Recently, while flying out of Thailand, I decided to try Thai Airways’ business class to experience their royal service at home. I still had some Air India miles to redeem, so I booked a seat on the BKK–SGN sector and enjoyed a short but memorable trip. Below is a concise, polished review of that experience.
Table of Contents
- Booking
- Flight Info
- Ground Experience
- Sit down Check-in
- Security – Fast Track
- Immigration – Fast Track
- Royal Silk Lounge
- Royal Orchid Spa
- Flight Experience
- Boarding
- The Seat
- The Food
- Entertainment
- Bottomline
Booking
I redeemed Air India miles for this Thai Airways award ticket. Booking took about 30 minutes on the phone with Air India customer support for the business class cabin on the BKK–SGN sector. Air India has since enabled online award booking, so that is another option if you prefer to avoid the call.
Flight Info
- Flight: Thai Airways TG 556
- Aircraft: Boeing 777-200
- Route: Bangkok (BKK) to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)
- Seat: 14A
- Seat Configuration: 2-2-2
- Revenue Ticket: ~30,000 INR
- Occupancy: ~60%
- I Paid: 25,000 Air India Miles + taxes (~2,500 INR)
Ground Experience
At Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, Thai Airways provides a separate corridor for business and first class passengers and elites. It feels almost like a private terminal, with a dedicated security and immigration lane that keeps the area quiet and uncrowded.
On arrival at the terminal I used Entrance 1 and followed signs to the sit-down check-in at Row A.
Sit down Check-in
The sit-down check-in is a comfortable, relaxed process—no standing in line while the agent completes formalities and issues your boarding pass. The area is spacious with multiple seats and counters, making the experience pleasant and efficient.
Security – Fast Track
The dedicated security lane for business passengers had no queue, allowing a quick passage through screening.
Immigration – Fast Track
Immediately after security is a dedicated immigration counter for premium passengers. I cleared security and immigration in roughly five minutes. During peak times, economy processing at this busy airport can easily add an hour or more, so the fast-track lanes are a meaningful time saver.
Royal Silk Lounge
After immigration I visited the Royal Silk Lounge. It’s one of the larger airport lounges I’ve seen. The decor isn’t particularly modern, but the space and the food offerings make it a comfortable place to wait before departure.
Following a relaxed lounge visit, I made use of the complimentary Royal Orchid Spa.
Royal Orchid Spa
A complimentary spa session is a standout benefit for Thai Airways business class passengers departing Bangkok. I booked a 30-minute neck and shoulder massage, which I would rank among the best airport spa treatments I’ve experienced. The treatment was relaxing and a great way to start the journey.
Flight Experience
Boarding
Business class was invited to board first. On this wide-body Boeing 777-200 there’s a separate forward door for premium passengers, which felt pleasant—boarding almost solo into the business cabin.
Other business passengers boarded shortly after; many appeared to be leisure travelers judging by their attire.
The Seat
This aircraft still has an older cabin configuration, so expectations should be tempered. Seats are angled-flat rather than fully flat, but they are well-cushioned and comfortable for a short flight. For a roughly two-hour sector the seating felt spacious and adequate for rest or a quick nap.
The Food
Meal choices were limited to a single main course on my flight, but it was well prepared—fish with bold, spicy flavors that suited an Indian palate. Courses from main to dessert tasted fresh and satisfying. I missed coconut water or watermelon, which I sometimes expect on international business flights, but there were fruit juices and other beverage options. Champagne was available but I didn’t sample it on this flight.
Entertainment
In-flight entertainment featured a good-sized screen, though it was not a touchscreen and the handheld remote felt dated. The system worked well and offered enough content for a short flight; I spent a few minutes exploring the options.
Bottomline
Overall, the ground experience—especially the Royal Orchid Spa—and the in-flight service made this redemption worthwhile. Using 25,000 Air India miles plus taxes for a business class experience on Thai Airways delivered strong value compared to the cash fare. For a short regional sector, the product is comfortable and delivers the premium benefits that matter most: fast lanes, lounge access, a good meal, and a relaxing spa treatment.
- Cardexpert Rating: 4.5/5
This trip was made possible by miles I earned with an Air India co-branded credit card. If you’ve flown Thai Airways business class recently or plan to, feel free to share your experience in the comments below.