2014
Booked: Airbus 330-300
Flown: Airbus 330-300

After a short wait, boarding started from Gate D1A. There was another big line crush when the initial boarding call was announced. Thai ground staff actively enforced the boarding priority, which was good on them since it’s much easier for gate staff to “forget”. 

We hopped the bus as one big group out to our Airbus 330 that was parked at a close by remote stand. Double door boarding was used with stairs at the front and rear of the aircraft from the apron. It’s never fun to have a bus gate and Bangkok, even with all its gates, seems to have to use them sometimes.

On Board Thai Airways Royal Orchid Business Class:

The seating configuration of the Airbus 330 was almost identical to that of the Royal Silk product on the Boeing 777 that we had flown in on Thai Airways Seoul – Bangkok. The configuration in business was 2-2-2.

The seating configuration is pleasant for relaxing and the seats had ample room between themselves and the passengers in the rows in front and behind you.

The entertainment system was controlled by a wired remote control. The seat back featured the same adjustments as on the Boeing 777-200 configuration. The angle flat seat was great for relaxing but not so comfortable for sleeping.

Thai Royal Silk Business was a full cabin today with a blend of people typically associated with flying to and from the Middle East. This meant customers of all races, shapes and sizes. It was a contrast from the homogeneous Asian countries we had just visited. Our seats, 12 K/ 12H, were surrounded by a family of eight Asians traveling with two children. One of the children, aged about 9, took a special interest in us and actually invaded our seating area on two occasions, having to be physically pried back by the nanny and grandparents. These incidents prompted masses of attention as they tried to sort things out and occurred mid sleeps or during meal services.

Pre Departure Service:

Today’s service started with Piper Heindsek champagne and cashews. Thai was actually opening the expensive stuff on the ground in Thailand (as opposed to a cheaper sparkling wine) as evidenced by the actual PH champagne bottle that was brought around on the refill while we were parked at the remote stand waiting for boarding to finish.

It was so good, I actually had a second one.

The Amenity Kits: by Porsche Design

Thai Airways has now switched to a very slick and err… “purple” Porsche Design amenity kit. It was stuffed full of items, tooth paste, mouthwash, combs and Bogner branded lip balm and creams along with eye shades. I still prefer the traditional black color of Porsche Design although I’m sure Thai Airways feels differently.

Time to Take Off:

The Menus were dropped off just prior to the taxi. The wine list was the same as from our Incheon – Bangkok flight.  

The drink list was also presented. It featured wines exclusively from France: two whites, two reds and one Champagne. It was exactly the same wine list from our earlier Incheon – Bangkok flight.

There was some terrific plane spotting as we taxied and climbed out of Survarnabhumi today. We also had some great views over Bangkok and the winding Chao Prayha river, in addition to the Scirroco Sky Bar in the Lebua hotel made famous in the Hollywood movie “Hangover 2”.

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A pre-dinner drink was offered today, as served off the cart. I decided to mix it up and went for a Gin and Tonic this time. The Thai Airways flight attendants were displaying their beautiful in flight dress that Thai flight crew wear while flying. Regular Thai fliers will be aware that the flight crew change outfits once on board and have an in flight outfit, and a ground outfit. 

The Meal Service: A Four Course Dinner

Today’s crew seemed to struggle with keeping up with the full passenger load in business. The dinner service was a bit rushed and there wasn’t much sticking around for pleasant conversation. The appetizer nuts would come out but drinks wouldn’t turn up until 15 minutes later. These aren’t bad things, but rather the crew seemed to be a bit stressed about the execution. Despite this, the crew managed to bring the bread basket around twice. 

Today’s starter was a marinated salmon loin, beef loin, jellied tomato gazpacho with a potato salad and a mixed green salad with Italian Tizano dressing.

Today’s main was a New Zealand Lamb Cutlet with a tarragon tomato concaisse, roasted potatoes with rosemary and roasted vegetables on the side.

The meal concluded with another gluttonous double dessert of a fruit and cheese plate and a serving of walnut cheese cake. 

After the dinner, we settled into the seat and tried to relax. First world problems here: but aside from the old-fashioned business class barca-lounger seats, these are the worst business class seats ever for long haul travel. After 11 total hours in the angle flat seats between the two flights, I have to conclude that the Thai configuration really isn’t super comfortable for long haul flights; especially where sleeping is involved.

They don’t lie flat or any further than 138 degrees (Seat Guru statistics) or recline, which results in the dreaded slide down the seat as time passes. As a taller person, I also find the seats a little tight. On my particular seat, the foot rest flap was also broken on the lower seat rest with one side detached- hanging off the seat lopsided. This wouldn’t be a key issue, but the flap is integral as it was supposed to prevent you from sliding down the slope on the business class seat.

MrsWT73 didn’t find the seat very ergonomic either. When I asked what she thought of Thai Royal Silk compared with our last experience on Thai Royal First, she commented “It’s by no means horrible, and those dinky little wine glasses. Every drink is a shot”. Top it off with lots of galley noise as well on this particular segment and it make us look forward to getting off the plane and into Dubai. 

Entertainment on Board:

I settled into the Thai Video on Demand, which had a large selection of movies of all kinds.

The Second Service: A light sandwich snack

About ninety minutes before landing, we were offered a second service. The service was typical Thai Airways snacks – sandwiches in a cafeteria style with cello wrap. I opted for juice to go along with this.

Throughout this last flight, we had 60 km/h headwinds that added an hour to the flight. We had a quick landing and a short taxi to the terminal at Dubai.

Arriving to Dubai International Airport:

On arrival in Dubai, we disembarked and walked through a very narrow arrivals hall on an elevated concourse. The design must have been a bit older, as it was clearly not designed to handle wide body jets. There was lots of congestion with crowding with slow walking families walking 5 abreast with kids.

We eventually made it down the escalators and over under the aprons to the older Dubai Terminal along the underground moving walkway. There was a long 25 minute wait for immigration to get stamped in. Sadly, there were no fast track services available tonight. We eventually hopped a quick and efficient taxi to the Grosvenor house for 92 AED, ending our 16 hour travel day. 

Thai Airways Royal Silk Business Class Impressions:

Overall, there was not much difference between the two Thai Airways flights. Thai Airways plays well in Star Alliance by offering great reward availability, and a pleasant transfer experience at the older Survarnabhumi Bangkok airport. Unfortunately, their soft product service seems to vary greatly and their hard product is starting to get really dated in comparison to the flat beds that other carriers are offering. The amenity kit doesn’t make up for these deficiencies. One could argue that the Royal Orchid Spa, depending on your mood, either does or does not make up for the product in flight. I guess it depends on what you value in your travel and whether the travel is fully paid or a reward ticket.

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