Getting Away on Miles: Thai Airways Business Class Phuket to Bangkok

Dear readers,

Although this is a trip report post, I’m not writing it because it was an amazing trip, I’m writing it only because of the airplane I got to experience! After all, HKT-BKK was not much different from BKK-HKT on Thai Airways. The service was the same, hot towel, pre departure drinks consisting of OJ, purple lime juice, or water. We took off, reached 30K feet and were provided with a single meal option, hot coffee or tea, juice, or water and before we knew it we were landing. Despite this, I’m writing this post anyways. Not because anything really stood out, but because it’s what I do. Not to mention, my flight was on an older Airbus A300-600! My first time and probably my last on this dated airplane!

According to some bloggers, Thai Airways is known for last minute aircraft changes, however I’ve now flown 4 segments with TG and not once experienced this, but knowing that this was possible, I still booked a flight on HKT-BKK at the time I did, not out of convenience, but solely to fly on an A300! I knew that this plane was designed for short to medium haul high density flights and was Airbus and the world’s first attempt at a twin-engine wide body jets (wow they’ve come a long way, can anyone say A380?!). The plane was dated but comfortable and boarding the plane I was overjoyed and excited for I was going to get to experience a plane that will soon be a distant memory for many!

The plane was nothing exciting but it is still part of history and I got to experience it. The business class cabin on Thai airways on the A300 is configured in a 2x2x2 configuration with 38″ pitch and each seat is 18 inches wide. In economy it’s a bit more tight, with seats aligned 2x4x2 (sounds like an A330 to me?!?) and a 32″ pitch and 17″ width. The seats in Biz class are no different than domestic first class seats on flights in the USA and are not nearly as comfortable as on the B747 I flew from Bangkok to Phuket. Despite this, the seat was more than comfortable and did its job for the one hour jaunt.

The A300s are supposed to be retired from the Thai Airways fleet in 2013 and transferred to TG’s newest low cost subsidy Thai Smile. There is still an opportunity to fly this dated part of history and would highly recommend getting on board before it’s too late. The plane was comfortable and it just reminds us how far airplanes have come over the last 30 years! In an odd way I’m thankful that Thai Airways still flies this plane! It’s one more item I can now check off my bucket list!

French toast, beans, and sausage breakfast

Check In counter at Phuket

Read This Next

About Rocky Horan