Thai Airways opens diner for customers craving in-flights meals

By Chalinee Thirasupa and Chayut Setboonsarng

 

Customers eat at Thai Airways pop-up airplane-themed restaurant at the airlines headquarters with onboard meals prepared by their chefs, while their fleet is still grounded at the airport and the company awaits a bankruptcy court decision, in Bangkok, Thailand September 3, 2020. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - More than 100 diners craving in-flight meals after months of travel restrictions flocked to Thai Airways International Pcl's offices  on Thursday to try a new pop-up restaurant and get a reminder of the forgotten flavours of on-board dining.

 

The national carrier, which has for months grounded most of its planes, has transformed the cafeteria of its Bangkok headquarters into an airline-themed restaurant and opened it to the public.

 

"I ate a lot," said Pirachat Pengthongworrapetch, 36, who heard about the restaurant online. "It's better here than in the air because it's cooked to order."

Thailand has halted commercial flights to try to prevent coronavirus infections.

 

But diners can still get to meet cabin crew, who greet them in full uniform as they enter the restaurant. It is decorated with airplane parts and seats to lend it an authentic aircraft feel.

 

"Spare parts from engines, windows and fan blades were used as furniture," Thai Airways Catering Managing Director Varangkana Luerojvong told Reuters.

 

Each decoration has a QR code attached so visitors can look up information about the parts.

 

Diner Kanta Akanitprachai, 50, liked the idea of a plane meal without having to buy a flight ticket.

 

"I like the in-flight meals on Thai Airways, but we only get to have it when we fly," said Kanta. "Today we get to have it here, that's good because we want to eat."

 

Varangkana said the restaurant, which serves about 2,000 meals per day, was a way to recoup some lost revenue during the coronavirus pandemic, and there are plans to turn other Thai Airways offices into similar dining experiences.

 

Chefs and cabin crew from the airline, which filed for bankruptcy protection in May, appeared in good spirits.

 

Japanese chef Jun Uenishi said the experience was different because it was his first time interacting with customers.

 

The Thai bankruptcy court will decide on Sept. 14 if the airline can go ahead with its restructuring proposals.

 

(Editing by Martin Petty and Mike Collett-White)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-09-04

 

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What a joke

"... Varangkana said the restaurant, which serves about 2,000 meals per day, was a way to recoup some lost revenue during the coronavirus pandemic, and there are plans to turn other Thai Airways offices into similar dining experiences."

 

Are they aiming to just get revenue which without a real profit doesn't aid Thai in terms of their bankruptcy / the massive amounts (several hundred Billion Baht) owed to hundreds of creditors both in Thailand and abroad.

 

So I wonder how the meals are priced? The prices charged should cover costs of raw materials and all production and service costs.

 

Examples: Are they including a notional rent for the premises in their costing? Are they including the wages and benefits of the chefs, kitchen staff and service staff, the costs of electricity cleaning, etc., or is all of that just being buried within the on-going monthly wages and benefits and broad operational costs of the buildings used by Thai? 

Riveting news now classed as arrivals for a TAT massage of 8 million ????

Edited September 3, 20205 yr by sammieuk1

Desperate measures for desperation times.. At least they keep a few of their people employed. They keep their food facilities operational and ready to go.  I have always enjoyed my in-flight meals on Thai Air.. I wouldn't drive out of my way to get one but  it sure beats the burger and chicken franchises.. All the gloomy pessimistic TV keyboard junkies will no doubt have plenty of disparaging comment to make.  Try looking on the bright side for a change..  

17 minutes ago, scorecard said:

Examples: Are they including a notional rent for the premises in their costing? Are they including the wages and benefits of the chefs, kitchen staff and service staff, the costs of electricity cleaning, etc., or is all of that just being buried within the on-going monthly wages and benefits and broad operational costs of the buildings used by Thai? 

Please don't complicate matters.

 

There are no notional costs and all available income disappears, erm, somewhere which probably doesn't make it to reporting of the annual compliance certificate.

 

These jokers are finished.  

Desperation can manifest itself in many ways. Like as a kid I used to lay awake at night worrying that one day I would be old and I would die.  The thought of death brought on despair.  Lack of sleep affected my performance during the day.  I wonder if lack of sleep is the current problem at Thai? ????

THAI should open a few massage shops, staffed by their out of work flight attendants who provide the massage in THAI uniforms. 

 

when you think of truly dumb ideas something like this comes to mind. on a positive note these people continuously provide daily entertainment.  

I would eat there only if i  will be served by a pudgy, sour poos face cabin attendants, only than it will feel like the real thing......

Edited September 3, 20205 yr by ezzra

Thai airways food is bad. That’s why I fly with EVA. 

yum, basically pre packed convenience food warmed up to order at a premium. I thought 7/11 was doing that for a third of the price already

Edited September 3, 20205 yr by Bkk Brian

2 hours ago, scorecard said:

Examples: Are they including a notional rent for the premises in their costing? Are they including the wages and benefits of the chefs, kitchen staff and service staff, the costs of electricity cleaning, etc., or is all of that just being buried within the on-going monthly wages and benefits and broad operational costs of the buildings used by Thai? 

If they did'nt operate at a loss, it would'nt be Thai Airways!

The world is truly deluded. Why not award them a Michelin star when they are at it. ????

Served in economy seats. 

 

Classic! 

1 hour ago, HerbyJFlash said:

Thai airways food is bad. That’s why I fly with EVA. 

I think you may find they all take on food from Thai airways kitchen in Bangkok, its not like EVA have their own flight catering set up in BKK.

I recall years ago at Sydney,airport you could go and eat airline food for free at the Qantas crew training centre. You boarded a mock-up plane and the crew practiced serving. it was actually very popular and you had to book ahead, but then again it was free.

Customers craving airline food  

My ex and her mother were the only 2 people I know who liked the food on planes.

Mind you she married me so that explains her strange tastes  ????

No "My restauarant reservation was canceled" posts?

 

 

Thai's will be saying they invented that, first in the world

5 hours ago, webfact said:

More than 100 diners craving in-flight meals after months of travel restrictions flocked to Thai Airways International Pcl's offices  on Thursday to try a new pop-up restaurant and get a reminder of the forgotten flavours of on-board dining.

I don't want to be the spoiler in the room... but

As were still under an emergency decree shouldn't they be social distancing and using all the rest of the health related paraphernalia?

or is this OK for a state owned bankrupt service?

4 hours ago, Fex Bluse said:

THAI should open a few massage shops, staffed by their out of work flight attendants who provide the massage in THAI uniforms. 

 

I've got one next door, 555

50 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

Thai's will be saying they invented that, first in the world

Only the in-house dining part..

 

I just finished reading a Guardian article about Gate Gourmet in Australia, one of the world's largest airline caterers.

 

30,000 meals a day/21 airlines usually. Now almost no flights. They are selling frozen meals out of their warehouses (3) for A$2.00 each.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

But diners can still get to meet cabin crew, who greet them in full uniform as they enter the restaurant. 

For the added authentic touch foreigners can experience an IO officer at reception, bring your passport and supporting documents.

Have a nice flight/meal.

Why anyone would want to pay for Thai Airways food beats me, do yo get the plastic fork and spoon also?

5 hours ago, webfact said:

But diners can still get to meet cabin crew, who greet them in full uniform as they enter the restaurant.

I wonder is Noi still working there ....  she'd have to be 65 by now.

5 hours ago, ezzra said:

I would eat there only if i  will be served by a pudgy, sour poos face cabin attendants, only than it will feel like the real thing......

That's KLM, surely?

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Thai Airways opens diner for customers craving in-flights meals

Bound to Fail.

1 hour ago, bobbin said:

Only the in-house dining part..

 

I just finished reading a Guardian article about Gate Gourmet in Australia, one of the world's largest airline caterers.

 

30,000 meals a day/21 airlines usually. Now almost no flights. They are selling frozen meals out of their warehouses (3) for A$2.00 each.

Nothing exist outside of Thailand

Should install a couple of flight simulators and some inflight entertainment "Happy Landings"