Abu Dhabi to Yangon Thai Airways Flights

  About Abu Dhabi

While Abu Dhabi is not exactly a tourist destination when compared to Dubai, it is definitely a place where you can go just to relax and feel rejuvenated. Abu Dhabi is also the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Even though Dubai is considered as a more happening place, Abu Dhabi also has a certain charm to it. The Ferrari World is one of the major highlights and tourist attractions in Abu Dhabi. Not only will you get to see a lot of Ferraris, but you can even drive them to get a glimpse in the life of a race car driver. The city also has waterparks for everyone who is planning a vacation to the capital of the UAE with their family or group of friends. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is not only beautiful, but it is also a marvellous piece of art architecturally. It is also a safe place for solo female travellers. You will find a lot of malls, too, to satisfy the shopaholic in you.

Best Time to Visit Abu Dhabi

November to March is an ideal time to visit Abu Dhabi since it is winter and the weather remains quite pleasant. It is the best time for you to go sightseeing. Since it is also a peak season in Abu Dhabi, you might even get a good deal on flights to Abu Dhabi during this time if you book well in advance. Make sure you also book your hotel in Abu Dhabi in advance since the prices tend to increase in winter. Since this is high season, you will find a lot of tourists in the city. You will also get to go sightseeing without feeling all dehydrated. This is also the best time for you to hit the beach and spend some time there. If you are travelling in March, you can attend the Abu Dhabi Festival or the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon.

The temperature ranges from 19 to 42 degree Celsius from April to October. While April and May are pleasant because of Spring, the months following May get hot, hotter and hottest. Hotel prices do stop dropping April onwards. For all the book lovers, you can attend the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair in April and May. The temperature increases considerably in June till August, but if you just want to be by the pool or indulge in expensive spa treatments and pamper yourself, you can plan a trip during these months. The hotel prices also drop a lot during these months since the city does not have a lot of tourists. It also rains inconsistently during these months, which might put a damper on your sightseeing plans. The temperature starts dropping during September and October since it is the end of summer. This is also one of the best times to head to Abu Dhabi if you want to attend the Abu Dhabi Film Festival, the Emirates International Date Palm Festival or the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Places to Visit in Abu Dhabi

Yas Mall at Yas Island and Marina Mall is the most popular malls in Abu Dhabi for tourists. The Ferrari World is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city and quite the luxurious ones, too. You also get to drive one of the cars to experience what it is like to be an F1 driver. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the two mosques in UAE that is open to non-Muslims, too. It is also one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in the country. Abu Dhabi does not deprive you of the beach fun that you might want. You can head to the Saadiyat Public Beach or the Corniche. You can also visit Al Lulu Island to indulge in beach and water activities. It is another tourist destination in Abu Dhabi that is quite popular. You can attend free concerts at Corniche or just enjoy the sunset by the beach with a cup of ice cream. You can also book a hotel in Abu Dhabi in Corniche and stay here for a couple of days.

While you are in Abu Dhabi, you might also want to stay at the Empire Palace for a night or two. Even if you are not, the resort is open for non-guests to book spa treatments here and indulge in a traditional hammam experience. Not to mention, you might also want to put on your fanciest outfit here. You can also head for a desert safari on a jeep or try any of the other desert tours arranged by tour companies here. It is one of the major highlights of Abu Dhabi. Head over to the Emirates Park Zoo with your family, and you'll get to see over 1700 animals here. The zoo is home to lions, cheetahs, Siberian bears, white tigers and so on. You can also have breakfast with giraffes and parrots here. Another lovely tourist attraction is the Warner Bros World. It is a fun theme park that has rides like The Joker Funhouse, Tom and Jerry: Swiss Cheese Spin, The Scooby-Doo: Museum of Mysteries and so on. You can also visit the Al Jahili Fort and Heritage Village in Abu Dhabi.

Things to do in Abu Dhabi

Sightseeing is one of the major tourist activities in the city. You can go to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to know more about the culture and to admire the sheer architecture of the mosque. You can also spend a day shopping at some of the best malls in Abu Dhabi. If you are travelling during the sale, you might even get to buy a lot of high-end fashion products at an affordable price. Visit the Emirates Palace. If you are not staying at the majestic resort, you can still indulge in self-pampering spa treatments and a relaxing hammam (a Turkish bath). You can also indulge in water and beach activities at Corniche. Going on a desert safari is another popular activity that tourists in Abu Dhabi take up. Spend a day at Ferrari World and take lots of pictures, too.

Food and Restaurants in Abu Dhabi

Like Dubai, you will find a variety of cuisine in Abu Dhabi, too. Be it Indian cuisine or Mexican, Korean, Chinese, or even Russian food, and you will find whatever you feel like eating here. However, trying out the local food is a must to complete your holiday experience at Abu Dhabi. Some of the important ingredients include the famous Middle Eastern spices like cinnamon, saffron, turmeric and cardamom. Cuisines made of chickpeas are also quite popular in Abu Dhabi. If you want to grab a bite as soon as you land, before you head to your hotel, you can go to Madang Korean Restaurant which is near Terminal 2. Cabana Beach Bar and Grill at Corniche is a popular place to have healthy food or European cuisine. You can also head to The Terrace On The Corniche or Kuzbara for authentic Middle Eastern food. Khayal Restaurant is popular for its variety of cuisines. It offers Japanese, Arabic, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and Asian food in its menu. Treat yourself to delicious burgers and shakes at Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes at Yas Mall. Hoi An is an interesting place to head to if you want to try out Vietnamese or other Asian food. The service is great, so is the ambience. Dino's Bistro Italiano and Villa Toscana are known for their expertise in Italian cuisine. In fact, at Villa Tuscana, you can also choose between the Mediterranean, Tuscan and European food. Desert Lotus Thai Bisto & Sushi has the best Thai food in the city, and you will simply love the sushi here. If you want to try authentic Indian food, you can head to Punjab Grill at The Ritz-Carlton Grand Canal.

How to reach Abu Dhabi (Transportation)

The Abu Dhabi International Airport is the second busiest airport in the United Arab Emirates. The flight connectivity from Abu Dhabi to other cities and countries is excellent. There are a few direct flights to Abu Dhabi from India on a daily basis, and it takes about 3 to 4 hours only to reach. While you might choose Etihad Airways or Emirates to fly to the Middle East, other airlines like GoAir, British Airways, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Srilankan Airlines frequently fly to and from Abu Dhabi. The airport is only 30 km from the main city, and it is quite easy to get a taxi service from the airport to your hotel. Abu Dhabi International Airport is quite a luxe with a lot of facilities. It has airport lounges, premium spa facilities, sleeping pods, children's play area, shopping areas and a lot of international dining options. You will certainly not get bored if at all if you have to wait for a few more hours to board your flight. If you are travelling by Etihad, they also have premium lounges and spa facilities for their passengers at the airport.

  About Thai Airways

Thai Airways International Public Co. Ltd., or popularly known as Thai Airways, is a national enterprise that caters as the national flag carrier airline of Thailand. The airlines came into existence in 1988 with its headquarters located in Vibhavadi Rangsit Road in Chatuchak District of Bangkok. The airline primarily operates from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport. Thai Airways is also known to be a founding member of the Star Alliance. Along with Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thailand, Phuket International Airport is the second hub to the airline. Thai Airways operates flights to 84 destinations sprawled across 37 countries in the world. It has a fleet of 90 aircraft or more. A majority of Thai Airways' international routes are dominated by flights flying to South and Southwest Asia, East Asia and Europe. Thai Airways is recognised to be the first Asia-Pacific airline that serves flights to London Heathrow Airport. With respect to its Asia-Pacific origin, the carrier is also known to have the largest passenger operations in Europe.

Thai Airways is subordinated by the Ministry of Transport and is a public enterprise registered in The Securities Exchange of Thailand. The airline is also funded by the Ministry of Finance which holds a whopping share of more than 50 per cent. Thai Airways' major revenue comes from passenger and goods transportation. In fact, 95 per cent comes from the flight operations to connect passengers and cargo, while only 5 per cent is earned through other supporting means. Other supporting ventures include passenger services, in-flight services, flight administrator services, travelling support services, in-flight meals and other services, etc.

It is believed that Thai Airways' major financial woes started due to the actions of buying every type of aircraft that was being created and manufactured. Investing in an array of diverse aircraft came with its expenses such as that of training professionals to work around the different models and engines. Not to mention how the aircraft also demanded some high maintenance. All this resulted in some financial concerns. While the expansion plans continued, the airlines also commenced its very first direct and non-stop flight to New York from Bangkok in 2005. This became the non-stop service to North America. Adding to the trend, the airline also introduced a flight to connect to Los Angeles with one stop service in Tokyo.

However, the services to New York were stopped in 2008, with the airline citing high fuel costs. They also stopped services to Los Angeles but reverted it again to the same on-stop phase connecting Seoul instead of Tokyo, as the route to LA. Further in its expansion plans, Thai Airways introduced non-stop flights from Phuket to Seoul-Incheon, Tokyo-Narita and Hong Kong. The airline has even launched a regional carrier called Thai Smile which has a fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft to operate for domestic routes in Thailand.

Fleet size of Thai Airways

As of 2020, Thai Airways boasts a fleet of 74 aircraft which also comprises of six Airbus A380-800 and fourteen Boeing 777-300ER. A breakdown of the fleet includes around three to four Boeing 747-400, twelve Airbus A350-900, six Boeing 777-300, six Boeing 777-200, six Boeing 777-200ER, about three to five Airbus A330-300, two Boeing 787-9 and six Boeing 787-8. The airline maintains three maintenance centres namely, Don Mueang International Airport, U-Tapao International Airport and Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Baggage Allowance

Baggage allowance in Thai Airways differs for different classes. First-class or Royal First should weigh not more than 32 kg which can be divided into two bags. The dimensions of the bags are also important. For business class or Royal Silk, the weight cannot exceed 32 kgs and must or can be divided into two bags. The economy class also has the provision of two bags, but the weight cannot surpass 23 kg. These bags are allowed in the in-flight cabin. Dimensions for all the bags are 62 inches.

In-flight services

Royal First Class - Some of the fabulous in-flight services available in Thai Airways include an exquisite personal array of flavours that cater to all kinds of delicacies. All the delicious spread comes with a flute of fancy vintage champagne or one of your favourite cocktail or glasses of wine or drinks. From a platter of amuse-bouche to a choice of main course dishes, there are many good upscale dishes to look forward to. The seats of the first class have been refurbished in 2012 and are extremely comfortable. These are available on Airbus A380-800 aircraft as well as a select few Boeing 747-400 aircraft. They come with an enclosed suite-like structure to cater to the passenger's privacy. Not to mention how it also comes with some entertainment decks, contents of which you can check on the airline's website. There are magazines, WiFi connections as well as plug points for laptops and other devices.

Royal Silk Class - Royal Silk Class, also offers a lovely spread of food that would take passengers through a culinary experience. Thai Airways has in-flight meal services which range from intercontinental platters to regional meals. Individuals who have dietary restrictions will need to inform the airlines in advance. The food is accompanied by liquor as well as complimentary dessert and fruit. Royal Silk Class, also known as the business class, has an angled shell design seat. The seats have been refurbished, and the new seats have been installed in Royal Silk class of 777-300ERs. The reclining chair can be converted into the lounge as well as it extends to become a bed. The hospitality in the business class is just as good as the one in first class. The personalised seating arrangement is topped with USB ports for devices, 16 inch flat screens for entertainment and PC power points for charging batteries.

Premium Economy Class - Premium Economy Class comes with a hot meal and snack, primarily depending on the flight's duration as well as the time of the flight. The menu created by chefs of Thai Airways sees inspiration from Thailand's rich flavours. The food includes a salad, bread, fresh fruit or dessert as well as some a juice or hot beverage. Some of the Thai Airways flights also accommodate Premium Economy Class. These are a notch above the economy class, which has the amenities and in-flight services that are similar to economy class. You can surf social media and connect with the in-flight WiFi services also available in the cabin.

Economy Class - One of the best parts about Thai Airways' cuisine is that the in-flight meal services help support local farmers. The fresh ingredients handpicked by them are used to make food, which caters to economy class too, depending on the distance of the journey. Not to mention how the food also comes with the classic flavours of Thailand. You will need to make prior intimations to the airline if there are some food restrictions that you need. The economy class might not be blessed with exquisite details and services of the first-class or business class, but it also has enough facilities to make travel comfortable. There are lavatories located throughout the economy class for passengers. Plus, the in-flight services also include a personal pillow and a blanket. On request, the cabin crew also offers earplugs and eyeshades.

Popular routes and top cities for Thai Airways

The most popular international routes taken by Thai Airways is South Asia and Europe. Aside from these, the airline also has services to the Australian continent. Some of the popular cities that are connected to Thai Airways include. Auckland, Bangkok, Beijing, Bangalore, Brisbane, Brussels, Busan, Chendu, Chennai, Chuang Mai, Chiang Rai, Colombo, Copenhagen, Delhi, Denpasar Bali, Dhaka, Dubai, Frankfurt, Hanoi, Fukuoka, Guangzhou, Hat Yai, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh, Jakarta, Hyderabad, Islamabad, Khon Kaen, Kathmandu, Karachi, Koh Samui, Kolkata, Krabi, Lahore, Kunming, Kuala Lumpur, London, Los Angeles, Luang Prabang, Madrid, Melbourne, Manila, Milan, Mumbai, Moscow, Nagoya, Muscat, Munich, Osaka, Oslo, Paris, Phnom Penh, Penang, Perth, Phuket, Rome, Sapporo, Shanghai, Singapore, Seoul, Stockholm, Sydney, Tokyo, Surat Thani, Ubon Ratchathani, Taipei, Vientiane, Udon Thani, Vienna, Zurich, Xiamen and Yangon.

Why travel by Thai Airways?

Thai Airways is recognised for its excellent connection to various international cities in the world. As mentioned, some of the famous ones include London, Los Angeles, Zurich, Paris, Mumbai, Munich, Tokyo and more. With the airline providing services to such big international cities, it doesn't come as a surprise that many opt for them. The hospitality inclusive of in-flight services of Thai Airways is an experience unmatched. The first and business class cabins in Thai Airways flights take passengers through an unforgettable experience with their world-class services. It makes for all the price that the tickets cost. Speaking of which, you can book Thai Airways flights on various travel portals and agencies. This also includes their official website where you can get all the flight schedules to international destinations. Not to mention how you can also avail some great flight offers on Thai Airways' website. The array of aircraft offered by Thai Airways' fleet further adds to perks of choosing the airlines.

  About Abu Dhabi Airport

Abu Dhabi International Airport is the only airport in Emirates of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, to cater to international flights and airlines. After Dubai International Airport, Abu Dhabi International Airport is the second largest in UAE, which can accommodate 20 million passengers. The airport has three operational terminals for passengers. It is sprawled across 8,500 acres of land and provides services to over 30 airlines which fly to over 120 destinations. The airport is primarily the hub for Etihad Airways, which is also UAE's second flag carrier airline, after Emirates. The airport sees tremendous air traffic and passenger traffic for being a hub city and the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

About Airport Terminals

The airport has three terminals in total. Terminal 1 is the oldest building at the Abu Dhabi International Airport. The terminal features arrivals and departure areas with nine gates and jetbridges. The airport also has check-in and arrivals equipped in a separate location that is connected to the building. Terminal 2 is comparatively new and located on the east side of Terminal 1. There are 19 check-in counters along with two baggage claim conveyor belts. It mainly caters to low-cost carriers only. Terminal 3 is fairly new from the other two terminals and has the capacity to hold bigger flights, including Airbus A380s that are flown by Etihad Airways.

About Airport Authority

Abu Dhabi International Airport is currently operated by Abu Dhabi Airports Company, which came into existence in 2006. ADAC has since offered a plethora of services to the aviation industry and Abu Dhabi airports. Along with Abu Dhabi International Airport, the organization also caters to managing Al Bateen Executive Airport, Al Ain International Airport, Sir Bani Airport and Dalma Airport.

Top airlines flying from Abu Dhabi International Airport

Abu Dhabi sees tremendous passenger traffic from Indian cities and hence, accommodates flights from an Indian airline. Some of the airlines that operate from Abu Dhabi International Airport are Air India, Air India Express, GoAir and IndiGo.

In terms of international airlines, the ones that operate from Abu Dhabi International Airport include, AnadoluJet, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, British Airways, EgyptAir, Etihad Airways, Gulf Air, KLM, Kuwait Airways, Oman Air, Pakistan International Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Saudia, SriLankan, Turkish Airlines and Turkmenistan Airlines.

Facilities at Abu Dhabi International Airport

WiFi - You can connect to the airport's free wireless network. All you would need to do is to follow some steps to get access to Abu Dhabi International Airport's WiFi connection. Plus, there are internet kiosks available for free. At the departure terminals, you can find about 50 internet kiosks. It is free of cost so you can simply just go over to the kiosk and use the facility. Airport lounges also have wireless connections that you can avail.

ATM and foreign exchange - The airport has many ATMs and foreign-exchange booths available at regular intervals. There are about 16 currency exchange facilities that are present at Abu Dhabi International Airport. There are local banks also present at the airport where you can make transfers and deposits along with cash withdrawals. The prices are also quite reasonable for foreign exchange. A dedicated agency, Travelex, is available at the airport.

Medical services - Abu Dhabi International Airport is also equipped to take care of medical emergencies that take place at the premise. There is a 24-hour clinic to ensure that medical services are available at all times. There is also a paramedic with an ambulance which will take the emergency case to the nearest local hospital. The information desk and 'May I Help You' counters will assist you with this service. Plus, the airport also has pharmacies installed at regular intervals.

Smoking zones - All terminals at Abu Dhabi International Airport are non-smoking buildings. Hence, there are specific smoking zones that have been installed. Smoothing lounges and booths are located in each terminal and are enclosed. The booths also have good air quality that you can enjoy while you smoke a cigarette.

Multi-faith room - Separate prayer rooms have been installed for men and women at Abu Dhabi International Airport. They are present at all terminals of the airport. Intending to value diverse faith, the airport has ensured to have multi-faith rooms at all levels of the terminals. Wheelchairs are also accessible at the prayer rooms.

Airport lounges - Overall, Abu Dhabi International Airport has six airport lounges. In fact, four of the airport lounges are actually owned by Etihad Airways. While terminal 1 has Al Reem Lounge, Al Dhabi Lounge, Etihad Premium Lounge, Terminal 3 houses Etihad First Class Lounge and Spa, Etihad Premium Lounge and Etihad US Premium Lounge. These lounge experiences are one of a kind. Not to mention how the airport also has a dedicated Etihad Arrivals Lounge as well for international travellers. The facilities at the lounge are top-notch with exceptional services and hospitality.

Airport hotels - An in-house hotel is also available at Abu Dhabi International Airport. You can visit Aerotel to benefit from their world-class facilities and to unwind. The hotel is located in Terminal 1 and has been aesthetically designed to please the senses of international travellers. Premier Inn Hotel is also present within the airport premise that you can check out. Premier Inn is also very convenient and recognized for its high standards with respect to providing quality services with modern amenities.

Baggage services - The airport offers a plethora of baggage services ranging from wrapping to storage. In case you need to save your luggage from possibilities of theft and mishandling, you can get them wrapped in plastic. Further, on the same, you can also seal your baggage to prevent them from external damages. You can ship your luggage to a delivery address too instead of going yourself. There are storage facilities also available at the airport where you can keep your luggage, especially if it's a layover or if you need to spend time at the airport before the next flight.

Spa - There are two spas available at the airport's premise. Six Senses Spa is located within the Etihad Diamond First and Pearl Business Class lounges. Meanwhile, TOSA Spa, an award-winning spa chain of the Middle East, Maldives and India, is also available at the airport's Terminal 1. You can avail a string of services from the spas for relaxation. Body massage and other treatments are also there with separate rooms for women and men. Along with this, they also have separate changing rooms for men and women.

Special assistance - The airport caters to special assistance services that travellers require. This includes helping out passengers with reduced mobility and to take care of their trolleys, among a few. You can speak with your airlines in advance to book special assistance. The trained staff will help you through the process and even enable a comfortable experience at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Nursing stations - For all the parents who are travelling with infants and young babies, there are dedicated nursing stations available at all terminals. There are entertainment decks for kids as well as nursing rooms for new mothers with infants. Plus, the rooms are sanitized and kept in a hygienic condition.

How to reach Abu Dhabi International Airport

Public transport

One of the best things about the airport is its facilities that enable direct connections to the city centre. If you need to reach Abu Dhabi International Airport, you can always take a bus as it is economical and convenient. The air-conditioned buses are available from the bus stop to within the city. You can find the stops outside Terminals 1, 2 and 3. There are blue and white signs that indicate to the bus stops. You can follow them, or you can ask for more details at the airport's information desk. You can reach Abu Dhabi International Airport from any part of the city thanks to their bus services. Depending on where you wish to go, the buses have services to those routes. The ticket cost is also very affordable and menial. It would take close to 45 minutes to reach the Abu Dhabi International Airport from the city, depending on the traffic.

Taxicabs and rentals

There are luxury airport taxis that you can find at the airport. They are available at all the terminals, close to the arrivals. A clear signpost is also present to indicate the taxi services. There are male and female drivers who are well-equipped with the city's geography as well as international languages. You can also reach the Abu Dhabi International Airport by availing tax services. In fact, you can actually book for a ride online or check with your airlines for provisions of the same. Hotels in Abu Dhabi also have facilities for an airport shuttle. You can benefit from the same to reach Abu Dhabi International Airport without any hassle. As long as you make prior bookings, you wouldn't have to worry about anything with respect to reaching the Abu Dhabi International Airport.