Thai Airways Comparisons

[jase05]

Just after some thoughts from anyone with experiences on TG in regards to their different aircraft and classes.
Have some Avianca miles saved up and keen to take advantage of their current promotion and have found some availability from both SYD-BKK and MEL-BKK. Both options cost 90k points return plus taxes and the MEL flights are on their A350 whilst their SYD flights are on their 747. I can also get F on the SYD flights for 135k return. What are the pros and cons of both aircraft and am I better off with the current promotion blowing the extra points for F? Any thoughts much appreciated.
I’ve done a rough pricing for the dates on the TG website and J is around $3000 return and F around the $5k mark. With the current promotion I estimate $1600 + taxes for J and $2500 + taxes for F which is quite a good deal

 

[Feka742]

A few things to be aware of:

• The new F product (9 semi-enclosed suites) on the 747 is excellent. There are also a couple of aircraft with the old F product (10 open lie-flat seats) still floating around - not a bad product for day flights but long in the tooth. It used to be a flip of the coin as to which you'd get, but with the recent schedule changes it looks like SYD is now getting the new F product consistently.
  
• The A350 J seat is excellent - two generations ahead of the 747 in J, nearly on par with the 747 in F. The J catering/service is good without being outstanding.
  
• The 747 F service and catering are both excellent (IME ex-BKK catering is superb - especially the Thai meal sets).
  
• The TG F ground experience, lounge and spa ex-BKK is great and unique - but TG's J lounges in BKK are pretty dire. SQ and EVA Air are better options for J lounges.
  
• However - TG's long-term plan for the 747 is extremely vague. It's unclear how long SYD will continue to see the 747 (and F as a result), even though the 747 is loaded in the SYD schedule long-term. Some estimates give a rapid departure for the 744s, others have them hanging around until 2022.
  
• TG has expressed interest in bringing the A350 onto the SYD route for some time, but this has yet to materialise. TG is infamous for late schedule changes and equipment swaps, so there's a decent possibility an F award will turn into a J award (with the points difference refunded to you) - particularly if you're looking into later in 2019. There's no such thing as a guarantee with TG.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Just after some thoughts from anyone with experiences on TG in regards to their different aircraft and classes.
Have some Avianca miles saved up and keen to take advantage of their current promotion and have found some availability from both SYD-BKK and MEL-BKK. Both options cost 90k points return plus taxes and the MEL flights are on their A350 whilst their SYD flights are on their 747. I can also get F on the SYD flights for 135k return. What are the pros and cons of both aircraft and am I better off with the current promotion blowing the extra points for F? Any thoughts much appreciated.
I’ve done a rough pricing for the dates on the TG website and J is around $3000 return and F around the $5k mark. With the current promotion I estimate $1600 + taxes for J and $2500 + taxes for F which is quite a good deal

Ex SYD F is the way to go - the only full flat beds on the plane. Business class is angled lie-flats (not comfortable even for a day flight).

J to/from MEL is good - not really worth flying via SYD to get F.

Old F or new F on the 747 - I actually prefer the old version - nice big wide and comfy seats. The new semi-suites are more private, but not as comfortable.

F service ex BKK is great.

You could always fly J ex MEL and return in F to SYD. Best of both worlds.

 

[jase05]

Thanks for the help