Star Alliance carrier Thai Airways has confirmed that it will install Royal Silk business class recliners in a 2-2 configuration on its Airbus A320 aircraft inherited from Thai Smile.
These aircraft, the first narrowbody aircraft in THAI’s fleet in decades, are deployed on the carrier’s domestic routes and select regional destinations.
When Thai Airways folded the Thai Smile subsidiary into its mainline operation, it also took over Thai Smile’s A320 aircraft. At first it retained Thai Smile’s ‘premium’ cabin on the aircraft, which meant a 3-3 configuration with a blocked middle seat in Royal Silk, but this proved unpopular with its passengers.
Separately, Thai Airways is continuing its quick expansion in line with its rehabilitation plan. This will see the addition of three more new-technology Airbus A350-900 aircraft in the ongoing first quarter.
The flag carrier recently committed to a firm order for 45 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, plus 35 options, and it also signed leasing agreements for additional A350-900s, 787-9s and its first A321 neo aircraft.
THAI recently said that it would increase the frequency of flights to Sydney, Taipei, Tokyo, Kunming, Chengdu and Phuket during the 2024 summer flight schedule and resume flights to Perth and Colombo from 31 March, as well as Milan and Oslo from 1 July.
The Bangkok-based airline further confirmed that it is planning to launch a new route to Kochi, India.
India ranks among Thailand’s ‘Top 5’ inbound tourism markets, but so do China and Russia, and Thailand recently signed an agreement with the latter two to permit stays of up to 90 days to further boost tourism, while Indians currently enjoy visa exemption.
