Review: Thai Airways Royal First Class, Bangkok to Frankfurt

An 11 hour flight in a private suite with doors(!), with only one other passenger in the cabin made for an amazing flight experience.

Thai Airways Royal First Class Boeing 77W Bangkok to Frankfurt

The flight between Bangkok and Frankfurt was the longest flight of the trip.  This is now my 3rd flight on this product, and the 2rd time on Thai, but this is my first flight on any Thai aircraft long haul.  I took more photos of the seat itself when I reviewed the flight between Tokyo and Bangkok.  I’ve heard mixed reviews of Thai service, but this flight had some of the best, most personalized service I’ve had on any plane.

After another wonderful stay at the Thai Royal First Class Lounge and Spa, I was escorted back to the entrance of lounge, where I bode farewell to the staff there and boarded another cart to take me to the gate.  Once I got to the suite, I noticed that one of the storage areas was set up with an amenity kit and various reading materials.

English reading materials included Cosmopolitan magazine, which I saved it for my wife.  

Welcome Aboard Thai Royal First

After I was seated, the flight attendants introduced themselves and offered a glass of Dom Pérignon champagne and a hot towel.

My arm was twisted to convince me to have a glass of Dom

 

  

Later I was offered pajamas, which I put on soon after take off.

We had a really long taxi before departure, and apparently I was in a mood to snap some photos.

 Suvarnabhumi airport is such a unique design, and I enjoyed seeing the variety of carriers.  I also liked the Lufthansa 747 landing from Frankfurt, which is where my flight was headed.  

 

Despite the cloudy skies, we flew directly over central Bangkok, and I was able to get a few nice shots with my iPhone.

Can you spot the Royal Orchid Sheraton?

 

Birds-eye views of Bangkok and the Chao Phraya River.  

There were only 2 revenue passengers in the cabin, and as the only person on the right aisle, it felt like I had my own private cabin.  There was also a third passenger in the cabin, but I presume it was an off duty pilot or other crew, since it didn’t seem that they had any meals or much interaction from the working crew.

As the climb out continued, I began to look over the menu.  The female flight attendant stopped by to take my meal request and to refill my champagne.  She was very warm and friendly and put me at ease with a very nice conversation about her home in Bangkok and mine in the US. I wish would have written down her name, since her service was top notch.  As for the meal choices, I was a little bit indecisive, and she said something that I appreciated and was a nice example of the service she provided.  “You don’t eat like this every day, why not enjoy the experience.”  So true, and as you will see, I did.

Here is the menu for the Bangkok to Frankfurt flight: ^{_{(The wine list was identical to my earlier flight to Bangkok)}}

The Taste of a Masterpiece

For 50 years, THAI has been renowned worldwide for its legendary Royal Orchid Service.

This year we take great pleasure in welcoming you onboard with the “Chef Gallery by THAI“.  Five renowned international chefs will select the finest ingredients from across five continents and apply their outstanding talents in culinary masterpieces for THAI.

Let us delight your senses with world-class cuisine.  Savour the delicious appeal of both authentic Thai and international dishes for a truly memorable experience.

Enjoy the art of fine dining with THAI, smooth as silk.

Bangkok – Frankfurt

_{First Serving}

_{Hot Savoury}

Mini Chicken Thigh wrapped in Pandan Leaf

_{First Course}

_{Smoked Salmon with Crab Meat Roll, Salmon Roe, Green Apple, Mascarpone or
Thai-Style Spicy Tiger Prawn Salad} 

_{Main Course}

_{Beef in Green Curry
Steamed Thai Hom Mali Rice, Pumpkin, Pak Choy  or}

_{Pork Cordon Bleu
Sautéed Potatoes with Parsley, Roast Vegetables  or}

_{Stuffed Chicken Breast with Onion Marmalade, Port Wine Sauce
Mashed Potatoes and Pumpkins, Vegetables or}

_{Sea Bass with Preserved Lemon Sauce
Oriental Fried Rice, Vegetables}

_{Assorted Bread/Butter}

_{Assorted Cheese, Fresh Fruits}

_Dessert

_{Plum Tart with Cinnamon Anglaise
Chocolate Nougat Ice Cream
Tea, Coffee, Espresso,Cappuccino}

_{* * *}

_{Second Serving}

_Canapés

_{First Course}

_{Marinated Prawn with Pomery Honey Dressing Lightly Poached Bose Pear wrapped with Speck}

_Soup

_{Mulligatawny Soup}

_{Main Course}

_{Classic Pad Thai with Tiger Prawns or}

_{Bratwurst Sausage, Brown Onion Gravy
Mashed Potatoes, Stewed Red Cabbage  or}

_{Macaroni and Scallop with Cheese
Julienne Vegetables or}

_{Braised Pork with Carrot and Turnip
Tossed Healthy Noodles, Stir-Fried Pak Choy with Oyster Sauce}    

_{Assorted Bread/Butter}

_Dessert

_{Strawberry Charlotte with Raspberry Sauce}

_{Tea, Coffee, Espresso, Cappuccino}

* * *

_Sandwiches

_{(Available upon request)}

 

Thai Royal First Class meal service

The service began with a warm nuts and some more Dom (and water)

 

My place was set, (I was dressed in pajamas) and the onslaught of food began.

 

Caviar with traditional garnishes

 

chicken thigh wrapped in pandan leaf

the obligatory smoked salmon starter on an airplane premium cabin

 

Beef curry paired with the recommended red wine worked well

Dessert courses

The meal service was good, a very filling meal which I thought was quite tasty, and the personalized attention of the crew made for a very nice experience.  The meal service took several hours from start to finish.  After putting my tray away, I watched a few TV programs, and eventually reclined my seat,  had my bed made up and took a short nap.

Thoughts on the First Class Cabin

The cabin itself is nice, although its not really new any more.  My previous report showed some of the wear and tear that its showing in places.  Thai still does a nice job of making it seem nice and clean with fresh flowers in places, particularly in lavatories.

As we were a 2 hours or so out of Frankfurt, another meal was served.  After my last Thai meal served from a Thai kitchen, I guess I decided to transition right to German food, and opted for the bratwurst for my main.  In retrospect, I’m not sure why I chose this option, but it was actually tasty.

 

Starters

Mulligatawny soup

Another bread basket, and although its not “First Class” butter like on Lufthansa, its Thai branded

 

I have lots of experiences eating brats, usually while tailgating.  This was a unique presentation.

 

Desserts.  One minor service flaw is that my fruit served in plastic.  

 

Arrival into Frankfurt

Soon we were on the ground in Frankfurt.  Very pleased with my first long haul experience with Thai.  Suites with doors are always a treat, and even though the configuration is a little old, it was a great way to spend 12 hours in the sky.  The in flight crew was lovely, and I’d gladly fly with Thai again.

The flight landed in the evening, and my flight back to the States was the next morning.  I opted to stay at the Sheraton across the street, which is so convenient.  Plus the club lounge is excellent.  I’m not planning to cover my experience at the Sheraton, since it was rather short, and it was not particularly notable beyond a brief meet up with Matthew for breakfast before I headed out.

Up next was a Lufthansa First Class flight back to the states.  That of course meant another visit to the First Class Terminal.  2 awesome First Class Lounges in 24 hours, aviation geek heaven.