[Flight Review] TG640 Bangkok - Narita | Thai Airways A350 (Economy Class) | 31 May 2024

From this summer schedule, Thai Airways resumed flight TG640 to Narita, which means TG now has triple daily flights to this airport. The arrival time of this flight in the early morning is preferred by tourists. Normally, this flight is operated by an Airbus A350, but luckily for me, my flight was changed to an A350 type C, with a Star Alliance livery, formerly operated by South African Airways. If you fly TG frequently, you will notice that the feel of this aircraft is different, such as the seats, screens, lavatories, and even the galley layout. Nevertheless, the flight was smooth and pleasing, as per TG's standard.

Trip Details
Airlines : Thai Airways Intl. (THA)
Flight : TG640
Date : 31 May (Dep.) / 1 June 2024 (Arr.)
From : Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
To : Narita Airport (NRT) Japan
Dep Gate : S108 (SAT1)
Arr Gate : 42 (Terminal1)
Aircraft : Airbus A350-900 (35C)
Reg. : HS-THQ ; aged 5.8 yrs.
Seat : 48A (window)
STD : 22.10
ATD : 22.49 (39 mins. late)
STA : 06.20
ATA : 06.22 (just 2 mins. late)
Cruising Altitude : 370/410/39000 ft.
Total Flight Time : 5 hrs. 33 mins.

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** About the aircraft
All the Thai A350 fleet are named after towns or cities in Thailand. This Airbus A350-900, HS-THQ, is named after the major city in Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai, the ancient capital of the Lanna Kingdom, known for its rich cultural and historical heritage and as an important destination for the airline. The name Chiang Mai was previously used for a retired A300-600, HS-TAM, making this the second Khun Chiang Mai.
Do not confuse this with another A319 of Bangkok Airways, which also used the same name before. However, there are some differences. While Bangkok Airways names its aircraft after destinations or major tourist places related to its routes, Thai Airways receives the aircraft names from His Majesty the King, with various categories such as female names, male names, city or town names, or important person names. HS-THQ is special due to its iconic Star Alliance livery. Since two Thai's Boeing 747-400 and A330-300 in this livery were retired during the pandemic, it is the first Thai A350 in this livery, followed by another A350, HS-THU.
HS-THQ is not an original delivery aircraft to Thai Airways. The order was first placed by LATAM Brasil but was not delivered. In 2019, Hainan Airlines took this plane and operated it for a few months, followed by a brief period with South African Airways before it was stored from 2020-2023 due to the pandemic. She joined Thai Airways on lease in September 2023. Her arrival was big news as she was the first Thai A350 in Star Alliance livery and was named after a major city in the country. Although her journey hasn't been smooth, she has now found her place and is loved by many while serving with TG.

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Full takeoff clip

   • Flight TG640 BKK-NRT Airbus A350-900 takeo...  

Full landing clip

   • Flight TG640 BKK-NRT A350-900 landing at N...  

Return Flight NRT-BKK

   • [Flight Review] TG643 Narita - Bangkok | T...  

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00:00 Intro
00:07 Suvarnabhumi Airport
01:28 Boarding
02:19 Departure
02:40 Inflight
03:17 Breakfast
03:46 Morning
04:06 Arrival
04:37 Narita

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