DALLAS — We arrived at Bangkok Airport (BKK) from Brussels (BRU) and, instead of making a direct connection, we left the baggage claim area to explore the arrivals and departures hall of BKK.

Our final destination is one of the world’s favorite leisure spots: Phuket. However, there is another reason why some travelers may choose to journey to this paradise.

The city’s airport is located around forty kilometres north of Old Phuket Town and is one of the global plane-spotting destinations. The airport welcomed over 17 million passengers in 2024 through its single 09/27 runway. 

The approach on runway 09 allows for some iconic shots of regional and widebody aircraft in almost perfect conditions all day. It is not unusual to notice large groups of tourists standing immediately below the approach path for some iconic aviation pictures and videos.

Back in Bangkok, the spacious check-in area was crowded with passengers; however, we quickly collected the new boarding pass. We simply scanned it to re-enter the terminal, as domestic security controls are situated between the lounges, shopping areas, and gates.

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New Royal Silk Class

A few weeks ago, Thai Airways introduced a new Royal Silk Class, its Business Class product, on the Airbus A320. This new layout replaces the outdated “Eurobusiness” style 3-3 seats from the previous Thai Smile fleet with a more contemporary and comfortable option. 

The updated cabin has already been installed on several aircraft and will be rolled out across the airline’s fleet before summer. Today, we have the pleasure of experiencing the latest product on board HS-TXU, which operates between Bangkok and Phuket as TG215.

Flight TG215 is scheduled for 2:45 pm, which is well after our arrival in Bangkok. As a result, we have plenty of time to acclimate to the climate and rest between flights in the Royal Silk Lounge. The lounge is situated in front of Gate A1 and provides ample seating, a large buffet, newspapers, and Wi-Fi. 

Additionally, there is a spacious indoor terrace facing the main terminal, where I caught up on sleep for a few hours. After waking up, it was time for an early lunch: since it was my first time in Thailand, I wanted to try as many dishes as possible from day one, and I sampled a bit of everything, from spicy sausages to local soft drinks.

We then headed to the security controls before waiting in a large room for the bus gates. We boarded on time from gate B8, from where we took a bus to a jet bridge gate not far to the south. Between A330 and Boeing 777, our A320 was parked. The aircraft, HS-TXU, is equipped with Thai Airways’ latest domestic business class, which we will be experiencing for the first time today.

On Board

On board, we are warmly welcomed by the cabin crew and shown to seat 11K, at the front of the 12-seat business class cabin. Today, all seats but one are occupied, highlighting the demand for business travel even in domestic markets. 

The cabin is designed to keep TG’s offer consistent across its network: passengers connecting from long-haul destinations would go from a spacious lie-flat seat to an economy class seat, which is, unfortunately, the standard in most of Europe. To ensure the same standard, rolling out this new product was a relatively easy decision to future-proof the ex-Thai Smile A320 fleet.

At our seats, we discovered a bottle of water, a refreshing towel, a blanket, and a pillow. The width of the seats immediately drew our attention, as their padding matches the width of three economy class seats. 

After reclining, we taxied around the airport, weaving past traffic that included Qatar’s A380, Condor’s A330neo, and more. We took off from runway 20L while an Austrian Airlines Boeing 777-200ER landed on runway 20R, perfectly synchronized with our departure.

The Seat

After takeoff, we began to explore the seat in greater depth. A pocket for phones and passports is located next to your legs, beneath the main armrest. At the front, a small coffee table can hold a few items and glasses, while the tray table is stowed in the outer armrest. 

This includes a mobile device holder suitable for large tablets and can easily accommodate larger laptops. The seat offers excellent reclining, controlled by a switch on the main console. The footrest is also padded and can be raised. Similarly, the adjustable headrest is well-padded and comfortable.

Overall, the new Royal Silk cabin includes several unconventional elements and is well-suited for regional flights. The seat is wider than most long-haul options, and the legroom is generous. Although the seat does not offer a lie-flat experience, we believe that few will miss it because of the soft padding and adjustable headrest.

There are, of course, some drawbacks, such as the lack of charging points, which is becoming crucial as more airlines, including Thai Airways, prohibit the use of portable battery packs on board. As the aircraft will be retrofitted with a new on-demand in-flight entertainment system, charging devices may pose a problem for passengers.

Lunch Service

Leaving Bangkok behind in the fog, we started our climb, and shortly after reaching FL100, the cabin crew handed out hot towels and set up the table to begin the meal service. In Royal Silk, a full lunch is provided to all passengers. While most passengers chose to exchange the meal service for some sleep, we decided to participate in the service.

The meal consisted of chicken with mushrooms and rice, paired with a mixed fruit platter and coconut pudding. The late lunch was satisfying and flavorful, particularly the tender chicken. Since this is a domestic flight, no alcohol is available on board, so we opted for apple juice.

The cloudy weather persisted for most of our route, accompanied by a large formation on the right. Soon, we approached Phuket Airport from the east and landed on time on runway 27, adjacent to the iconic spotting beach. The approach served as a clear reminder of Thailand’s beauty, offering stunning views of the islands in Phang Nga Bay.

Conclusion

Overall, the new hard product is not groundbreaking but is quite adequate, with several areas for improvement regarding potential medium-haul routes. The new cabin features a more ‘corporate’ appearance while significantly enhancing comfort and enriching the premium experience on board. 

Special mention goes to the outstanding cabin crews on both the BRU-BKK and BKK-HKT flights: it is always a pleasure to interact with passionate individuals, and this was evident in our experience. The cabin crews were attentive, professional, and enthusiastic about our taking pictures and videos.

The lack of charging outlets may be the most significant issue here. However, our conclusion aligns with Thai Airways' future: the airline will soon introduce a new product on the upcoming A321neos, which we previewed during our visit to Bangkok.

One more special mention goes to the lost and found team in Phuket. After I left my GoPro on the plane and emailed them, they promptly located it, allowing me to pick it up before departing for Bangkok a few days later.

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