Thai Airways opens restaurant for customers craving in-flight meals

Record ID: 1570774

  • Title: Thai Airways opens restaurant for customers craving in-flight meals
  • Date: 9th September 2020
  • Summary: BANGKOK, THAILAND (SEPTEMBER 9, 2020) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF CABIN CREW SERVING FOOD TO CUSTOMERS AT THAI AIRWAYS NEWLY LAUNCHED FIRST CLASS RESTAURANT (MUTE) TIMELAPSE OF CUSTOMERS EATING AT RESTAURANT VARIOUS OF CUSTOMERS SITTING ON AIRLINE SEATS AND EATING (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) CUSTOMER, THANATE BANTOMSIN, SAYING: "I was so impressed from the moment I stepped on the ramp bec
  • Embargoed: 23rd September 2020 11:07
  • Keywords: Bangkok Thai Airways Thailand airline cabin crew captain food service
  • Location: BANGKOK, THAILAND
  • City: BANGKOK, THAILAND
  • Country: Thailand
  • Topics: Asia / Pacific,Arts/Culture/Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVA001CUYT6IV
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Loyal customers of Thai Airways flocked to the airline's newly-launched restaurant on Wednesday (September 9) to remind themselves of the experience of in-flight dining.
    The national carrier - which for months has grounded most of its planes due to travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic - has transformed the cafeteria of its Bangkok headquarters into an aviation-themed restaurant open to the public to satisfy their cravings for airline food.
    "I was so impressed from the moment I stepped on the ramp because I was greeted by the captain and cabin crew at the entrance. The feeling is the same with boarding an actual flight," said Thanate Bantomsin, who brought his whole family to dine at the restaurant as a show of support for his sister, an employee of the airline for over 20 years.
    The Southeast Asian country has suspended commercial flights to try to prevent coronavirus infections, but diners can still meet the cabin crew, who greet them in full uniform as they enter the restaurant decorated with airplane parts and seats to lend it an authentic aircraft feel.
    "All the tables are made from (parts of) the aircraft's engine," Thai Airways air purser Suphavas Varamali who came up with the idea, told Reuters.
    Each decoration has a QR code attached to it for visitors to look up information on the parts.
    The restaurant, which will serve about 2,000 meals per day, is a way for the company to recoup some lost revenue during the coronavirus pandemic, and there are plans to turn other Thai Airways offices into similar dining experiences.
    Chefs and cabin crew from the airline, which filed for bankruptcy protection in May, appeared in good spirits.
    Japanese chef Jun Uenishi said the experience was different because it was his first time interacting with customers.
    The Thai bankruptcy court will decide on September 14 if the airline can go ahead with its restructuring proposals.
    (Production: Jiraporn Kuhakan, Vorasit Satienlerk)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2020. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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