Thai Airways

Economy Singapore-Bangkok TG408. Flight slightly delayed and I got bitten by the Changi Airport habit of misinforming people of the start of boarding. Boarding started 30 minutes later than the flashing signs indicated. Boarding was a little bit chaotic and started before an announcement was made. As a Star Alliance Gold member I like being able to board earlier than other passengers. Got a choice of newspapers. Luckily headphones were handed out during the long wait for departure and the entertainment system worked the whole time during landing and take-off. We got the choice between fish-rice and chicken-noodles. I went with the noodles. Easily the best dish I've eaten on a flight (business or economy). A simple dish yes but excellent executed. Service was good with the only remark that the second offering of drinks came from behind and took me and other passengers by surprise. The stewardess was apparently in a hurry. If you ask people if they want another drink please wait for an answer and try not to break the 100m sprint record. But this was the only remark for an otherwise very pleasant flight. Seat comfort was OK (I am 1m 81 tall).

BKK-SIN TG401 11 Apr. I will follow up from my previous comments and say it almost seems that their service keeps deteriorating each time you fly with them. 11 days into the month of April and they still have March's inflight entertainment guide. The inflight crew along with the inflight manager were very cold and did not have the charmingly friendly smile. To end the terrible service run they forgot to serve me my meal as well and when brought to their notice was followed by the all too common sorry. If long transit times were not an issue for me I would have stopped flying Thai it is just not worth flying Business Class with them anymore.

Melbourne-Bangkok-Phuket return. Melbourne to Bangkok the aircraft was clean and in good condition and staff were wonderful. On the return flight I could have been forgiven for thinking I had changed to a different airline. The staff had little or no interest in the passengers and seemed to ignore the requests for assistance. The food quality also dropped on the return leg. I had expected more from Thai.

BKK-MFM-BKK and BKK-HKT. All flights on time new A320. Terrible seat pitch 28in. Friendly service but just a plastic bag with water and a sandwich. Not to compare with Thai Airways but they sell it under the same brand also TG flight number. I will not book them again.

CDG-BKK-HKT. Last evening flight for Thai. Check-in in Paris was far from acceptable. I did not print my ticket and could not locate it on my phone. Security agent refused to let me go into check in although I pledged I was flying with Thai. A security supervisor came and intervened and I was allowed to the check in counter. Once at check-in it took the agent over 30 minutes to process! She then refused to give me the boarding pass as she said she could not locate my return ticket. I told her this is because it was a separate ticket to Vietnam and I showed her the e-ticket stored in the phone. It then took her over 10 minutes to clear with somebody on the phone. Once on board the 777 it was usual Thai friendliness and quality. My seat and my neighbour's failed after take off. Cabin crew did not bother fixing it and just asked us to move to other seats as there were plenty empty seats. The television in the 2nd seat did not work and I was moved to yet another seat. Transfer in Bangkok smooth but TG Domestic lounge facilities were basic. BKK-HKT short but the cabin crew managed to serve food and very friendly as well. It is comfortable but all facilities on board or on the ground seem to be old and worn.

MEL-BKK-MEL in Boeing 777. Business Lounge at Melbourne Airport (shared with Air NZ) is tatty and tired with worn dirty carpets and furnishings very poor snack selection and a general air of neglect. Outbound aircraft was a bit tatty and worn too with the customary small and hard business class seats often found on Asian airlines generally and of course they are at an angle even when "flat" so unless you strap yourself in firmly you will slowly slide down onto the floor. Inflight service was adequate but rushed and wine top ups had to be requested. Inflight movies and entertainment was excellent with lots of new release movies. Return flight was in a newer cleaner aircraft but the same issues with seat and service applied. Overall I'd rate Thai as "OK" but there are better options.

JNB-BKK-JNB. Crew on outbound flight friendly on the return flight totally indifferent. Food ex Johannesburg absolutely disgusting even for airline food. Food from Bangkok edible. Having flown Thai many times before it is noticeable standards falling.

Flew LHR-BKK-RGN return and chose Thai on grounds of price and timetable convenience. Some years since I last used Thai and whilst the service was charming and friendly other aspects left much to be desired. In particular the seats although almost lie flat (would it cost much more for 100% flat?) were difficult to adjust for a comfortable sleep. The food was almost inedible even the pre-ordered meals.

MNL-BKK-MNL. Fast check-in in both airports and had an organized system of boarding. The flight went pretty well as expected. Flight crews were efficient and prepared and had plenty of smiles. The Inflight entertainment options were pretty limited but fairly good for a 3 hour flight. Food is great. Two of the flight attendants on our return trip clearly manifest hospitality and the feeling of "thanks for flying with us".

Having submitted a less than positive review of my Bangkok Paris business class trip I am bound to do the same for my return. Alas the same problems: thin and uncomfortable seat poor selection of newspapers and magazines on board (is it so difficult to stock more than Bangkok Post IHT and Fin Times along with Time and golf mags? The airport itself was busting with reading material) and the food my wife and I agreed was simply inedible. My beef was too hard to cut accompanied by poor roast potatoes and a selection of tasteless cheeses. Staff were okay and there were many spare seats. Poor Thai: once a great airline.