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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZTAP AIR PORTUGAL
Transportes Aereos Portugueses has what it calls Navigator Class, and on long-haul flights, Airbus A340 and A310, it offers seats with a pitch of 47in/119cm with adjustable lumbar support and leg support and individual video screen.The most modern seats are available on the A340 aircraft. Navigator Class also provides individual traveling blankets and pillows on each seat, toilet bags containing earplugs, mint drops, socks, eye-mask, moisturizing cream, eau de cologne, toothbrushes, razor and shaving soap, on long-haul flights, and hot towels distributed before meals.
For Economy Class, TAP supplies traveling blankets and pillows on each seat on long-haul flights, hot towels before meals, bag with toothpaste. In collaboration with a catering company, TAP carefully designs its menus, so that there is always a touch of Portuguese and international cooking on flights departing from Portugal. The airline also provides a full bar. On long-haul flights a selection of the most recent feature films distributed by the industry, cultural and recreational documentaries, and cartoon films are shown in all aircraft. The airline's program about Portugal and films about TAP destinations are also shown.
In Navigator Class on the Airbus A340, passengers can choose between seven video channels on individual monitors. All programs are in Portuguese and English. There is a six channel choice of music on board Airbus A310, and 12 on Airbus A340. The daily news is shown in collaboration with the television channel -- SIC -- and a wide selection of news, sports and economic papers and magazines are available.
On short-haul flights a special version of the Navigator program, comedy, documentaries, cartoons and films (with subtitles) is planned. Foreign and national news are also shown during the flights.
Independently of the class in which they travel, passengers will also find on the short-haul fleet, Airbus A319, A320 and A321, comfortable leather seats and modern video screens, bags with baby articles (disposable nappy, bottle, bib, baby lotion and oil pads and a tin of cream) and various other articles for families traveling with children.
TAP Air Portugal has introduced electronic ticketing which allows passengers to book their flights by phone and simply identify themselves at the check-in desk.
Opinions are somewhat mixed about the quality of service on Portugal's national carrier. Attendants are charming and try hard to please and pour plenty of wine, but that doesn't reassure passengers who note the often cramped seating. The ground crews are not good with baggage, and if you object to an aircraft often crowded, find another airline.
THAI AIRWAYS INTERNATIONAL
Thai began its life as a domestic airline called Thai Airways Company (TAC). TAC was formed in 1951 when the Thai government purchased shares in three small private airlines and amalgamated their fleets in order to create a national airline. In July 1993, Thai inaugurated its Royal Orchid Plus frequent flyer program, which enjoyed almost instant success, and in 1995, Thai joined with Lufthansa and United Airlines to form a Global Alliance that will strengthen all three airlines. Thailand's flag-carrier serving destinations in Asia, Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and North America, Thai is a member of the Star Alliance, whose network covers more than 720 destinations in over 110 countries.Royal First Class offers reclining sleeper seats in an opulently appointed cabin while enjoying an array of delicious dishes served on fine chinaware with silverware and place settings. Meals are accompanied by fine champagne like Cuvee Des Roys, as well as carefully selected wines. Complimentary drinks are available at any time during the flight except takeoff and landing. Royal First Class passengers on intercontinental flights can now request a Video Walkman and select their own entertainment from an onboard video library that includes five first-run movies, three classic films, one ballet or music video, and one major sports event video.
Royal Executive Class seats invite the passenger to lay back and relax and enjoy superb Thai and Western dishes and special entertainment on intercontinental flights via a Video Walkman and an onboard video library that includes five first-run movies, three classic films, one ballet or music video and one major sports event video.
Thai's Economy Class seating and excellent meals are equivalent to those served in some airlines' business class. Passengers can enjoy a wide range of entertainment programs and facilities. For parents with small children, there are bulkhead anchors for complimentary bassinets, and diaper-changing shelves in the toilets.
Thai is renowned for its gracious in-flight service and its excellent meals in all classes. It offers a choice between two entrees, and changes its menus on a regular basis to please frequent passengers. All drinks are complimentary. A typical Thai meal might include succulent "Tom Yam Kung" (Hot and sour soup with prawns), "Kaeng Massaman Kai" (Massaman curry with chicken) and delicious desserts like "Khanom Ba-Bin" (Coconut cake). Thai's Western cuisine menu can include such delicacies as Caviar or "Lobster Thermidor" and a main course of "Rack of Lamb with Rosemary Sauce" or "Olive Marinated Salmon with Herb Sauce". The airline also offers the flavors of Asia with Japanese and Chinese dishes available on most transpacific and intra-Asian flights.
Thai is another great airline to fly with, known for its excellent service. Cabin crews are both charming and efficient, and there are comfortable seats and good food. The aircraft tend to be very full because of Thailand's booming tourist industry, but comfort does not suffer unduly.
TURKISH AIRLINES
Turkish Airlines, the national carrier of Turkey operates a network of scheduled services to Europe, the Middle and Far East, North and South Africa and the USA. For the last four years, Turkish Airlines has been the top foreign exchange provider in Turkey.Turkish Airlines has established itself as a world class airline and has Business Class service aboard its Airbus A340, A310 or Boeing 737 aircraft. Flights begin with a special "welcome drink" followed by a choice of champagne or orange juice. Stylish dining is offered with fine linens and top class cuisine served on pleasing platters. One of the innovations in long-haul flights is the delicious hot soup from Turkish and world cuisine, served after hors d'oeuvres. Hot meal alternatives have been increased to three, with the addition of pasta dishes. The fresh fruit basket and cheese board service follows the hot meal, and two kinds of dessert are served, including Turkish specialties.
Turkish Airlines has entertainment programs throughout the flight, featuring the latest films and various music channels. The best in-flight entertainment is installed on the Airbus A340 aircraft.
As Turkey has developed into a leading tourist destination, Turkish Airlines has been forced to move with the times. Formerly it had one of the worst safety records, but now it has modern aircraft and has improved all aspects of its operations. The comfort level is reasonable, but the food is nothing to get excited about and language difficulties sometimes occur with the cabin crews.
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