Well here’s something that comes as a surprise to me, and which is clearly flying under the radar until now (thanks to Martin for flagging this).
In this post:
Thai Airways serving caviar on ex-Bangkok flights
While many airlines serve caviar in first class, it’s incredibly rare to see it served in business class. In August 2024, Qatar Airways made headlines for starting to serve caviar in business class on select routes. As it turns out, the airline isn’t alone.
Since January 1, 2025, Thai Airways has been serving caviar in business class on flights from Bangkok (BKK) to Europe. As the airline describes it on social media:
Now in Royal Silk Class: Siberian Classic Caviar by Caviar Giaveri, sourced from pristine waters and served at its freshest.
Exclusively on outbound flights from Bangkok to Europe
Paired with a rotating First Course menu:
Tuna Tartare & Avocado Tartare – Jan, May, Sep
Jumbo Crab Tian with Spicy Truffle Dressing – Feb, Jun, Oct
Grilled Hokkaido Poached Tiger Prawn & Green Apple – Mar, Jul, Nov
Foie Gras Laab – Apr, Aug, DecA dining experience to remember – only on Thai Airways.
Well done, Thai Airways!
As mentioned above, historically caviar has been reserved for long haul first class, and is one of the soft product features most associated with the cabin.
I guess I wasn’t shocked when Qatar Airways decided to introduce caviar in business class, as the airline is known for having among the world’s best business class products, and constantly one-upping itself. After all, Qatar Airways markets its Qsuite as “First in Business,” intended to suggest it’s more comparable to first class than business class.
I’m very pleasantly surprised to see Thai Airways be the next airline to roll out something like this. Thai Airways is lovely, with tasty Thai food and warm Thai hospitality. However, I can’t say that the airline serving caviar in business class would’ve been something I expect to see.
The airline obviously hasn’t done much to market this, since it has been around for over a month, and this is the first that I’ve heard of it. It makes me want to fly Thai Airways again from Bangkok to Europe, as I have to imagine this reflects a larger product investment.
Bottom line
Thai Airways now serves caviar in business class, on flights departing Bangkok for Europe. Several months back, Qatar Airways became the first major airline to serve caviar in business class, and it’s nice to see Thai Airways now matching that. I wouldn’t have expected that, but what a nice treat!
What do you make of Thai Airways serving caviar in business class?
Thai Airways is antisemitic for serving Caviar instead of Biscoff. Delta is way superior.
This is stupid and not funny. Enough with this.
The promotional photos are rather odd...just a tin of caviar next to one of the rotating starters, instead of the usual accompaniments. As others note, the impact of this will depend on how the caviar is actually served and in what quantity.
Well, it least it marks the difference to low end *A carriers like the LH-Group. Not sure if creates any competitive advantage against the higher grades …
Who will protest first? PETA, because they're cutting open those pregnant sturgeons? The right-to-life lobby, because life begins when the egg is produced? Or the opponents of demagogues, who wonder how the Russian fish end up in the "pristine waters" of Italy (as the distributor's website claims).
lmfao
Need to keep all their Russians happy.
Thai will never be great or competitive until they get rid of that awful 2-2-2 hard product, or get their equipment swap problem under control.
2-2-2 only remains on the 788, which is in very limited regional service.
Lots of 359 have 222
No, all 12 A359s are 1-2-1.
Agree. My r/t flights were supposed to be A350 and they swapped to B777-200 with that horrible old school 2-2-2 configuration. I give up on them. EVA and others so much better in Biz and better priced. I don’t fly first class, unless they want to upgrade me :))
Excellent. Star Alliance and global travelers could use a revitalized Thai Airways
Well, I'm sorry to have missed this. Flew Thai last February, and Qatar last March ,,,, c'est la vie!
Hey Ben,
If you figure out how to book Thai business class from BKK- EUR using Lifemiles please do share. It has been erroring out for over 6 months and calling in produces the same result.
We had these kind of seats on FlyDubai from Male' to Dubai and I just assumed I was doing something wrong because the seats were so awkward.
Could the low profile be something to do with the fact that it’s Siberian caviar?
Is this the return of TG? They were once considered on of the top airlines in their heyday, you would put them in the same leagues as SQ and whatnot.
I flew them recently on a regional Asia and was pleasantly surprised by the respectable service and food quality.
Years ago, I would say they were competitive with the likes of SQ and CX, especially with their A345 service to LAX and JFK, which were among the top carriers at the time. It's just unfortunate that they didn't invest in the business properly since the airline and the country as a whole have so much potential.
Yeah, they certainly have a lot of catching up to do. But this is certainly a step in the right direction. Especially in a world, where all airlines constantly cost-cut.
All I can is I'm impressed, and didn't expect TG to be the next one after QR to launch caviar service.
There won't be a "return" of Thai until they get rid of their 2-2-2 hard product or equipment swaps under control.
There is nothing to really get exited about.
You could find nowadays very cheap 'caviars' at very low prices. Especially if you give the pax 7/8g and not 20/30/40 as it is the norm with a real Beluga in SQ/EK/QR/TG F.
A lot of American people, in a country with no gastronomic history and an 'easy' palate, are easy to impress with gimmics like this.
A Business Class catering should be seen as a whole...
There is nothing to really get exited about.
You could find nowadays very cheap 'caviars' at very low prices. Especially if you give the pax 7/8g and not 20/30/40 as it is the norm with a real Beluga in SQ/EK/QR/TG F.
A lot of American people, in a country with no gastronomic history and an 'easy' palate, are easy to impress with gimmics like this.
A Business Class catering should be seen as a whole experience - Which has become mediocre on TG J. And not only with a communications perk.
QR also serves a 'Balik style' salmon in J. Is it Balik salmon? Definitely not! But if 70% of Pax believe it's the same, they achieved their marketing goal.
Yes. Caviar is overrated
Yeah it’s pretty cheap at $50 for a 30g tin retail so a lot less wholesale for sure.
You could find cheap Russian/Chinese quality ones at 20$ for 40g assuming they buy it less expensively than in the US.
If TG puts 8g as a plus on some smoke salmon. It costs 5$.
What an incredible luxury investment! Some people are so naïve when it comes to F&B/Luxury World.
Mr refined palate, the $ symbol goes before the number. Not quite superior enough to know that?
It has little to do with how much it costs. It is highly instagramable and is something most people very rarely do. It makes an experience that people appreciates.
The same applies to many wines and especially champagnes served on board. Most are fairly cheap and almost all will lose their unique features when served in a pressurised cabin, but the experience is there
I love all these messages telling people what they "should want" and whether they "should" be impressed.
The Business Class "whole experience" consists of parts. Adding caviar will serve TG well. I like caviar, I don't much like red meat, I don't drink coffee, I love tea, I never check a bag, I don't drink alcohol and I never watch the IFE, except map and camera. So my "whole experience" is very different from many...
I love all these messages telling people what they "should want" and whether they "should" be impressed.
The Business Class "whole experience" consists of parts. Adding caviar will serve TG well. I like caviar, I don't much like red meat, I don't drink coffee, I love tea, I never check a bag, I don't drink alcohol and I never watch the IFE, except map and camera. So my "whole experience" is very different from many other people.
While others fuss about Champagne and wine, I'll enjoy my Royal Blue Tea in JL F or the excellent tea service on CX, BR. And I'll pay extra to prevent the French from serving me anything containing liver.
Please do not assume that all Americans have "easy palates". MANY iof us have traveled and dined extensively all over the planet and are comfortable in finer restaurants on multiple continents.
Good point!!! In fact, I just finished taking a Zumba class and went through the In-N-Out drive thru. :) YUM!!!
Osetra is not Beluga caviar. I don’t even recall any airlines serving real Beluga. We are just delusional that the better airlines give the better stuff when they are by and large equivalent.
QR does serve Beluga caviar in F.
Except that this is for flights from Thailand to Europe, so obviously not trying to target American simple palates... So maybe they are targeting arrogant Europeans who believe their palates are more refined, yet can't figure out how to grow their economy despite their defense being paid for by those slovenly yokel Americans.
Thai Airways has slowly been making a comeback in trying to be a top airline (once again in Asia). They are an exceptional airline, and perhaps I would go as far as to say my favorite airline in the world. From serving full meals in economy on a 47-minute flight to the hospitality in Business and the lovely first-class product they offer, this is another fantastic addition to the airline. Here is to hoping they succeed. .
There won't be a "comeback" until they get rid of their 2-2-2 hard product or equipment swaps under control.
I’m flying through Southeast Asia next week on Turkish and Singapore… might have made an effort to try the Thai product had I known.
I wonder how this will be implemented in the menu. Being a western option or a part of both western and Thai menus. Can’t wait to have curry and caviar!
I wish Finnair management would fly Thai ex-Bangkok and compare this with the school cafeteria food they are trying to feed Finnair J pax...
Yes the budget meals served on all at once on a tray are what stop me flying Finnair J anymore. It's just so penny pinching it's insulting.
“Customer feedback says they’d rather sleep than eat nice things on our planes….”
Better weigh them and indent current portion in relation to mass for cost saving/mitigation of excess food waste