Thai airways first class and fleet renewal

[anna2103]

Was wondering whether anyone had knowledge of Thai airways fleet renewal program. Want to fly from BKK to LHR in F next year on LIfemiles points. They seem to use a 747 and a A340 on this route ( they have two daily flights) I have read somewhere they are renewing their fleet and phasing out ageing aircraft. Any ideas on which aircraft type is a safer bet to book F in? Thanks

 

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

My understanding is the A340 is tired whereas the 747 and A380 have pretty new product, with the A380 the best, but only flying to CDG and FRA

 

[dajop]

My understanding is the A340 is tired whereas the 747 and A380 have pretty new product, with the A380 the best, but only flying to CDG and FRA

Actually their newest re-furbed 747's are supposedly the best (as opposed to the older re-furbed 747's), better or at least as good as the A380's. We used some Airpoints last year BKK-LHR on a day flight and got go one of the 747's with the refurbished F cabin, was very very good. It's easy to tell which ones are which from the seat map, the newest re-furbed 747's have 3 single seats along the windows on each side, and two rows of two in the middle (10 seats in total), whereas the older ones have 3 pairs of seats along each side of the plane, and one pair of seats in the middle (14 seats in total). From memory, BKK-LHR overnight flight has the newer configuration.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Was wondering whether anyone had knowledge of Thai airways fleet renewal program. Want to fly from BKK to LHR in F next year on LIfemiles points. They seem to use a 747 and a A340 on this route ( they have two daily flights) I have read somewhere they are renewing their fleet and phasing out ageing aircraft. Any ideas on which aircraft type is a safer bet to book F in? Thanks

The A340 is not necessarily well equipped to handle F cabins.. they are narrow and have a lot of foot traffic. The aisles are narrow on the TG A340 and with virtually no privacy.

Any 747 (refurbished or not) will be fine for F travel. The A380 is ok but nothing really that amazing (they could have done so much more).

But... if the A340 is the only one you can get then it will be fine too

 

[MH_fan]

Thai have 12 B747-400s of which 6 have the newly refurbished F cabins with 9 seats and 6 still have the older open pod-style with 10 seats. I really like the design for the newly refurbished F seats. Hoping to score one of those when I do F on TG early next year.

 

[get me outta here]

Looking at SeatGuru and see that show that TG also has a 747-400 (SeatGuru Seat Map THAI Boeing 747-400 (747) V1) which shows 2 seats either side. Hope I don't get those on TG 476.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Looking at SeatGuru and see that show that TG also has a 747-400 (SeatGuru Seat Map THAI Boeing 747-400 (747) V1) which shows 2 seats either side. Hope I don't get those on TG 476.

That configuration no longer exists on TG.

Unfortunately seatguru is out of date for several non-USA airlines.

 

[knightman7]

Yes that configuration doesn't exist anymore. It's either 9 seats on the refurbished 747 or 10 seats on the old 747. Personally both are good in different ways so either product is great to fly.

 

[boomy]

Recently tried all 4 F configurations. I liked the A380 the most, the plane is more quiet and I prefer the bright colours of the cabin. The refurbished B747 was also great, by far better then the non-refurbished cabin which felt dated. The worst was the A340 which also felt dated and was also the most noisy and least spacious.
Having said that, all the above are better then any J seat

 

[knightman7]

Tbh I think the older F 747 seat is more comfortable. The cabin might be more dated and the TV not the best but the seat is nicer imo. Maybe it's the sentimental side of me. Agree the a340 F cabin is far behind.

A380 from BKK to CDG is nice and about on par with the refurbed 747.

 

[tinkybelle]

Thai Airways abandons first class to Australia, downsizes Sydney flights - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

 

[cleaver]

Has anyone heard anything about the above (F to SYD being canned as of October)? I was pondering booking BKK-SYD NEXT year. However just picking a random date still has First available on 30 June 2015 and I can get all the way to payment stage-

Bangkok to Sydney
Flight 1 Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Departure: 19:20 Bangkok, Thailand - Suvarnabhumi International
Arrival: 07:20 +1 day(s) Sydney, Australia - Kingsford Smith, terminal 1
Airline: Thai Airways International TG475
Aircraft: Boeing 747 All Series Passenger
Fare type: First

I would hate to book and do the PER-SYD flight to be then 're accommodated' in J.

 

[ted123]

Has anyone heard anything about the above (F to SYD being canned as of October)? I was pondering booking BKK-SYD NEXT year. However just picking a random date still has First available on 30 June 2015 and I can get all the way to payment stage-

Bangkok to Sydney
Flight 1 Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Departure: 19:20 Bangkok, Thailand - Suvarnabhumi International
Arrival: 07:20 +1 day(s) Sydney, Australia - Kingsford Smith, terminal 1
Airline: Thai Airways International TG475
Aircraft: Boeing 747 All Series Passenger
Fare type: First

I would hate to book and do the PER-SYD flight to be then 're accommodated' in J.

I have 4 legs this dec14 & returning jan15 Syd-Bkk-Pek-Bkk-Syd all have been downgraded from F to J. The only positive is that the downgrade is currently on the 77W new J seats.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I have 4 legs this dec14 & returning jan15 Syd-Bkk-Pek-Bkk-Syd all have been downgraded from F to J. The only positive is that the downgrade is currently on the 77W new J seats.

Thats a bummer - from what I experienced on TG last week that is a serious downgrade. Rdpt tix or comm? What if any comp offered?

 

[ted123]

Thats a bummer - from what I experienced on TG last week that is a serious downgrade. Rdpt tix or comm? What if any comp offered?

A redemption ticket. I have sent an email through to Thai currently awaiting response.Will update once I receive a response.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Real bummer ted - hope sufficient comp offered - pls keep us informed - must be others in same boat also.

I indeed had to cancel 2 x TG rdpts after the fokkers changed schedules - but I was able to re-book SQ so no biggie crept I still got a bundle USDM pts.

 

[boomy]

After talking to some people from TG I understood the downgrade is confirmed only for this winter schedule at this stage.

 

[Alanslegal]

After talking to some people from TG I understood the downgrade is confirmed only for this winter schedule at this stage.

I hope so. As cleaver posted, I was also able to find F seats for mid July 2015. Now it's decision time to cancel my TG HKG-BKK-SYD flight in November and postpone to July. I know the odds of F coming back is not good but I'm a punter and there's no reward if you take no risks Once I work out how to get home from HKG I'll cancel TG.

 

[LittleFokker]

Real bummer ted - hope sufficient comp offered - pls keep us informed - must be others in same boat also.

I indeed had to cancel 2 x TG rdpts after the fokkers changed schedules - but I was able to re-book SQ so no biggie crept I still got a bundle USDM pts.

No relation.

 

[ted123]

I have received confirmation today that possibly the 747 might be scheduled back on. Thai head office are contemplating as they must of received numerous complaints. I suggest that if you have a first class booking hang onto it and reach out to Thai asap...


Dear TED

Thank you for your email we have been advised by our head officethat there is some consideration to revert back to the 747 aircraft which willhave first class seating this decision is expected within the next 3 weeks andI will certainly let you know immediately once confirmed.
Kind regards