Thai flag carrier Thai Airways International (THAI) will commence Bangkok-Istanbul on 1 December, the airline’s latest schedule update reveals.
THAI will deploy an Airbus A350-900 on the daily service.
The airline has two different A350-900 seat maps. THAI’s original A350 layout has 32 seats in business and 289 in economy. A350s recently delivered have 33 in business and 301 in economy.
No matter which configuration you get, business will be in a 1-2-1 configuration with direct aisle access for every passenger, while economy is a comfortable 3-3-3 on both versions.
Bangkok-Istanbul is a resumption for THAI. The Star Alliance carrier last operated the route in 1998.
Flights will depart Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport as TG900 every day at 2345, arriving in Istanbul at 0605 the following morning.
The return TG901 flights leave Turkey at 1630, landing at Suvarnabhumi airport at 0535 the next day.
THAI will operate the new Bangkok to Istanbul route as a joint venture with Star Alliance partner Turkish Airlines.
Turkish Airlines currently flies to Bangkok from Turkey three times a day, all with A330-300 aircraft.
Earlier this summer, THAI and Turkish Airlines signed a joint venture memorandum of understanding, which seeks to “to maximize the synergies that this strategic partnership offers to both airlines”.
The A350-900 is THAI’s most-modern aircraft, featuring the airline’s latest inflight connectivity and entertainment options.
The A350s complement the Star Alliance member’s Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on long-haul routes to Europe.
These aircraft will stay in the THAI fleet for years to come, while the airline’s A380s will not return to service.
