MHTripple7 From United States of America, joined Feb 2008, 1050 posts, RR: 5 Posted (3 years 1 month 2 weeks 5 days 13 hours ago) and read 19348 times:
Introduction
I originally did not plan to do a trip report on this segment as the flight was originally scheduled to be operated by an Airbus A300-600, an aircraft I am not fond of and really have no interest in. I flew one for the first time from BKK to CNX and I can’t say I enjoyed it too much, plus I have always been suspect of A300s in general. I know the aircraft is perfectly safe, but it’s just a weird gut feeling I have – not really sure why. Therefore, you can imagine my excitement when I was checking-in online the night before and I noticed a strange seatmap. At first I thought it would too good to be true, but my flight had actually been changed to an A340-500. Not only could I avoid flying the A300, but I would also be sampling one of TG’s nicest aircraft on an hour long flight!
I immediately picked seats behind the wing, so I could have a great view of everything and take a nice landing video.
At Chiang Mai Airport
We arrived at the airport exactly an hour before the flight. I had already printed my boarding pass out the night before so I was hoping for some sort of quick baggage check-in. I somehow doubted there was such a facility, and it turned out I was correct when we had to use the normal Y check-in desk to check our bags. Oh well, not too inconvenient. The agent was friendly enough and it took about 5 minutes to check our bags.
CNX is definitely not one of Asia’s nicest airports, but it gets the job done and I found it to be very efficient.
Right after checking in, I went upstairs to the departure lounge where security is located. It was interesting to note that there was a section of the boarding lounge with comfortable couches reserved for monks IIRC. I also saw some monks get priority boarding when I left BKK a few days before. Very interesting, I have never seen this done on any other airline / country.
I saw our plane land from BKK, and it was good to see that in fact the aircraft was a 345.
Various regional destinations are served from CNX
Boarding was called at 7:50, only 20 minutes before departure.
The Flight
Date: 21 Mar 2010 Airline: Thai Airways International Flight: TG 101 Aircraft: Airbus A340-541 Departure Airport: Chaing Mai (CNX / VTCC) Arrival Airport: Bangkok – Suvarnabhumi (BKK / VTBS) Scheduled Departure Time: 8:10 AM Actual Departure Time: 8:11 AM (1 min late) Scheduled Arrival Time: 9:00 AM Actual Arrival Time: 9:28 AM (8 min late) Class: Economy Load Factor: 100% in Y
Unfortunately, I couldn't get a good view of the aircraft
I was greeted by some very good-looking and nice F/As who directed me to my seat.
Vibrant TG Cabin
Extremely generous legroom
Ready for departure
I was quite surprised we were able to pushback only 1 minute late. I really had my doubts that TG would be able to board a 345 in 20 minutes, but they did it.
The cabin was very nicely colored, and the seats were quite comfortable minus the hard winged headrest. It was also nice having a footrest, a nice feature that is lacking on so many Y seats.
Safety video was done through the PTVs and the main cabin screen.
Takeoff was slow and shallow, similar to my previous A340 experiences.
I was pleasantly surprised to see that this aircraft was equipped with mood-lighting. Very nice!
F/As then handed out snack boxes. Must say it was somewhat disappointing – the bread had some sort of mystery meat in it and the juice tasted watered-down. Honestly, I much prefer the soft drinks and pretzels given out on U.S. carriers!
The IFE was not activated at all throughout the flight, which was a shame as I did want to see how TG’s AVOD system was.
Cruising
Descent was announced after 15-20 min of cruising, and it was somewhat turbulent.
Approach
Landing video for those interested:
Orient Thai 742
I was pleased when we parked at a jetway-gate. The walk to baggage claim took about 10 minutes, and our bags came out fairly quickly.
Overall, I had a nice flight with TG, mainly because it was on the A340-500. The crew members were friendly, but nothing spectacular. Despite its well-documented inefficiencies, the 345 was a nice ride and I wouldn’t mind taking one from LAX to BKK.
ryanair!!! From Singapore, joined Mar 2002, 4653 posts, RR: 27 Reply 1, posted (3 years 1 month 2 weeks 5 days 13 hours ago) and read 19257 times:
Bait and switch... But it was an upgrade! How awesome is that?
Quoting MHTripple7 (Thread starter): I also saw some monks get priority boarding when I left BKK a few days before. Very interesting, I have never seen this done on any other airline / country.
If there are two things the Thais worship very much, it would be the monarchy (really their present King and Princess... But no one cares about the rest of the royal family... That's another story) followed by the respect for monks. In most Thai airports (especially provincial ones) you would see specific seating areas set aside for the latter.
Quoting MHTripple7 (Thread starter): F/As then handed out snack boxes. Must say it was somewhat disappointing – the bread had some sort of mystery meat in it and the juice tasted watered-down. Honestly, I much prefer the soft drinks and pretzels given out on U.S. carriers!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooooo.... You actually prefer food from a US carrier????? NNNNNnnnnnnooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo......
Welcome to my starry one world alliance, a team in the sky!
Andaman From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 2, posted (3 years 1 month 2 weeks 5 days 12 hours ago) and read 19142 times:
Thanks for the TR, it was interesting to see how TG's A345 looks like. They use that bird on BKK-OSL route, as a regular BKK visitor I'm tempted to try HEL-OSL-BKK next time.
airpearl From Malaysia, joined May 2001, 934 posts, RR: 37 Reply 3, posted (3 years 1 month 2 weeks 5 days 12 hours ago) and read 19070 times:
HI MHTripple7
What a nice surprise to be getting an 345 substitution on CNX-BKK! Even though TG uses all sorts of planes on this route, the 345 is indeed a rarity.
Quoting MHTripple7 (Thread starter): I really had my doubts that TG would be able to board a 345 in 20 minutes, but they did it.
You should see it done on a fully-laden B744! TG on domestic runs is really about packing them in and getting 'em there as quickly as possible (usually within an acceptable margin of the schedule), and this it does better than most airlines I have been on.
Quoting MHTripple7 (Thread starter): F/As then handed out snack boxes. Must say it was somewhat disappointing – the bread had some sort of mystery meat in it and the juice tasted watered-down
Interesting about the watered-down juice - usually it's sinfully sweet! The contents of TG snack boxes have been a victim of cost-cutting - it used to a lot more elaborate, especially around meal times. Not so long ago, the crew used to pass out carrier bags towards the end of the flight for those who want to take their meals home instead!
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6191 posts, RR: 79 Reply 4, posted (3 years 1 month 2 weeks 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 18197 times:
Hi MHTripple7,
another great report, you have flown on numerous really interesting aircraft recently.
Quoting MHTripple7 (Thread starter): At first I thought it would too good to be true, but my flight had actually been changed to an A340-500. Not only could I avoid flying the A300, but I would also be sampling one of TG’s nicest aircraft on an hour long flight!
I wouldn't mind about getting an A300 again, but of course I'd prefer the A345.
Quoting MHTripple7 (Thread starter):
The cabin was very nicely colored, and the seats were quite comfortable minus the hard winged headrest. It was also nice having a footrest, a nice feature that is lacking on so many Y seats.
The seat design is really nice. Much better than the common black, blue or gray.
Quoting MHTripple7 (Thread starter): I was pleasantly surprised to see that this aircraft was equipped with mood-lighting.
Very impressive - and good to see it was used on that short flight.
Quoting MHTripple7 (Thread starter): F/As then handed out snack boxes. Must say it was somewhat disappointing – the bread had some sort of mystery meat in it and the juice tasted watered-down.
initious From Singapore, joined Dec 2008, 1011 posts, RR: 16 Reply 5, posted (3 years 1 month 2 weeks 5 days ago) and read 17318 times:
The legroom for TG's A345 in Y should be around 36 inches according to seatguru.com, what a great way to stretch out for just an hour! My flight from BKK-SIN in 2008 was also subbed with a A345 from A330, but I do not even recall the plane having 3 engines! Well, it's still great though. =)
TG seems to be subbing their equipments very often, hope my A346 flight doesn't get subbed by another a/c!
AI151 From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2009, 303 posts, RR: 17 Reply 6, posted (3 years 1 month 2 weeks 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 16899 times:
Hi MHTripple7,
Great little TR. I wish most of my flights would get an aircraft upgrade and be as lucky as you. Legroom looks very good at 36" and I do love the multi coloured seats. Definitely puts me in a good mood!
As for the lack and taste of food, it was made in different departments I'm sure.
akhmad From Netherlands, joined Sep 2005, 2334 posts, RR: 53 Reply 7, posted (3 years 1 month 2 weeks 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 16665 times:
Hi MHTripple7,
It must have been fantastic to get onboard a TG A345 for such a short leg. What a lucky guy!
Nice pics of the airport and cabin interior. Well done!
You have to fly TG domestic during the meal time to savor more substantial food offering. This is what I got while flying J from Chiang Rai after breakfast time.
mtaabq From United States of America, joined Oct 2009, 81 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (3 years 1 month 2 weeks 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 16135 times:
Wait just a doggone minute! You PREFER the beverage and snack service on US carriers? What are you? Some kind of freak?
LOL, seriously, I'm just kidding. We bash the in-flight service of US carriers so much reading a COMPLIMENT caught me a bit off-guard.
MHTripple7 From United States of America, joined Feb 2008, 1050 posts, RR: 5 Reply 9, posted (3 years 1 month 2 weeks 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 15850 times:
Quoting ryanair!!! (Reply 1): Bait and switch... But it was an upgrade! How awesome is that?
I know, there is nothing better than equipment changes for the better!
Quoting ryanair!!! (Reply 1): If there are two things the Thais worship very much, it would be the monarchy (really their present King and Princess... But no one cares about the rest of the royal family... That's another story) followed by the respect for monks. In most Thai airports (especially provincial ones) you would see specific seating areas set aside for the latter.
Ah ok, thanks for that.
Quoting ryanair!!! (Reply 1): NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooooo.... You actually prefer food from a US carrier????? NNNNNnnnnnnooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo......
LOL, you should've tried the mystery meat and I swear you would have said the same thing!
Quoting Andaman (Reply 2): Thanks for the TR, it was interesting to see how TG's A345 looks like. They use that bird on BKK-OSL route, as a regular BKK visitor I'm tempted to try HEL-OSL-BKK next time.
Thanks, Andaman. I can say that you will most definitely have a nice flight on TG's A345.
Quoting airpearl (Reply 3): HI MHTripple7
What a nice surprise to be getting an 345 substitution on CNX-BKK! Even though TG uses all sorts of planes on this route, the 345 is indeed a rarity.
Indeed, I was shocked to say the least.
Quoting airpearl (Reply 3): You should see it done on a fully-laden B744! TG on domestic runs is really about packing them in and getting 'em there as quickly as possible (usually within an acceptable margin of the schedule), and this it does better than most airlines I have been on.
Yes, I flew a TG 744 from BKK to HKT and they did it again. I noticed F/As very actively helping passengers get seated, which I suppose is a factor.
Quoting airpearl (Reply 3): Interesting about the watered-down juice - usually it's sinfully sweet! The contents of TG snack boxes have been a victim of cost-cutting - it used to a lot more elaborate, especially around meal times. Not so long ago, the crew used to pass out carrier bags towards the end of the flight for those who want to take their meals home instead!
The juice on my next TG flight was better so perhaps it was just bad luck for this flight. Despite it's quality, I did appreciate the gesture of receiving somewhat of a meal on such a short flight.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 4): another great report, you have flown on numerous really interesting aircraft recently.
Thanks, PlaneHunter.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 4): The seat design is really nice. Much better than the common black, blue or gray.
I want to say that they were located under the seat, towards the forward right.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 4): Very impressive - and good to see it was used on that short flight
Yes I love mood lighting.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 4): Anyway, I should try Thai as soon as possible.
Indeed, I've heard good things about their long-haul product.
Quoting initious (Reply 5): TG seems to be subbing their equipments very often, hope my A346 flight doesn't get subbed by another a/c!
And if it's subbed down, then hopefully it will be an A340-500 and you will have the exact same experience!
Quoting AI151 (Reply 6): Great little TR. I wish most of my flights would get an aircraft upgrade and be as lucky as you. Legroom looks very good at 36" and I do love the multi coloured seats. Definitely puts me in a good mood!
Thanks AI151. This is the second equipment upgrade I've had. My first was back in 2005 when my DL 763 was subbed for a 777 from ATL to TPA!
Quoting akhmad (Reply 7): It must have been fantastic to get onboard a TG A345 for such a short leg. What a lucky guy!
Nice pics of the airport and cabin interior. Well done!
Thanks akhmad.
Quoting mtaabq (Reply 8): Wait just a doggone minute! You PREFER the beverage and snack service on US carriers? What are you? Some kind of freak?
LOL, seriously, I'm just kidding. We bash the in-flight service of US carriers so much reading a COMPLIMENT caught me a bit off-guard.
Yes I knew I'd get a lot of criticism for that remark! But I would still never pick a U.S. carrier over my TG flight as a whole... TG wins in everything else.
Quoting mtaabq (Reply 8): Thanks for great pics and a great report.
ohsopc From Thailand, joined Jul 2006, 107 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (3 years 1 month 2 weeks 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 15823 times:
so you missed the PG lounge on your REP flight and you went on a domestic TG 345 without asking for an upgrade? If you mention it at check in they would at least put you in premium economy and possibly business class. Basically there are very few 345 flight on Thai that doesn't have op-ups. This is because the 345 have 60 J seats and Thai never can fill those seats. (This is why they really wanted to get rid of these planes) but from a passenger perspective 345 is just an upgrade haven.
ryanair!!! From Singapore, joined Mar 2002, 4653 posts, RR: 27 Reply 11, posted (3 years 1 month 2 weeks 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 15803 times:
Quoting MHTripple7 (Reply 9):
LOL, you should've tried the mystery meat and I swear you would have said the same thing!
Dearie... You underestimate me. I am Asian, remember? We eat all kinds of shit! A little "mystery meat" isn't going to throw me off.
That being said, we do eat "mystery meats" all the time. Fast food restaurant meat patties, sausages etc... Just chunks of unwanted cuts all smashed together.
Welcome to my starry one world alliance, a team in the sky!
MHTripple7 From United States of America, joined Feb 2008, 1050 posts, RR: 5 Reply 13, posted (3 years 1 month 2 weeks 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 13727 times:
Thanks again for the comments everyone.
Quoting ohsopc (Reply 10): so you missed the PG lounge on your REP flight and you went on a domestic TG 345 without asking for an upgrade? If you mention it at check in they would at least put you in premium economy and possibly business class. Basically there are very few 345 flight on Thai that doesn't have op-ups. This is because the 345 have 60 J seats and Thai never can fill those seats. (This is why they really wanted to get rid of these planes) but from a passenger perspective 345 is just an upgrade haven.
This time I was aware that we could actually sit in Y+, however it was only an hour flight and I wanted to test TG's ULH Y product. Plus I like sitting behind the wing.
Quoting ryanair!!! (Reply 11): Dearie... You underestimate me. I am Asian, remember? We eat all kinds of shit! A little "mystery meat" isn't going to throw me off.
Haha, ok you win!
Quoting initious (Reply 12): I'll be travelling in J so it will not be any much difference, but I'd love to be on the A346 if possible!
Anyway, hope for more great reports from you in the future, been always following your reports!
Yeah I've never been on the A346 and I would really like to. I still have one and possibly two more Trip Reports to upload on Asiana. One of them is on the 777 (aka my favorite aircraft).
chepos From Puerto Rico, joined Dec 2000, 5972 posts, RR: 12 Reply 15, posted (3 years 1 month 2 weeks 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 13062 times:
Thank you for sharing, believe me you would rather have the snack box on THAI rather than what we get here in the US.
This past week I flew from CLT to PHX and the only complimentary item was the beverage, everything else was for sale. Anyhow, I have a soft spot for the A300, it was the aircraft I grew up flying on so I kind of miss it.
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Various regional destinations are served from CNX
Unfortunately, I couldn't get a good view of the aircraft
Vibrant TG Cabin
Extremely generous legroom 
Ready for departure
Cruising 
Approach 
Orient Thai 742
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