A great sense of space, wide sculptured ceilings, large windows with dimmers and less jetlag, this was what the 787 Dreamliner has promised its passengers and this is what the airlines that operate this aircraft promote. Thai Airways have just taken delivery of their second 787-8 Dreamliner and whilst some view Thai Airways as a smaller second cousin to regional power brands Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines, the reality is that Thai too is a major and equal player in this premium category of airlines. With a world class in flight product, brand new state of the art aircraft and excellent value for money, it is keeping its competitors in this premium travel category ‘on their toes’.
My first review in this two part series is of Thai Airways new Economy Class on the 787 Dreamliner between Bangkok and Perth and although it’s cliché and completely over used, it was a dream of a flight.
Seats and Cabin
If ever there was a review to prove I don’t get special privileges this was it. My seat? 57C – very back row, just in front of the toilet and sticking out into the aisle for everyone to hit me. Brilliant I thought! First thing I checked was seat recline as often the back rows don’t recline but these ones did – admittedly it was one inch less than the rest of the seats in the cabin but still a very generous 5 inches. On the seat was a very large size plush blanket and one of the better economy class pillows I have had. There are no amenity kits on overnight flights of this length however they are provided on long haul flights. Seat pitch was generous at 32 inch and there was to my surprise a foot rest. In a time where every other airline is taking foot rests out to save on weight and fuel, the 20 per cent lower fuel burn on this aircraft allows little luxuries like this to creep back in to the economy cabin. The Dreamliner cabin lived up to and exceeded my expectations. Mood lighting at all stages of the flight and a real feeling of space. The large windows make a huge difference to the overall ambience and feeling in the cabin. There are 5 levels of darkness available from no filter to “dark” which isn’t pitch black like a window shade provides but the soft dark blue aura in the cabin is actually more relaxing and the light is minimal. In seat power is available between each seat and sits down near the floor.
The seats themselves are the new slimline type which is never going to be as comfortable in my opinion as the old plush seats of the ‘90s but these weren’t too bad especially on a 6 hour flight. There is a cup holder on the back of the seat in front of you so you don’t need to have your tray table down or hold your drink.
The 787 offers a lot of over head luggage space and even being one of the last to board the plane on a very full flight there was still room for my carry on suitcase.
Now back to that seat – right at the back – virtually in the toilet…. Would I recommend the back row? No definitely not but was it a problem? No, and in all fairness this row is usually reserved as a crew rest area (except on full flights like this). The toilet flush on the dreamliner is surprisingly quiet and the cabin crew were very respectful of the fact it was an overnight flight keeping noise in the galley to an absolute minimum and curtains shut to block off the light.
Food and beverages
The flight departed Bangkok at midnight and arrived into Perth just after 7am . I wasn’t expecting anything substantial on a 6.5hr overnight flight but i was very wrong. We were effectively served two meals and received 6 beverage services. Within 90 minutes after take-off, the crew had performed three beverage services, served and collected a full economy cabins meals and turned the lights off. This crew were efficient and experienced handing out trays by hand when the cart was empty to speed up the process and then again at collection, when the cart was full, they just collected by hand. Throughout the flight the crew came through the cabin with water at regular intervals. Just under two hours before landing we were given a ‘refreshment’ as they called it but it was like another full meal. Most passengers that I saw didn’t make much of a dent in their meals as everyone was full from the first one. The food was tasty – not the best airline food I’ve had but it was definitely up there and it was nice to have stainless steel cutlery. Each meal was preceded with a hot towel service, something that only the top tier airlines still offer. Overall I was extremely impressed with the quality, regularity and efficiency of the food and beverage service and would go as far as to say it’s arguably one of the best. When you’re the last to be served on the plane but still get a choice and your meal is piping hot you know you’re flying with a class act.
In flight entertainment (IFE)
Thai Airways wins both a best and worst award from me here. The crystal clear large seat back screens, entertainment choices (number and variety) clarity of sound and ease of use has put Thai airways in my number one spot for IFE, it was without a doubt the best I have come across. However there was a downfall, a big one. The headphones connect just under the TV screen so whenever someone wants to get out to go to the toilet (remembering there are three seats across in each grouping) each person has to unplug their headphones to let the passenger out and then back in again. Also next to the headphones jack is a USB port so a passenger may have to unplug twice. Sure this is ok on a day time flight but imagine sitting on the window seat on a night flight with your fellow passengers sleeping…
Final word
Thai Airways offers some of the best value in Economy Class not only in the Asian region but throughout the global airline industry. Their service is perfect, meals filling and frequent and the in flight entertainment of superior quality. With blankets and pillows on every seat, foot rests and a generous seat recline you can be assured that you are getting ‘the best you can get’ in terms of Economy travel. Hand sensor flushing toilets, window shade control at the touch of a button and a wood look floor in the galley only added to what was already a modern and sophisticated aircraft.
Now to those claims about the Dreamliner, is the hype deserved? In a word, yes. The crew love it claiming they suffer less from migraines and sinus infections and passengers feel the same. Usually I get off the plane feeling like I need to soak in a bath of moisturiser but not after this flight – my skin felt like I had never been on a plane. I was hoping the ankle swelling would also be solved by the Dreamliner but unfortunately that didn’t happen for me but for my fellow passengers they noticed a lot less swelling. The aisles are noticeably more narrow than the A330 and there’s one more extra seat but with the cabin styling and large windows you just don’t notice once you are sitting down.
My overall score? A 9.5. If Thai can sort out the headphone jack placement it’s a 10. For what you pay in Economy Class and what you receive it’s virtually impossible to fault this airline.
NEXT WEEK: Thai Airways Business Class
Sharon flew as a guest of Thai Airways in October 2014
