Thai Airways set to launch premium economy
The Thai flag carrier is not known for the most consistent approach to its fleets and seats…
By David Flynn, October 4 2024
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 some Boeing 777s and its older Airbus A340s, and also intended it for the A380s – but they all fell foul of Thai’s many business plan overhauls and reorientations.
Now premium economy is back on Thai’s 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
Velocity
19 Jun 2013
Total posts 65
All very nice about PY, and long overdue, except that unless TG swap airplanes again, it won’t be of any use between AU & BKK, since SYD lost its 77W service last year, replaced by the A350. Ditto for MEL. But for onward travel to FRA, LHR, NRT and a few other places, wonderful.
Now, in combination with PY, if they’d only process refunds a lot quicker than 180 days, I’d fly more with them.
04 Sep 2020
Total posts 8
180 Days? I waited almost two years despite multiple emails and phone calls and eventually had to visit their customer service office at BKK in person to get my money back.
16 Jan 2019
Total posts 5
They started 2 day service in Sydney and still have high fares. More bad debts coming along and still havent learned from the 8 billion owed.
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