Thai Airways is bringing back premium economy

Thai Airways hopes to capitalise on the surge for affordable premium travel by launching premium economy – or perhaps that should be, re-launching premium economy.

The Star Alliance member used to have premium economy on its Boeing 777s, but the product was later scrapped in one of Thai’s many business plan overhauls and reorientations.

Now Thai’s premium economy is back on the radar, and at a time when there appears to be increasing demand for greater inflight comfort than economy but without the higher price tag of business class.

It’s a trend which has won over an increasing number of airlines – most recently Emirates – while Cathay Pacific’s revamped Boeing 777s will increase the size of the premium economy cabin by 50%, from 32 seats to 48 seats.

Thai Airways CEO Chai Eiamsiri revealed plans for new 777 premium economy seats at the airline’s Fly for the New Pride event this week.

They’ll debut across a fleet of refurbished Boeing 777-300ER jets, as part of an extensive tip-to-tail makeover which will also see upgrades to first, business and economy class, along with the in-flight entertainment system.

It’s expected the dated 777-300ER Royal Silk business class seats will be replaced by those already fitted to Thai’s latest 787s, with the possibility of a fresh take on first class – but using an ‘off the shelf’ design rather than expensive bespoke suites which are the norm for first class.

As previously reported, Thai is also considering a new business class for its forthcoming 45 new 787-9s, due to arrive from 2027 “over a ten-year timeframe”.

In line with a 2027 delivery, Thai will need to lock down that design by the end of 2025 – and odds are that Thai will settle on what is already becoming the baseline for modern business class: ‘suites’ with sliding privacy doors, large-screen 4K video monitors with Bluetooth audio streaming, plus wireless charging alongside AC and USB-C sockets.

Also read: Australians will soon need a travel permit to visit Thailand