Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok International Airport

Unfortunately the Kowloon Airport Express Shuttle never arrived at the Intercontinental Grand Stanford, so we had to take a cab to the Station. The ride in the Airport Express was convenient as ever and cathaana headed for the SQ Check In Counter while I went to the TG counter. Check In was possible for both segments, thought the agent needed the airlines own reservation code to get it. I got the Invitation for the Thai Business Lounge. Security was not a problem, though it took some time till the agent at the entrance found the immigration stamp in my passport or whatever he was looking for.

Immigration and Security took some time, but waiting time was okay. Together with cathaana I went to First Class Part the Silver Kris Lounge. Again cathaana was so nice to invite me in the First Class section of this lounge. As it was time for her to head to the gate for her flight I accompanied her up to escalator for the shuttle train as I had decided to visit the TG Lounge also.

The TG Lounge is near gate 40 and like the Red Carpet Club or the Dragon Air Lounge upstairs and therefore a very nice and airy lounge. You could get a got view of the terminal and the gates. A good selection of beverages and food were available and also several Internet terminals. I checked mails and got a quick look at Flyertalk, were several PMs were waiting to be read. The selection of newspapers and magazines could have been a little bit wider though.

As one could see the gate of the fight to Bangkok, I decided to head there a few minutes after scheduled boarding time, as I saw people queuing at the gate. But arriving there, it was a wrong impression, boarding had not started yet. The people were just queuing awaiting the opening of the gate.

25 May 2006
HKG – BKK
[Hong Kong International – Bangkok International]
TG 631 (Thai Airways); Airbus A 330 – 300
Gate A 42
11:20 – 13:00 [effective 11:15 – 13:00]
Business Class
Seat 14 A

Boarding started late. There was an own line for Business Class Passengers which started a little bit earlier than this for the Economy Passengers. I was the second person to board the plane and I noticed immediately a very strong smell after entering the plane. It smelt – well – like a toilet. The lady in front of me complained about it and nearly every passenger noticed it, thought only a few passengers commented it. But the flight attendant used several time a refreshing spray and increased the power of air condition (at least this was my impression). The smell finally disappeared before the doors were closed.

We were offered pre departure dinks at the agte, this time water, orange juice, champagne and orange juice mixed with champagne were available. It opted for a glass of champagne. Some minutes later hot towels were offered. Headphone, pillows, blanket and the menu were lying on the seat. Newspapers and Magazines were distributed on the ground and to my very surprise even German Papers like “FAZ” and “SZ” (although issues of the previous day) and magazines like “Der Spiegel” were available.

Also a hot towel service was done on the ground.

The cabin in Business was not really full, less than 50% of the seats were taken. From my calculation load was app. 45%, Economy seems not to be full, too. Due to the low load in Business the seat beside me remained empty.

We pushed back five minutes earlier because boarding was completely and headed to the runway which like the flight to ICN took some time. We were airborne finally at 11:30 and headed to Bangkok.

Assorted nuts were distributed followed by a first beverage round after 15 minutes. This time the flight attendant was taking orders for every passenger individually instead of using the cart and brought the drinks on a tray.

Te lunch service began after 30 minutes and tables were laid with linen.

The menu of this flight and the winelist , which was the same as on the inbound flight.

I opted for the chicken and it was okay. But this time the food was on the same level than the food I got on the flight Munich to Bangkok in Economy the week before. The portion was not larger than in Economy and the quality was not much better. The service however was friendlier than in Economy and has a more personal touch, but I was not addressed by name and as far as I noticed no other passenger. If you care about this details, you should fly another airlines, but if this it no matter of fact, TG is quite okay.

Meal service took one hour and food was served from the cart. They did the meal service from one cart doing a U turn in the cabin. First course was served on the tray while the main course was brought after one finished the first course individually. Trays were collected after the main course and dessert and coffee, tea, etc. were served again from the cart.

There was no additional beverage round after service was done, one had to use the call button or walk to the galley.

The captain informed us about flight time and that we would land perhaps a little bit ahead of schedule in Bangkok.

For the rest of the flight I enjoyed one of the 14 music channel of this old Business Class. The cabin in this A 330 – 300 was okay though one could notice several stains and scratches, but at least no part of the seat was lose. The 14 music and the 5 video channels were played for the whole flight. I am always amazed about this service on such a short flight. One would never be able to watch a movie on a two and a half hour flight on any European Airline. But on the other hand not European Carrier would use a Boeing 747 or an Airbus A 330 for such a short distance.

We landed at 12:50 and arrived at our gate in time at 13:00.

We leave the plane through the front door and our own jet bridge and again I was among the first passengers who left the plane.

I headed to the transfer desk and then upstairs for the departure floor.

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