THAI AIRWAYS INTERNATIONAL   Passenger Reviews and Passenger Trip Reports an official 4-Star Airline   Add your Thai Airways review   Thai Airways official 4 Star ranking   Airline Reviews : A-Z Index   2009 Quality Approval Status ?

THAI AIRWAYS review :  14 June 2009 : by A Smyth   (UK)

BKK-LHR First class. Check-in a breeze in Zone A of BKK Airport, where you are seated while the staff check you in and then escort through immigration. I made use of the spa massage. Lounge very comfortable with a full bar and snacks. Onboard the First class sleeper seats looking a bit worn, but comfortable in all positions. Cabin appears spacious however you do feel quite exposed in the seats, a bit more privacy would be appreciated. Cabin Crew friendly and professional. Food service okay, the quality and quantity was good but only one choice of starter and dessert, would have expected at least 2 choices. However did serve caviar and choice of 4 main courses.

THAI AIRWAYS review :  10 June 2009 : by D Chang   (Canada)

BKK-HKG on 744. As amStar Alliance Gold Level member, I was able to use the priority check in at row B but no expedited immigration and security clearance is offered. No preferential seating for Star Gold member. Put in the centre row at the back of the plane. No drink service but hot breakfast served shortly after take off with choice of 2 entrees. Food okay for economy. Cabin reasonably clean and tidy. Security check is done at the gate. All in all, a mediocre flight.

THAI AIRWAYS review :  9 June 2009 : by R McCarthy   (Australia)

BKK-PEK, Economy Class. I was a bit disappointed by TG, after not having flown them for some time. I expected a more modern aircraft, or at least a retrofit - it was A330, with a shabby interior and quite a gaudy variety of colours of the material. My seat was broken and kept leaning backwards - which would have been irritating for the man behind me (I ended up moving one sideways). The staff were very good however, though they could have smiled more. The meal was a bit bland, though there were two choices - and wine. I think their wine glasses are far too small - I ended up requesting five re-fills, when I would only have needed two on most airlines! All in all, nothing major to complain about, I guess I just expected a more polished product after such a long time since flying them.

THAI AIRWAYS review :  9 June 2009 : by Andrew Fleming   (Ghana)

Bangkok-Hanoi. I have travelled many times in economy with Thai on this route and looked forward to sample their business product. It started so well, check in was almost a pleasure, lounge very good and the complimentary massage (either foot or neck and shoulder as I chose) excellent. Overall though the flight itself was a disappointing experience. A tired A300-600 used on this short route. Champagne offered alongside juice or water before takeoff. Food served was very attractively presented but portions were minimalist, a sign of cut backs as 18 months ago I had been served a far more substantial meal in economy. A menu was offered on the outbound leg only. No entertainment on this 90 minute flight. On the return from Hanoi check in was chaotic and poorly managed, business lounge adequate. Both flights ran ahead of time - most flights to Hanoi like to get away sharply due to the high ground tariff the authorities charge. I would use Thai again and given the price of the business seat was only a few pounds more than an economy ticket I would be tempted to use business if, as in this case, I was connecting to a flight with a different airline at Bangkok and faced long layovers but 600 Baht (no other currency accepted) will buy you 2 hours entry to the lounge less the massage. Fast track facilities are available if you have to go through immigration in Bangkok.

THAI AIRWAYS review :  27 May 2009 : by W Chia   (Germany)

DPS-BKK-FRA. Due to a system problem in DPS ground staff was not able to check me in on the BKK-FRA sector and told me that I would receive my boarding pass in BKK. However during boarding a gate agent took me aside and apologised for the inconvenience and handed me the boarding pass for my next flight he also confirmed my meal request ("chef on call" service) that is available for first class passengers. Flight on an A330 with old style business class seats, but comfortable. Entertainment system limited. Meal service was 5-courses with wine. Crew friendly and professional. After I disembarked in BKK a lady was waiting for me with a cart to drive me to the first class lounge. The lounge is specious and staff very friendly. Meals and drinks on request. As I was flying first a complementary 1hr massage was offered in the spa opposite the first class lounge. The flight in first was also a good experience. Food and drinks very good. My pre order meal was tasty, nice breakfast served before landing. Thai does not offer a turndown service like NH or SQ. However the seat full flat was comfortable and I could sleep for 9 hours. After the flight I was escorted all the way to the baggage belt. Overall very impressed by the service on the ground and in the air.

THAI AIRWAYS review :  21 May 2009 : by Mikael Fjaellborg   (Sweden)

ZRH-BKK return in business class. Outbound flight 80% full but still attentive service from cabin crew. Food service have declined since the past but still acceptable. Return flight only 3 pax in whole business class section with excellent service provided. Seats okay but not the most comfortable in C class compared with other premium airlines.

THAI AIRWAYS review :  12 May 2009 : by W Tsu   (Singapore)

BKK-FCO-BKK inflight service was almost non-existent midflight. THAI is usually my long haul airline of choice as I am a Gold ROP member. However, every long haul flight I have taken from last year till now invariably meets with a bad service experience. On a previous ARN-BKK flight, when I asked for a beer mid-flight, I was told that "the bar" was closed! When I wrote to THAI on this strange response, their written reply was that it was measure to curb excessive drinking on board.

THAI AIRWAYS review :  11 May 2009 : by B Peltier   (France)

CDG-BKK Business class. The supposed B747 version provided daily was changed 3 weeks before the flight. The old out of date B747 version (without lie flat beds) was provided in place. In my last 4 flights (CDG-BKK) in the last 2 years I got twice the old B747 version which is uncomfortable. During flight if a young hostess was smiling but the older one had a perfect lack of courtesy and when she served plates for diner it was with an unpleasant “for you”. Years ago, I was fond of Thai Airways but it seems now to be a declining company which does not care with its passengers and business customers.

THAI AIRWAYS review :  6 May 2009 : by N Thepsuree   (Thailand)

BKK-NRT-BKK both on an aging B747-400. Staff very friendly, but the IFE is nothing but an old main screen. On the way to NRT they ran out of eggs and ham so no choice left for me - even though flight was about 60% full. There was no choice on the way back. Seat was comfortable. A good choice for medium haul travellers.

THAI AIRWAYS review :  5 May 2009 : by Hans Mjaanes   (Sweden)

STO-BKK. Service was very good, and clean aircraft. And info during the flight was good, sometime they have old movie, but ok.

THAI AIRWAYS review :  30 April 2009 : by Tom Obokata   (UK)

BKK-ZRH, A340 on First. I upgraded from C to F on a stand-by basis (payment of 26000THB or 700USD). It was a very good experience. The first class lounge at Bangkok was like an oasis, with plenty of space, food and drinks. Staff there were very efficient and attentive. They also escorted me to the gate when it was a time to board. I also took advantage of full-body massage reserved for the first class customers. Onboard experience was just as good. Food and drinks were very good (vintage champagne, caviar along with other good dishes). Crew were attentive and their service superb. The full-flat bed was also great and I was able to get a good night sleep.

THAI AIRWAYS review :  27 April 2009 : by D Hiralal   (Switzerland)

BKK to GVA on A340 C class. Got bumped off Turkish Airlines so chose to travel Thai Airways out of Bangkok. They haved angled-flat seats which are hard to get into a comfortable sleeping position. The seat also feels narrow. Inflight entertainment was good but not up to Singapore Airlines standard. Food simple but good and service was attentive. Overall a good experience. Beware if you are flying to Geneva the flight misses the two early morning Swiss connecting flights from Zurich so you spend two hours at Zurich Airport.

THAI AIRWAYS review :  23 April 2009 : by D Maton   (UK)

LHR-BKK-LHR. Older style 747-400 on all legs. No IFE, tired seats and decor. IFE not working on LHR-BKK leg. Food mediocre. Flight crew excellent. BKK-LHR same worn out 747-400 This time IFE working but virtually unwatchable on screens. Food can only be described as inedible, despite 3 meal changes all were served stone cold. Fight crew excellent. You can get very good deals with Thai but now you get what you pay for.

THAI AIRWAYS review :  15 April 2009 : by O Johansen   (Norway)

Not until they abolish the old seats in Premium Economy/Business Class in their 747 planes they can expect to become a five star airline. I have just been flying Premium Economy Stockholm-Bangkok. Despite smiling flight attendants, good leg room and good food, it´s like moving 20 years back in time.

THAI AIRWAYS review :  15 April 2009 : by Richard Coxon   (Belgium)

PVG to BKK in March 2009 and not impressed. C ticket, was given an aisle seat on the top deck of possibly the oldest 747 in service. Terrible old seats, tiny IFE screens with old-style films that could not be paused or otherwise controlled. Laptop power points were unusable. The toilets were only accessible if you crawled under the projector screen in the way. No overhead locker space, so we all had to put our bags in the purser's room or on the floor. Not at all helpful. Service was poor from the crew who were hiding in the back of the top deck and I had to ask for a glass of water three times. Not the usual Thai service.

THAI AIRWAYS review :  14 April 2009 : by T Mackellar   (Australia)

SYD-BKK, My first time on Thai and it won't be my last! I was flying in their new 777 2 class service. Air New Zealand Lounge I used in Sydney is one of the best with great facilities. Once we began boarding the service of the Flight Crew was amazing. Meal service was 5-courses with wine offered. After I asked for a beer I received a 30 min lesson on Thai Brewing by the chief steward, quite amazing. If there is no need for a flat-bed, This would be the Business class to fly.