Hong Kong International

Airoli and I checked in at the Kowloon station at 15:30 because we wanted to enjoy afternoon tea in the Intercontinental without worrying to pick up luggage at our hotels. So we took a taxi from the Kowloon station to the Intercontinental, where we enjoyed an afternoon tea before it was at 17:40 time to take a taxi back to Kowloon station. AusTXhiker was joining us later, but he had to pick up his luggage at the W hotel, so we directed the taxi to the W instead of Kowloon station. From there it is a short walk through the mall to the airport express station, where we boarded the train for the airport.

The train was quite full, but we were able to get a seat but could not sit together.

After we had cleared immigration and security, we walked toward the lounges

AusTXhiker was flying Emirates in First Class on the A380 from HKG to BKK and headed for the Emirates lounge next to the Red Carpet Club. I had convinced airoli to make a quick visit to the first class part of the United Lounge. He was on the same TG flight than me, but flying in first class while I was only flying business class. So he got access to the first class part while I could only go to the business part. The first class part was not that full and quite nice with a lounge staff serving you and helping you.
We only had a non-alcoholic drink, but the champagne served in the lounge where Pieper-Heidsieck.

After saying farewell to ausTXhiker in the Emirates lounge, we headed over to the Thai lounge. This lounge was frequented by more passengers, but we had no difficulties to secure a seat in the first class part. Also there was a lounge agent serving guests, but there was no Champagne available and so we only had a glass of Chilean white wine.

After a quarter of an hour in this lounge we left it and went down to the gate 44, where boarding was just about to start. I queued in the line with other Business Class passengers, while airoli did a quick visit in one of the duty free shops.

30 April 2011
HKG – BKK
[Hong Kong International – Bangkok Suvarnabhumi]
TG 607 (Thai Airways); Boeing 747-400 (TS-TGL / 'Theparat')
Gate 44
20:45 – 22:25 [effective 20:47 – 22:35]
Business Class
Seat 23 A

I used the dedicated First and Business Class jetbridge and was greeted as I stepped into the plane. My seat was located on the lower deck of this 747. I am still amazed about the layout of this plane, which the galley occupying the right part of the lower deck.

The plane was equipped with the international configuration with ten seats in First Class in the nose, 14 seats in Royal Silk Business Class in the lower and 26 more seats in the upper deck and 325 seats in Economy class. The seat does not lie flat in Business Class but had a 170° recline with a seat pitch of 60 inch, the seat width is 40 inch and thus made the seat quite comfortable.

Pre departure drinks were offered, a choice of orange juice, water and champagne. This time, it was only orange juice for me. My jacket was offered to hang in the closet by one of the flight attendants. No amenity kit was offered and also no slippers. Headsets and pillows were already placed in the seat pockets.


The safety demonstration was done while we were still at the gate and later the menus were distributed. Push back was nearly right in time at 20:47 (a delay of two minutes is not really a delay at all) and we taxied to the runway. At 21:04 the captain powered the four General Electric engines of this 747-400, which came in December 1991 as new plane to Thai Airways. It is now the second eldest 747 in the fleet of Thai used as passenger aircraft; a few older 747 where converted to cargo plains.

We climbed in the dark sky above Hong Kong. We took off towards Kowloon and so I was able to get quite good views of Kowloon and Hong Kong Islands before we reached the Chinese sea and due to the clouds could not see that much anymore.

After ten minutes the seat belt signs were switched off and one flight attendant closed the curtain to the First Class Cabin while another asked us for our choice of dinner.

Time to finally read the printed menu and the wine list (click on the menu / opens new window)

Hot towels were also offered and a few minutes later a first beverage service was done. I opted for a sparkling water. Service was bit his and miss, as some passengers were offered a refill of the beverage while other did not.

The seat is okay, a full flat seat would be nicer, but such a seat is currently not available in the fleet of Thai Airways. The A 380, which will joins the fleet in December 2012 on Bangkok – Frankfurt, will have fully flat seats in a staggered configuration, but different from the one, Swiss uses. For a longer overnight flight in Asia, I nevertheless would consider the seat type in this plane and try to get it over the 138° recliner in the Airbus planes of Thai.

But back to this flight.

The meal service was done from the cart. The first course was delivered from the cart soon followed by a beverage service. This time is was a glass of Chardonnay and I also asked for a top up of my sparkling water.

First Course
Tea Smoked Duck Breast

Second Course
Roast Pork Neck with Teriyaki Sauce

Third Course
Vanilla Ice Cream

The first course was good, though the portion a bit small. The other thing I am still find amazing is, that Thai Airways serves mostly French wine. Champagne for Business Class was Pieper Heidsieck by the way.

The plates for the first course were taken and soon later the second course arrived, again served from the cart.

Again, it was a tasty meal and this time the portion was slightly larger. Another refill of my glass of Chardonnay was offered while the sparkling water was topped up with still water though I had asked for sparkling water.

I skipped the cheese plate, as it was not much of choice and I was already full. Soon later my tray was taken. Later ice cream was offered for dessert. I had a cup of coffee with the ice cream, but was never offered a glass of port wine or a Baileys, which was on the tray as well, while other passengers got them offered.

After meal service was finished after roughly 70 minutes in flight, no one of the crew was seen.

I read a bit in my newspapers and chatted with airoli, who visited me back in Business Class as he was flying First Class. He told me, he had asked, if I could join him for a cup of tea in First Class, but was told, this was not possible, since Business Class (!!!) was full. First Class had open seats. A bit strange … but I assume this was the Thai Airways answer for saying, this is not possible.

The remaining flight time was uneventful. Headsets were collected prior to landing after the seat belt signs were turned on again and we began our approach. The captain had given us an update of the weather and air traffic situation in Bangkok prior to beginning the final approach and he expected an on time arrival.

We touched down at 22:24 and taxied for our gate at the C concourse (if I am right, we had gate C 4), but I might be wrong. Anyway, at 22:35 doors opened and we could disembark. Business Class passengers were not hold back, so I left the plane together with airoli, who soon learnt that his onward flight to Zurich was delayed by 7 hours. Rebooking on a Swiss flight was not possible and Thai booked him a room in the Novotel at the airport. I was offered a ride to the immigration, too, but it seems they mixed up passengers and thought I was someone else, though we told them, I was not the other passenger flying to Zurich,

Airoli had asked them to get him his checked luggage and I was joining him while he was waiting, Otherwise, it would have been a short wait for me, as Priority Stickers and fast lane worked quite well. But of course it was without question, that I would wait with him and it did not took that long. From my perspective, the last passengers had not even made it to the belt and there was still luggage circling on it.

After was had passed customs, we did say good bye. Airoli got a shuttle ride to the Novotel while I was heading downstairs for the taxi strand.

I arrived at the Conrad at 23:45.

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