Airline Review: Thai Airways First Class Airbus A380

The Thai Airways First Class in the Airbus A380 is the flagship product on the airline. Best I can tell, flying with Thai Airways is really enjoyable and definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Learn more about what to expect of this product in this extensive airline review!

There are a couple flight experiences, which are just totally unique. The Thai Airways First Class definitely is one of those and if you have the chance to book this experience either cash or much cheaper with miles, you won’t be disappointed.

• Airplane: Airbus A380
• Cabin Class: First
• Daytime: Noon until Morning
• Food: Lunch / Breakfast
• Seat Pitch: 83 Inch (211 Centimeter)
• Seat Width: 26,5 Inch (67 Centimeter)

Nevertheless, the whole experience wasn’t as good as some other First Class flights in my life. This already started in Paris Charles-de-Gaulle, where my flight departed. The Star Alliance First Class Lounge here is rather disappointing and there’s hardly any special treatment while you are waiting for your flight (you have to leave the lounge first and then go through security). Not the best start, but nothing that kills my mood when it comes to unique experiences!

Seating in the Thai Airways First Class in the Airbus A380

The Thai Airways First Class in the Airbus A380 consists of three rows in a 1-2-1 configuration and is located in the nose of the upper deck.

This means that there is a total of twelve seats, which is a rather large First Class cabin, more so than for example in the Lufthansa First Class.

Compared to Lufthansa, Thai Airways offers somewhat more private seats, but it’s still an open cabin layout without doors or anything.

The suites feel a little less luxurious than with other airlines, which is partly because of the color choice.

While the cabin feel a little aging, the comfort is still really good. The seat is spacious, wide and comfortable for lounging in basically all positions.

The television screen on the other end of the suite is large enough, but doesn’t give you cinema feeling.

When sitting, you can hardly see anything else in the cabin thanks to the huge privacy dividers. There are also very large armrests on both sides, which allow for very comfortable sitting even in the upright position.

As you’d expect, the seat pitch is plentiful and you can barely reach the ottoman when sitting upright.

An interesting addition to the usual features is the lighting right next to the seat, which should add some more comfort.

Furthermore, there’s the typical reading light on the top left or right of the seat.

While I’d recommend the single seats at the window for everybody travelling alone, the two center seats are a good option for those travelling together as there’s a large privacy divider, which can also be lowered.

What’s really good in the Thai Airways First Class is the storage, which is really plentiful.

There is a very large spot underneath the ottoman, where you put a suitcase or larger bag. Then there’s a large compartment right next to the seat, which easily fits a smaller laptop and magazines.

Furthermore, there are a couple more spots (for example in the fusselage of the plane), where you can put things. To make it short: There’s more than enough storage. The seat controls are simple, but react a tad later than you’d see in a more modern product.

Each seat also comes with a plug and a USB plug, so you can keep your stuff charged.

All in all, I’d say that the seats and cabin in the Thai Airways First Class really make you feel like flying a special product, but you can see them aging. While I’d still prefer the sleek Swiss First Class seat, I’d still say that the Thai Airways First Class is really comfortable.

Sleeping in the Thai Airways First Class in the Airbus A380

As all Thai Airways flights between Europe and Asia and vice versa are nighttime flights, the sleeping comfort in the Thai Airways First Class is really important. In that regard, the airline really shines. There’s plenty of bedding already waiting for you upon boarding.

When it gets time to sleep, the staff is nicely preparing the bed for you and makes everything a tad more comfortable than before. This is done by adding a topper as well as two pillows and a blanket.

The sleeping comfort is really good and you can surely sleep very well in this bed in the sky. It’s always tough to tell whether the comfort is better or worse than in other First Class products, but compared to the Lufthansa Business Class or the Saudia Business Class sleeping is so much more comfortable here.

The whole sleeping arrangement is complemented by a really nice and comfortable pyjama, which I kept after this flight as it was one of my favorite airline pyjamas.

Thus, you can really forward to sleeping here and I’m sure that everybody will be able to get comfortable here.

Dining in the Thai Airways First Class in the Airbus A380

Upon boarding, I was not only offered a very warm welcome, but also an orchid and a box of chocolates. Furthermore, I was offered my welcome drink of choice (I chose water).

Upon reaching cruising altitude, the service continued – this time I selected a flute of champagne.

In addition, some little canapes were served, which were tasty, but didn’t scram First Class in my opinion.

Much more so, the menu in the Thai Airways First Class is more of a book than a piece of paper and feels really high quality.

There’s also an incredible choice and I decided to start with a classic in First Class: Caviar!

The presentation was really stylish and while the dish was good, the quality was only good, not great.

In addition to the caviar, I was offered a nice little bread basket.

Furthermore, there was a second starter, which didn’t really hit my taste as it had foie gras.

The lunch service continued with four choices for a main. I went with the Thai Curry, which I thought was very tasty.

Once again, the presentation was incredible and really shows, where Thai Airways shines with its First Class service. What’s odd so was that the two Thai dishes in the menu weren’t available, but instead there was a different curry and a different second dish, which I thought was quite odd.

Afterwards, I was offered my choice of dessert, starting with a large cheese plate with some fresh fruits, which was yummy.

Even thought I was already full at that point, I was also offered a sweet dessert, which had some ice cream and macaroons and was tasty.

For sleeping, I was handed out a bottle of water and asked whether I had any further wishes (I didn’t). After getting up, the food maze continued with breakfast though.

There was a choice of five main dishes alongside the typical accompanying dishes for breakfast. Once again, I thought that the presentation really hit the spot. The bread basket with a croissant, a pain au chocolat and a roll was very nice as well.

I just went with some fruits to start (what a cool presentation!).

Then I had the sweet option, the French Toast, which was really beautifully plated and tasted every bit as good as it looked.

While I could have had much more options for breakfast, I was still quite full, but really enjoyed what I had. The service in the Thai Airways First Class was really good during all the meal service and particularl the personal charm of the crew was amazing.

Entertainment in the Thai Airways First Class in the Airbus A380

The entertainment options in the Thai Airways First Class are plentiful, as you’d expect. After boarding, I was offered magazines and newspapers of my choice. Furthermore, there’s a board magazine.

This is complemented by the entertainment screen, which is a decent size and has an okay resolution.

It’s not the newest system, but fairly responsive. The choice of international movies is good enough and I’m sure everything will find something.

There are also several tv shows with multiple episodes and music options available in the system.

The headphones offered for First Class passengers are decent as well, they offer noise-cancelling and a good sound quality, so there’s nothing bad to say.

While there is no onboard bar on the Thai Airways Airbus A380, there’s another entertainment option available: WiFi.

Upon boarding, I was offered a single voucher worth 20 Megabyte to use the service, but I ended up getting several more to stay connected.

Otherwise, the pricing is quite stable, in particular because the system charges per megabyte and that really runs through quickly if you are speaking of just 20 MB.

Nevertheless, I kept well connected during my flight, at least during my phone thanks to all the vouchers I was given by the lovely crew.

Amenities in the Thai Airways First Class in the Airbus A380

Obviously, there are also a couple of amenities worth speaking of in the Thai Airways First Class. Aside from the pyjama, a pair of slippers is awaiting you upon boarding. You are also handed out an amenity kit (there are different versions available, usually).

The content is impressive and comes with all the classics as well as some special amenities, mainly different creams, but also a deodorant, for example.

The toilets are also noteworthy as they are not only kept clean during the flight, but also feel quite luxurious due to being spacious and especially equipped for First Class.

There’s also a couch of sorts in the nose of the Airbus A380, but I never saw somebody sitting in this not exactly inviting looking space.

All in all, the amenities offered by Thai Airways are definitely what you would expect in First Class. It all reminded me quite a bit of my flight in the Etihad Airways First Class.

Overall impressions of the Thai Airways First Class in the Airbus A380

My flight in the Thai Airways First Class was plenty enjoyable. The crew was lovely (while not perfectly polished), the seats are very comfortable and private (while not the most modern), the entertainment options are good (with some minor weaknesses) and the amenities and dining are on a really high level. Would I say that the Thai Airways First in the Airbus A380 is best in its class? No, but I also wouldn’t hesitate to fly this product again, especially with miles!

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