Phuket Thailand

Coolhand · #1 08-10-2006, 08:06

When travelling for the company I work for they pay for business class tickets on flights of over 4 hours. This works quitre well - Singapore, Shanghai, Dalian, etc. are all within that four hour rule. Recently needed to go to Vancouver and San Francisco, checking in at SFO on Friday night I was told that business class was over booked and they were looking for volunteers to downgrade to economy. Initially I declined, but sitting in the business class lounge sipping a G&T, I started to think what I could do with the money they were offering, so I volunteered, and sure enough, was downgraded. The flight wasn't too bad, and when I landed in Hong was handed a wedge of cash, enough for ten return flights to Bangkok with Cathay or one good weekend in Wanchai!
Thank you Cathay Pacific, you ave made my weekend.

stevem · #2 08-10-2006, 08:36

Downgrades are worth heaps, I seem to recall 1.3 times the economy fare comes to mind. So long as the airline is decent in economy, like there is no way I would accept a downgrade on a Thai 747 for instance, economy is crap.

Coolhand · #3 08-10-2006, 09:47

It worked out as a full refund of the business class one way fare, and I still got to fly

. I don't particularly rate Cathay long haul business class, its those seats, thay just aren't comfortable for me, service and everything else is great, but give me a flat bed any time.

Nicke · #4 08-10-2006, 16:24

Wow, sounds great. Well worth the downgrading.

(I have never been in business class anyway)

cybernator_uk · #5 08-10-2006, 16:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicke

Wow, sounds great. Well worth the downgrading.

(I have never been in business class anyway)

Same as you Nicke... Never been in buisness class ..... I am poor person who cant afford it..... I am happy when i can get on an aeroplane... But anyway good result there.... now then where to go is the question

Petter · #6 08-10-2006, 16:58

Quote:

Wow, sounds great. Well worth the downgrading.

(I have never been in business class anyway)

When you go "home" and if you use Scandinavian its not worth it,the economy is ok,and its mostley new planes and the seats are good with a little
tv screen in every seat.
The service is shit both places with old grumpy stewardesses so you only get some more space for your legs at first class,notting more.

Gone use Singapore for the first time from Copenhagen in November,and i am very hopeful about that.

GMT · #7 08-10-2006, 17:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevem

there is no way I would accept a downgrade on a Thai 747 for instance, economy is crap.

Bugger!!! Guess who I'm flying to LOS with in December!!! I'll be in 'cattle class', so the only downgrade that I can get is into the toilet!

Actually, since I work at Heathrow, and about twice a week I get to load/unload the Thai flight, I spoke with one of the Dispatchers and he let me take a look on-board so that I could try to spot a decent seat. 'Cattle Class' is a riot of different coloured seats, no seat-back TV screens, but does seem to have a decent amount of legroom (I'm 6ft tall).

andy50 · #8 08-10-2006, 18:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMT

Bugger!!! Guess who I'm flying to LOS with in December!!! I'll be in 'cattle class', so the only downgrade that I can get is into the toilet!

Actually, since I work at Heathrow, and about twice a week I get to load/unload the Thai flight, I spoke with one of the Dispatchers and he let me take a look on-board so that I could try to spot a decent seat. 'Cattle Class' is a riot of different coloured seats, no seat-back TV screens, but does seem to have a decent amount of legroom (I'm 6ft tall).

try to get a seat as far forward as poss gmt (but not next to the toilet!),its quieter towards the front of the engines ,
i travelled on thai quite a few times and found them to be ok ,although ive only ever travelled cattle class so i can,t compare

marc26 · #9 09-10-2006, 04:50

i would do that anyday when it comes to cathay pacific. there service in economy is outstanding

nelsonone · #10 09-10-2006, 04:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petter

Gone use Singapore for the first time from Copenhagen in November,and i am very hopeful about that.

Singapore has seat back entertainment systems and pretty good legroom in economy.....for a lunking lad like you Petter......

Business class is great....flatbed.....great entertainment system.....and very good service.......i really don't know how they would better it for first class....

I think Singapore is up with the best airlines Petter!!!!

Nanook · #11 09-10-2006, 14:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petter

When you go "home" and if you use Scandinavian its not worth it,the economy is ok,and its mostley new planes and the seats are good with a little
tv screen in every seat.
The service is shit both places with old grumpy stewardesses so you only get some more space for your legs at first class,notting more.

Gone use Singapore for the first time from Copenhagen in November,and i am very hopeful about that.

Hey Petter,
You will love SQ. I use them as much as possible for flights from AMS to Asia. One time their Raffles class (=business) and the rest economy. The economy is good as well. I am 1.80m by about 94kg and usually I can sit pretty well in their B-777.
Like one said already, try to use the first 5 rows of econony. I think they start from row 31. Yout sit in front of the econony, close to the galley (not bothering you) and at the end of the ride, you can leave the plane pretty fast to make your dash to the immigration

Also, you have less engine noise.
Just check the (any) airlines website prior to booking of a flight and select a seat to your liking, when booking your flight. Often enough, you'll get it when checking in.

Success and enjoy the flight and the "after-flight pleasure". Let us know how it was.

Nanook

stevem · #12 09-10-2006, 14:44

For aircraft seating questions, have a look here

Welcome to SeatGuru! Your Guide to Airplane Seats and In-flight Amenities

Gecko · #13 09-10-2006, 15:26

Thanks for the link Steve that is an excellent site. I always wondered what number the good seats were. I will use this when checking in for sure.

HS

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevem

For aircraft seating questions, have a look here

Welcome to SeatGuru! Your Guide to Airplane Seats and In-flight Amenities

tally · #14 09-10-2006, 17:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by honeyseeker

Thanks for the link Steve that is an excellent site. I always wondered what number the good seats were. I will use this when checking in for sure.

HS

Shame they don't list Thai Airways tho.....

faultytowers · #15 09-10-2006, 18:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by tally

Shame they don't list Thai Airways tho.....

Have found this site , but unfortunately it is only for 747-400.

Best Seat Thai Airways Boeing 747 -400 747 Economy

tally · #16 09-10-2006, 18:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by faultytowers

Have found this site , but unfortunately it is only for 747-400.

Best Seat Thai Airways Boeing 747 -400 747 Economy

muchas gracias amigo

naughty boy · #17 10-10-2006, 14:51

Everybody got a different taste! When I fly on my own budget, I prefer to sit in Economy at the entrance of the plane 31 c, which gets a below average!

I wonder why? I have all the legroom I want! Once the door is closed it is a quiet spot. No people standing in line for the lavatory's.

Only downside is that there is no personal tv (on Thai there is none anyway), and your meals are served last. Since I know that, I ask before they start to be sure that my choice is reserved!

stevem · #18 10-10-2006, 15:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by naughty boy

Everybody got a different taste! When I fly on my own budget, I prefer to sit in Economy at the entrance of the plane 31 c, which gets a below average!

I wonder why? I have all the legroom I want! Once the door is closed it is a quiet spot. No people standing in line for the lavatory's.

Only downside is that there is no personal tv (on Thai there is none anyway), and your meals are served last. Since I know that, I ask before they start to be sure that my choice is reserved!

On the seat guru site it gets a yellow due to the lack of under seat storage

Captain · #19 10-10-2006, 15:21

I can agree with NB. I like the front seats in economy. 31A is not good as no legspace. 32 K is very good. I don't want under seat storage, I want place for my legs. Handluggage goes above my hean and as Frequent flyer gold I have priority boarding, so allways place there.

GMT · #20 10-10-2006, 19:15

I had a look on a Thai B747-400 a few nights ago, with a view to finding a good seat for me for my upcoming trip.
I thought that 31A was 'ok' because you had some leg-room (can stretch right out, but at an angle) and it has two windows! It's just ahead of the wing (and engines) so gets much less engine noise. On flights I like to look out of the window, to try to work out where we are, so 31A is ideal for me.
32k is very similar, but has a wall in front of the seat so less chance to stretch out.
53A looks as good as 31A, but is behind the wing so will have more engine noise.

Captain · #21 10-10-2006, 21:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMT

I had a look on a Thai B747-400 a few nights ago, with a view to finding a good seat for me for my upcoming trip.
I thought that 31A was 'ok' because you had some leg-room (can stretch right out, but at an angle) and it has two windows! It's just ahead of the wing (and engines) so gets much less engine noise. On flights I like to look out of the window, to try to work out where we are, so 31A is ideal for me.
32k is very similar, but has a wall in front of the seat so less chance to stretch out.
53A looks as good as 31A, but is behind the wing so will have more engine noise.

31A you are at the entrance. Problem with that seat (with Thai, don't know if everywhere the same seat configuration) is that the shoot at the bottom of the door is taking the place where you normally stretch your legs. B and C are better therefore.
Also found that there is a cold airdraught at your feet.