Has TG gone completely LCC?

[MathNerd]

Just got off TG326 from BLR to BKK, a 777-200 with rego HS-TJG. An aged aircraft for sure, but comfy enough for the ~3hr jaunt East. The way the cabin crew approached a seat change request (in the same row, nonetheless) shows signs of TG running itself like a LCC. Read on...

Was seated in 32A (second row of Y, as selected during Manage Booking). Rows 31 and 50 were not available for selection at booking, at T-48, nor during OLCI at T-24. In fact, OLCI wasn't even available, the site kept throwing error "Online Check-in is not available for you, please proceed to check-in at the airport", or words to that effect. No big deal, I got to the airport early enough.
At check-in, I enquired about availability of seats in rows 31 or 50. All I was met with in reply was "Sir there are no seats in those rows available, but if you pay INR 2000 plus change, we might be able to get you one (sic)". I just left it and kept to 32A.
Boarded, and seemed like nobody was in 31A or 31B (those familiar with the TG 772s may be aware that Row 31 is 2-3-2 as opposed to 3-3-3 like the majority of Y). The door closed announcement came, and I was the only pax in the entirety of 31AB & 32ABC.
A polite request to cabin crew if I could move to either 32C or either 31A or B was denied rightaway, and a sign (like this: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTwziGifgNyZFToY4UufSVpfyqE26ytAt8qNVZv5BrTjeTaS8nZ) was pointed to bluntly. I remained in 32A for the flight. For reference I'm a 6'3" male who would've appreciated a little more legroom

Is this a sign of the times? That a "full service" *A carrier has reached such a low? Maybe Thai in Trouble. was the writing on the wall?

Keen to hear your thoughts.

 

[p--and--t]

Yep, they are in trouble and looking at anything and everything it seems

Thai Airways Might Soon Fly With Leased Cabin Crew & Aircraft Per Latest Proposal To Renew Fleet

Thai Airways looking to lease crews in lieu of own staff.

loyaltylobby.com

 

[Must...Fly!]

To be fair they are not the only airline that do this. In fact VA do it actively to prevent freeloaders in to Economy X (as they should)

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Is this a sign of the times? That a "full service" *A carrier has reached such a low? Maybe Thai in Trouble. was the writing on the wall?

Keen to hear your thoughts.

That's absurd, but also correct.

Rows 31AB and 32C (and the corresponding seats on the other side) are all extra legroom seats and command a fee.

Moving from 32A to C would be moving into the extra legroom seat given there is no seat in front of it.

The absurdity however is that with three seats you could have flipped the armrests up and stretched out length-ways, giving you the same room, if not more.

For those not familiar with the layout, here's a trip report with a picture of the seat set up: Flight Review: TG413 – BKK – SIN

 

[MathNerd]

The absurdity however is that with three seats you could have flipped the armrests up and stretched out length-ways, giving you the same room, if not more.

Yes you're right. I did try that, and within 3 minutes was tapped on the shoulder and told I have to sit upright.
This does reek of cost-cutting (or should I say more appropriately revenue-diversifying?), especially as my experience with airlines like SQ, MH (and TG a few years ago) was that if you wanted extra legroom seats, you have to be ready at T-24 or T-48 to pounce onto OLCI and any unselected seats would be available for selection, and if you're lucky one of the good seats would be available and you'd be a happy camper.
Given what happened today, would it be reasonable to assume that the *only way* to snag these seats is to actually pay for them (at whatever stage that may be), and if you don't pay there's no chance you'll be seated in one?

I'm flying TG again in March (I prefer SQ between MEL and BLR but the price differential was too high, and TG was very reasonable [and is also *A so I get some KF miles out of it too]). I guess I'll just have to come to terms with paying for the (little bit of) extra comfort that these seats provide.

As a note, I just got off TG461, the A350-900 service from BKK to MEL, was seated in 31C and had plenty of legroom, so glad I paid for it in advance

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Given what happened today, would it be reasonable to assume that the *only way* to snag these seats is to actually pay for them (at whatever stage that may be), and if you don't pay there's no chance you'll be seated in one?

I'm flying TG again in March (I prefer SQ between MEL and BLR but the price differential was too high, and TG was very reasonable [and is also *A so I get some KF miles out of it too]). I guess I'll just have to come to terms with paying for the (little bit of) extra comfort that these seats provide.

QF and many other airlines are the same. I believe Qatar still allocated exits at the airport (people from work get to the airport 4 hours before the flight to be first in line to snag one).

Obviously there will be some lucky folk, if the plane if full, that will get seated in the exits free of charge. But it seems TG is also trying to secure additional revenue. On the flip side, if you paid for the extra legroom seats from the outset, you'd be a bit tee'd off if someone who didn't pay just came up and sat there.

I think they were a bit OTT not allowing you to sleep over the three seats. That had nothing to do with using the forward legroom!

There was a comparison table somewhere a couple of days ago regarding the cost of exit rows for a flight AU-Europe. I think CX topped the list with almost $1000 in additional charges. QF was mid-field at about $400 and something, IIRC. The advantage of CX though is that any OW status, even ruby (QF silver), gets free exits.

 

[p--and--t]

Thai Airways Humiliates Passengers, Refusing Their B787 Business Class Seats Calling Them “Too Big To Fly”

Thai Airways humiliates female passengers with body measuring at the gate - DOWNGRADED!

loyaltylobby.com

 

[MathNerd]

Thai Airways Humiliates Passengers, Refusing Their B787 Business Class Seats Calling Them “Too Big To Fly”

Thai Airways humiliates female passengers with body measuring at the gate - DOWNGRADED!

loyaltylobby.com

Damn, very sad to hear stories like this. TG is a pretty solid option (it's definitely better than JQ if you want to go to BKK) whether you're heading to the general SEA region or even Europe. The crews certainly aren't as polished as the likes of SQ but it's a popular option especially for those from the subcontinent.
I'll still continue to fly with them (mainly in Y, I leave J/F flying to SQ) as long as they have competitive Y fares. I wouldn't mind trying out their 747-400 from SYD-BKK (never been on a 747 before!). Heard mixed reviews though!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Damn, very sad to hear stories like this. TG is a pretty solid option (it's definitely better than JQ if you want to go to BKK) whether you're heading to the general SEA region or even Europe. The crews certainly aren't as polished as the likes of SQ but it's a popular option especially for those from the subcontinent.
I'll still continue to fly with them (mainly in Y, I leave J/F flying to SQ) as long as they have competitive Y fares. I wouldn't mind trying out their 747-400 from SYD-BKK (never been on a 747 before!). Heard mixed reviews though!

TG's F on the 747 is fine. The food is usually pretty average though (but that's regardless of the class or aircraft).

For flights to Bangkok TG is a clear winner on their A350/777/787s because of the flat beds. SQ service is better, but breaking the flight in SIN with only a few hours to sleep is the deal breaker for me

Re seatbelts - not a lot TG can do I guess. If they don't fit or disable the safety features, what options remain?

 

[jase05]

Haven’t flown TG long haul for many years as their prices are never really competitive but I can’t recall ever having a really bad flight with them. I still find their their short haul and domestic flights pretty good and a lot better than many of the options so it’s sad to see them in this current predicament

 

[Mattg]

They really told you that you couldn't lie down across 3 empty seats on a redeye flight? That's new to me!

Even Jetstar and Air Asia X haven't told me off for doing that.

 

[MathNerd]

They really told you that you couldn't lie down across 3 empty seats on a redeye flight? That's new to me!

Even Jetstar and Air Asia X haven't told me off for doing that.

Yes! I think the crew must've been told that any "extra charge" seats must be left vacant, no matter how, if nobody has paid for them. Fair enough I guess, but this level of pedanticness is new to me!!

 

[blacksultan]

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I am due to fly tommorow morning from BKK Singapore with TG in the morning and later that eve with SQ to BOM both krisflyer redemptions but 2 separate bookings .
Does anyone know if TG and SQ currently interline ? Ie can I check my bags all the way through to BOM in BKK ?
If not will I have to clear immigration in Singapore , collect my bags and recheck in ?is that even possible without prior arrangements ?
I am travelling on an aus passport and have my negative pcr and international Covid vaccination etc .
Thanks in advance.

 

[Melburnian1]

They really told you that you couldn't lie down across 3 empty seats on a redeye flight? That's new to me!

Even Jetstar and Air Asia X haven't told me off for doing that.

Similarly, I have never had that said, including on BR/MH/PR/SQ where depending on the type I have found four spare middle seats and used them as a whY bed.

A very unfriendly attitude from TG on board staff, but I've not been on one of their aircraft for 15 years.