Thai Delay The A350 For Melbourne AGAIN! And Will Use 747’s For Some Services In October

So it was only yesterday, and I wrote about  Thai Airways delaying the A350 services for Melbourne for the 3rd timed and guess what? They have delayed services again! However, Thai will use their 747’s for services

However, Thai will use their 747’s for some of their services which is a nice change.

Per airlineroute.net

THAI to operate a number of Boeing 747-400 services to Melbourne in October 2016. A350-900XWB service pushed back to 30OCT16.

It’s not yet clear which dates the 747’s will be operating so hopefully I’ll be able to list them on here when I get an update.

What’s fantastic about this change?

Thai’s 747’s are fitted with their newer first class product. Thai are very generous with availability out of Sydney, and there will be a whole lot more from Melbourne.

So if you want to try Thai first, and you’re from Melbourne now’s your chance as Life miles are having a brilliant sale! And they just became an SPG transfer partner.

Thai First looks brilliant!

Thai 747 First Class

Bottom Line

It’s not surprising that Thai once again delayed the A350 but the 747 is a pretty damn good replacement. Business class passengers won’t get an upgrade regarding seating until the A350 is on the route.

Thai Airways Delay Melbourne A350 Services Again!

I wrote an update about Thai delaying their A350 for Melbourne services a few weeks ago and the airline confirmed that it would now fly on the 24th of September.

Fast forward to today, Thai have delayed the service for the third time!

Per airlineroute.net

Thai Airways International (THAI) has further delayed planned Airbus A350-900XWB debut on Bangkok – Melbourne route, currently scheduled to enter service on 01OCT16. Latest update sees A350 operates on TG465/466 service from 01OCT16, while TG461/462 service will continue to be operated by Boeing 777-200ER/-300/-300ER until 28OCT16 inclusive.

TG465 BKK0015 – 1305MEL 359 D
TG461 BKK0810 – 2100MEL EQV D

TG462 MEL0030 – 0600BKK EQV D
TG466 MEL1615 – 2145BKK 359 D

I’d say the reason for the delay it that crew training hasn’t yet finished and they are still training and doing familiarisation flights. All airlines have can have these problems when they receive a new aircraft so it’s nothing to worry about.

Bottom Line

Hopefully, this is the last delay for the much-anticipated aircraft into Melbourne. I’d love to try the aircraft so hopefully, I’ll get to try it soon.

 

Thai A350 Melbourne Services Now Start On The 24th Of September

This week Thai announced that their A350 services to Melbourne were going to be delayed by a few weeks. They were supposed to start on the 16th however they are now scheduled to start on the 24th. This is Thai’s latest schedule update.

Per airlineroute.net:

From 16SEP16 to 23SEP16, Thai will operate Boeing 777-300ER (773) on TG465/466 service, instead of A350. The A350 will continue to operate Bangkok – Chiang Mai and Bangkok – Phuket route during this period.

TG465 BKK0015 – 1205MEL 773 D
TG461 BKK0810 – 2000MEL 777 D

TG466 MEL1515 – 2145BKK 773 D
TG462 MEL2330 – 0600+1BKK 777 D

 

A Look Inside Thai Airway’s New A350

It’s no doubt aircraft deliveries are a very exciting time for both airlines and their customers. Thai Airways today received their first A350 and wow, it looks fantastic!

Thai Airways A350 (image: Clément Alloing)

The first destination for their A350 is Melbourne which is set to start September 16th. The aircraft got delivered today and will operate some domestic flights as training and testing for crews. It is expected that the aircraft will operate some Hong Kong, Chiang Mai and Singapore flights during this period.

Thai have fitted their newer version of their 777-300ER ‘Royal Silk’ business class seats on the A350 as well as a very similar economy product.

Thai A350 Business Class (thedesignair.com)

Thai Airways Newer Business Class (image: flight-report.com)

The airline has kept their economy in a 3-3-3 configuration which has made a lot of people relieved as a lot more airlines are increasing to 3-4-3 which is very tight.

The A350’s economy is also very identical to their 777 economy product.

Thai Airways A350 Economy Seat (image: thedesignair.com)

The photo’s below are from Thai’s Facebook page: (I apologise for the quality)

Bottom Line

Thai’s A350 looks brilliant, both inside and out. I’m hoping to be able to try this product out soon as well as their first class.

My Next Trip: Singapore The Very Long Way!

Since I started using miles and points for flights there has always been several airlines/products I have wanted to try, so I’ve constructed a trip that will allow me to finally review them.

1. Lufthansa First Class

Since I first read about what Lufthansa first class offered I was very interested in trying it. The separate first class terminal and being driven to the plane is very appealing. The dinning also looks brilliant both in the lounge and onboard, also those rubber ducks are brilliant ;). Jokes aside I am very excited to be finally trying this product and being able to review it

Another reason for trying Lufthansa is to finally fly on a 747-8. I have flown the -400 birds many times now but am very excited to try the aircraft.

The route I will be taking is FRA-LAX.

Lufthansa First Class (Image: Pinterest)

 

Lufthansa First Class Terminal (Image: Wikipedia)

2.   Cathay Pacific First Class 

I’ve done Cathay business class before which I am yet to review and quite enjoyed it but slept just about the whole flight. I am not sure what makes me want to try it so bad but I really am interested in trying it. I have heard some great things about the product.

The route I will be taking is LAX-HKG. So I will be able to access the Qantas first class lounge in Los Angeles which is very nice.

Cathay Pacific First Class (Image: Cathay Pacific)

The whole trip is quite last-minute due to Cathay Pacific, Etihad and Lufthansa opening first reward seats quite late.

The routing is as follows:

• SYD-BKK (Thai First)
• BKK-AUH (Etihad First)
• AUH-LHR( Etihad First)
• LHR-FRA (Lufthansa Business)
• FRA-LAX (Lufthansa First)
• LAX-HKG (Cathay First)
• HKG-SIN (Cathay Business)
• SIN-SYD (Singapore Business)

There will also be a number of lounges I will be able to review.

• Singapore Airline Lounge Sydney
• Thai Royal First Lounge Bangkok
• Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt
• Qantas First Class Lounge Los Angeles
• SilverKris Business Class Lounge Singapore

As I have already reviewed the Etihad first class lounge in Abu Dhabi and the Pier and Wing in Hong Kong I won’t be reviewing them again.

All of the legs will be a mixture of Alaskan miles, Avianca Lifemiles, AAdvantage miles and American Express membership rewards transferred to Etihad Guest and Krisflyer.

This will be one crazy, exciting and tiring trip, Am I crazy or is this normal?