Is Thai Airways Business Class worth it on a one-hour flight?

Business Class is easy to justify on a long-haul flight. A better seat, more space, a meal, lounge access and extra service can make a big difference when you have several hours in the air.

But what happens when the flight itself is barely an hour?

That was the question behind my latest trip with Thai Airways, flying from Bangkok to Phnom Penh in Business Class on an Airbus A320.

Rather than simply reviewing the flight, I wanted to find out what you actually get for paying extra on such a short journey — and whether there is enough time to enjoy it.

The journey starts before the aircraft

One of the biggest advantages of Business Class on a short flight is that much of the experience happens before you even board.

At Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, Business Class passengers have access to priority check-in and security, followed by the Royal Orchid Lounge.

The lounge is arguably more useful on a short flight than some of the benefits in the air. With only around an hour in the air, there isn't much time to relax once you're onboard, so having somewhere comfortable to sit, eat and wait before the flight is a genuine part of the Business Class experience.

After leaving the lounge, priority boarding means getting onto the aircraft quickly and settling into the front cabin.

Business Class on the A320

Thai Airways' A320 Business Class is a regional product rather than the type of seat you might expect on a long-haul flight.

The seats are comfortable and offer more personal space than Economy, although they don't transform into a bed or offer the privacy associated with long-haul Business Class.

For a short flight, however, the question isn't really whether the seat is luxurious. It's whether the additional comfort and space make the extra fare worthwhile for the relatively short time you'll actually spend sitting in it.

And then there is the service.

Can they serve a full meal in one hour?

One of the most interesting parts of the flight was watching the cabin crew take meal orders shortly after takeoff.

Thai Airways still provides a proper meal service on this short regional route, rather than simply offering a snack.

The meal was presented on a tray with several dishes, including rice, vegetables, appetisers, dessert, bread and a drink.

It is an impressive amount of service considering how little time the crew has between takeoff and descent.

But that also raises an interesting question: how much of the Business Class experience can you actually enjoy before the aircraft starts preparing to land?

On a longer flight, you can take your time. On this flight, everything happens at speed.

The mileage surprise

There was also an unexpected difference — or rather, lack of difference — when it came to frequent-flyer miles.

I had previously flown the same Bangkok–Phnom Penh route in Economy and earned 500 Royal Orchid Plus miles.

On this Business Class flight, I also earned 500 miles.

That makes sense given the very short distance and the programme's minimum mileage rules, but it was still surprising to see exactly the same mileage credit in both cabins.

So Business Class doesn't necessarily give you a mileage advantage on a sector this short.

So, is it worth it?

That ultimately depends on how much more you are paying.

Thai Airways Business Class gives you a noticeably different airport experience, with priority services, lounge access, priority boarding, a more spacious seat and a full meal.

But the flight is so short that there is very little time to enjoy those benefits once you're in the air.

For me, that makes the real question less about whether Thai Airways Business Class is good and more about how much extra you are prepared to pay for the convenience and comfort.

And that is what this flight was really about: finding out what Business Class actually delivers when you only have about an hour in the air.

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