Thailand’s Disgrace Thai Airways
Had no other option, had to fly Thai Airways to Europe and back. Economy class it goes without saying. To let you know upfront: How much deeper can the service of a renowned airline fall.
Thai Airways should get a disservice award. Not only that there couldn’t be any less space inbetween seats (try an Arab carrier for comparison), the food is a celebration of utter minimalism.
Take this: In the middle of the night, somewhere before the Himalayas, the air passenger is overcome by a slight appetite. He gets up, walks to the back of the plane and kindly asks for a sandwich. “Sorry sir, no snacks.”
In the middle between continents, hours away from the next bite, having paid a ton of money for the ticket, the national airlines of the kingdom of Thailand has no snack on board for a just about hungry passenger.
An even only slightly impressive national airlines can do so much for the rep and image of the represented nation. But if the nation boasting itself with some of the best food on earth, and the respective airlines doesn’t even provide most basic service on board, either the airline or nation suffers a considerable credibility problem.
Back to the plane. What I got was some cocktail nibbles. And there I went back to the seat, nibbling nibbles. And all I got was more hungry.
There, a cabin attendant! Politely I gave it another try and asked, unteachable, for a sandwich. And said the cabin attendant: “Not sure, but follow me.”
Me, the paying air passenger, follows the cabin attendant.
Nah, not that the flight attendant would have come back to my seat, in case he’d found a sandwich. There I went, following his trail.
Another telling manifestation of the airline’s hidden slogan: “We’ll slim you down” – for we want slimmer passengers munching less food which translates into less aviation fuel and other expenses.
But a miracle happened: In the back of the plane, cabin attendants were eagerly laughing and chatting with each other. Eating sandwiches. But not any sandwiches. Clearly labeled Crew sandwiches.
The flight attendants showed mercy and handed over two sandwiches.
And you ever doubted that other airlines offer whole little buffets between mealtimes on intercontinental flights?
With fruits, instant noodles, fresh sandwiches, an array of drinks and such?
I’m neither spoiled nor asking for too much. But then again, we should at least be happy that Thai Airways meanwhile installed an onboard entertainment system.
Not too long ago all rucksack class passengers had to stare at the same screen enjoying movies you’d never have bought at your DVD shop.
Or am I just the unlucky guy?
Why are people still traveling with Thai?
It all comes down to having no choice and a great, slightly sexist marketing with the probably oldest advertising slogan on earth. “Smooth as Silk.” Backed up by lousy performance.
Next time I’ll have to fly intercontinental with Thai I’ll arm myself preemptively with homemade sandwiches and such. Like that friend. Even when flying business class on Thai he brought along some a fully stuffed bag from Burger King and enjoyed an ample meal on board.
How glorious that junk food suddenly looked to the dearly paying business class passengers – there up high in the air, in the hands of Thai Airways.
+++ Contacted Thai Airways Customer Service with this complaint. Let’s see how they answer.
Slimming down the airline, that’s key wisekwai.
Haven’t found a list with all the vice presidents, vice chairmen and vice directors, but expect a substantial figure of not really needed profiteers.
And just as a comparison – TG’s fleet constists of seven different planes:
http://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/Thai%20Airways.htm
- compared to SQ’s active fleet of four different planes:
http://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/Singapore%20Airlines.htm
Now which fleet is cheaper to maintain?
By the way, we were on a A340-600. There’d have been ample space for sandwiches and such …
But as you say, they’re cutting back on everything – except the ticket prices.
BangkokDan
Just exactly what I was thinking, I have to agree with you wholeheartedly.
I remember the service of Thai Airways as elegant and always top-notch.
Last time we took Thai Airways this June for our yearly holiday. Over the past years we always went for Emirates or Qatar.
Never again! The thought was to save time by not having to change planes.
But Thai Airways, if you hear this, those Middle Eastern airlines make even economy class a joy to fly.
There couldn’t be a greater gap between Thai Airways’ marketing and what the airline delivers on board.
Sad!
Believe me, the international carriers are a LOT better than the U.S. domestic airlines now. On a U.S. carrier if I had gotten up and asked for snacks they probably would have arrested me for attempted terrorism.
Regardless, packing your own food is the key. I always load up on snacks like beef jerky and nuts for a long ride. And I bring an empty water bottle with me too so I don’t have to buy the tremendously expensive bottled water in airports. I just fill up an empty bottle at a water faucet. The price for water and food at airports is robbery.
Before they cut off the JFK-BKK route the service was actually great. Anytime I would head to the back of the plane the stewardess’s would gang up on me and force sandwiches and drinks on me … but now those days are gone.
I’m sure rising fuel costs have them cutting back everywhere they can.
Good sample Talen that BKK-JFK route.
With TG’s latest fuel surcharge, they can swallow a barrel-price of 150 U.S. dollars. With the current oil price substantially lower, they already got ample breathing space.
Furthermore, fuel made up 55% of the operating costs of the BKK-JFK flight, exceeding the 34% average. But then again, do a few apples and sandwiches, costing some 100 dollars, make up 0.00001% of the total operating cost or 0.0001%?
An airline doesn’t fall and succeed because of a few apples and sandwiches. Better start cutting some of those vice personalities …
BangkokDan
You’re right the quality of Thai Airways is very poor.
They think they have a competitive advantage with their direct routes to and from BKK. In France (sorry about that:-), their only competitor is Air France which prices are rougly the same or higher for a quality of the same (sub)standard … i.e no space for the legs on economic class, few snacks and drinks. Thai flights to and from France use (over)aging planes (whatever the brand).
Despite the 16 hours of traveltime (including a break of approximatively 1-2 hours) I highly prefer Gulf companies such as Etihad or Emirates that provide brand new planes (with individual screen and brand new or classical films, game …), good meals, and plenty of juice and water offered during the flight (however they look a little bit more reluctant to give extra-alcohol drinks but I don’t care so much so …)
Sorry to hear your story BangkokDan. From the comments it seems you’re all praising the quality of Middle Eastern airlines and that’s fair enough. A friend of mine once told me that the reason people are flying Thai (making their European routes still profitable) is because the services of other established airlines are of even lower quality. Let’s hope enough people put pressure on Thai so that they’ll be worthy of being the national flag carrier once again.
Appreciate your sympathy ibatum.
You know yourself I exaggerate slightly. It’s more of … a disappointment.
Many years ago it was still an event to fly around the world. People dressed up for the occasion, enjoyed it.
Today it’s like boarding a tram. Nothing special, anyone can do it.
But you pay yesteryear’s prices!
Especially with oil prices falling again and the airlines fully hedged thanks to hefty surcharges, one should expect some improvements in the near future.
Until then, if you at least want to enjoy your flight, it’s easy to make the right choice.
BangkokDan
Sorry to say, dude, but your complaint totally disqualifies you.
Tell me an airline where the staff would actually hand you over their own sandwiches? (Most airlines can’t even afford to have SMILING staff! If you’ve been travelling around in the U.S. or Europe).
Virgin is a big exception, as are Qatar and Emirates (I agree with that).
But still – even with the oil prices falling, they are still way above where they used to be in “yesterday’s prices” time, and most carriers these days are struggling for survival (it’s all about “how long can we prevent going broke”).
And have you thought about why Qatar and Emirates can offer such great service? (Ever thought about which countries PROFIT from the crazy oil prices? – countries like Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. I bet you their fuel bill is very different from non-oil-exporting countries flight companies.
Last time I travelled Thai was 4 years ago. And the service was 1A! Might have changed now, but keep it in perspective … and try flying with ANY U.S. carrier and you will see what really lousy service is.
Guess you’re right Bob I’m spoiled …
I’ll go for the exceptions, support the ones that go the extra mile.
Cutting back on a few food items is just saving/restructuring gone terribly wrong. And don’t worry about the crews’ sandwiches. They had dozens of them. Remains a mystery to me how they could possibly ever eat them all.
We all know about the oil-advantage of the oil-exporting countries, allowing them to maintain the newest fleets and such.
The cost of a decent Inflight service though is, by comparison, a drop in a bucket.
Me paying 50,000 baht for a return ticket in rucksack class, an average additional inflight budget of some meagre 100-200 baht per passenger could go a long way.
BangkokDan
This is *completely* unwarranted.
First, they did give you a snack. Not happy, insisting on a sandwich … the Thai Airways F/A handed you her own sandwich (staff only), with a smile. Clearly went a mile beyond company policy to make you comfortable.
Please try the same thing Northwest or U.S. Airways next time. They’ll be rude at best and possibly threaten you with arrest. Last time around on NW NRT-MSP I was berated for not holding out my cup quickly enough (was just getting awaken) for the tea they were giving out. Diet coke? No, sorry, only water and orange juice.
Last time I flew Thai economy to Europe, I woke up in the middle of the night and turned on my reading light … and not a minute after, the F/A was around with drinks and a smile. Personal service in coach. Certainly unheard of on ANY U.S. carrier.
Dan’s right, Thai Airways sucks grand style. Booked a flight next year with a local arrangement I can’t change. Now Thai called me to tell that the flight back to Bangkok will be postponed for one day. That’s fine with me, but what about a hotel voucher for the additional night? Sorry Sir, the lady said, that post is currently vacant, nobody can issue you a voucher … Gimme a break!!!!!
Forget the sandwiches and small amenities.
Just be glad you arrived at your destination in one piece, Dan.
They are an absolute fucking disgrace … flight delayed for four days and no food, water or hotel provide. No information or apology.
Thai Airways, absolutely THE worst airline I’ve ever flown – bar none. No snacks, terrible food, not particularly friendly or helpful staff (what happened to the Thai hospitality aboard Thai Airways?) and one of the most expensive airlines in existence.
Last time I flew Thai was four years ago. Wouldn’t touch them with a ten foot pole. Now I fly Qatar or Etihad out of Bangkok – SUPERB service and tickets far, far cheaper than anything Thai Airways has to offer.
The government should shut down Thai Airways and give up the ghost. My Thai hi-so friends won’t even fly them any more.
I really liked the JFK-BKK flight. Most other TG flights are average (leaving aside most U.S. airlines which are hopeless). Was just booking a flight to BKK from Europe and the most noticeable thing was that TG were way more expensive than the ME airlines (and many others). So why fly TG when they are average AND expensive?