Thai Airways is offering Bangkok-bound travellers the opportunity to step up a class. Passengers prepared to fork out an extra US$760 at the time of departure from London can upgrade from economy to business or from business to first class.
This sum covers one sector and is in addition to the normal fare. It's offered with most fare types and offers a good saving on the regular business or first class tariff. It is also available for London-bound flights out of Bangkok.
"It's proving to be very popular," says a spokesperson for Thai in London, "although travellers must remember that the upgrade is subject to space being available."
Thai flies twice daily with B747-400s between London and Bangkok. From London, flight TG911 departs at 1150 to arrive in Bangkok the next morning at 0610. Thai's evening flight, TG917 leaves at 2135 reaching Bangkok the following afternoon at 1555.
In the return direction, TG910 leaves at 0035 and arrives in Heathrow early the same morning at 0620. Thai's lunchtime flight, TG916 departs at 1350 and reaches Heathrow the same day at 1935.
Of these four services, the busiest flights tend to be TG911 from Heathrow and TG910 from Bangkok.
Thai's B747-400s used on the London route now features lie-flat style seats in business with lie-flat versions in first class. But that means the number of seats is cut from 50 to 40 in business and from 14 to 10 in first class.
Thai's current online return fares between London and Bangkok are: £453 for economy, £1,955 for business and £3,530 for first class.
Passengers checking with the Thai website or with telephone reservations can gain a rough idea of availability in advance of travel.
For more information go to thaiairways.co.uk.
Report by Alex McWhirter
