TG931 CDG-BKK First ClassOur entire routing for this February 2014 trip had been built around flying Thai's A380 in First. After a connection from Berlin through Zurich to Paris, we spent a night in the Hyatt Regency Charles de Gaulle, a reasonable if unexciting choice at the airport.
After a quick check-in and convoluted priority route through security, we briefly stopped to buy a couple of bottles of champagne for the KL/Siem Reap Do (cheaper in Paris than Asia) and then proceeded to the Star Alliance first class lounge. Although nowhere near the best lounge we have come across, this was a pleasant place to sit for a couple of hours before boarding started. The lounge was not busy, so we grabbed a couple of chaises longe and relaxed with a magazine. A small choice of food and drink was available, but we mainly restrained ourselves knowing that lunch in flight would be worth waiting for. Food & BeverageFrom the pre-departure Vintage Dom Perignon to wonton soup for breakfast, the food and beverage offering was superb. The trio of canapés to start were tasty, followed by some of the best caviar we have ever had. The serving was generous, especially when Mrs d2t requested a second portion and was given half a pot! Naturally, ice-cold vodka was offered alongside.
Caviar was followed by lobster salad and we had both pre-ordered a curry for the main course (strongly recommended - it is generally best to eat the native cuisine of an airline and TG is no exception, although their western dishes are also often good). A quick taste of the dessert trio (we shouldn't with our allergies, but sometimes it's hard to resist) and we settled down with a hot drink to use the excellent IFE. After an all too brief snooze (why is the cabin always so hot whomever we fly with), it was time for a light breakfast. Beautifully prepared fruit was presented as a starter and we had both requested a noodle dish for the main from the dine anytime menu (we did this at the start of the flight to ensure one was kept behind). All food was fresh, not overcooked and delicious - this is one of the reasons we love TG so much! |
The SeatAs you can see in the pictures, the seat is spacious and a vast improvement on TG's older first class. The creamy yellow and purple colour scheme looks classy and also increases the feeling of openness.
Copious amounts of storage space, a Rimowa amenity kit containing L'Occitane perfume, lip balm and body lotion, flight socks, ear plugs and tooth brushing kit, plus slippers, menus and a blanket greeted us at the seat. To the left was a wardrobe big enough for most outfits and shoes, after changing into the really good pyjamas (we like them so much we wear them at home in our apartment). Supportive in the upright position, the seats were also great for lounging and sleeping (completely flat and with the turn-down service, few lumps or bumps could be felt). |
Overall Impression
As with the majority of our previous TG flights, service was exemplary. All crew were polite and friendly and all requests were met with a smile and carried out if possible. The crew seemed to take a real pride in their work, resulting in a wonderful flight. We simply can't recommend Thai Royal Orchid First Class highly enough and the A380 is definitely the best way to experience it.
As a footnote, we must warn you about CDG. It is frequently rated as the least popular airport in the world and as a capital city airport it is an absolute disgrace. The design of the airport is a disaster, a triumph of form over function. Who ever thought those criss-crossing moving walkways creating pinch-points was a good way to move people? They cause huge delays and are truly ugly to boot. Worst of all, we have to report that our luggage (Rimowa Limbo 75L) was damaged at the airport. Not only did they manage to knock off a wheel but someone tried to force the locks with (probably) a screwdriver. Amazingly, the case defeated the attempted theft but we were left with a case which we could not lock for the remainder of our trip. Thanks to Rimowa's fantastic customer service it was repaired free-of-charge during a subsequent stay at The Adlon Hotel in Berlin. Thai deserve special mention here as they even agreed to contribute towards the cost of the hotel stay as compensation. I would avoid CDG if at all possible.
As a footnote, we must warn you about CDG. It is frequently rated as the least popular airport in the world and as a capital city airport it is an absolute disgrace. The design of the airport is a disaster, a triumph of form over function. Who ever thought those criss-crossing moving walkways creating pinch-points was a good way to move people? They cause huge delays and are truly ugly to boot. Worst of all, we have to report that our luggage (Rimowa Limbo 75L) was damaged at the airport. Not only did they manage to knock off a wheel but someone tried to force the locks with (probably) a screwdriver. Amazingly, the case defeated the attempted theft but we were left with a case which we could not lock for the remainder of our trip. Thanks to Rimowa's fantastic customer service it was repaired free-of-charge during a subsequent stay at The Adlon Hotel in Berlin. Thai deserve special mention here as they even agreed to contribute towards the cost of the hotel stay as compensation. I would avoid CDG if at all possible.