Thai Airways has spent much of the pandemic in bankruptcy protection and on the verge of liquidation. The airline has retired dozens of planes, including many Boeing 777s, Boeing 747s, Airbus A380s, and more. For that matter, the airline wasn’t even in a good spot pre-pandemic.
Despite these challenges, Thai Airways is in the process of acquiring three new Boeing 777s, which even feature first class. Why? Well, if reports are to be believed, it’s at least partly to ensure that the king can continue to fly first class when using the carrier’s fleet for his private travels. Fortunately passengers will be able to enjoy this product as well, and we now have more details.
In this post:
Thai Airways taking delivery of three new 777s
Thai Airways is in the process of taking delivery of three new Boeing 777-300ERs. Two of the planes (with registration codes HS-TTA and HS-TTB) just arrived in Bangkok (BKK) after flying nonstop from Paine Field (PAE). The third jet has the registration code HS-TTC, but is still performing test flights with Boeing in Washington.
Thai Airways had committed to leasing these planes back in 2018. Now, I can’t help but wonder why Thai Airways decided in 2018 it made sense to lease three more 777s:
- The airline was already a financial mess
- The airline already had a ridiculously varied long haul fleet; Thai Airways’ approach to fleet planning is kind of like someone trying to design a free dinner from Costco samples (except I doubt Thai Airways was getting as good of a deal)
It’s suggested that the logic for this order to begin with was that Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn flies Thai Airways when he wants to go to Europe, but none of Thai Airways’ current 777s feature first class. So this order was apparently at least partly placed so that the king could fly more comfortably on 777s with first class.
Thai Airways will fly new 777s with first class to London
Thai Airways has officially confirmed the first route to get these new planes. As of April 27, 2022, Thai Airways will fly the new Boeing 777-300ERs between Bangkok (BKK) and London (LHR). Specifically, the planes will operate the following frequency:
TG910 Bangkok to London departing 12:55AM arriving 7:15AM
TG911 London to Bangkok departing 12:30PM arriving 6:00AM (+1 day)
This is one of Thai Airways’ flagship routes, and it covers a distance of 5,958 miles in each direction. It’s blocked at 12hr20min westbound and 11hr30min eastbound.
What are Thai Airways’ new 777 interiors like?
One big question up until now has been how Thai Airways will configure these newly delivered Boeing 777-300ERs. For context:
- The airline last took delivery of a 777-300ER in 2015, and a lot has advanced with premium cabin airline seats in seven years
- With Thai Airways retiring all of its 747s and A380s, the airline currently no longer offers a first class product; one has to wonder about the economics of offering first class with such a small footprint
- This can’t help but make me think back fondly to Thai Airways’ old 777-300ER first class, back when the airline leased these planes from Jet Airways (RIP to everything about this)
Well, we now have a sense of what to expect on these planes, according to the Outsider’s Aviation Facebook group. Thai Airways’ new Boeing 777-300ERs each feature a total of 303 seats, including:
- Eight Royal First (first class) seats, which will be the Collins Aerospace Elite seats
- 40 Royal Silk (business class) seats, which will be the STELIA Aerospace SOLSTYS III seats
- 255 economy class seats, which will be the Safran and Zodiac Aerospace seats
I don’t think there’s anything groundbreaking here, but these look like good products. The first class looks very similar to Oman Air’s Boeing 787-9 first class, while the business class is a pretty standard staggered product that you’ll find on many airlines, including Turkish Airlines and Singapore Airlines.
I’ve always enjoyed Thai Airways’ first class, and look forward to giving this product a try at some point…
Bottom line
Thai Airways has just taken delivery of two of its three newly leased Boeing 777s, which just arrived in Bangkok. These planes were initially ordered by the airline back in 2018, and it was a weird order to begin with, given Thai Airways’ overall fleet plans. Thai Airways plans to fly these 777s daily to London Heathrow as of late April 2022.
These planes feature 303 seats, including eight first class seats and 40 business class seats. While neither product looks cutting edge, it’s still nice to see Thai Airways keep a first class product around (not from a profitability standpoint, but from a redeeming miles standpoint, of course). 😉 I’m curious what’s going to happen with Thai Airways’ first class lounge in Bangkok, because surely it can’t make sense to keep it around for a single daily flight.
What do you make of Thai Airways’ new 777s?
Black colour not good. Such a pity. What a turn off. I love Thai first class but will not fly with black seats. Unhealthy and bad dengue shui. Terrible designer. Old colors better!
The New 777-300 they are flying to Sydney yes then onto BKK as I have been told so when I fly in August it better be the New 777 indeed.
As if not I have been told lies by the Rep for Thai in Sydney.
Will Thai airways offer first class to- from Melbourne???
Regards Ross
Found a video, but in Thai (I don't understand it as well), it shows the cabin of all classes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUOXchIOAHA
@Pete Just stupid information. You should give your chance to study the correct information.
Lucky, I would think that Thai Airways would keep its first class lounge in Bangkok around for a few reasons.
1. Prestige (especially for its VIPs).
2. More flights with first class in the future.
3. As stated on its ROP website, Platinum members have access to Thai’s first class lounge(s).
4. Maybe, they can open up its first class lounge(s) for its first class passengers on arrival?
I think you are already banned to travel into Thailand or just have a tranfer. Mcgregor is pensona non grata in Thailand and everybody who post him on web is banned for entry Have a nice trip arround SEA
The Thai king is a real fashion icon too. He sure knows how to work a crop top!
https://nypost.com/2016/10/13/thailands-new-king-is-a-kooky-crop-top-wearing-playboy/
Your photos of Thai’s new First Class seem to just be Oman Air’s current First Class?
I'm curious what will the ground product/service be like? No change from before?
Based on other photos I'm seeing of the Business product, it looks like it will have doors, which is a step above the other examples you gave (and I think puts the product in a better light).
I clicked this thinking it was going to be about someone masturbating in a Thai First Class 777. Oh well.
I’ve been waiting for 20 months for a refund from Thai for a flight cancellation due to covid so this is frustrating to say the least…. I for one will never fly with them again if they ever do ever operate again.
Hey Ben, based on Outsider’s Aviation page, Thai Airways will possibly adopt -
Collins Aerospace : Elite for Royal First,
STELIA SOLSTYS for Royal Silk and Safran/Zodiac for Economy Class.
Check out the possible seat pictures!
https://www.facebook.com/577413909320390/posts/1513602999034805/?d=n
I thought the King usually pilots one of a fleet of Royal Flight 737s when travelling to Europe. This has been the case for a long time, or at least it was! My partner flew Thai First Class a while ago and one of the Thai Princesses was also in First. It was on an A380 and my partner was booked in 1A but got bumped to 3K so the Princess could seat in the...
I thought the King usually pilots one of a fleet of Royal Flight 737s when travelling to Europe. This has been the case for a long time, or at least it was! My partner flew Thai First Class a while ago and one of the Thai Princesses was also in First. It was on an A380 and my partner was booked in 1A but got bumped to 3K so the Princess could seat in the top seat. The First Class bathroom and lounge at the front of the cabin were designated no go areas for all First Class passengers apart from the Princess. Apparently she wasn't served by Thai crew but by her own staff.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyoHlCHFUug
Why would the King fly from Thailand to Europe? He already lives in Germany…
Most people are not aware of this. He spends VERY little time in Thailand as per Western media articles, but then I guess that's his choice.
Guess what, that Royal Thai Air Force A340 comes from Thai as well.
Guess what, that Royal Thai Air Force A340 doesn't have First Class seats when they operated by Thai Airways as well.
And since you brought up the guessing games, guess who is the largest SSJ100 operator outside Russia?
"Thai Airways’ approach to fleet planning is kind of like someone trying to design a free dinner from Costco samples (except I doubt Thai Airways was getting as good of a deal)"
Pure gold.
I would actually say, designing a free dinner from Costco samples is a compliment in terms of planning. To fill up on Costco sample probably do need quite a bit of planning.
This is from someone who is a victim of all those samples who ended up buying many things that doesn't taste as good as when you're in the warehouse.
Is the BKK Royal First lounge open these days? I’ve gotta say, that ground experience was pretty cool.
Yes. The main lounge right after the security and immigration check is open, as it serves F/Cl passengers of Star Alliance partners as well. But the spa is closed (well, three weeks ago it was closed). But their former exclusive checkin counter in A is now used for business class.
You missed the main point. Today, April 6, marks the Chakri Day in Thailand, where we celebrate the birth of the almighty Chakri dynasty 240 years ago with the murder of King Emperor Thaksin The Great of Siam by the ancestor of today’s mad king. Our generation hates Viagralongkorn and all he represents. May we be dust under your divine feet. Chayo.
King of Thailand is also a licensed pilot. I believe he's rated for 737s and has one at his disposal at all times. He was trained at the Roytal Thai Air Force. His house at Don Muang airport (which is also the RTAF HQ) has a apron for jets. 737s can't fly from MUC-BKK under most circumstances as we know. Here's some info on his jets. https://www.planespotters.net/airline/His-Majesty-King-Maha-Vajiralongkorn
He’s also got a personal net worth north of $30 billion, and can easily afford to own and operate a fleet of aircraft for his Royal self and his huge entourage of sycophantic parasites without draining the finances of the national carrier.
I suspect they want their royal to travel to Munich in style and comfort...King Vajiralongkorn is often (like...more often than not) in Germany. It's a well known secret in Thailand; when I lived in Bangkok and he was coronated, lots of locals were wondering if he'd finally spend more time in Thailand. VietJet got into some hot water the other day for a tongue-and-cheek tweet on this...https://thediplomat.com/2022/04/vietnamese-airline-apologizes-for-tweet-poking-fun-at-thailands-king/
I suspect they want their royal to travel to Munich in style and comfort...King Vajiralongkorn is often (like...more often than not) in Germany. It's a well known secret in Thailand; when I lived in Bangkok and he was coronated, lots of locals were wondering if he'd finally spend more time in Thailand. VietJet got into some hot water the other day for a tongue-and-cheek tweet on this...https://thediplomat.com/2022/04/vietnamese-airline-apologizes-for-tweet-poking-fun-at-thailands-king/
Now that VietJet April Fools thing is clickbait material, albeit it can get anyone into hot water. Matthew already baited, hook line and sinker.
Wonderful new airways. Great for Thai for having this new airways first class.
Wonderful news for Thai Airways. Maybe they will issue my refund from a flight in May 2019....
for a guy who's extracted billions of dollars from the Thai people you'd think he would just buy his own private VVIP plane. But I suppose if you can just make TG do it you might as well
I'm surprised the King doesn't have his own plane or planes?
He does you idiot
Chill, Bob. That was a reasonable question,
Yeah chill Bob you idiot….
Bob must’ve studied at Putin’s School of Unnecessary Escalations.
As this info is corroborated by journalist Andrew MacGregor Marshall, you can take it as 100% accurate. Marshall is not widely known outside the region, but he is highly regarded by SE Asia political watchers.
So i assume they will deploy this on the Munich route because that’s where the king always is
Having flown several times in first on their 747’s they were excellent however they aren’t very good these days ( business class )but the King will always get what he desires being one of the wealthiest Royals in the world - having a first class offering means that they would need to once again offer all that goes with not only a seat but the service and food etc, quite an ambitious undertaking but they...
Having flown several times in first on their 747’s they were excellent however they aren’t very good these days ( business class )but the King will always get what he desires being one of the wealthiest Royals in the world - having a first class offering means that they would need to once again offer all that goes with not only a seat but the service and food etc, quite an ambitious undertaking but they will perhaps as you mention instead make it a “Royal Orchid Premium Plus” cabin
Because refitting an existing aircraft with first class seats upfront at a fraction of the cost of a new aircraft is not an option…
I would venture to say that King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Kim Jong Un should form a fraternity of brothers in Asia who have fun raping its own people. In different ways of course, but the outcome being the same.
These people disgust me. And of course that's why Thai was forced to take delivery.
Lol are you sure your leaders aren’t raping you? Your leader probably invested in some military industrial complex. He made decisions that would benefit these companies and hence himself. Brainwashed.
Heard the F seat is Collin Aerospace Elite