Review: Thai Airways Business Class Airbus A320 (CEI-BKK)

All the leg rests do is cut off circulation to one's lower legs, causing deep vein thrombosis - at least if one is > 1.8 meters / 6' tall.

Recently flew on one of Thai's new A320, in the 2-2 recliners between BKK-SAI (glad they're not still fighting over those temples at the border...) Anyway, it reminded me of American Airlines US-domestic first class recliners (no IFE). Of course, even on a short 1-hour flight, a much better meal than on AA. Bah!

This was the same kind of aircraft for flights I took from MNL-BKK and BKK-MNL last week. For a 3 to 3.5 hour international flight, and for what one pays for the flex fare (about $2k), it is disappointing as a business class product. TG should at least provide WIFI service and the meals could possibly be served per course as most airlines do on international business class and as TG does in their bigger aircraft, as opposed to bread, starter, main course, dessert, and beverage all on one tray at once, which was the case on my flights.

Thank you for that review Ben, it looks like a half-decent ride. Might well give it a squirt when we follow in your footsteps to the golden rain, I mean golden triangle …. 🙂

I considered doing Thai BKK-HKT in J but when I saw this was the product, meh, it just didn't seem worth paying an upcharge for when I could fly DMK-HKT for like $25

That was the real AeroB13a.

Thank you for clarifying... *squirt squirt*

And typical Southeast Asians are not even close to 6' tall. Hence the foot rest that is practical.

"And typical Southeast Asians are not even close to 6' tall. Hence the foot rest that is practical."

You're beautiful.

Get a room, you two!

Prefer the 320 to thr 321 seat as 321 seems too low. Service on both is very good though

(Hey, real Aero, everything alright over in Belfast? NYT was reporting some protests.)

For all of Ben's talk of these aircraft operating short flights, they also do a significant number of 3-4 hour routes to Philippines, Indonesia, India. Very underwhelming on those longer flights. Even more disappointing recently, many short widebody routes are being downgraded to these A320s because of fuel prices and decreased demand

Baggage claim wait times in the United States drive me absolutely insane. It's honestly faster everywhere else in the world - even in countries that aren't particularly known for efficiency, like Brazil, Greece, Spain, etc. In the US it's perfectly normal to stand in front of a motionless carousel for 40-60 minutes, with no updates and not even a hint of an apology. I'm sure it's due to understaffing, but it's infuriating.

Sadly everything is not alright in NI, 1990. Nor for that matter, here on the mainland either.

It is reported that a Sudanese illegal immigrant attempted to behead an Irishman. The locals have revolted causing extensive damage to the property housing immigrants. Further unrest and street protests have followed.

Irish dissidents have taken the opportunity to attack the police as is their way. This might well be the start of something which the Labour government is incapable of stopping on both sides of the water.

Oof. Sorry to hear this. Was having flash-backs to the Troubles when I saw the reporting.

Semantics, but by 'both sides of the water,' the 'water' in-question, is the Irish Sea, no? Whereas, the 'pond' is the Atlantic? (Trying not to be an uncultured 'chav' over here.)

Brazil? Have you claimed luggage at CGH recently? 60 minutes doesn't sound too bad!

Unions.

Please consider… carry-on only…

No, Eskimo, unions are not to blame for delayed bags; it’s a combination of understaffing by the airlines, high-turnover because it is grueling physically demanding work at low pay, and some airports are using outdated systems and technology. But, sure, go ahead, perpetuate a tired old trope, and just blame the workers… *sigh*

Congrats on another nice review that generated so much trash from some of your regulars. Under what rock do you find those folks?

The review was useful to me. My wife and I will be flying two legs up front on a Thai 320 in January (KTI-BKK-CNX). Nice to know what to expect. First time in country since my Air Force days there in 1975.

I read in an interview that the THAI CEO did a while back saying the decision to not install power in this seats was due to 2 factors, 1. These 20 A320s being leased frames and all do not have that long of a future at TG and 2. They reconfigured these 20 planes in 5 months, with reconfiguring taking around 5 days per aircraft, they said this was only possible due to not installing power in the seats and it was a choice the airline made to ensure the A320 fleet had proper Business seats ASAP.

Correct on both counts:

Water = Irish Sea.
Pond = Atlantic.
Plus: ….
Chav = unprintable …. 🙂

On the subject of baggage handling in the U.S. Is there not a baggage handling company who is responsible for handling all baggage movements, to which the airline pays a fee per plane?

It depends on the station. Baggage handlers are often employees of the airlines themselves, particularly at the bigger hubs.

I've always assumed there just simply aren't as many baggage handlers per flight in the US as there in other parts of the world, and (especially at the big hubs), connecting bags get priority, so O&D pax simply have to wait until the under-manned team can drive their bags over to the carousel.

RE: Brazil, I haven't been in about two years, but on every visit I've made, including multiple flights to CGH, I've always had my suitcase waiting on the carousel when I came down the escalator.

“The lady doth protest too much, methinks…”

In ‘Straya, they called ‘bogans’… g’day

Thanks James.

Yes, the British service personnel who came into contact with their Southern hemisphere counterparts yonks ago, corrupted “Bogans” into “Bogging” meaning filthy or disgusting.

Every day is a school day 1990.

Every time I land at Chiang Rai the bags arrive within 3-5 minutes, regardless of which airline it is. Bangkok is a little slower but still excellent.

You're an excellent tutor!

Unless I’ve missed something there is, or used to be, a Coral lounge in CEI. I used it last in February 2025. Perhaps it closed, but a quick google search indicates otherwise.