Jan 17, 2003 01:16 PM
5996 Views
(Updated Jan 17, 2003 01:16 PM)
Flying Delhi-Hong Kong, I had to this time fly Thai as opposed to my usual option Cathay Pacific as it was fully booked. My other options were Air India or Royal Nepal, and as any traveller would know these were avoidable. So well, it was Thai. I had actually heard some uncomplementary things about Thai so I was skeptical.
Check in was alrite. Ground agent was not overtly friendly or efficient but was not rude or completely incompetent.
Flight was 20 minutes late from Delhi, again not too bad as I had over 4 hours transit time in Bangkok.
The aircraft from Delhi to Bkk was an A-330 while from bkk to Hong Kong was a 747-400. Booth aircrafts were well mantained and had good legspace. This is perhaps the biggest plus point of Thai. Having flown economy class in many European airlines, the seating was far more generous on Thai.
However in-flight entertainment was outdated. Overhead monitors seem a bit backward in this day and age of personal TV's. Its quite surprising that Thai has been left behind given that its rivals Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Malaysia Airlines all have PTV's. For a short time one does not mind so much, but on a longer haul flight in flight entertainment does matter. The duty free selection is also quite poor as I noticed because I had to buy a gift for someone and could not find anything suitable.
As for service, I found the crew members needed alot more grooming and training. I can understand that they do need to be rude with some drunken and rowdy passengers on the Delhi Bangkok flight but even then I find them lacking in eye contact with passengers and expressionless. They are reasonabaly efficient and more attentive then what I have seen in some other airlines but overall are a far cry to the cabin crew of MAS, Singapore Airlines, Cathay, SAS or KLM.
Food was again normal airline food. Not particularly bad, but nothing great either. As such arrival and baggage was quite acceptable.
However the biggest drawback of thai is the hub at Bangkok. The airport is old, warm, muggy and extremely difficult to get around. Being big makes it even worse. As such, the waiting areas are terrible and one would much rather transit in Singapore, Hong Kong or KL.
In sum total, Thai is acceptable. It is not particularly a bad airline to fly. But it does not exceed expectations. Would I reccomend it? Maybe. It is better then carriers such as Northwest, United and Lufthansa. However, if you have an option of flying Cathay, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia or BA, I would chose them unless you get a spectacular deal on Thai.
