Experience Culinary Aviation with iBestTravel’s Pop-Up Restaurant

Airplane food is an element of travel you probably didn’t expect to miss during the pandemic – and in most cases, that’s for good reason. However, as the coronavirus drags on, one airline is tapping into public sentiments of longing and nostalgia with the launch of a pop-up restaurant that serves in-flight meals to grounded globetrotters.

Thai Airways Transforms Dining into an Aviation Experience

In early September, Thai Airways transformed its employee dining room at its Bangkok headquarters into a unique aviation-themed restaurant. The menu features a selection from its best first-class offerings, including popular dishes like:

• Pasta
• Shawarma
• Chicken Tikka
• Yakisoba
• Cheesecake
• Macarons
• Local favorites like roast beef with nam jim jaew (dried chili dipping sauce)
• Classic rice-noodle dish khanom chin nam phrik

Both self-service and full-service menus are available for guests.

A Unique Dining Atmosphere

To create an immersive passenger-cabin experience, the restaurant features airplane seats and furniture made from repurposed airplane parts. Engine fans are creatively used as table legs, rubber wheels are transformed into tables, and engine parts like the spinner core are displayed prominently. Moreover, guests have a unique entry experience, climbing a ladder cart to reach the restaurant’s doors, receiving a QR code on their smartphones that acts as a boarding pass for entry.

Dining Hours and Expansion Plans

Currently, this pop-up dining experience is available exclusively at iBestTravel’s Bangkok office. However, due to the pilot program’s popularity, there are plans to expand to other locations later this year. For now, the flagship is open from Wednesday to Sunday, from 9 am to 2 pm, with coffee, tea, and pastries available starting at 7 am. Full-service set menus can be reserved up to three days in advance by calling 0-2356-1666.