As someone who usually has no trouble nodding off on planes, I was out before takeoff and only woke up about 30 minutes into the flight. The seating was comfortable enough, helped by the fact that there were only two of us in a row of three. One noticeable shift from the usual domestic run was the all-Thai crew; while the cabin was full of “anglo” Australians. There was no sense of expacts making their way back to Thailand.
Food & Drink
Unlike many international carriers heading into Asia where you choose between a couple of “meat and rice” options, this was a pay-as-you-go service, very similar to an Australian domestic flight.
- The Menu: It featured the standard domestic choices with a few international extras.
- My Choice: I opted for sandwiches and a glass of wine. The sandwiches were a bit chilled, but they were tasty and the portion size was decent.
- Snacks: I also tucked into a protein bar later in the flight to tide me over.
Accessibility & Arrival
The absolute highlight of the journey was the seamless wheelchair assistance at both ends.
- Melbourne: A fantastic crew met me at check-in and escorted me all the way to the aircraft door.
- Bangkok: I was met at the plane and whisked through the airport. Being in the chair gave me priority access, meaning I cleared customs in about five minutes—bypassing some incredibly long queues.
- Logistics: I still had to have my fingers and thumbs scanned, and I was glad I’d filled out my Thai arrival card a few days in advance.
Final Verdict
The flight went quickly, passed mostly with a mix of movies and sleep. By the time we touched down at 7:30 pm, the transition from the tarmac to my driver—a friendly local who introduced himself as “Mate”—was effortless. For a budget-friendly international option, it certainly passed the test.
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