Pre-Flight:
This was to be my first flight which arrived at Bangkok’s new airport; Suvarnabhumi. All previous flights I had taken were to Don Muang which is to the North of the City whereas Suvarnabhumi is to the East of Bangkok.
This was also to be my first flight on EVA Air. I have previously flown on Taiwanese competitor China Airlines. I have flown the London-Bangkok many routes on Qantas, British Airways and Thai Airways but I had never been on EVA Air. EVA Air was actually the cheapest non-stop/direct flight to Bangkok from London so I pounced on the opportunity.
The aircraft which was to fly this route was the 777-300ERs, which are relatively new in the EVA Air fleet. Each aircraft is equipped in a three class configuration with Premium Laurel Class (Business), Elite Class (Premium Economy) and Economy Class. The seat pitch was 33” in Economy.
Economy Class
Premium Laurel Class
Elite Classs
I arrived at Terminal 3 in the late-afternoon and was greeted with building work that was taking place on a new entrance area to be soon opened. The check-in had not yet opened, but shortly opened after around 10 minutes. The check-in for the flight was positioned next to Japan Airlines; who had flights for Osaka and Tokyo checking in.
I checked in and handed my One Pass (Continental Airlines) card to the agent. One thing I did notice is that EVA Air has a lack of major airline partners. Nevertheless Eva Air participates in the One Pass programme.
Soon after I made my way through security (which was very quick) and into the duty free. Terminal 3 has quite a large selection of shops, however restaurants are limited. I decided to have a snack at TGI Friday’s before heading to the gate.
On my way to the gate I decided to go on a walk to around the terminal to take some photos…
New VT-JEA of Jet Airways being prepared for the flight back to Mumbai
Cathay Pacific B-HXL (A340-300) being readied for a departure to Hong Kong
Arrival of Air New Zealand B747-400 to Hong Kong and Auckland (ZK-NBU) from the remote stand
A40-KA, Gulf Air A330-200 with Jet Airways A330-200 and Air India 767-300 also in the line-up
Air China A340-300 (B-2385) nearing departure to Beijing
Terminal 3 line-up with two Boeing and three Airbus wide bodies
G-VHOL (A340-300) being prepared for pushback to Washington Dulles
‘Jetstreamer ‘waiting for pushback 8 Asian flights being readied in the background
Saudi Arabian 777-200ER being readied for the flight to Jeddah, the aircraft being HZ-AKA
Air India leased 767-300 from FlyGlobespan (G-CDPT) operating flight AI132 to Mumbai.
Gorgeous Airbus A330-200 of Jet Airways
Japan Airlines 777-200ER ready for pushback to Osaka.
Thai Airways B747-400 which would follow us to Bangkok this evening (HS-TGT)
Ethiopian Airlines 767-300 at a remote gate before operate a flight to Rome and Addis Ababa later this evening.
Another view of Jet Airways 777-300ER; one of the most beautiful schemes in the world
ANA B747-400 being prepared for the flight to Tokyo Narita, soon these will be replaced by the 777-300ER. Aircraft
was JA8096
JA711J of Japan Airlines pushing back to Osaka Kansai
Air China A340-300 to Beijing
I then tried to return the way I had come, only to find I had to travel through connections and make my way all the way back through security. A lesson learnt there…!
A higher view of the Jet Airways 777 bound for Mumbai
Jet Airways 777, many people waiting to board this flight were commenting on how beautiful the aircraft was
Etihad Airways A330-200 bound for Abu Dhabi, aircraft being A6-EYK (Flight EY018).
The EVA Air 777-300ER arrived from Bangkok/Taipei on-time and made its way to the newer gates in Terminal 3. I decided to proceed to the gate before it got to busy at today’s flight was to be completely full. Soon after the ground staff announced that the flight was ready to board.
EVA Air 777-300ER that would take me to Bangkok today
Close-up of B-16705 of the Taiwanese carrier
Boarding was via door 2L and I made my way to my seat at 49K.
The captain then announced that although everyone was onboard, we had missed our departure slot and have to wait at the gate until another is free. We waited at the gate for around 45 minutes before pushing back for departure.
Boarding screen of the PTV’s in Economy class
Minutes before departure during taxi to the runway
Take-off was to be during dark hours so therefore the cabin lights were dimmed for take-off. We were forth in line for take-off. Surprisingly we were followed by Thai Airways 747-400 and British Airways 747-400 both bound for Bangkok.
We soon took from the runway and headed towards west London before making a left turn and heading towards Southampton on the South Coast, and then onto the French coast. We then headed north-east towards Romania before heading towards Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Shortly after takeoff the crew brought round a warmed hand towel to passengers in the cabin.
Around 30 minutes later the crew brought round a dinner meal which consisted of Fish or Chicken. I opted for the chicken which was mixed with rice and vegetables. The meal came with a drink, salad, a desert and a bread roll.
The meal main meal was very tasty but the desert wasn’t as nice. Soon after the meal I decided to watch an episode of ‘Friends’. It was the episode where Joey proposed to Rachel by accident, for those of you who watch ‘Friends’. I then watched ‘Wild Hogs’ the movie.
The seating on board this aircraft was in a 3-3-3 configuration and seemed very spacious. Each seat was equipped with a PTV which featured AVOD. The lights were soon dimmed as the meal service was cleaned away.
I soon after fell asleep for the majority of the flight. One thing I did notice that the cabin of the 777 did seem very loud compared to the Airbus A330/A340.
Sunrise arose over the tips of the Middle East and breakfast was soon given out by the crew to passengers. The breakfast was available in two choices; I opted for the sausage option which included a croissant, sausage, bacon, scrambled egg, mushrooms and grilled tomato. The meal was very nice as was greatly welcomed after a long sleep.
I then went for a walk around the cabin making a restroom trip. I also went to the galley to get a drink of water; however it took along time for the crew to recognise what I wanted. The crew’s language skills could be greatly improved on board and cabin announcements were unclear at times.
It was roughly 1h 30mins to landing and a small snack was brought around with a beverage. The snack included sandwiches.
The flight was soon coming to an end as we approached the border of Thailand and Myanmar (Burma). We began our descent into Bangkok shortly after.
Slowing down as we enter Western Thailand
12 Minutes to go before landing at Bangkok
Beautiful large wing of the 300ER as we head towards Suvarnabhumi
Flaps lowering as we approach the airport area
Making adjustments as we line up for the runway
Flaps again lowering as we make our approach
INSERT LANDING VIDEO
Taxiing past the airport fire station towards the terminal
Thai Airways 777 in the new scheme at the terminal
Thai Airways 777-300 in the new scheme being loaded
View across the wing as we head towards the E-Gates
ANA 777-200 from Tokyo Narita at the D-Gates, parked next to a Swiss A340-300
Turning into the gate
My Ratings
*** EVA Air Crew
****+ Aircraft; Boeing 777-300ER
**** In Flight Entertainment/Magazine
** Crew Announcements/Broadcast of Information
**** Food and Beverage Service
**** London Ground Crew
**** Heathrow Airport
**** Suvarnabhumi Airport
**** London Immigration
**** Bangkok Immigration
*** Friendliness of London Ground Staff
*** Friendliness of Bangkok Ground Staff
Gjunnar From Germany, joined Sep 2001, 148 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 16 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Excellent report and super photographs from the airplanes @ LHR T3.
When I departed from T3 in 2005 I wanted to wander around and take pictures and get to one of the many AA 777s at the T pier when a BAA lady told me unmistakebly that I had to go back to the central waiting lounge immediately until my gate would be announced. Bummer, and of course I had to pass security once more again, just as you.
- Yikes, not sure about that fabric colour scheme.
Quoting B742 (Thread starter): One thing I did notice that the cabin of the 777 did seem very loud compared to the Airbus A330/A340.
- Interesting, I know the 772 is very noisy when compared to the Airbus models, I had hoped that the 77W might have been improved to reduce the noise levels, guess not!
KLM685 From Mexico, joined May 2005, 1575 posts, RR: 24 Reply 5, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 10 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Excellent trip report! The pictures are very entretaining. I amazed by the amount of airlines at LHR and scared by the amount of pe ople in the departures hall! I would feel claustrophic there! Too many people and not so much space to move!
Lentini2001 From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2006, 164 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (4 years 9 months 1 week 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Great set of photos!
I'll have to remember not to make the same mistake as you next time I'm at Heathrow when taking my photos and having to go back through sercurity? How did that happen?
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 5424 posts, RR: 81 Reply 11, posted (4 years 9 months 21 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Outstanding report with great pictures, Rob. How many options does the AVOD system feature? It seems BR still needs to improve its inflight service to match Asia's top carriers.
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