Thai Airways Business Class

[Maigo6]

I have seen the dedicated Immigration booth for Thai Airways Business and First Class passengers on the outbound side.

What about when one enters Thailand from a Business Class flight on Thai Airways, is there also a fast track Immigration booth to re-enter Thailand ?

[think_too_mut]

I have seen the dedicated Immigration booth for Thai Airways Business and First Class passengers on the outbound side.

What about when one enters Thailand from a Business Class flight on Thai Airways, is there also a fast track Immigration booth to re-enter Thailand ?

Is it really a separate counter? Don Muang had "APEC Participants Check In".

Unless the price of express immigration processing can be bought with money (like fast-track issuance of a passport, for a fee) and airline has that kind of contract to get Immigration to deploy dedicated staff for their premium passengers, I don't see how it would work.

I can't remember where I saw it (Singapore Changi Term 3 maybe) but it looked more like a lounge where someone does the formalities for you without replacing existing officers. Not sure how they speed it up, perhaps do what is possible (not everything) with airline and immigration linked IT systems.

Edited December 31, 2008 by think_too_mut

[Maigo6]

I have seen the dedicated Immigration booth for Thai Airways Business and First Class passengers on the outbound side.

What about when one enters Thailand from a Business Class flight on Thai Airways, is there also a fast track Immigration booth to re-enter Thailand ?

Is it really a separate counter? Don Muang had "APEC Participants Check In".

Yes, it's a seperate counter on the outbound journey, it's the inbound I'm thinking of for when I come back.

[IMA_FARANG]

I have seen the dedicated Immigration booth for Thai Airways Business and First Class passengers on the outbound side.

What about when one enters Thailand from a Business Class flight on Thai Airways, is there also a fast track Immigration booth to re-enter Thailand ?

I haven't flown business class for a couple of years...due to the Euro vs Dollar rate and airfare costs going up....but I seem to recall that there were seperate business/first class immigration counters. Not only for TG, all though it may be labeled so, just look like you expect the quicker service and no one will ask. I believe it was the closest immigration area after you got off the plane. Usually the cabin crew in business class can advise you which immigration counters are dedicated to business/first class (at least for TG). Just ask one. Not necessarily faster though to use them, if you arrive at a heavy incoming traffic time. Always worth a try though.

[Maigo6]

I believe it was the closest immigration area after you got off the plane. Usually the cabin crew in business class can advise you which immigration counters are dedicated to business/first class (at least for TG). Just ask one. Not necessarily faster though to use them, if you arrive at a heavy incoming traffic time. Always worth a try though.

Cheers Ima Farang, I'll do that, maybe I can string along with any first class passengers and have a chat with the Thai Airways rep that greets them and leads them through fastrack.

Anythings worth a try, maybe the queues won't be so bad, but when they are they're very painful....

[tw25rw]

They announce on the plane that you can get fast track entry, but there's no obvious queue. I presume it's the diplomatic line along with 1st class.

The dedicated outbound queue is nice. Can go through 30 mins before take off with no worries.

[Maigo6]

They announce on the plane that you can get fast track entry, but there's no obvious queue. I presume it's the diplomatic line along with 1st class.

The dedicated outbound queue is nice. Can go through 30 mins before take off with no worries.

Cheers TW, sounds good.

I'll be a bit dissapointed if I don't get preferential immigration arriving in Bangkok on Thailands national carrier after shelling out for business class.

[Fore Man]

Get in line behind a Thai and strike up a conversation...and smile a lot. If they give you the runaround, just plead ignorance and smile while doing it. I have never been turned away from a Thai immigration counter on landing in Bangkok...they always politely accede to the friendly farang who can't seem to read their signage :-)

[flightcrew1]

Get in line behind a Thai and strike up a conversation...and smile a lot. If they give you the runaround, just plead ignorance and smile while doing it. I have never been turned away from a Thai immigration counter on landing in Bangkok...they always politely accede to the friendly farang who can't seem to read their signage :-)

Well I can say that does not work all the time. Yesterday for example I was escorting an unaccomanied minor through immigration and saw lots of farang in the Thai only lines being pushed out by an immigration officer. There were 4 agents for Thai nationals and only 1 Thai going through it - yet she was pushing people over to the other very long lines, even though several complained about living here and such.

Over to the far left where flight crew go through immigration there is a line for business/first class passengers which the agent meeting the flight will escort you to. It's for all airlines including Thai. On the way out the first class/business class fast track is labeled Thai but the check-in agent will give you a fast track invitation to go through along with a lounge access card.

On a side bar the flight I worked back into BKK yesterday morning was oversold in economy class. We ended up upgrading 9 passengers into business class. I've now worked several flights back into BKK with some originating in Dublin, London and Paris and all full.

[LevelHead]

They announce on the plane that you can get fast track entry, but there's no obvious queue. I presume it's the diplomatic line along with 1st class.

The dedicated outbound queue is nice. Can go through 30 mins before take off with no worries.

Correct, inbound you use the same area as Diplomat / 1st Class, which is on the right hand side of the main area's.

[flightcrew1]

Hmmm. In my 9 years being based out of BKK and having worked for another carrier before the one I'm with now, we never make announcements about fast track for first/business class, usually it's an agent waiting to escort them. I can also say not all the time there is an agent there to greet the first/business class at BKK. Sometimes even in the early morning we can only get one air bridge open after waiting 5 to 10 minutes after being brought in by ground crew

[expatgaz]

Simple answer is NO.First class has dedicated inbound visa but Business class not.As a word of caution,Thai Business class is probable the shittest out of all airlines.Its like stepping back to the 80's.Its crap,the seats are terribly uncomfortable with very little recline.

EPG.

[tw25rw]

I flew TG business class LHR-BKK-SYD+BNE-BKK-LHR in December and it was fine. The new seats on the 777 especially good.

According to the video played on arrival at BKK from BNE, TG Royal Silk passengers could use fast track immigration on arrival. If there's a mistake, it's theirs not mine.

[samiinjapan]

there is a fast track

Inbound

its on farleft

[merijn]

This fast track is NOT for business class. maybe you can sneek in and get trough.

There is only a fast track for first class with escort and only for TG and star allaince airlines i believe. ( No official business class fast track on the inbound flights period )

On the right side in the main hall you only have the diplomatic / VIP fast track.

There is now ( started about 3 months ago ) an dedicated VIP fast track, APEC and Diplomatic area on the outbound but all tickets are checked here before entering this area.

[Maigo6]

Simple answer is NO.First class has dedicated inbound visa but Business class not.As a word of caution,Thai Business class is probable the shittest out of all airlines.Its like stepping back to the 80's.Its crap,the seats are terribly uncomfortable with very little recline.

EPG.

Yep, I was on a 747/400 that didn't have a refit, no screens in the seat backs, no PC plugs, and hardly any choice of movies, 15 crap channels, that was it !!!!, No games, nothing......in fact I just used my iPod the whole trip, very dissapointing especially as I was using Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific Business class before, but Singapore Airlines were full on the date I wanted so Thai it was.

Singapore Airlines will be seeing me again for sure.

Thai business class? No way, unless the planes get modernized, the Fast Track was useful, and not queing up with the peasants in economy is good and I had a nice shower in the lounge but the plane was dissapointing, I'm sure it was the same one I used in 1990 when I first came to Thailand!

[Maigo6]

This fast track is NOT for business class. maybe you can sneek in and get trough.

There is only a fast track for first class with escort and only for TG and star allaince airlines i believe. ( No official business class fast track on the inbound flights period )

On the right side in the main hall you only have the diplomatic / VIP fast track.

There is now ( started about 3 months ago ) an dedicated VIP fast track, APEC and Diplomatic area on the outbound but all tickets are checked here before entering this area.

I asked a guy that was working in the Royal Silk entrance about incoming fast track immigration on Thai Airways, he said there is a Fast Track for First class and Royal Silk flyers inbound.

[tw25rw]

Yep, I was on a 747/400 that didn't have a refit, no screens in the seat backs, no PC plugs, and hardly any choice of movies, 15 crap channels, that was it !!!!, No games, nothing......in fact I just used my iPod the whole trip, very dissapointing especially as I was using Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific Business class before, but Singapore Airlines were full on the date I wanted so Thai it was.

Singapore Airlines will be seeing me again for sure.

Thai business class? No way, unless the planes get modernized, the Fast Track was useful, and not queing up with the peasants in economy is good and I had a nice shower in the lounge but the plane was dissapointing, I'm sure it was the same one I used in 1990 when I first came to Thailand!

What route was that? The ones that fly from London are much more modern.

[kjhbigv]

Yep, I was on a 747/400 that didn't have a refit, no screens in the seat backs, no PC plugs, and hardly any choice of movies, 15 crap channels, that was it !!!!, No games, nothing......in fact I just used my iPod the whole trip, very dissapointing especially as I was using Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific Business class before, but Singapore Airlines were full on the date I wanted so Thai it was.

Singapore Airlines will be seeing me again for sure.

Thai business class? No way, unless the planes get modernized, the Fast Track was useful, and not queing up with the peasants in economy is good and I had a nice shower in the lounge but the plane was dissapointing, I'm sure it was the same one I used in 1990 when I first came to Thailand!

What route was that? The ones that fly from London are much more modern.

To be honest, the 747/400 they use on LHR-BKK (TG916/TG917) route is a relativey 'old' plane and is pretty rubbish compared to other airlines, but most of the time (5 times this year), I get a row of 3 seats in Economy, which is better than being crammed onto EVA Air....albeit with better entertainment.

The strange thing is that Thai Airways use a almost new Airbus A340 from BKK-CNX, which I always do Business (nice after a long trip to use lounge etc) has massaging fully flat seats (albeit at a slight angle) and is really comfortable.....but.....

I have a question for Thai Airways......why use a crappy old 747 for the long haul to London and a spanking new all-singing and dancing A340 for a 1hr hop from BKK-CNX???

[tw25rw]

To be honest, the 747/400 they use on LHR-BKK (TG916/TG917) route is a relativey 'old' plane and is pretty rubbish compared to other airlines, but most of the time (5 times this year), I get a row of 3 seats in Economy, which is better than being crammed onto EVA Air....albeit with better entertainment.

The strange thing is that Thai Airways use a almost new Airbus A340 from BKK-CNX, which I always do Business (nice after a long trip to use lounge etc) has massaging fully flat seats (albeit at a slight angle) and is really comfortable.....but.....

I have a question for Thai Airways......why use a crappy old 747 for the long haul to London and a spanking new all-singing and dancing A340 for a 1hr hop from BKK-CNX???

That's economy though.. I wouldn't choose them for economy. Business class has the sloping flat seats.

Later this year they are introducing the A340 from LHR on the daytime flight. That has the newer business class, so I might try and get on it when I go in April.

[Maigo6]

What route was that? The ones that fly from London are much more modern.

Bkk - Tokyo, overnight flight.

Dissapointing really after shelling out quite a lot more and apart from a shower and an empty immigration queue, I could have saved a few quid and sat in Economy, that can't be said with Singapore Airlines for instance who really take care of you, and you feel you are getting what you pay for, except Thai gives you an amenities Kit on that route and Singapore Airlines only give amenities Kits on flights over 8 hours !

Little things by calling you by your name, in Thai business that doesn't happen, the food is far superior on SQ too, I would imagine that the food I had in Business is what was being served in Economy, the breakfast for sure was maybe just the fruit was better arranged is all.

ANA next ?

[tw25rw]

I find that the starters are a bit weird but the main courses are great.

The best cabin I found was on the 777-300 to Australia. Earlier last year I flew in an old cabin, but in December I twice had the new one which was very spacious (and empty). Plus they pick up food in Australia so the next couple of meals are a meat feast.

I pay my own fare hence I go TG rather than SQ.

[andyc2006]

There have been changes recently. See this topic: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thailand/89...l-airlines.html

[TJAY]

The best cabin I found was on the 777-300 to Australia. Earlier last year I flew in an old cabin, but in December I twice had the new one which was very spacious (and empty).

Quick side question if I may, any idea what the economy cabin in the new ones was like? I've flown Australia - Bangkok several times and been stuck on the ancient planes. We're coming over for our honeymoon and have the option to fly Emirates business class thanks to frequent flyer points, but it's a hassle as we need to fly to Sydney first, and we have a 7 hour wait for the connecting flight in Bangkok. It's more of a headache but business class would be nice for the honeymoon, but if the new economy section is better it might not be worth it?

[bkkjames]

Yep, I was on a 747/400 that didn't have a refit, no screens in the seat backs, no PC plugs, and hardly any choice of movies, 15 crap channels, that was it !!!!, No games, nothing......in fact I just used my iPod the whole trip, very dissapointing especially as I was using Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific Business class before, but Singapore Airlines were full on the date I wanted so Thai it was.

Singapore Airlines will be seeing me again for sure.

Thai business class? No way, unless the planes get modernized, the Fast Track was useful, and not queing up with the peasants in economy is good and I had a nice shower in the lounge but the plane was dissapointing, I'm sure it was the same one I used in 1990 when I first came to Thailand!

What route was that? The ones that fly from London are much more modern.

To be honest, the 747/400 they use on LHR-BKK (TG916/TG917) route is a relativey 'old' plane and is pretty rubbish compared to other airlines, but most of the time (5 times this year), I get a row of 3 seats in Economy, which is better than being crammed onto EVA Air....albeit with better entertainment.

The strange thing is that Thai Airways use a almost new Airbus A340 from BKK-CNX, which I always do Business (nice after a long trip to use lounge etc) has massaging fully flat seats (albeit at a slight angle) and is really comfortable.....but.....

I have a question for Thai Airways......why use a crappy old 747 for the long haul to London and a spanking new all-singing and dancing A340 for a 1hr hop from BKK-CNX???

Guessing this will probably change under the new administration

[tw25rw]

The best cabin I found was on the 777-300 to Australia. Earlier last year I flew in an old cabin, but in December I twice had the new one which was very spacious (and empty).

Quick side question if I may, any idea what the economy cabin in the new ones was like? I've flown Australia - Bangkok several times and been stuck on the ancient planes. We're coming over for our honeymoon and have the option to fly Emirates business class thanks to frequent flyer points, but it's a hassle as we need to fly to Sydney first, and we have a 7 hour wait for the connecting flight in Bangkok. It's more of a headache but business class would be nice for the honeymoon, but if the new economy section is better it might not be worth it?

I didn't look back there, but the specifications of that cabin are on their site:

http://www.thaiair.com/Travel_Destination_...oc/B777-300.pdf

The pitch isn't great, but seats are thinner these days so it's probably as spacious as the old 34" pitch.

The 777-200ER is a bit older but with a comparable spec:

http://www.thaiair.com/Travel_Destination_.../B777-200ER.pdf

It's the 747s that let the side down on the LHR-BKK route, but late in the year there will be A340s flying that route as well.

[xminator]

There is fast-track for us married to Thai. So businessclass treatment for walking atm's.

[Maigo6]

There is fast-track for us married to Thai. So businessclass treatment for walking atm's.

Huh....

[livinthailandos]

I think this is more or less about thai airways in general, quality of service, and various other things.

I know most of you pay business class for obvious reasons. Anyway, I've flown thai airways on a few times and every time i flew with them is was like going back in time never seen such old airplanes. Thai Airways is just like thailand in a way what can you expect from a carrier thats similiar to is country. Ok I know that sounds stupid I know. But seriously what can you expect. I've flown Singapore Airlines, Korean Air, Cathay Pacific, all had better seats, quality of service. Thai Airways maybe they just dont get it. If I'm gonna pay good money to fly I expect a plane that isn't old and good service.

[JoeThePoster]

Go here.