Today I feel the urge to write down a great experience
I had with Bangkok Airways on my early morning flight from Bangkok to Phuket on Wednesday 22nd. July 2009.
I woke up early morning to travel to the Airport to catch the AM 07.50 hrs flight to Phuket.
I must point out to all of you that I do avoid flying Thai Airways as much as I can at this route for the following reasons.
- Thai does use a very old fleet of aircraft from my experience.
- Thai offers a Service without any smile right here in the Land of Smiles.
- I personally observed that sometimes not even kids lifejackets are handed out anymore to kids.
- I am sick and tired of the dry piece of fruit cake served daily for ages on this route.
- Lots of arrogant crew.
- When asking the crew for anything, I can feel often that they are not really happy about my requests or questions.
- The Crew does not know how to “Wai” (Thai greeting) and don’t understand that the way is not only a way to greet people but also Thai Culture
- I feel that the many crew members don’t understand the service industry
I also like to point out why I do prefer flying with Bangkok Airways:.
- I like their lounge where I can get a coffee and a small snack.
- I like their refreshing “Batik” Uniform design and fresh colors which I believe have been designed about 20 years ago – but they are still lovely.
- I love their fleet of aircrafts (except the small propeller machines which are a little scare to me J )
- I get free WiFi internet in their lounges.
- I can feel that the crew is happy to serve.
- The crew smiles and is very well groomed at all times.
- The crew “Wai” (Thai greeting) very nice and I feel the crew knows that this practice is Thai Culture.
- I feel that most of the crew does understand the meaning of ‘service industry”
However, back to the original subject….
I did sleep all the way through until close to Phuket International Airport so I did not touch my meal at all. When I woke up one very kind crew member asked me if I still would like to take the meal or if she should remove it now. I mentioned to her that she should please remove it and apologized that I ignored the meal, since I was asleep.
She was very kind and offered me to serve me a quick cup of coffee so I will be “fresh and awake” when arriving at Phuket. The way the person said it was very caring, kind and service minded.
Many of you reading this might think that this is nothing special, but I was really impressed with this simple offer of a simple service which most of the passenger will decline anyway 10 minutes before landing.
Well done Bangkok Airways. Keep it up! For me YOU are the national carrier and a true ambassador for Thailand.
Klaus R. Rauter
Managing Director
Hi Klaus R. Rauter,
I have spent a lot of time traveling by internal flights in Thailand and I have found the flights of all operators to be fairly inconsistant, with the exception of Nok! ( I must add , that I have not flown for not for the last five months! But, the preceeding 2-years).
I have to say that all have been acceptable or satisfactory in general, I was very surprised on one occasion though…
At one time I was a weekly traveler to the north east and usully travelled by Nok, as they were a little cheaper for a one hour flight. Except when the price was about 1-200 baht difference then I would take Thai for the hot snack and newspaper (perfect for one hour!!), usually one tiem a month.
Then last summer when the price of oil was very high Thai reduced its ticket price, and concurrently its quality of service by offering a cold snack. However, to my surprise at the very same time Nok tickets remained the same price and they began to offer a hot snack, for free (previously nothing, and although only an Auntie Annies hot dog Pretzel it was an hot snack upgrade, but remember its not what you buy what you think you buy, and relative to both the alternative and Nok’s previous offer)! This was a great move, as the legacy line reduced service the budget airline inproved service. Great marketing, at the best of times let alone during difficult times.
I must add though that in gerneral I have always been happy with both, except Nok was late more frequently(one time the result of government expropriation, which was unacceptable due to the deceit more than the expropriation (we were told the flight was late!! Not comandeered by teh government for a jolly (well thats debatable lol)). Both offered a smile, curtious service although not as much eye contact as other Singapore or most western airlines. which I found a bit of a surpise).
I suppose we all have differnet perceptions (including, selective attention, selective retention, cognitive dissonance et al)and experiences of all experiences and services etc…
However, I should add one thing… I have never flown with Bangkok Airways so there may well be a real difference that I have not experienced!!
A final point, please excuse my spelling in this reply!! I have just returned home and I am very tired, athough I though that I shoud offer my experience on this occasion.
Best wishes happy traveling to all.
Dom
Ps. has anybody noticed more turbulance this year? Or, is it just me!