Airline Trip Reports. Let Us Know About Your Flight!

[craigt3365]

WilliamBKK suggested starting a thread where members can post information about their recent trips. So, I've put together a template we can all use. Just copy and paste into your reply and fill it out! Please keep this professional. If you feel we've left something out, let me know and I'll add it.

Airline:

Ticket Price:

How Purchased (direct, agent, wholesaler, etc):

Dates:

Class of Service:

Route:

Aircraft Type:

Seat Configuration (i.e. 3/4/3)

Stopover City (If any):

Check-in Location (good or bad?):

Immigration (good or bad?):

Excess Bag Fees (if any):

Lounges Used:

Limo Service Provided:

In-flight Entertainment:

In-flight Cabin Service (good or bad?):

Seat Comfort:

Food Quality:

On Time Performance:

Comments:

[beano2274]

Maybe have a title page, where Craig could write the list of airlines, then when there is a TR write the post number on the title page next to the airline, thus making the reader go straight to the post and not searching through pages and pages of posts.

Example.

Aeroflot Economy class Posts 12, 14, 68

Edited December 4, 2012 by beano2274

[craigt3365]

I'll start off with the first trip report:

Airline: UAL

Ticket Price: $1466

Class of Service: Economy Plus

Route: BKK->Vegas, Return

Dates: Dep: Sep 14, 2012, return Nov 15, 2012

Stopover City (If any): SFO, NRT

Check-in Location (good or bad?): BKK, Good

Immigration (good or bad?): Short wait on way out, went through with elderly mother on return. Easy!!

Excess Bag Fees (if any): I'm elite. One extra bag was $70. Overweight bag was $30.

Lounges Used: None.

Limo Service Provided: Mr. T, Pattaya to Swampy

In-flight Entertainment: No seatback TV, NRT->SFO, both ways.

In-flight Cabin Service (good or bad?): Not bad. Quite friendly actually.

Seat Comfort: Economy, but OK.

Food Quality: lousy, but free wine!

On Time Performance: Perfect.

Comments: Not the best, but not bad. Great connection times. No problems at all...this time. Even checked an expensive guitar, arrived in perfect order. Traveled with elderly mom, wheel chair service setup the entire way. Didn't like deplaning on the tarmac, though. Had dog in carrier under seat also. What a trip....

[villagefarang]

• Airline: China Airlines
  
• Ticket Price: Baht 41,000
  
• Class of Service: Economy
  
• Route: BKK-HNL, Return
  
• Dates: Dep: Nov, 2012, return Nov, 2012
  
• Transit or Connections: TPE, TYO
  
• Check-in Location: BKK
  
• Immigration: Easy in Bangkok but long lines in Honolulu.
  
• Excess Bag Fees: None
  
• Lounges Used: Dynasty Club in Taiwan on the way back. Four hour layover, so used some miles to enter lounge.
  
• In-flight Entertainment: I must have watched a dozen movies in total, there and back. Upgraded 747-400 fleet, I believe, and comfortable flight both ways.
  
• In-flight Cabin Service: Cabin staff were young and friendly.
  
• Seat Comfort: Economy, but really not bad at all.
  
• Food Quality: Airline food but I don’t eat much when flying.
  
• On Time Performance: Pretty good.
  

• Comments: I had to layover in Bangkok going and returning but that gave me time to see a few friends while there and get some rest between flights. Flew Air Asia to and from Chiang Rai. The only problem is, I don't enjoy traveling anymore. Just too exhausting and the jet-lag sucks.
  

Is this the kind of thing you are looking for?

Edited December 4, 2012 by villagefarang

[tartempion]

Airline: Etihad

Ticket Price: 86000

Dates:October 2012

Class of Service: Business

Route: BKK-BRU

Stopover City : AUH

Check-in Location : BKK and BRU excellent

Immigration: BRU: fly through

BKK: fast track, no waiting

Excess Bag Fees (if any): none, allowed 55kgs (40 business class + 15 gold status)

Lounges Used: BKK Thai Royal Silk: rather ordinary food & drink choice, had good shower

AUH; Etihad lounge: very good, also took a shower

BRU SN lounge: not worth much.

Limo Service Provided: BKK, BRU and BKK, excellent

In-flight Entertainment: Good, not top

In-flight Cabin Service: excellent service, meals on request: what, when you like, had Meurseault after take off and with meals on all 4 legs

Had a rack of lamb on one leg, fabulous food for being on a plane.

Seat Comfort: private window seat, fully lie flat, narrow but slept well 4x 3-4 hours

Food Quality: excellent

On Time Performance: perfectly on time

Comments: Very good business class product, difficult to get a good price (under 100k) luckily bought my next ticket April 2013 at 74k

Edited December 6, 2012 by tartempion

[Baboy]

Airline: Garuda

Ticket Price: 40,000 baht

Dates: November 4 to 11

Class of Service: Business

Route: Bangkok - Jakarta - Bangkok

Stopover City (If any):

Check-in Location (good or bad?): Normal business check in line, no problems. As usual had to drop golf clubs off at oversize baggage.

Jakarta completely separate checkm in area. Golf clubs & bags at same place. Super efficient & fast.

Immigration (good or bad?): Bangkok (Depart) thru Premium Lane, 1 or 2 persons in each line. Fast & efficient.

Jakrata ( Arrival) visa on arrival then into " Fast Track" lane, along with about 50 other Pax. No real time saving.

Jakrata ( Departure) This is where it gets great. From check in young lady escorts you to lounge via side door,

immigration official checks your passport photo to you ( 30 secs). Take a seat in the lounge & young lady

takes your passport back to immigration to have you stamped out while you sit back & relax. This was

exceptional service.

Bangkok ( Arrival) premium lane but didnt use as no lines at immigartion.

Excess Bag Fees (if any): N/A .

Lounges Used: Bangkok cant remember which lounge we used but was fine. Food Ok .

Jakarta used the garuda lounge, probably the best in the airport. Recently refurbished.

Good food choice, limited beverage options. Had a couple of farewell Bintangs.

Limo Service Provided: No

In-flight Entertainment: Private screen. Good selection of shows. Very good head sets.

In-flight Cabin Service (good or bad?): Very good both ways.

Seat Comfort: Very good.

Food Quality: Good

On Time Performance: Left on time both ways had some issues returning to Bangkok due to heavy air traffic. 20 mins late.

Comments: Garuda have come a long way in a short time. The 737-800 they fly on these routes are new with 12

business class seats. Really good flight & no complaints at all.

Edited December 8, 2012 by Baboy

[SeaVisionBurma]

LCC's eligible for these reviews??

Airline: Thai Air Asia

Ticket Price: 1440 Baht (promo fare)

Dates: 6th December 2012

Class of Service: ---

Route: Bangkok (DMK) - Yangon (RGN)

Stopover City (If any): ----

Check-in Location (good or bad?): Don Mueang. Okay. Huge queues backing out past the x-rays, but still only took 30 minutes

Immigration (good or bad?): Excellent. No queue, friendly immigration official

Excess Bag Fees (if any): Nil. Pre-paid 15kg baggage for THB 390

Lounges Used: Nil

In-flight Entertainment: Nil. I was listening to the couple behind me argue about petty nonsense and whether to go to a temple or not, but then I stuck my earphones in and put the Pixies on. After that, excellent.

In-flight Cabin Service (good or bad?): Good. Nearly full flight, but the TD's were attentive, efficient, and smiling.

Seat Comfort: Short flight so no drama.

Food Quality: ---

On Time Performance: Good - inbound aircraft was 10 minutes late, but we pushed back for our flight on time.

Comments: Smooth Air Asia experience - these Yangon flights are getting busy with so many tourists now. Can't fault Air Asia - cheap, efficient and comfortable flights. Staff are attractive and friendly, and they're rarely late.

For the price - a bargain.

[oldsailor35]

Airline SCOOT.

Business class Coolangatta-BKK v Singapore

Fare $A600 (Bht 19.200) one way.

Food 3 out 10.

Seats 5 out 10 good leg room but very hard.

Entertainment ZILCH!

Baggage 30kg

Looks good ........but !

Arrived at check in 0600 for 0930 departure (after 2h hr drive from Brisbane)

Sorry sir, flight delayed !

How long ?

Do not know as flight turned back to Singapore after 2 hrs, small problem. Arrived nearly 7 hrs late.

So missed my , one a day connection for Swampy but many passengers missed connections to World Wide destinations. Scoot just did not want to know....My/Our problem ! Had to find hotel in not so cheap Singapore !

Back to check in midday for 5pm flight to BKK...........sorry sir ! 1 hr 30 min delay.

Lost one night payed for in BKK hotel.

Scoot told all passengers to log on their website to receive $A50 off next flight. But i said that there would not be a next time.

Happy to be back on Samui despite the power dramas.

Edited December 8, 2012 by oldsailor35

[smokie36]

Airline: China Airlines

Ticket Price:£1150

Dates: 9/12/12

Class of Service: Business

Route: Amsterdam to Bangkok

Stopover City (If any): None

Check-in Location (good or bad?): Used Transit desk.

Immigration (good or bad?): In Bangkok given Priority Pass. Took two minutes.

Excess Bag Fees (if any): None.

Lounges Used: KLM Crown Lounge 42

Limo Service Provided: No.

In-flight Entertainment: Was decent enough....good range of films.

In-flight Cabin Service (good or bad?): Excellent service, drinks topped up constantly. Plenty of smiles.

Seat Comfort: 140 degree seat so not great for sleeping although I managed six hours.

Food Quality: Excellent, barring a slightly chewy lamb fillet.

On Time Performance: Exactly that!

Comments:The KLM lounge is great....food excellent....for the price paid I think an excellent deal. Will report again after the return trip. Edited to add this was on a 747. The return is supposed to be on the Airbus so I will let you know if any difference.

Edited December 10, 2012 by smokie36

[jimyoung]

Airline: Sri lankan

Ticket Price: 28000 Baht, one way

Dates: Dec 2012

Class of Service: Business

Route: BKK-CMB-LHR

Stopover City (If any): Negombo

Check-in Location (good or bad?): Good

Immigration (good or bad?): No queue at BKK, 5 mins at CMB

Excess Bag Fees (if any): None

Lounges Used: Sky lounge at BKK and Serendib at CMB, both good

Limo Service Provided: None

In-flight Entertainment: Good choice of movies on both flights

In-flight Cabin Service (good or bad?): Very good

Seat Comfort: Excellent, flat bed seats. Both flights had the upgraded planes (A330's)

Food Quality: Not great, but still ok

On Time Performance: Both flights left on time, got diverted to paris for 4 hours because of freezing fog at LHR

Comments: Overall a very good service, I had a 13 hour stopover and was given a room at the

Jetwing Sea hotel about 15 mins from the airport. I will use Sri Lankan again, hopefully they won't put the price up too much.

[yermanee]

Here my review of my most recent flights with my preferred airline :

Airline: Oman Air

Ticket Price: Baht 89.360,- Airline website

Dates: 08.12.2012 return 13.12.2012

Class of Service: Business

Route: Bangkok – Muscat – Frankfurt return

Stopover City (If any): Muscat (Seeb airport)

Check-in Location (good or bad?): Bangkok very good / Frankfurt bad

Immigration (good or bad?): Bangkok fast track provided by airline very good / Frankfurt (Terminal 2) shambolic

Excess Bag Fees (if any): n.a.

Lounges Used: Oman lounge in Bangkok smallish but cozy and with all the trimmings and super friendly staff. – Oman lounge Muscat relaxing, good food and drinks. – Lounge in Frankfurt did not bother because dismal. Prefer a bar right next to the smoking cubicles on concourse E

Limo Service Provided: No

In-flight Entertainment: More than adequate !

In-flight Cabin Service (good or bad?): Excellent !!! can not be faulted.

Seat Comfort: The best in the business : 1-2-1 configuration with broad flatbed seats and ample storage space. The middle rows have no overhead bins which makes for a roomy atmosphere.

Food Quality: better than good and a very nice Chardonnay to boost.

On Time Performance: Bangkok and Muscat on time. Frankfurt because of extreme weather (?) all flights delayed. German efficiency is not what it used to be, which was evident with all the shouting that was going on. Frankfurt is getting worse than Paris CDG. BTW security staff very rude !!!!!

Comments: Excellent airline with outstanding service all around. I have Gold status which meant free meet and greet in Muscat (works a treat), personalized service everywhere including change of schedule for my return.

All it took was one phone call to the Frankfurt office and 10 minutes later I had my new itinerary in my mailbox including preferred seats. If only they flew to Brussels or Amsterdam. Have I mentioned that Oman is my favorite airline ?

Yermanee

Edited December 15, 2012 by yermanee

[WilliaminBKK]

Airline: Thai Airways TG

Ticket Price: FOC

Dates: 19DEC

Class of Service: Business Class

Route: BKK-LHR

Stopover City (If any): N/A

Check-in Location (good or bad?): Check in was actually rather busy as the J class staff were helping check in a group 10 mins max

Immigration (good or bad?): My flight was at 1330, did Immigration at 10:15 from the time I entered to King duty free 11 minutes

Excess Bag Fees (if any): N/A will be on the return for sure

Lounges Used: TG J class - PACKED could hardly find a space, they moved some passengers over to the F class lounge, I was invited but decided to do last minute duty free. The lounge food improved it was more than the pastry, meat buns, they had trays of Xmas treats out.

Limo Service Provided: Booked AOT, driver was 20 minutes late, they called me and said VAN was on it's way. Felt silly arriving in a van but worked out well.

In-flight Entertainment: Usually only use the map function, took a quick look and movies seemed reasonable and up to date.

In-flight Cabin Service (good or bad?): Fantastic, I must say TG FA's had their act together on the flight, it was obvious they all knew each other and being so close to Xmas. The load was 95% non Thai in J class, they chatted with everyone and asked about what we were doing for the holidays, it wasn't forced they seemed to really show interest one asked me if I like mince meat tarts.

Seat Comfort: 1330 flight so I didn't really need the sleep option, not full recline but certainly reasonable.

Food Quality: IMHO flawless, although I wish they plated the J class meal over the ceramic dish. The FA came and said the starter would be out in a few minutes as they would like to let it warm up as it is ice cold - nice gesture. TG's garlic bread is really yummy and the FA's made 3 bread runs. Water and juice runs often.

On Time Performance: 10 minutes ex BKK waiting for HKT passengers, made the time up. LHR was dead on arrival, luggage took about 20 minutes to arrive. The walk on arrival was actually really long, anyone with a mobility issue I would suggest a wheel chair meet and greet.

Comments: I really like Thai so I am biased, can't wait for J to go flatbed like on the A380. All cabins were packed as it was so close to Xmas. After the lounge I did think travelling over the holidays is too much stress but once on board the crew made everyone relaxed. The crew was determined to over serve alcohol and I indulged

Only drawback was my seat neighbour listened to her stupid Ipod the entire trip, I'm sure she was deaf as she had the volume on full, she had Call Me Maybe on a loop and I couldn't get it out of my head.

All in all TG offers a premium non stop service.

[BangrakBob]

Airline: Emirates - 777 - 300ER

Ticket Price: 52,000 Baht (one way)

Dates: Nov 23, 2012

Class of Service: Business

Route: Bangkok - Dubai

Stopover City (If any): None

Check-in Location (good or bad?): Great

Immigration (good or bad?): Easy - Fast track in Dubai (great because it can take hours there)

Excess Bag Fees (if any): None

Lounges Used: Emirates Lounge Bangkok - free flowing Moet - Top shelf whiskies - decent food

Limo Service Provided: Yes and complimentary

In-flight Entertainment: Good, but did not really bother was enjoying the drinks and food

In-flight Cabin Service (good or bad?): Excellent

Seat Comfort: Super, private big comfortable space and flat bed option, drifted off to sleep after some fine vintage French wine

Food Quality: High standard - the steak was better than I've eaten in some expensive restaurants

On Time Performance: 10/10

Comments: I never want to turn right again when I enter a airplane. I really felt like I'd not been on flight on arrival, I'd just been out for a 6 hours of eating and drinking. Service, class, and comfort all fantastic

Edited December 26, 2012 by BangrakBob

[beano2274]

Gonna split this into two parts to make it easier

Airline: Aeroflot

Ticket Price: 32,000Baht

Dates: 18 December 2012

Class of Service: Economy

Route: BKK – SVO - DUS

Stopover City (If any): Nil

Check-in Location (good or bad?): BKK – good despite long queues

Immigration (good or bad?): BKK – quite fast considering previous queue.

Excess Bag Fees (if any): None

Lounges Used: None

Limo Service Provided: None

In-flight Entertainment: Screen did not work between BKK and SVO

In-flight Cabin Service (good or bad?): Surprisingly good

Seat Comfort: On par with BA, good seat pitch in my opinion

Food Quality: Tasty, but only one choice left when they reached us

On Time Performance: Great no delays

Comments: At SVO when you transfer you are required to go through passport control and also a security check. Terminal F is an old terminal, smoking is done at smoking areas which are not closed off, so you are inhaling smoke. Terminal D quite good and nice.

Airline: Aeroflot

Ticket Price: as above

Dates: 26 Dec 2012

Class of Service: Economy

Route: CDG – SVO - BKK

Stopover City (If any): None

Check-in Location (good or bad?): Slow at CDG and understaffed at time

Immigration (good or bad?): Great, spoke Thai as well to the wife

Excess Bag Fees (if any): None

Lounges Used: None

Limo Service Provided: None

In-flight Entertainment: 9 inch screen with good mix of entertainment available

In-flight Cabin Service (good or bad?): Both routes adequate

Seat Comfort: As above

Food Quality: Quite good

On Time Performance: See below

Comments:

The first leg started with a 1hr 20 minute delay, which meant a shorter than expected transfer at SVO. Arrived at SVO rushed to the gate to find the gate had changed, went to the new gate, then found out there was a delay from boarding at 2010 to boarding at 2105 due to technical problems. At 2105 we were called forward to board, got to the end of the air bridge to find a bus waiting for us on an A330-300, first lot piled in, the driver left the doors open, minus 18 outside. Then driven to parked plane, debussed and got on the plane, was de-iced and we left at 2320, about 2hrs 30minutes later than planned. Arrived Bangkok at 1050hrs this morning, when it should have been around 0840hrs.

The stewardesses in the plane did not really look whether seat belts were on, people getting up just after landing to get off, even though the plane had not even got to the parking bay.

For me – never again with Aeroflot.

Edited December 27, 2012 by beano2274

[tartempion]

May I ask if it would be possible to add aircraft type flown and seat configuration, eg B777/300ER economy 3/4/3?

[beano2274]

May I ask if it would be possible to add aircraft type flown and seat configuration, eg B777/300ER economy 3/4/3?

From BKK to SVO A330-300 2-4-2

From SVO to DUS A320-100 3-3

From CDG to SVO A320-100 3-3

From SVO to BKK A330-300 2-4-2

[WilliaminBKK]

May I ask if it would be possible to add aircraft type flown and seat configuration, eg B777/300ER economy 3/4/3?

From BKK to SVO A330-300 2-4-2

From SVO to DUS A320-100 3-3

From CDG to SVO A320-100 3-3

From SVO to BKK A330-300 2-4-2

Great idea Tartempion.

Beanno can you confirm Aeroflot is dry from BKK to SVO ? I've read lots and would love to hear a first hand account.

Craig maybe we can also add where the ticket was purchased - airline direct, wholesaler, agent etc

[beano2274]

May I ask if it would be possible to add aircraft type flown and seat configuration, eg B777/300ER economy 3/4/3?

From BKK to SVO A330-300 2-4-2

From SVO to DUS A320-100 3-3

From CDG to SVO A320-100 3-3

From SVO to BKK A330-300 2-4-2

Great idea Tartempion.

Beanno can you confirm Aeroflot is dry from BKK to SVO ? I've read lots and would love to hear a first hand account.

Craig maybe we can also add where the ticket was purchased - airline direct, wholesaler, agent etc

No alcohol was served on board, the passengers brought their own, however wine was served, I actually have the menu card and could scan and post it and attach it to my previous post.

[yermanee]

Further to my Oman Air review :

BKK/MCT/BKK : A 330/200 Business 1 - 2 - 1 / Economy 2 - 4 - 2 / Business 82 inch pitch - Economy 34 inch pitch

MCT/FRA/MCT: A 330/300 First 4 window seats and 2 middle row seats = 6 total plus one seating area (salon)

Business 1 - 2 - 1 / Economy 2 - 4 - 2 / Business 82 inch pitch - Economy 34 inch pitch

Business seats 77.5 inch long (bed) - 22 inches wide

Yermanee

p.s. No I don't work for Oman Air. !!!!!!

[tartempion]

Etihad:

Bangkok-Abu Dhabi B777/300ER two class configuration - economy 3/4/3

Business mostly individual seats, all have aisle access, two out of 4 middle seats sit together.

All 180D lie flats, narrow but I don't complain. Window seats give the most privacy, no disturbance from the aisle.

Newer planes have slightly better seats, more storage room.

I dislike sitting next to people I don't know, therefore I prefer Etihad.

Etihad has 3 flights/day to/from Bangkok: at +- 030.00, 08.00 and 20.00.

Abu Dhabi- Brussels A330/200 mostly two class config, economy 2-4-2

Business same type of seats as B777/300

Newer planes have the newer seats.

[Poo Ying FeFe]

Airline: Qatar

Ticket Price: £620 or 30,650. ThBaht

How Purchased (direct, agent, wholesaler, etc): direct online

Dates: 28th November 2012 to 8th December 2012

Class of Service: economy

Route: London Heathrow - Doha - Kuala Lumpar - Phuket

Aircraft Type: airbus A340-600

Seat Configuration 2/4/2

Stopover City (If any): Doha & Kl

Check-in Location (good or bad?): excellent

Immigration (good or bad?): good

Excess Bag Fees (if any): n/a

Lounges Used: Oryx lounge in Doha

Limo Service Provided: no

In-flight Entertainment: excellent, touch screen tv

In-flight Cabin Service (good or bad?): very good service. Cabin temperature a bit too cold at times

Seat Comfort: economy, good leg room, very comfortable

Food Quality: decent, lots of free alcohol, plenty of refreshments offered regularly

On Time Performance: not so good

Comments: Very comfortable seating and excellent service. Unfortunately, the flight London to Phuket is advertised as 1 stop off but it's actually 2 because they don't count Kuala Lumpar as you don't actually get off of the plane (you just sit there for 2 hours instead). Lots of disgruntled customers voiced there annoyance so we didn't have to.

During the inbound flight, the pilot flew us into a massive back cloud and the aircraft was bolted to sh*t by lightening. Scary decision! It's ok if you don't work in aviation and can't calculate the risks; we could.

I would not recommend Qatar for the London -Phuket journey as there are too many take offs and landings for the price tag. Long delays both times when stopping in Kuala Lumpar.

I would try Qatar for a different journey though. Qatar seating, in-flight entertainment and service exceeds the Thai Airways, Air France and Royal Jordanian experiences.

Edited December 30, 2012 by Poo Ying FeFe

[madmitch]

Airline: Malaysian

Ticket Price: 45,000 baht return

How Purchased (direct, agent, wholesaler, etc): Malaysian Airlines website

Dates: 17/12/12 - 1/1/13

Class of Service: Economy

Route: HKT - LHR via KUL

Aircraft Type: A380

Seat Configuration 3/4/3

Stopover City Kuala Lumpur

Check-in Location (good or bad?): Did not web check-in at HKT. Mistake as quite long queues. LHR after web check in pretty quick. Recommend web-check in with this airline.

Immigration (good or bad?): No problem

Excess Bag Fees (if any): N/A

Lounges Used: N/A

Limo Service Provided: No

In-flight Entertainment: Good, big touch screen with VOD

In-flight Cabin Service (good or bad?): OK

Seat Comfort: Not as good as I had hoped for

Food Quality: Average

On Time Performance: Delayed on both long haul legs

Comments:

HKT to KUL such a short flight so not worth mentioning.

I was looking forward to my second flight on an A380, the first having been with Lufthansa, FRA-MIA. But the experience was ruined by the small seat pitch with Malaysian. Very tight especially with the seat in front reclined when the entertainment screen is almost in your face. Travelling with my daughter, the 3/4/3 formation meant I had a middle seat, something I shall take into account in future. Both flights were full as well. Minimal sleep in both directions.

Food was a bit disappointing. No specific kids' meals. As usual breakfast much too early, as it's a 5:30 am landing at LHR and a day flight effectively from LHR. A bit tight with the alcohol though I didn't ask that much. The entertainment system kept my daughter amused on both journeys and there was a reasonable choice of movies, though the games were not up to much.

A couple of hours at KUL is fine for a layover but going south from Phuket then passing it a few hours after you left is a bit of a pain.

All in all no more than OK. I would not fly this route on economy again.

[stoneyboy]

Airline: Malaysian Airlines

Ticket Price:GBP £465 Thai Bhat 23,300 One Way.

How Purchased. Skyscanner

Dates:3-1-2013

Class of Service:Economy

Route:Bangkok - Kuala Lumpur - London Heathrow

Aircraft Type:737 400 BKK - KL A380 KL - LHR

Seat Configuration 3-3 3/4/3

Stopover City Kuala Lumpur

Check-in Location Web Check in,bag drop.

Immigration Excellent hassle free.

Excess Bag Fees None

Lounges Used:None

Limo Service None

In-flight Entertainment:First leg did not use,KL to LHR excellent inflight entertainment,large selection.

In-flight Cabin Service Adequate

Seat Comfort:BKK - KL ok it's economy,KL - LHR The seats on the A380 in economy are far to upright for my liking,once reclined ok,and the window seat which I had offers slightly more room due to the curvature of the aircraft.

Food Quality:Surprisingly good for economy.

On Time Performance:BKK - KL On time.KL- LHR 40 minutes later than the stated time.

Comments:Considering the price the overall service was excellent,and I will have no hesitation using Malaysian airlines again.

Edited January 7, 2013 by stoneyboy

[OMGImInPattaya]

Anyone fly economy?

Back of the bus now all the time. Retirement has some advantages, flying in the front is not one of them!

If I fly with Thai Air always get the rear window seats, single seat and lots of leg room

My best 1st choice is Air Jordanian and Garuda Air,,,,,,,,,, worst flights Air Malaysia, Air India and Air Asia.

Forgot once was up graded to 1st class with BA, LHR to BKK also good

Air Asia is fine for short hops around the region (anything up to 2-3 hours), especially if one selects a seat in the second row of the premium "red" seats in the middle of the plane. This is particularly true as since AA is a "budget" airline, most of the passengers are too cheap to stump-up the extra B300 per segment for this upgrade and one usually has the entire row to oneself.

EVA business or premium economy to North America is very good for the money. However, ANA business to the USA is also very pleasant and right now more keenly priced than ANA. ANA lounges in Tokyo are also better than EVA's in Taipei. Whatever you do, stay away from UA's business class products to anywhere...old cow service personnel inedible food, usually late planes, and narrow lie-flat seats.

[NanLaew]

One for the visa-runners; BKK-KUL-BKK same-day service on Ethiopian all-in for about 6350 baht r/t.

Middle-aged 767 with a 14:30 departure from BKK so very quiet and quickly through check-in, security and Immigration. Plane is virtually empty so easy to get an empty seat beside you. Booked and paid online but still needed to sign a hand-written charge card approval form at check-in. No checked baggage. Plane is in transit from Addis Ababa. They serve a decent cooked lunch (fish or chicken) whereas the like of Lufthansa only give you a sandwich and water on the same route. My seat-back AV was broken but I wasn't offered headphones anyway (short sector). The airconditioning is set to FREEZING so get a blanket!

KLIA is quiet at arrival time of 17:30 but I hung back before going through Immigration as I knew check-in would not be open for maybe 4 more hours. Sad to note that the Casa de Habano cigar lounge is no longer there at the satellite terminal (C-gates). Otherwise, KLIA looks same as always. Their buns at Burger King are still tiny!

Check in around 21:00 was reasonably quick beyond the new girl at check-in being overly concerned with why I had come in on the same plane 4 hours earlier with hand-carry only and never left the airport. Once she saw I had a visa, she backed off but anyone checking in without one may have had to talk to her supervisor. The Plaza lounge out on the satellite has been very nicely remodeled and had good food choices, draft Heineken and good free, wifi.

Boarding was easy enough in KLIA, low pax load and empty seat beside me. The air hostesses gave me a double take being in the same seat from a few hours ago coming in. Same choices of food and the seat back AV was repaired but they hadn't turned it on for the short sector but the plane had been cleaned! On-time departure. Airconditioning was even colder (after dark?) so needed TWO blankets!

Lands in BKK around 20 after midnight (next day) and deplaning (all 6 of us!) was fast as transit passengers for Addis Ababa have to remain onboard. Ethiopian were using F- gates so a bit of a walk but managed to get ahead of herds of arriving Chinese and through Immigration fast and in hotel 60 minutes after touch down.

Forgot to mention; the coach seats were very comfy with decent legroom. I don't fly 767's often but these beat the hell out of the hard, short-pitch seats on Lufthansa's 747 and were more plush than the ones on Egyptair.

Edited January 13, 2013 by NanLaew

[OMGImInPattaya]

One for the visa-runners; BKK-KUL-BKK same-day service on Ethiopian all-in for about 6350 baht r/t.

Middle-aged 767 with a 14:30 departure from BKK so very quiet and quickly through check-in, security and Immigration. Plane is virtually empty so easy to get an empty seat beside you. Booked and paid online but still needed to sign a hand-written charge card approval form at check-in. No checked baggage. Plane is in transit from Addis Ababa. They serve a decent cooked lunch (fish or chicken) whereas the like of Lufthansa only give you a sandwich and water on the same route. My seat-back AV was broken but I wasn't offered headphones anyway (short sector). The airconditioning is set to FREEZING so get a blanket!

KLIA is quiet at arrival time of 17:30 but I hung back before going through Immigration as I knew check-in would not be open for maybe 4 more hours. Sad to note that the Casa de Habano cigar lounge is no longer there at the satellite terminal (C-gates). Otherwise, KLIA looks same as always. Their buns at Burger King are still tiny!

Check in around 21:00 was reasonably quick beyond the new girl at check-in being overly concerned with why I had come in on the same plane 4 hours earlier with hand-carry only and never left the airport. Once she saw I had a visa, she backed off but anyone checking in without one may have had to talk to her supervisor. The Plaza lounge out on the satellite has been very nicely remodeled and had good food choices, draft Heineken and good free, wifi.

Boarding was easy enough in KLIA, low pax load and empty seat beside me. The air hostesses gave me a double take being in the same seat from a few hours ago coming in. Same choices of food and the seat back AV was repaired but they hadn't turned it on for the short sector but the plane had been cleaned! On-time departure. Airconditioning was even colder (after dark?) so needed TWO blankets!

Lands in BKK around 20 after midnight (next day) and deplaning (all 6 of us!) was fast as transit passengers for Addis Ababa have to remain onboard. Ethiopian were using F- gates so a bit of a walk but managed to get ahead of herds of arriving Chinese and through Immigration fast and in hotel 60 minutes after touch down.

Forgot to mention; the coach seats were very comfy with decent legroom. I don't fly 767's often but these beat the hell out of the hard, short-pitch seats on Lufthansa's 747 and were more plush than the ones on Egyptair.

Interesting report...but I would never fly on an African airline (except maybe SA Airways) even for a short hop to KUL and back. Too many of them have a habit of dropping out of the sky. I will be doing the same thing in a couple months...but on Emirates A380 service to Hong Kong in business.

Edited January 15, 2013 by OMGImInPattaya

[tamesisfwp]

Airline: Jet Airways

Ticket Price:gbp575 return

How Purchased: Bucket Shop and e-ticket emailed

Dates:8 Aug and return 4 Oct

Class of Service: Economy

Route: LHW – BKK & Return

Aircraft Type:777 and 737-800

Seat Configuration: 3/4/3 and 3/3

Stopover City (If any):Mumbai

Check-in Location (good or bad?): LHW excellent BKK excellent

Immigration (good or bad?): BKK nightmare 0ver 1 hour wait

Excess Bag Fees (if any):generous allowance so none

Lounges Used: None

Limo Service Provided: None

In-flight Entertainment: Back of seat TV with extensive & up to date films

In-flight Cabin Service : excellent – reminded of Panam Clipper Club

Seat Comfort: comfortable and generous legroom

Food Quality: extensive selection and scrummy

On Time Performance: on time on all legs

Comments: This was a surprisingly classy airline with spot on service. My semi-invalid status was spotted at LHW and I was put through the express lane. On board seated as requested and dietary need very well served on all legs. Mumbai continues to be a complete mess and the security (lack of) beyond a joke. Would be my preferred airline but for the Mumbai factor.

[craigt3365]

very interesting. they often come up as a verycheap optipn. thanks for sharing.

[UbonOz]

Booked this week to fly Sri Lankan Air, business class, BKK/LHR/BKK via CMB return, 23 April/6 June, two adults.

Booked seats in row 1 in both directions.

THB63,250/person/return. Very good price, nearly half other airlines fares. Have checked reviews for UL and they appear quite good.

I will do a report for both directions when completed.

[smokie36]

Thats a superb price. I'm wondering if they do the same the other direction.

Who did you book with?