August 2010: First class to Asia and Japan with U2, TG, OZ, UA, LX, LH, JL and AK

[pogonation]

Flight 1:
13th August
Paris (CDG) - Bangkok (BKK)
Thai Airways (TG931)
First class
Departs: 13:40 (13:55 actual)
Arrives: 05:55 (06:10 actual)
B777-300ER

This flight was the best flight I have had so far with *A. I would never have thought that TG F would beat my favourite LX F but on this occasion it did, thanks to the two enthusiastic FA's.

On boarding the plane I took my seat 1A and looked around to see only one other passenger in F. I assumed there would be more as this flight was showing as F: 4 the day before but at 13:40 the doors were locked and we started to push back. It's such a great feeling when you realise the load on F is low and you will almost have the whole cabin to yourself.

Today we would be served by a two very nice FA's who constantly went out of their way to make me happy. Everything was done with a smile and they were so warm and friendly as well as being efficient. For me the warmth and friendliness of cabin crews is the most important thing that makes a good F flight. If I were to compare the service on today's flight to any other F flights I would compare it to my most recent SIN-LHR SQ F flight although the service felt much warmer and genuine than on SQ F where I often feel I am being served by a very efficient robot.

Anyway, continuing.....

Upon boarding I was offered a glass of champagne with nuts which I gratefully accepted. The FA made sure that the Dom label was facing me as he poured it which I always think is a nice touch.


We pushed back and taxi'd to the runway. China Eastern A330 next to us:


Take off video can be viewed here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6eUQDZ4sT4

Leg shots:
Finally my identity is revealed by my reflection in screen




Menu's (I tried to take pictures of the actual choices on the menu but my camera is not good enough):






Hors d'oeuvre (I ate two of them before remembering to take the photo):


Caviar service:

[pogonation]

A nice big helping for the last slice of melba toast:


Starter:


Salad:


I had pre-ordered the beef steak for the main. It was nice but a bit overcooked for my taste:




The FA's insisted that I try a few more drinks:


2 reds, Dom, Vodka, Water and Port:


Cheese and fruit:


Deserts:

[pogonation]

Table:


More nuts, hot towel and bottle of evian after the meal service had finished:


The FA closed the door of the middle seats to increase privacy of my fellow F flier and me:



After the meal service I got a bit bored and decided to do some cloud spotting.

The iceberg:


The nuclear explosion:


The blob.


Anyone with the initials U.I.J?


I could just see the curvature of the earth. Not sure if you can see it in this photo but pretty sure I could in real life:



Seat and cabin:

[pogonation]

Touch screen seat controls including massage function:


Watching some movies on the huuge screen:



Toilet:


Amenities:


Salvatore Ferragamo perfumes:



Breakfast time:


Fruit:


Croissant:


Cheese crepe with mushroom, bacon, chicken sausage and tomato:


During the breakfast there was some severe turbulence which resulted in my coffee spilling everywhere. As soon as the seat belt sign switched off the FA came out and replaced everything on the table:

[Gunnar Smithsen]

pogonation,

Your report is salavating to say the least!

That river prawn in your starter! *drool*

I must say, after my recent TG J experience, my starter was much more appertising than my main!

I also have to add, I do like those little 'shot glass' glassware they use to serve port in, I was quite tempted to misplace my glass a few times

[pogonation]

The video of the landing can be found here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMv0Qa3PGdA

On arrival I was met off the plane by the TG ground staff and taken to the buggy. I told him that I was transiting to an airasia flight to KUL which departed in 50mins and that I have a boarding pass already so could he take me to the gate. He was unsure if I would be able to board with my printed boarding pass so radioed his colleagues and asked them what the score was. It appeared that airasia would not let me board unless I went through immigration landside and then back through immigration at departures.

So he whisked me away on the buggy and took me through fast-track immigration. Here there was a bell-boy waiting for me. He took my luggage and escorted me through to departures. By the time I got through immigration my gate had closed according to my boarding pass. I clung onto some hope so rushed through security and started running with all my belongings carried loosely in my hand. Unfortunately I forgot about my belt and no sooner had I run 100m than my trousers were around my knees which received a lot of disapproving stares from onlookers.

Eventually I arrived at the gate with 2mins before closure and boarded the A320 to KUL.

[G_G]

Thanks for this comprehensive flight report, you seem to have really enjoyed TG's First Class.

It appeared that airasia would not let me board unless I went through immigration landside and then back through immigration at departures.

That's crazy !! Why such a rule ?

[pogonation]

Thanks for this comprehensive flight report, you seem to have really enjoyed TG's First Class.



That's crazy !! Why such a rule ?

I always enjoy TG F but this flight was much better than usual thanks to the great FA's.

I really don't know but they checked my passport for the stamps at the gate

[jjpb3]

Creepy men in the rooms.

I was going to ask what was so creepy about the photographer.

Unfortunately I forgot about my belt and no sooner had I run 100m than my trousers were around my knees which received a lot of disapproving stares from onlookers.

Eventually I arrived at the gate with 2mins before closure and boarded the A320 to KUL.

I hope your girlfriend appreciates what you've had to go through: TG F --> AK , with a public de-trousering to boot .

Very nice and detailed TR - your impressions make very good reading.

[FlyingDan]

Very nice report! Glad you got a great crew on TG - they really make the difference

Unfortunately I forgot about my belt and no sooner had I run 100m than my trousers were around my knees which received a lot of disapproving stares from onlookers.

Eventually I arrived at the gate with 2mins before closure and boarded the A320 to KUL.

I had the VERY same thing.. Replace A320 with 77W, KUL with AMS, and the departing airport with KUL.. When I took my seat, I thought to myself: "Boy, that was close".

[j.lin]

Did you have any shots on pyjamas and amenity kit?
________
Herbalaire vaporizer

[j.lin]

Eventually I arrived at the gate with 2mins before closure and boarded the A320 to KUL.

That was so close!!
________
RAPTOR 700R

[nursalimLPP]

Wow impressive first class!!! Not liking the colour though!!!!

[SQflyergirl]

I hope your girlfriend appreciates what you've had to go through: TG F --> AK .

I've done better - gone from SQ R with 2 pax in Suites to a full flight A320 Jetstar Y (non exit row seat)

I remember asking myself "why are there so many people in my cabin?"

That was rude grounding...

Anyway pogonation - great report, sorry for the late response

[Pinkfloyd]

Sweet report, got a CDG-BKK-SIN coming up soon and was wondering if it was worth it to shell out an extra 600 EUR to go in F on TG. Would be worth it if they kept the leased 9W 77W on the CDG-BKK sector (worried I might get TG'ed to a 744)... Photos of the cabin is enticing though...