Flying in Thai Airways First Class was a particularly novel experience for me, and one that had long intrigued me ever since I first delved into Miles & Points back in 2017.
Furthermore, Thai Airways’s newest First Class product hasn’t received a lot of coverage in the recent past, since it’s only offered on a select few routes, and award availability is quite difficult to come by.
Thai Airways First Class – Booking
I booked this flight as part of a larger itinerary using Aeroplan points.
The first leg took me from Bangkok to Tokyo in Thai Airways First Class . After a three-day stopover in Tokyo, I’d continue onward to Chicago in ANA “The Suite” First Class , before making my way to Montreal in Air Canada business class .
In sum, I parted ways with 135,000 Aeroplan points and around $100 (CAD) in taxes and fees for the entire journey. While that’s surely a handsome amount of points to spend on a few flights, I was very pleased with the value, as well as getting to tick a few aspirational flying experiences off of my list.
If you were to just book this flight on its own, a First Class ticket would cost 60,000 Aeroplan points.
It’s worth noting that award availability was much better when I made the booking in Spring 2022, since much Asia was still closed off due the pandemic.
However, as of late, award seats for Thai Airways First Class, and ANA First Class for that matter, have become exceedingly difficult to come by. Seats are inconsistently released, and when they are, they’re quickly snatched up.
If you’re looking to score a seat in Thai Airways First Class, consider the Bangkok–Osaka route instead of the Bangkok–Tokyo route, as it seems to have better availability.
Nevertheless, it’s a challenge to book, so be diligent with your searches, and consider using an ExpertFlyer alert to monitor award space.
Thai Airways First Class – Ground Experience
On the morning of my flight, I was delighted to head to the airport and see what Thai Airways had in store for me.
Check-in was quick and painless. As a Thai Airways First Class passenger, there’s a separate dedicated check-in area after proceeding through a separate airport entrance.
Thai Airways First Class – Airport entrance
Thai Airways First Class – Check-in area
Thai Airways First Class – Check-in desks
I was welcomed by the staff, shown to a nearby seat, and presented with a cold bottle of water.
Thai Airways First Class – Seating area
Thai Airways First Class – Complimentary bottle of water
The Thai Airways staff confirmed my reservation, and showed me a seating chart. While I’d selected my seat and meal in advance of the flight, I was once again given the option to choose, should I have changed my mind.
Thai Airways First Class – First Class seating chart
I was also pleased to learn that I’d have the entire First Class cabin to myself on the flight to Tokyo. It’s a truly delightful experience to have so much real estate at your disposal on a plane, especially in First Class.
After completing the formalities, I was escorted to Fast Track security by a Thai Airways representative, who’d be looking after me until I boarded the flight.
Thai Airways First Class – Fast Track security
Security was a breeze, and I was then accompanied to the Thai Airways Royal Orchid Prestige First Class Lounge .
The lounge was nice, and I enjoyed a few items off the menu; however, I reserved most of my appetite for indulging during the flight.
Overall, the lounge experience didn’t quite feel like a true First Class experience, since it was really just a cordoned-off separate section of the business class lounge.
Thai Airways Royal Orchid Prestige First Class Lounge Bangkok – Entrance
However, I enjoyed the décor, and since I was one of the only passengers in the lounge that morning, the service was very attentive and kind.
Thai Airways Royal Orchid Prestige First Class Lounge Bangkok – Main seating area
It’s worth noting that the Thai Airways First Class ground experience could be elevated and more competitive with other First Class lounges if the Royal Orchid Spa were to ever reopen.
In the past, both business and First Class passengers could enjoy complimentary spa treatments before their flight, which was one of the main draws of the ground experience.
After polishing off a few dishes and drinks, I was met by my Thai Airways representative, who chatted with me as we strolled through the terminal to Gate D7.
Thai Airways First Class – Gate D7
I couldn’t help but feel like the boss at this point, as the representative parted a sea of passengers waiting to board the flight as we made our way directly to the gate.
He signalled to the gate staff that a First Class passenger was coming through, and they immediately stopped checking other passengers in to ensure a very seamless process.
After thanking him, I meandered down the jet bridge, and turned left at the First Class and business class entrance. As I boarded the flight, I clicked my heels and grinned in anticipation of what was next.
Thai Airways First Class – Aircraft
Thai Airways First Class – First Class entrance
Thai Airways First Class – Cabin
Once boarding was completed, I was delighted to confirm that I was indeed the only First Class passenger on this flight. At this point, I took time to explore the cabin thoroughly, after having pored over the limited number of photos and videos of Thai Airways’s new First Class product.
There are eight suites configured in a 1-2-1 layout, which take up rows 1 and 2 at the front of the plane.
The First Class cabin features mainly tan and beige hues atop a rich purple carpet.
Thai Airways First Class – Cabin
Thai Airways First Class – Cabin
Thai Airways First Class – Cabin
The rest of the cabin has hints of yellow dotted throughout the pillows and walls.
Thai Airways First Class – Cabin
Thai Airways First Class – Cabin
Overall, I found this cabin to be very pleasing to the eye, and the colour palette reminded me of the tropics.
Thai Airways First Class – Seat
These suites are open and very spacious, but without a door, lack privacy as compared to some other modern First Class products.
If you’re travelling as a couple, your best bet is the middle seats, as the middle divider can slide down, making it easier to chat, see each other, and enjoy the experience together.
Thai Airways First Class – Middle seats
Thai Airways First Class – Middle seats
For solo travellers, you can’t really go wrong with any of the “A” or “K” seats near the windows.
Thai Airways First Class – Window seat
Thai Airways First Class – Window seat
Thai Airways First Class – Window seat
In my case, I selected seat 1A for this flight, at the front left corner of the cabin.
Thai Airways First Class – Seat 1A
Thai Airways First Class – Seat 1A
Thai Airways First Class – Seat
I took a few moments to inspect the suite before I sat down. My initial impressions were very positive, and the First Class suite also appeared to be pretty much brand new, with no signs of wear whatsoever.
Thai Airways First Class – Seat
Thai Airways First Class – Seat
Upon taking my seat, I was greeted by a 24-inch in-flight entertainment screen directly across from me. To its left is a small flower holder dressed in gold, which didn’t have anything in it.
Thai Airways First Class – Entertainment screen
Underneath the screen is an ottoman, which doubles as a buddy seat for dining with a companion. Below that is a decently sized storage bin, in which you can place smaller carry-on items.
Thai Airways First Class – Ottoman
Thai Airways First Class – Ottoman storage
On the left side down by your knees, you’ll find a literature pocket and some extra storage space for any newspapers or magazines.
Thai Airways First Class – Literature pocket
Close to the seat on the left-hand side, you’ll find the seat control screen, as well as five preset buttons to quickly adjust the seat to your preference.
Thai Airways First Class – Seat controls & touchscreen
Just below here is a touchscreen, which you can use to raise or lower the partition, call a flight attendant, or turn on the reading light.
Thai Airways First Class – Seat controls
Thai Airways First Class – Seat controls
Above the seat controls is a small surface space with a white marble finish.
Thai Airways First Class – Surface space
Directly below the surface space, you’ll find a three-pronged headset jack, and a USB-A port.
Thai Airways First Class – Headset jack & USB port
Moving forward, you’ll find a long surface space finished with wood. Once it’s flipped open, a large wooden tray table lined in metal pops out.
Thai Airways First Class – Surface space
Thai Airways First Class – Tray table
At the far left side of the suite, right next to the entertainment screen, there’s a small cubby where you can store a few items. I found a bottle of Evian water and noise-cancelling headphones waiting for me when I boarded.
Thai Airways First Class – Storage space
Close to the seat controls is a small leather-covered door, which houses the entertainment controller.
Thai Airways First Class – Surface space
Thai Airways First Class – Entertainment controller
Further back in the suite is another leather covered surface space, which you can flip open. Once you do, it exposes another small storage area large enough for small laptops and tablets.
Thai Airways First Class – Storage space
Along the edge of the surface space is an open compartment, which is perfect for holding noise-cancelling headphones or anything of a similar size.
Thai Airways First Class – Storage space
To the right, there’s a sliding partition which can help with privacy; however, it’s quite limited even when fully deployed.
Thai Airways First Class – Partition (retracted)
