Leaving Chiang Mai
We had to wake at 0500 today for our 0700 flight from Chiang Mai to Bangkok. We had enough time for a light breakfast of fish congee, bacon and papaya. The crew for our flight was still eating as we left at 0605.
At check-in we were given “CIQ” (Customs Immigration Quarantine) stickers so that we were easily identifiable to ground staff here in Chiang Mai and Bangkok. We went airside through a separate international gate and boarded the Airbus A300 separately from pure domestic passengers.
Despite the short 1h10 flight, a breakfast of chicken and noodles was served in Business Class. The oldish aircraft was awesomely quiet and came with a very gawdy interior of purple, pink and orange. The colours really stood out in the confined space of the toilet!
Flying to Hong Kong
In Bangkok, we were ushered to the international departure area. We found a very simple Business Class lounge, only to find a nicer one later that offered the same limited food.
The 2h20 transit time went quickly with remote gate boarding to the waiting B777-200. It was a noisy flight even in Business Class. The seating configuration in 2-4-2 was definitely a shorthaul one, being only a little better than Economy Class. In fact, a domestic narrow-body aircraft would have wider seats! The meal was awesome though. I enjoyed the beautiful panang curry prawn for lunch.