The time had finally arrived for us to make the trek back to the UK.
Arrived at the airport in good time and were the first to be seen but some reason it took an inordinate amount of time to get checked in. Although they did ask to see the credit card I had made the reservation on as the eticket stated.
After boarding cards issued we set off for the Air New Zealand lounge. With our departure cards already completed (always take a few so can do this before leaving for the airport) we were quickly through immigration and security. After a bit of hunting we found the lounge - it is the only one on the ground floor so down two escalators. We were the first there and found some nice 'conservatory' chairs by the window. Food and drink were very good - kiwi themed where possible. Very nice Lindauer Special Reserve Brut sparkling - not usually a fan of NZ sparkling.
Very quickly, or so it seemed, we were called to board. Common sense had prevailed and Y had already boarded. Walked into a very spacious purple hued T777. Cabin felt very roomy and relaxing. Offered juice or champagne and a hot towel. Had a rummage around the seat and pockets. A small amenity kit was provided with the usual socks. eyeshades, toothbrush and paste, lipbalm. In the booklet explaining how the seat worked were postcards, envelopes, a don't disturb me sticker and some paper. The IFE was AVOD and had a 15' screen in the back of the seat shell in front - very impressive.
We pushed back on time and a forward camera allowed us to watch the taxiing on the screens at the front of the cabin. After take off this switched to a down looking camera until the IFE was turned on.
Service was faultless and friendly, only slightly let down by the language barrier, but not to cause a problem. Lunch was a 5 course affair served with french wines, at least that was what I remember. Followed by port with the cheese and liquers with the puds. Thai serve of a trolley at seat rest height and not the typical airline trolley a la Pam Ann. The cheeses are laid out for you to select as were the desserts, and indeed the array of drinks on offer all being in the seated passengers line of sight.
The seat was very comfortable, lie flat as opposed to flat, but wide. We were going to see if we could get standby upgrades to 1st at BKK but decided the seats were so good we wouldn't bother - error of judgement.
Flight was uneventful and crew were present all the time. We were probably the youngest (still under 40 for a few weeks!) in the cabin and felt as if we had stumbled into a SAGA holidays excursion. The lady across the aisle from me decided she could not work the seat controls and everytime she wanted to change position called the CC. At one point she wanted her seat set up like mine but I was sitting upright with the leg rest as horizontal as it goes however she wanted the leg rest up but the seat reclined an impossibility as the seat back in front prevents this.
We arrived in BKK ahead of schedule and made our way to a Thai lounge which was very busy and we were shown to seats. Snack food was available and beers and some spirits but no wines. We asked to use the showers and were told to wait as they were busy. However an attendant did come and get us, OH first, I was left with the luggage but no sooner has OH gone they came and got me so after some fruitless discussion I trooped of to shower with all the hand luggage. OH had been shopping in Mel and Bkk and had 2 pieces of hand luggage at check in - so no mean feat. Shower was spotless with a shower head which could not defy gravity and would only really suit someone of small, very small, stature.
There were a lot, I mean a lot of staff, in the lounge, working, well standing around chatting to each other most of the time which took away from the tranquility. As did the really annoying lady who was playing a game on her mobile phone with the sound on for some 15 mins but we couldn't work out where the noise was coming from to start with until someone complained to the staff and she subtly put the phone away and it went quiet.
Boarded the connecting flight this time a 747 and were seated upstairs. The seats were different from the T7 being narrower, smaller screen and not as comfortable - identical to MH J class seats. However the service was just as good. Only gripe on this flight was they didn't make sure all the blinds were closed before everyone went to sleep - we took off at 0110 - so I knew it would get light quite early in the morning and low and behold it did and this is what woke me up around 0300 UK time (we landed at 0710) despite wearing the eyeshades. Otherwise just a long overnight flight. Had some 4-5 hours sleep.
On arrival at LHR all passports were being checked as we left the aircraft - not seen that before. Made our way to immigration to a massive EU queue back into the corridor - so decided to use the fast track passes and were through in a minute or so. Too quickly as it turns out as no carousel had been assigned yet. 5 mins later and we made our way to No 5 and our bags were off in the fist batch. Through customs without a hitch and were met by a driver I had booked.
We headed up to Derby where we arrived at 1000 which I thought was excellent as the plane only touched down at 0710.
I would have no hesitation flying Thai again, just as well as we are heading back to Oz with them next week! My only recommendation, and purely personal, is to add a bit more Thai food to the menu.
Rob
