Bkk-Uth On Thai Smile, Am I Missing Something?

[NanLaew]

I just noticed that THAI Smiles inaugurated their 3-times daily service from Suvarnabhumi to Udon Thani. The inaugural flight was 1st February. I

Just looking at the timetable, it looks like its the same flights, numbers and times as the original THAI service. The only difference I see is the plane is an A320 for all three flights versus having a 737 on the original afternoon flights. Also note that the same flights are bookable on both THAI and THAI Smiles websites... at the same cost?

What is THAI Smiles all about apart from having a new fleet of their 'own' A320's? If it isn't a LCC-type operation, what is the point? Anyone flown the route since February? Any noticeable differences like food service, in-flight entertainment, etc.? Since the last flight of the day on the THAI branding was always a parking stand and bus job, it would be interesting to know if they use jetways or stands for any of these 'new' THAI Smiles flights.

[ovenman]

I've wondered that about THAI Smile myself (i.e. what's the point of TG having it?). Only thing I've been able to figure is that THAI Smile must be some sort of accounting gimmick by which TG is able to book more profit by diverting certain financial items from the "mothership".

[rod2011]

I have used Thai Smile on the BKK- KBV (Krabi) route a few times since they took over the old Thai Air schedule.

Planes are newer and seem to be more comfortable.

Everything seemed more casual, stewardesses wear Orange, a few actually wear company issue shorts !

3 weeks ago I flew UTH-BKK with Thai and the service and plane were definitely tired.

Personally I like Thai Smile.

[Ricardo]

Possibly, as a 'new' airline, Thai Smile might be able to employ flight-crew & cabin-crew at lower wages, than long-established Thai International ?

But it was supposed to be a lower-cost-carrier, one might well wonder, when that part of the plan will start !

[Paul888]

Possibly, as a 'new' airline, Thai Smile might be able to employ flight-crew & cabin-crew at lower wages, than long-established Thai International ? But it was supposed to be a lower-cost-carrier, one might well wonder, when that part of the plan will start !

"Lower cost carrier" means lower cost to the operator, not necessarily the customer...... especially here !

[JoePai]

Thai Smile is far better than Thai on the BKK to UTH route in all areas i.e. service, planes - but at the same price from what I can remember

[terryp]

Well I must have used another Thai Smile as basically they are the same planes as Air Asia and the same cattle run as Air Asia… you pay for all food/drinks etc, but you do get seat allocation without a fee…. for price its better to use AA and pay less

I much prefer the older Thai jets as the Thai Airways are wider and much more stable in turbulence…

DO NOT BOOK BUSINESS with TS as you are basically paying a 2-3 thousand more each way for a AA front of plane hot seat and a coffee with a dodgy shrimp with chicken breakfast croissant

The only real TS plus I would add is that you fly into swampy…the TS orange uniforms look naff and dated already

[NanLaew]

Thai Smile is far better than Thai on the BKK to UTH route in all areas i.e. service, planes - but at the same price from what I can remember

Better service, newer planes... but what about the in-flight snack? Is it still a bun-in-a-box? Is it still free?

[JoePai]

Thai Smile is far better than Thai on the BKK to UTH route in all areas i.e. service, planes - but at the same price from what I can remember

Better service, newer planes... but what about the in-flight snack? Is it still a bun-in-a-box? Is it still free?

Yes it is

[Chao Lao Beach]

Maybe a Union Breaker

[NanLaew]

Thai Smile is far better than Thai on the BKK to UTH route in all areas i.e. service, planes - but at the same price from what I can remember

OK, I got my chance to do an Udon Thani round-trip on Thai Smiles and for someone who is 6'4"... it is terrible! The seat pitch is listed as 28"-31" on websites. I barely fitted in the narrow, 31" seat pitch on the flight up and wished I hadn't asked for the last window seat on the return sector. The last row of seats are 28" and do not recline! It was bloody murder!

So THAI's attempt at competing with low-cost carriers is shoehorn more people in. The snack is now some cold pizza slice and a bottle of water... in a flashy plastic bag.

Very disappointing.