Airline Profile: Thai Airways

The Facts:

Analysis:

What to Avoid:

Airbus A330/Boeing 777-200/300/Boeing 747-400 Business Class: Business Class on South African’s A330s/select Boeing 777s, and all 747s features angle flat seats in a 2-2-2 configuration or 2-2 configuration (747s). For the medium and long-haul flights that these aircraft fly on, it is incredibly sub-par to have angle-flat seats. While Thai doesn’t fly aircraft with these seats on many long-haul planes, they do operate a 747 to Sydney and old 777s to Brisbine and Moscow, so if possible avoid business class if flying there. Thai Airways doesn’t have plans to replace the business class seats on these aircraft in the imminent future, except on a few A330s.

What to Fly:

Airbus A380/A350/Boeing 777-300ER/Boeing 787 Business Class: While business class on these aircraft is nothing special, it does feature flat-bed seats on all of these aircraft. On the A380/A350/Boeing 777-300ER, business class features flat-bed seats in a 1-2-1 staggered configuration and features seats similar to that on Emirates A380s, on Iberia, and on Hong Kong Airlines. On 787-8s, business class features flat-bed seats without all aisle access in a 2-2-2 configuration. Finally, on the 787-9s, Thai Airways features their best business class seat; it features reverse herringbone seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. Unfortunately, Thai Airways only ordered two 787-9s, so you will only find their best business class seat on a handful of routes. From what I can see, Thai Airways mostly flies their 787-9s between Bangkok and Auckland.

Travel Classes:

Economy Class:

Economy class features personal on-demand entertainment at every seat on all aircraft except for select 747s which fly regional routes. Skytrax ranked Thai Airways in 2018 as having the world’s best economy class, so you probably will get better food and amenities than on most other airlines. Wifi is available for purchase on all Airbus A380s, A330s, A350s, and 787s. On all Airbus A320s (operated by Thai Smile), there is no form of in-flight entertainment or wifi. Warm meals are available on all mainline flights for free of purchase. All economy class passengers are allowed to check one 66 pounds checked bag on each trip.

Royal Silk Class:

Passengers in business class receive meals better than the ones in economy. Also, passengers get amenity kits with toothpaste, toothbrush, eye masks, etc.. Passengers also get lounge access to both Thai Airways business class lounges and to partnering Star Alliance lounges around the world. All seats feature in-flight entertainment on all widebody aircraft types on Thai Airways.

Aircraft With Flat Bed Seats in Business Class:

• – Airbus A380s (all aisle access)
• – Select Retrofitted Airbus A330s
• – Airbus A350s (all aisle access)
• – Boeing 777-300ERs (all aisle access)
• – Boeing 787-8
• – Boeing 787-9 (all aisle access)

Aircraft With Angle Flat Seats in Business Class:

• – Most Airbus A330s
• – Boeing 747-400s
• – Boeing 777-200s
• – Boeing 777-300s

Royal First Class:

Royal First Class on Thai Airways only featured on Airbus A380s and 747-400s. On the A380s, first class is in a 1-2-1 configuration on the upper deck of the A380 and features open suites. On the 747, first class is in the front of the lower floo and features closed suites in a 1-2-1 configuration. Passengers also receive amenity kits, premium bedding, food better than in business class, and access to Thai Airways and Star Alliance first class lounges. If you are flying long-haul routes on the 747, I recommend looking into upgrading to first class with miles as business class on that aircraft only features angle flat seats. However, since the A380 features an inferior first class product and a better business class hard product than on the 747, you should stick to business class on the A380 if you can afford a premium class ticket.

Have you ever flow on Thai Airways? Share about your experience below in the comments section!