TG vs SQ to Incheon (Lots of pics and vids)

[ycp81]

I decided to take a trip in Oct to Seoul to experience its autumn season. Was searching the web for some decent fares when I decided to do a weird booking, one-way SIN-BKK-ICN on TG for S$398 and redeeming 19125 Krisflyer miles + S$70 taxes for one-way ICN-SIN on SQ. Great to compare how the 2 airlines fare!

27 October 2010
Thai Airways
TG 410
Singapore (SIN) - Bangkok (BKK)
B777-300
HS-TKA
Economy Class

I was initially disappointed when both my TG flights were scheduled to be on B772s but TG being TG, my SIN-BKK sector got TGed to a bigger B773 with retrofitted interiors due to overbooking. Finally having a chance to try the newly retrofitted aircraft!

On the day of departure, I arrived at Changi Terminal 1 slightly more than 2hrs before departure and already the queues for check-in were already long despite TG opening 7 counters for check-in. Luckily I had done an online check-in earlier and was able to bypass the long lines. T1 departure hall was still in major renovation but the transit area has more or less been done up. Immigration queues were long (as usual for T1) but I was able to bypass using the automated clearance system.

T1 transit area. Still able to see some hoardings.


Decorative plants.


Duty-free shopping


Budget carriers (Air Asia and Jetstar) at T1.


However the purpose of me checking in so early is to visit the Green Market at Terminal 2, a new concept lounge by Plaza Premium Lounge.
http://www.changiairport.com/shoppin...e-green-market

The Green Market was just a short skytrain ride away at Terminal 2, beside the airline lounges.


There is a all-u-can-eat salad and appetizer buffet, with a choice of set meal or ala carte menu. The food are Japanese oriented.


A set meal was provided free, compliments of my credit card. Firstly, I had some appetizers from the buffet. It was not bad. A welcome drink was also offered.


Followed with a choice of main courses. I had a beef fried rice. Should have gone with the tempura as it looked more appetising. However the fried rice it was not bad. Meal ended with a dessert from the buffet. Overall it is a nice place to grab a bite before/in between flights.


After the meal, I headed back to Terminal 1 to my gate at C25, which was right at the end of the pier.

FIDS. More than half the flights shown on the screens are operated by budget airlines. And for the first time, my flight is indeed being boarded when "Boarding" is displayed on the screens.


My plane, HS-TKA, TG's 1st B777-300 and retrofitted with new cabin but still bearing the old colours. I was one of the last passengers to board.


Boarded the plane and were greeted with Thai wais by the crew at the door as well as along the cabin. Most passengers were already seated. I sat at 70A beside 2 middle-aged Thai ladies. A pillow was already on the seat.

Boarding.


Customary legroom shot. IFE was touchscreen and seat pitch was fantastic!!

[ycp81]

All the stuff in the seat pocket.


The flight was very full (no wonder TG needed to upgrade to a B773) but we managed to push back on time.

Pushback with safety video playing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LOtZMrcrjo

I just love TG's safety video, soothing and well presented. Really one of the best out there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3qUxyQ1Krc

We had a really long taxi to Rwy02C. Passing T3 with SQ's A380 aircrafts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrQmCzNOmso

A380


Crossing the highway.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOTTY7fIGXU

Holding short at Rwy02C after almost 20min of taxi.


Takeoff!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-oCAnLbFWY

Climbing into the night sky.


We are on our way. The seat pitch is so good I can even cross my legs!


After the seatbelt signs are switched off, the crew first came through the aisle with hot towels, sadly not the SQ thick cotton type, but definitely an improvement over the wet refreshment towel packets that they used to distribute. However I was wondering why did they not give out earphones for the IFE initially but it was till towards the end of the flight when my seatmates took out their earphones that I realised that the crew had given out the earphones before I had boarded the plane. Immigration forms were also given out at this time.

Then the crew prepared for the dinner service. First, full bar carts were pushed out by the crew and parked at the rear of the plane and following that, meal carts were then pushed out too. 2 crew were manning each aisle, 1 to distribute meals and the other to serve drinks from the bar cart. The whole service procedure was very organised and swift. There were a choice of 2 main courses tonight, Prawn curry with rice or Stir-fried beef with rice. I chose the prawn curry.

Meal tray.


Main course unveiled. With the main course were a salad with dressing, roll and butter and apple crumble for dessert.


Prawn curry with rice. TG's catering did not disappoint again. It was very good! I wiped out all of it! The food was catered from BKK though, thus explaining the high quality.


Salad with sesame dressing, roll and butter.


Apple crumble. It was great as well.


Stewardess conducting bar cart service after distribution of meals. A full range of drinks were available, including liquors and wines. TG definitely do not scrimp on alcohols and drinks! Such liquors would only be on request if one would to fly on SQ to BKK.


And best of all, you get the whole can instead of just a plastic cup full!!

[ycp81]

I finished almost everything!


And the service was so fast that we still had more than an hour to go! I was so impressed that TG could serve a full flight in less than 20min! Try beating that, SQ.


An elaborate coffee/tea trolley service was also conducted after that, with drinks and wine top-ups also offered. I had a tea. Milk was poured directly from a milk pot instead of using creamer, really business class like!

After meal service.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlNO5UVkdP4

Crew coming round to collect the trays and offering a 3rd round of drinks!


I had a quick peek at the lavatory. The tap is sensor operated!


Not much amenities other than this perfume.


One more cabin view.


I whiled the time away viewing the flight map since the flight is too short to complete a movie. Yes, on-demand movies are available on this flight but selection is definitely less than SQ. Also I did not bother the crew for a pair of earphones. Soon we started our descent into BKK.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3uxofQbNvo

The crew prepared the cabin for landing, following which the female crew went and change out of their traditional thai uniforms into their ground uniforms.

Approaching BKK


Landing at Rwy01L, with nice landing music in the background.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMIabhWpmy0

Welcome to Bangkok. We landed approximately on schedule and taxied to the gate.

Disembarkation


Last looks at the comfortable colourful seats.




Proceeding to transit security for my onward flight.


I am very impressed with TG as they proved that full service can still be accomplished on such short sectors. TG excels in the meals and beverages department on short flights when other airlines are cutting costs on similar length flights. However, it could be that TG had also staffed more crew on their planes as there were 4 crew per economy cabin, which is quite a high crew to pax ratio in economy.

To be continued..

[sqdazz]

Yeah, TG really wipes the floor with SQ in ECONOMY on SIN/BKK in my opinion. SQ have cut back on the meals and drinks and they still take forever to complete the service. And as I have said before, if you order a Singapore Sling on SQ or drink they don't have on the actual meal cart you are considered a real 'PITA' based on the glare's they give you. (not always, but a lot of the time).

Fabulous report on TG economy thanks. waiting for the next sector

[lingua101]

wow so lucky, you got new plane. I flew TG few times this years. Been on their B772/3 not so sure, but it was quite old (although it does have the "shell" seat). Been also on their very old A333. My last flight on TG401 last September, was with very old A333 (still painted in the old logo) and I felt like flying in 1990s.

On one of my BKK-SIN, the aircrews almost cannot complete the duty. I still saw them busy preparing the galley while the plan almost touch down.

I wonder what happen if they really can't make it

[9V-JKL]

Thanks for sharing. I note that their 777s now have 3-3-3 seating. Used to be 3-4-3 which I've avoided...

[sqdazz]

Thanks for sharing. I note that their 777s now have 3-3-3 seating. Used to be 3-4-3 which I've avoided...

been that way for several years

[SQ238]

Great report, thanks.

[Buster CT1K]

Definitely looking forward to more! Thanks!

[ycp81]

Transit stop at Bangkok was scheduled to be 1hr 20min but after disembarkation and going through security, it was only 15 more min before my next flight started boarding. The boarding gate was at C3. There was another TG flight to ICN departing just 25min before my flight!

Gate C3


27 October 2010
Thai Airways
TG 656
Bangkok (BKK) - Incheon (ICN)
B777-200
HS-TJA
Economy Class

This flight was scheduled to be on a B777-200. Sadly I was not TGed with a newer aircraft and was stuck with TG's oldest B777-200. No PTVs either on this sector. However I was planning to take a nap on this sector so no worries. Boarding began about 30min before STD in an orderly manner from rear to front of plane. I was one of the first pax to board and was greeted with a wai again at the door. Even though this plane is almost 15 yrs old, the age was not evident by the well maintained cabin. Crew were a mixture of Thais and Koreans.

Seats with rolled up blankets and pillows.


6 seats were reserved for crew rest.


Boarding in progress. Sadly, no PTVs. Flight was only about 70% full.


Seat 61A. Seat pitch was good as usual.


At the gate.


Mags in seat pocket.


Earphones are distributed and for yours to take home.


We pushed back on time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSGeCSyHedY

Taxi to Rwy01R.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGeaV0c_VPU

Takeoff for our 4hr50min flight to ICN.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYTGz9JP868

Into the night skies again.


Cabin view shortly after takeoff.


Shortly after takeoff, the crew immediately started a snack service. On offer was a slice of cake and a choice of water/juices.


I ordered seafood meal for this sector. But where is the seafood in the cake? LOL.

[SQflyergirl]

Enjoyable TR! I was also on TKA the last couple of days. It's going to be part of my next report

[j.lin]

I ordered seafood meal for this sector. But where is the seafood in the cake? LOL.

I suspect the SF meal will be on your breakfast service later.

Anyway, I enjoyed your trip report. Thai is very consistent on food quality but what surprised me was the catering for ex-sin flight actually came from BKK.
________
Vapir air one vaporizer

[sqdazz]

Enjoyable TR! I was also on TKA the last couple of days. It's going to be part of my next report

TKA can be an SQTalk favourite then as she took me home last Monday from BKK to MEL, will also be part of a report im doing

[ycp81]

During the snack service, short features were also shown on the main and overhead screens. Nothing interesting to watch though. Unfortunately, the rest of the audio channels other than the mainscreen audio, apparently did not work. Shortly after the trash were cleared, lights were dimmed to enable passengers to sleep. According to my friend who flew SQ602 from SIN-ICN, no post takeoff refreshments were served!! Instead, only a pack of nuts and a round of juice was given out and breakfast was served before arrival. I dozed in and out for about an hour, coupled with the empty seat beside me, it made a rather comfortable ride.

About 1hr 40min before arrival, lights were switched on and the crew came around with hot thin towels, similar to the ones given out on the previous flight. A round of juices were also offered. Following this, breakfast was served. As I had pre-booked a seafood meal, I was served first.

Crew serving breakfast.


Seafood meal tray


Seafood breakfast revealed!


Grilled seafood skewer (2 prawns, 2 squids, fish, peppers) with mash potatoes, grilled tomato and peas. The seafood skewer was fantastic! One the the best breakfasts ever had on a plane and certainly business class quality! Bangkok catering certainly did not disappoint.


Yogurt, drinking water, roll and croissant. The croissant was great too! And kudos to the crew for coming around 3 times(!!) to offer additional rolls and croissants. I really suspect they have a bakery onboard!


Butter, jam, fresh fruits.


Some coffee to perk myself up.


Additional coffee/tea were also offered before trays were cleared.


Crew at work
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLwx1wkNVzw

Another view of the cabin after breakfast service.


We started to descend into Incheon about 30min before arrival.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6o-X9_S3pb4

Approaching Incheon


Sunrise over Korea.


Approaching into Seoul Incheon. Don't SQ flyers miss the landing music?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfmPk9J834g

Landing soon..

[ycp81]

We landed about 10min early. A MH A333 just landed before us.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58I31MC61iw

Welcome to KE..


...and OZ land.


Parked at the midfield concourse Gate 125. 5 days later, I would also be departing from this gate.


Our plane during disembarkation.


Another view of HS-TJA.


CX B777-300 beside us


HS-TKB, which arrived 20min before us. This plane would have the retrofitted interior.


More KEs and view of the concourse from the main terminal.


Lots of OZs at the main terminal too.


As we had parked at the concourse, passengers had to take the shuttle train to the main terminal for immigration clearance and collection of luggage. Somewhat similar to KLIA. Immigration was efficient and my luggage was already circling on the baggage belt when I reached it. After customs, I explored the airport terminal for a moment while waiting for my friend's SQ flight to land.

Nice landside viewing gallery.


Beautiful terminal!


Overall, TG did quite a great job. They do excel in the food and beverage department and seats are much more comfortable than average. Service is also rather good and efficient (I counted a total of 13 cabin crew on the B772, with 9-10 in economy class. SQ only has 11 crew on a similar configured B772 with 7 of them in economy). However onboard amenities are a bit lacking (no amenity kits or amenities in lavatories) and IFE is a hit or miss depending on the aircraft you get. But for the price paid, TG is certainly value-for-money.

My return flight on SQ next!