Thai Airways

[BaaBaa.]

I've just had a return with Etihad for the 1st time, I've flown Emirates god knows how many times, Qatar a couple of times.

I'm flying Etihad from now on if prices are much of a muchness.

Entertainment and seating is basically the same on all 3 but Etihad thrashes the other 2 on food, a class above the other 2. I had a chicken dinner that was an actual Chicken Dinner, not a cross between an Astronaut pack and something else. Mashed Potatoes, peas, Carrots and Chicken with Stuffing, A Sandwich was an actual Sandwich, white roll with Chicken or Cheese and Tomato, not something from Greggs that had been artificially frozen.

All 4 meals were the best I've had in economy.

Airport is also the best, rucks of seating everywhere, decent smoking lounge with Aircon and Ventilation, not a cupboard and I was logged into free WiFi whilst I was still walking to the Terminal.

[alleykat]

I stopped using Thai Airways years ago after they made a huge mess with my credit card account which took ages to get fixed.
Unfortunately they are the only airline that fly direct to NZ and when flying with an infant this is a huge plus so I may have to use them again in the future.

[StevePIraq]

Update on my issue with "Rubbish Thai Airlines". I was informed to contact a Thai airways desk today as the last two days had been holiday (all they care about in Thailand). So I contacted Savarnabumi ticketing office by phone, after waiting, waiting, waiting I was answered and after going over my reservation I was told to contact the Thai Airways office in Dubai as that was my place of departure, even though I am not in Dubai. So I asked for the number or email in Dubai and was told to look on Thai Airways web site and before I could even say thank you or something even "nicer" considering how (un) helpful they where they hung up.

I finally found the contact details on the web and made another international call to Dubai and was answered by the most pleasant Philippine lady who was extremely helpful and courteous and spoke PERFECT ENGLISH, unlike the Thai lady. Within two minutes my problem was solved.

Very disappointing customer service by Thai Airways.

And the moral of this story is DO NOT FLY THAI AIRWAYS.

[Bristolian]

Probably the wrong thread but I haven’t used British Airwars (Airways) for the last decade due to the arrogance of their cabin crew and difficulty in making changes to tickets…Have they improved? (Sergeant you are excused from this question )

[Nereus]

I used Thai Airways for most of the last 5 or 6 Years before I retired, round trip every 28 days to the Middle East, and most times to Perth and back every other month. Not one trip went by without some problem, usually the fault of just plain bad service, and not just the cabin staff. I went to the main Thai palace out on Vibhavadi Hwy on more than one occasion to try and get something or other sorted out.

I remember asking on one occasion just how many complaints they received per month, and was proudly informed it was always more than 2,000 per month! There is one whole floor devoted to complaints, and a huge store of giveaways that are handed out that, I was assured, would make sure there were no more problems!

Many years ago my late Thai wife knew one of the Vice Presidents, and he came to our house on several occasions. I quizzed him about the poor service, mainly cabin staff, and he told us the problem was that there were just too many young staff with hi-so parents that were able to dictate to the management and obtain places for their darling offspring. It is the same old problem with many things in this country, and any of those that do try to carry out their job with some conscience, do not last very long.

[STEVE G]

Probably the wrong thread but I haven’t used British Airwars (Airways) for the last decade due to the arrogance of their cabin crew and difficulty in making changes to tickets…Have they improved? (Sergeant you are excused from this question )

I used them from Luxembourg to Thailand a couple of months ago and had no complaints. One thing that has been sorted out is the transit between terminals at Heathrow which used to be ridiculous but is actually quite efficient now. The food on BA wasn't bad for economy and they still have some of those camp old stewards who, for all their faults, are very generous with the wine.
The downside is the entertainment, if you're into that kind of thing, as it's very dated compared with what they have on the likes of Etihad but that doesn't bother me much as long as I have a good book,(and about six bottles of wine!)
Thai Airways had even worst entertainment the last time I used them, 1980's style with TV's above the aisles.

[bonnielass]

Thai Dubai to BKK business class return is around US 2000 strange thing us Thai BKK to Dubai Business return same dates is US1400, work that out.

Steve, you will find that most flights originating in Dubai, whatever airline you choose, are more expensive than the same journey starting elsewhere. Dubai has point blank refused to allow airlines to offer "bucket shop type" deals. They don't want to devalue their captive market. My family in Scotland can fly cheaper on Emirates to Bangkok than I can from Dubai. Work that one out too.....




BL

[StevePIraq]

I have decided best for me is to get a one way Dubai to BKK then a return BKK - Dubai - BKK this saves over US$600 per trip, but it won't be with Thai Airways

[tuppence]

I used Thai in the past from Dubai to BKK regularly. In flight service decent, food passable, trolley dollies fairly easy on the eye. But the website is crap, often the prices displayed are completely wrong. The office in Dubai is a nightmare to get to, very very slow and completely inflexible. One one flight in business class, my missus got ill and brought up the fizzy avocado dish. Their solution, massage the back of her hand and deny any problem with the food. Then realised that on many flights you get zero miles unless you pay the stupid top price. Turned my back on them and now use emirates 5 times a year. Vastly superior, though very busy.

[obiwan]

Never used thai airways in all of my visits and wont be doing from these reports. Iv used klm.etihad. Emirates. Qatar.british airways.jet airways. Air india and never had a complaint

[oakdale160]

The word is that Thai is dysfunctional because of the HUGE number of Ex-Airforce officers who have do-nothing jobs there.
Their prices dont even attempt to be competative but Thai companies staff all fly Thai, its all part of the old-boy setup. And of course they squeeze BKK Airline and Air Asia for gate times etc.

[StevePIraq]

The word is that Thai is dysfunctional because of the HUGE number of Ex-Airforce officers who have do-nothing jobs there.
Their prices dont even attempt to be competative but Thai companies staff all fly Thai, its all part of the old-boy setup. And of course they squeeze BKK Airline and Air Asia for gate times etc.

I really can't agree on pricing, I find Thai are very competitive. Return business class Bangkok to Dubai is Baht 43,000 with Emirates it is 73,000. I used to use Expedia to book my flights but they only have access to a limited number of flights, booking direct is far cheaper with most airlines.

I am not keen on Thai Airlines, absolutely no customer service but price is always important.

[Dannie Boy]

If you fly BKK to London (economy) then Thai are normally the most expensive of the 3 airlines that fly direct, with Eva being cheapest and BA being in the middle. Service wise I don't think there is much to choose between BA and Thai but Eva are normally ok.

[JuiceLover]

Sorry if this is slighly off topic since I compare my experiences flying from Sweden.

I been flying Thai (Economy) since 2007. 2-3 times a year. Good service, good enough food considering the price, always on time except once (not their fault, caused a missed connection to Samui which they quickly arranged with Bangkok Airways, one hour delay in total).

Two weeks from now I fly Stockholm-Bangkok nonstop (return trip):
travelling time 10.20, price ThB 24,678. I always find lower prices via Skyscanner*.
Same flight booked with Thai Airways would cost ThB 43,488.

Cathay and Emirates (one stop) travelling time about 17.10 h, price about ThB 17,168.

I wouldn't consider two stops (though slightly cheaper) since travelling time will increase from 26 hours up.

Can't comment about Thai Airways ticket office service since there's never has been reasons to deal with them except once for correcting my miles, which was handled smoothly. Entertainment is crap but I always bring own iOS toys.

*Also check out Momondo though neither covers all the agencies.

[lomuamart]

Flew Thai to the UK last week and as we were upgraded to business class for 41k return, Ive got no complaints. Reckon I must have just about drank them out of red wine!!
No guarantee well get business on the way back but we can live in hope.