Thai Airways puts the brakes on new Boeing 777s
The airline says it's in negotiations with Boeing over the fate of three factory-fresh 777s with new first class suites.
By David Flynn, December 11 2020
Executive Traveller exclusive
Thai Airways is in discussions with Boeing over the fate of three new Boeing 777-300ER jets ordered in pre-pandemic days.
A spokesperson for the Thai flag-carrier, which remains in bankruptcy protection ahead of the presentation of a 'business rehabilitation plan' in January, confirmed to Executive Traveller that the delivery of these jets "is being renegotiated".
Thai's latest Boeing 777-300ER jets were to include a flagship first class product.
The aircraft are each believed to sport first class suites, compared to previous Thai Boeing 777s delivered to 2015 which topped out at business class.
The expectation was that these new jets would replace Thai's Boeing 747s, which were already facing retirement and were last month put up for sale (alongside 18 older Boeing 777-200ER and 777-300 jets).
Those jumbo jets featured a sophisticated first class cabin crafted by London-based PriestmanGoode in what it termed 'Contemporary Thai Style inspired by Thai spa retreats, offering the height of luxury, tranquillity and calm."
Thai's latest-generation first class.
ET review: Thai Airways Boeing 747 Royal First Class
PriestmanGoode, which enjoys a long-standing relationship with the Star Alliance member, also designed the latest iteration of its Royal Silk business class along similar lines.
Thai's latest-generation business class.
It's not known if this trio of factory-fresh Boeing 777s is fitted with these latest-generation suites and seats.
Thai's current northern winter schedule to March 2021 lists only eight aircraft flying to a total of ten destinations.
As reported earlier this week, Thai Airways is shrinking its Australian route network, with flights to Brisbane and Perth withdrawn from sale for 2021, although Sydney and Melbourne remain on the network map.
A Thai Airways spokesperson advised Executive Traveller that “we expect there will be some finalisation of the 2021 schedules once the court process in Thailand is finalised in Q1 2021, and (when) international borders are reopened."
Also read: Australia's international travel ban extended to March 2021
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
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