Treat Yo’ Self Trip Report: Thai Airways First Class

Posted by Noob Master on Feb 18, 2013 in First Class, Thai Airways, Trip Reports, Uncategorized | 5 comments

And it continues…

• Treat Yo’ Self Trip Report Introduction 
• Lufthansa 747-8i – IAD-FRA
• Canceled Flight Leads to Poetic Train Ride
• Lufthansa First Class Lounge in Munich
• Thai Air First Class 747 | MUC-BKK

I was feeling refreshed and ready for my 10 hour flight after lounging around in Munich. Let’s get to it…

Check-in/Boarding

Since the Thai Airways counter wasn’t open when I arrived in Munich, I had to wait to get my boarding pass until an hour before the flight. Don’t worry, I didn’t have any issues checking in at the Royal First queue.

Check-in

I took a quick pic of the 747 as I waited for boarding.

747 Beauty

Boarding internationally can be quite messy since there are usually no lines, just crowds. I noticed I was the first one to enter the Royal First (my wife is not shocked by this), so I made my way to my seat and took a pic (or by this).

First Class

The Seat

This First Class cabin was an older product than I had just flown, but was still in great condition. I found it very comfortable to sit and sleep in. Of course, it was a full lay flat seat [couldn't have it any other way]. Sorry, I took a sleeping pill and forgot to snap a picture of it fully reclined and the turn down service.

I can handle that

I felt like the seat was being attacked by pillows. They were everywhere (more that aren’t in the pic). I eventually threw them all on the ottoman until it was time to sleep. Lumbar support overload.

Seat 1A

The seat’s control had a cool touchscreen handheld device. Not bad. It was probably a lot cooler a few years ago before the iPad came out. It was easy to use, though.

Seat controls

There were plenty of small storage compartments on the left side, which I found helpful. I like to throw adapters, plugs, camera, phone, chapstick, and anything else that I use in them for easy access.

TV

Having enough legroom wouldn’t be an issue either.

Ottoman

I didn’t have a jacket with me (I was going to Bangkok), so I didn’t make use of the closet.

Closet

Food & Beverages

During my picture taking spree, I was offered the pre-departure champagne. I was especially looking forward to this glass of champagne since it was Dom Perignon. Baller status. They made sure that you knew it was Dom too. They were proud of it, and they should be. It was delicious, and don’t ask me how many glasses I had.

Dom!

Once we reached our cruising altitude, it was on to the meal service. I welcomed this with an open heart.

The first serving was canapes, and I moderately enjoyed them. I’m not a fan of pickles, so that kinda ruined it for me. On to the next one.

Serving #1

The second portion of the first serving was white sturgeon caviar with garnish. It was also accompanied by bread and a hot towel. I thought the caviar was good, but I’m not really a caviar person. It’s something I can enjoy, but would never order out at a restaurant.

I do love bread though, and enjoyed the many bread selections that were put on my table. I love options.

Caviar & bread

It was then time for the first course: lobster tail, grilled scallops, and vegetable salad. I do love lobster and scallops, and they were both melt-in-your-mouth good.

First Course

For my main course, I chose the roasted chicken with tamarind sauce, steamed thai rice, and roasted vegetables. I loved the flavor of the rice and vegetables, but thought the chicken was a tad bit tough. Just keeping it real.

Main course

After the main course, I was served a light cheese and fruit plate. A couple of my favorite things! It goes without saying that the plate paired very well with my red wine.

Cheese and fruit plate

The gluttony continued with dessert. A cheesecake with chocolate baroque with wild fruit sauce. The outer crust was flaky and just the right amount of crispy. A very solid dessert in my mind, even though it wasn’t completely chocolate.

Dessert

Finally, the eating was done and I was ready to finish my movie and go to bed.

Amenities & Entertainment

The entertainment options on board were more than enough to keep me busy while I ate and wound down before catching some much needed rest. There was a good selection of movies, TV shows, and music to choose from.

The controls functioned well and responded quickly. That’s a pet peeve of mine when you press a button on a remote and there’s a lag before the command registers with the monitor. First world problems.

Media controls

The headphones were comfy and had a good noise-eliminating sound quality.

Thai Bose Headphones

I’m always excited to get changed into the PJ’s while flying First. While it feels a little childish, I think it’s good fun, and comfortable (in most cases). I like the Thai PJ’s, and may or may not wear them at the house. As usual, I was the only one out of 4 First Class passengers to change. Have fun sleeping in your jeans and slacks.

Sporting the PJ’s

The amenity kit came in a tumi bag. I’ll take it. I liked the bag so much, I’ll probably hang on to it for future use. There were the typical amenities inside: creams, lotions, tooth brush, etc.

Tumi amenity bag

Final Touches

Overall, I really enjoyed this flight. The customer service was top notch! My needs were all met and anticipated in most cases. Since I hadn’t slept in 36 hrs. except for a couple hours in the lounge – it was great to get the excellent meal service, take a sleeping aid, and pass out for 5 hours. I slept so hard, I didn’t even have time for breakfast. Not that I was hungry.

I highly recommend the MUC-BKK Thai Air flight in First, and wouldn’t hesitate to route through MUC again.

— Noob Master

Treat Yo’ Self: Lufthansa 747-8i First Class

Posted by Noob Master on Feb 5, 2013 in First Class, Lufthansa, Trip Reports, Uncategorized | 2 comments

Lets get this party started! This is the first review in my trip report and I can’t wait! Actually, importing photos can be a B. I’ll get over it. Enjoy!

• Treat Yo’ Self Trip Report Introduction 
• Lufthansa 747-8i – IAD-FRA

I absolutely love flying on the 747-8i, but kinda hate flying out of Dulles. It’s not very convenient being located in Austin, and the CRJ plane I had to ride over there is a joke. I’m not being a snob, I just appreciate being able to fit my backpack in a overhead bin, and being able to walk to the bathroom without having to squat down. Is that asking too much?

I would much rather fly out of Houston, but there wasn’t any availability and, hey, who can complain about getting Lufthansa first? Not me! I won’t be that guy. I used United miles to book this flight and we all know how I accumulated those miles.

I was excited to try out first class on the 747-8i, because Jordan and I had a great time in business class last September.

Lufthansa Senator Lounge – Dulles

Senator Lounge

I was slightly curious to experience the Senator lounge, but mostly, I was just counting down the seconds until boarding. The Senator lounge is on the upper level to the left as you enter, and the business lounge is down to the right.

A little lounge grub

There was actually a pretty decent spread – sandwiches, tortilla soup, and sweets. I didn’t prefer the two beers they had on draft: Devils Backbone (been down that road before) and a pilsner. Instead, I opted to hit up the espresso machine after I grabbed a quick bite.

Sweet

My final selections

When I first arrived to the lounge, it was c r o w d e d! I couldn’t even find a chair, so I just ended up at the counter, sitting in a stool which unfortunately had little back support. If there’s one thing I seek out in life, it’s lumbar support. After a couple of boardings, the lounge began to open up and I situated myself in a comfortable chair, plugging in my camera, iPhone, and Mac with ease.

There were two TVs in the lounge, but nothing was playing, even though there was an NFL playoff game on. I thought about leaving the lounge to go hang with the common folk to watch the game, but I really didn’t have enough time.

Decent seating

There wasn’t anything really sexy about this lounge, but who can complain about free food and drinks? Albeit, I was pacing myself for the next 7 hours of my life. Still, I was able to connect to wifi and get some last minute emailing done. I probably value having internet more than anything in the lounges. Priceless.

Boarding

Once they called for boarding, we were taken the back-way to board the plane. It was funny, because I was behind 3 ladies who had no idea what was going on, and as we walked alone in our private jetway – I had to reassure them that we were walking the right way (even though you could see the huge a@# plane to the left of us).

We eventually made it to the plane and they veered right to business class, while I was led through the galley and then a left to my seat at 3K. The seat was farthest in the back on the right side of the plane. First class on the 747-8i is on the lower level in the nose of the plane.

The Seat

Feeling it

After being led to my seat and shown where my own personal closest was (great storage!), I snapped a few photos of my seat and the first class cabin.

View from the nose

I loved the sleekness of the seat and the whole first class cabin. The greys and tan were very calming and my own personal area was calling my name.

3k side view

There were 3 other passengers in first class, but Lufthansa still placed roses at the vacant seats. I respect the details!

View across the aisle

I can’t think of one negative thing to say about the seat. It was wide, comfortable, and easy to maneuver. The plugs and the little cubby holes were all easily accesible while seated.

I can spend some time in that seat

I always get a little grossed out with public remotes, but the remote to control the seat was killer. The chair responded magnificently to the controls and I was able to get comfortable no matter what – whether I wanted to be seated straight, or reclining. The lumbar was in tact.

Seat controls

It goes without saying that there was enough leg room for Conan. If anything, there was too much. I had to recline the seat quite a bit to reach the foot stool, but I’m okay with that. The TV was great! I mean it wasn’t a Samsung, but we will let that slide.

That’s enough leg room

After my meal, the attendant asked if I wanted her to make one of the vacant seats my bed, but I told her that 3K would do fine. I wasn’t planning on sleeping, but wanted to lay down comfortably to watch some movies. After changing into my pjs, I came back to a made bed. Just like Mom used to do.

I didn’t try to sleep, except for an hour or so. I just wasn’t tired at all. The bed was comfortable though, and I don’t think comfort would’ve been an issue if I was sleepy.

Bed time

Food & Beverages

Shortly after I was done snapping photos like some kind of freak, I was presented with my preflight champagne and nuts.

Starting off right

Once in the air, I moved to a red wine (and water of course). Gotta stay hydrated. I started running out of room on the right side before my dining table was pulled out. I’m a little OCD and kept thinking my red wine was going to spill. Deep breaths.

Running out of room

I was still without a table, when I was presented the starter before the starter. A tender slice of beef, lettuce and red pepper that paired extremely well with my red wine.

Starter

It was then onto one my favorite parts of flying Lufthansa – bread service. Specifically, “pretzel bread.” I don’t know why, but I lust after their pretzel bread. Some nights I find myself dreaming…ok, that’s enough. But it’s that good and I’m not ashamed to say that I took the last pretzel bread.

My fav

My starter plate was caviar with traditional garnishes, soba noodles with crisp vegetables and roasted peanuts, and lump crab with avocado and lemon grass gazpacho dressing. Honestly, I’m not much of a caviar lover, but I ate it and it was enjoyed. My favorite app was the lump crab as it tasted fresh and was light. I can’t say that the soba noodles were anything special.

Starters

I went with the  seared Halibut with baby carrots and forbidden rice. It was very good, but if I had to choose all over again, I probably would go with something else.

Main course

My dessert selection was a homerun. I chose the chocolate Pot de Creme with vanilla ice cream. It was exceptionally good, and I know my chocolate and ice cream. It was a deep rich chocolate, and smooth vanilla ice cream. The port wine added to my dessert indulgence. It was a party in my mouth.

trouble

Since I had splurged only a couple of hours earlier, I opted on the “healthy” breakfast. A little cheese, yogurt, and bread was all I needed.

breakfast

Amenities & Entertainment

The inflight entertainment was another win. I had over 50 films, 110 TV programs, 30 radio channels, and 200 cd and game options. I opted to watch “The Campaign” and it was the mindless movie I needed as I basked in the luxury of flying Lufthansa first.

Media controls

Gotta be Bose!

Bose noise headphones

I enjoyed playing with the electronic shade as well. Uber cool.

Electronic shade

The Lufthansa first amenity kit included: La Mer skin and lip care products. Also included were socks (I always put those on), eye shades, floss, comb, and toothpaste. Pretty respectable.

Amenity kit

Of course, I was all about putting the pjs on. I noticed that I was the only one who did, but that’s ok because they were comfortable. Everyone else chose to sleep in their jeans, or slacks. No thanks.

Sporting the pjs

Even the bathroom has roses!

Roses in the b-room

Space was enough so I could change easily. I actually wasn’t scared with the thought of germs in the lavatory.

B-room bench

Final Touches

I had an incredible time flying first on Lufthansa’s 747-8i from IAD-FRA. The service as usual was top notch. I was treated very well, and enjoyed chatting it up with the flight attendants.

I would fly first class again on this plane in a heartbeat. It was well worth the miles, IMHO. The food, wine, product, and service were all top notch.

I hope this helps as you think about burning your miles/points on a first class flight to Europe.

— Noob Master