BKK-SIN Thai Airways A350 Business Class
Thai Airways A350 Business Class
An unmistakably superior Business Class product on Thai Airways’ A350, along with a much nicer Regional product for travel between Singapore and Bangkok!
BKK-SIN Thai Airways A350 Business Class
After visiting the Thai Airways Royal Orchid Lounge at BKK Airport, it was time for Part 2: the return flight to Singapore! On Thai Airways’ A350 Business Class, which features lie-flat seats and a better seat configuration compared to their B787-8 version.
Damage: part of a 3-segment 1 way award flight which included Etihad Regional Business Class and Oman Air First Class, for 80,000 Aeroplan points.
Seats
I booked myself a window seat, specifically 15A, and I did liked the livery and colour tones of the seat! The wooden accents added a touch of warmth and elegance to the cabin, which I found quite appealing.
Additionally, Thai Airways' A350 Business Class cabin is arranged in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration, providing passengers with a more private window seat experience! Considering the short duration of the 2-hour flight, this was more than satisfactory for me. My initial reaction was: Would there be ample time to fully experience the lie-flat seat? 😆
In general, the seat was in excellent condition with minimal indications of wear and tear, indicating good maintenance.
Features
Thai Airways' A350 Business Class offered a high quality in-flight entertainment (IFE) screen, with a complimenting leg rest positioned beneath it that aligns with the lie-flat seat. One feature I appreciated was the open-aired foot cubby, offering ample space for stretching your legs during lie-flat mode. This design bears resemblance to that of Malaysia Airlines' A330.
However, one drawback of this seat is its limited storage options, confined to a side pocket near the seat counter.
On the plus side, there were 2 USB charging points ergonomically located near the seat counter, along with a main charging outlet at the seat's bottom, adjacent to the headphone jack.
Additionally, a spacious dining table, situated at the seat's front, caught my eye with its wooden tones.
As departure approached, the safety video proved to be notably creative and engaging, standing out as one of the more well-thought and visually captivating ones.
Wifi
During this brief 2-hour flight, I didn't attempt to use the Wi-Fi, though I recall vaguely that I couldn't even establish a connection.
In-Flight Entertainment
The IFE system proved adequate for the duration of the 2-hour flight, offering a selection of fairly recent movies. Opting for "Minions: The Rise of Gru," the latest installment, I found it to be somewhat underwhelming compared to its predecessors (somewhat expected).
One aspect I particularly enjoyed was the music selection, which featured a variety of Asian music. While browsing through, I stumbled upon some new Japanese artists to add to my music playlist, which was a pleasant discovery.
Amenities
AKG-branded headphones were supplied, offering excellent sound quality (although comfort was somewhat lacking 😕). Nonetheless, I was able to enjoy an album during the flight.
A pillow and blanket were also provided, featuring purplish tones in line with the overall theme of Thai Airways.
Dining
Upon taking my seat, a cold towel and welcome drinks were promptly served. I chose their signature drink, the butterfly pea tea, which was pretty refreshing!
When it came time for breakfast service, I had the opportunity to select my “wake-up” drink”: Laurent Perrier champagne of course 🥂.
The food menu offered just two choices: Western or Asian. Attempting to be back in touch with my inner Asian food lover, I opted for the Asian option. It featured Thai-style chicken, which turned out to be quite delicious (perhaps I had underestimated my longing for Asian cuisine 😎). However, I found the rice to be a bit too soggy and would have preferred it firmer, more in line with my expectations of Thai rice. The Bulgaria yogurt served was another highlight.
Sleep Experience
After the meal, I briefly reclined the lie-flat bed for a few minutes. It proved to be ideal for sleeping, primarily due to the ample foot space it provided. However it was definitely not very private.
Bathroom
Compactness could be used to describe the lavatory, featuring amenities from Institut Karite, a French brand from Paris.
Conclusion
In summary, it was a pleasant experience on my inaugural Thai Airways Business Class flight, particularly suited for regional travelling, a competitive Business Class product compared to Singapore Airlines to BKK! However, I believe the seat type might feel somewhat dated for long-haul flights (in which Thai Airways are using in most long-haul flights), and I look forward to Thai Airways introducing a refreshed Business Class product for these longer flights in the near future.
With that said, it was time to relish being back home! 😉
