Review of Myanmar Airways International flight from Bangkok to Singapore in Economy

4 nights in Bangkok and my first short getaway in 2013 has ended. The return MAI flight departs at such a not-so-good timing of 1140am as MAI operates only one flight a day on the route. The plane, which seemed to be based in BKK, would depart early in the morning as 8M336 to RGN, which is a continuation of the previous day's SIN-BKK sector, and return to BKK as 8M335 and then continuing to SIN after a 1+hr stopover in BKK.
Arrived at the airport about 1.5hrs before the flight, to find all 4 MAI check-in counters almost empty. Looked like it would again be a near empty flight! Check-in was handled by Thai Airways ground staff and was efficient.

Asked about the load, with the check-in agent replying that it was very light. So I tried my luck and requested for seats at Row 13, the emex row, and was immediately allocated seats there! Score! Again, boarding pass was printed on a generic pass stock.

03 January 2013
Myanmar Airways International
8M 335
Bangkok (BKK) - Singapore (SIN)
A320
LZ-BHH (leased from BH Air)
Economy Class
Through security and immigration, which was not too bad, and proceeded into the terminal. We would be departing form Gate F1 today and so was not too long a walk. The plane had already arrived back from Yangon and was being prepared for the flight. Boarding gate was almost empty and I barely counted 30 passengers.

LZ-BHH would again be operating the flight today.

Boarding was called shortly, as usual by rows, but ended up as free-for-all due to the very light load. I estimated probably only around 50 pax on the flight. There appeared also to be a small number of transit pax from RGN. Walking down the aerobridge, Mandala and KLM were parked beside.

Again welcomed at the door by a MAI purser. The sole BH Air Bulgarian attendant was again the same lady as on my inbound flights. There were also 4 other MAI crew. 2 guys and 2 ladies, each lady in their blue and green MAI uniforms respectively, not sure what the blue and green coloured uniforms stands for. Rank? I am quite sure the orange uniform is worn by the purser. Proceeded to my seat at row 13 again and enjoying the wonderful legroom!

Interestingly, no crew member came over and brief on the use of the emergency exit doors at the 2 emex rows unlike other carriers that operate A320s. This was also noticed on the previous flight.

At the gate and waiting for the last passengers.

Welcome announcement was given by the purser, followed by distribution of wet towelettes. Burmese announcements were made on this flight as there were a small number of transit passengers from Yangon.

Pushing back 5 mins ahead of schedule with safety demo performed manually. The BH Air attendant made the safety brief announcements. This was followed by Burmese announcement by the MAI crew.

Taxied to Rwy 01L to takeoff. TG's A346, also bound for SIN, took off 2 planes ahead of us.

Taxi and rolling takeoff from Rwy 01L.

Suvarnabhumi behind us as we made a 180 degrees turn.

Still turning.

After seatbelt signs were turned off, service started, procedurally with the newspapers service and handing out of immigration cards.

Climbing along the coast to our cruising altitude of 37,000ft.

Lunch is served!

Again, 2 carts used, with 2 crew members to a cart. Service today was not as rushed as on the previous flight.

2 choices offered. Fish with noodles or chicken with rice. The meal tray again came with only dessert and water. Catering was done by LSG Catering in Bangkok.

The fish with noodles option with orange juice and beer.

It tasted average! Not too bad, but not something to tempt the tastebuds with. And portion could be bigger.

Chicken with rice option. Not any better but sufficient to fill the stomach.

A very creamy cake for dessert! Nice!

After the first round of meals and drinks, crew came round again with second round of drinks offering and coffee/tea. I had a coffee.

And again a third round of drinks during tray collection. The captain also came on with some information about the flight. Again, meal service was completed within 45min after takeoff.

Cruising at 37,000ft. It was very cloudy.

Made the obligatory lavatory visit. Rows of empty seats at the rear of the plane.

Lavatory only had the basics. Nothing more. But it was clean.

Newspaper trolley parked at the last row, with a diverse selection available.

Cabin from the rear.

Seat pitch at the last few rows.

With nothing much else to do, I took a quick nap and when I woke up, we were already starting our descent along the coast of Peninsular Malaysia

Made some turns to avoid the storm clouds.

The descent was rather bumpy with sudden clouds as we flew through the clouds.

Changi spotted! The earlier TG A346 could also be seen landing on the runway.

Turning to finals soon.

Gears down and landing into Changi's Rwy 02L, 10 mins ahead of schedule. A EK A380 had just landed ahead of us!

EK whale in Changi.

Lionair B739ER waiting to be pushed back and TG A346 which had just landed.

Air Asia in a special livery!

Parked at D30, one of the nearest gate to immigration.