Category Archives: Thai Airways International

Thai Airways International to introduce its first Airbus A380 in October

Thai Airways International’s (Bangkok) first Airbus A380-800 aircraft bearing the airline’s distinctive livery has been rolled out from the Airbus paint shop in Hamburg. Now the pictured A380-841 with the temporary marks of F-WWAO (msn 087) is seen for the first time on the runway at Hamburg (Finkenwerder)

According to the carrier, “this important milestone marks the unveiling of the fully-painted, first Airbus A380 for Thailand’s national flag carrier. Thai’s symbol is an abstract image suggesting movement, inspired by the crown flower used in Thai handicraft work and Thai garlands used in traditional ceremonies such as weddings and auspicious events. Colors used are purple, magenta and gold representing, respectively, a Thai orchid, shimmering Thai silk and the brilliance of a Thai temple.”

Thai will become the ninth operator of the A380 when it takes delivery of first the aircraft later this month on September 27. The airline has firm orders for six A380s and will operate the aircraft on its premier routes from Bangkok to Europe.

Thai is now planning to introduce the new wide body type on October 6 between Bangkok and Hong Kong (instead of the original planned October 28 launch date).

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Thai Smile takes delivery of its first Airbus A320, will now launch operations on July 7

Thai Smile Air (subsidiary of Thai Airways International) (Bangkok) will now launch operations on July 7 (delayed from July 1) following the delivery of its first aircraft. The first route will be from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) to Macau. Eventually four A320s will be utilized to fly from BKK to Chiang Mai, Phuket, Kolkata, Jakarta, and Phnom Penh in the first year.

Thai Smile will be a “light-premium sub-brand” according to the parent.

In its first year of operations, using Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport as its main hub, Thai will replace the mainline service to Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Chiang Rai, and Surat Thani.

According to Thai, “the main target market for these initial in-country flights will be the young small and medium business traveler as well as local traveler, government agents, who wants a relaxed, stylish atmosphere on board without the premium price.”

Thai Smile’s light premium service will offer a complimentary meal and drink service, free passenger seat selections, faster check-in procedures, 15-20 kg baggage allowances, and the ability to accrue frequent flyer mileage on both Thai and the Star Alliance network.

Thai does not believe the new Thai Smile brand will be a conflict with low-cost subsidiary Nok Air since Nok Air only flies domestically out of Don Muang airport, while Thai Smile passengers will be able to connect to international flights out of Suvarnabhumi Airport. Thai Smile will also fly to Khon Kaen and Chiang Rai, two destinations not covered by Nok Air.

The name Thai Smile was chosen from 2,229 entries submitted in a contest to name the airline.

Copyright Photo: Gerd Beilfuss. The pictured Airbus A320-232 with the temporary registration of D-AVVM, was handed over yesterday (June 30) as HS-TXA (msn 5198). It seen at the Hamburg (Finkenwerder) plant.

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Thai to drop the Bangkok-Los Angeles route on May 1, will park the A340-500s

Thai Airways International (Bangkok) due to the rising price of fuel is planning to discontinue the nonstop Bangkok-Los Angeles route on May 1. The four Airbus A340-500s assigned to the route are expected to be parked or sold this year.

Thai Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Thai signs contract with Airbus to maintain its new A380 fleet

Thai Airways International (Bangkok) has signed a “Flight Hour Services – Tailored Support Package” contract with Airbus to provide aircraft inventory and maintenance support for its A380 fleet.

The contract, which will run for 15 years, provides an extensive scope of A380 line replaceable units and spare parts availability, component repairs, logistics services, and tools availability, as well as APU and nacelle services to Thai Airways. A dedicated Airbus on-site team will assist Thai Airways’ daily spares management ensuring reliable on-time aircraft operations.

Thai is one of the longest standing Airbus customers in Asia, having ordered its first A300B4 in April 1977, and today operates almost 50 Airbus aircraft. The airline will become the ninth operator of the A380 when it takes delivery of its first A380 (pictured) in the third quarter of 2012. Thai has firm orders for six A380s and will operate the aircraft on its premier routes from Bangkok to Europe.

Copyright Photo: Clement Alloing. The first Thai A380 is pictured at Toulouse. Airbus will make any necessary modifications before delivery.

Thai Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Thai Airways International loses money in the 4Q and 2011

Thai Airways International Boeing 747-4D7 HS-TGG (msn 33771) HKT (Wim Callaert), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Thai Airways International (Bangkok) was hot hard by the floods in Thailand. The airline swung to the red, posting a fourth quarter loss of $177.5 million and a total loss of $335 million for 2011.

Read the full story from Reuters: CLICK HERE

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Thai Smile to launch operations on July 1, first route will be to Macau

Thai Smile Air (subsidiary of Thai Airways International) (Bangkok) will launch operations on July 1 linking Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) with Macau with Airbus A320s. Four A320s will serve the new subsidiary flying from BKK also to Chiang Mai, Phuket, Kolkata, Jakarta, and Phnom Penh in the first year.

Previously the parent said this about the new brand:

“Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) will have a light-premium sub-brand, THAI Smile Air.

Responding to the high demand for more price-sensitive segment in short sectors, THAI is launching a “light premium” sub-brand that will service both domestic and international destinations.

In its first year of operations, using Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport as its main hub, THAI will introduce the sub-brand THAI Smile Air to replace the main brand in Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Chiang Rai, and Surat Thani.

The main target market for these initial in-country flights will be the young small and medium business traveler as well as local traveler, government agents, who wants a relaxed, stylish atmosphere on board without the premium price.

THAI Smile Air light premium service will offer a complimentary meal and drink service, free passenger seat selections, faster check-in procedures, 15-20 kg baggage allowances, and the ability to accrue frequent flyer mileage on both THAI and the Star Alliance network.

Just like THAI, which was rated in 2011 as the world’s 5 th best airline by Skytrax Surveys, “our new sub-brand promises to give passengers high value for a good price,” Woranate said.

By 2013, THAI Smile Air’s fleet of 11 brand new lean 174-seat Airbus A320 planes are expected to fly to neighboring countries—India, China, and most ASEAN member states of Southeast Asia—thereby making these regional destinations that much more accessible, with relative comfort and ease.”

In addition, Thai does not believe the new brand will be a conflict with low-cost subsidiary Nok Air since Nok Air only flies domestically out of Don Muang airport, while THAI Smile Air passengers will be able to connect to international flights out of Suvarnabhumi Airport. Also, THAI Smile Air will fly to Khon Kaen and Chiang Rai, two destinations not covered by Nok Air.

Image: Thai Airways International. Thai Smile will have its own separate more lively color scheme, based on the parent’s livery.

Thai to phase out the long-range Airbus A340-500 on April 29

Thai Airways International Airbus A340-541 F-WWTN (HS-TLA) (msn 624) TLS (to be phased out), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Thai Airways International (Bangkok) will phase out the ultra-long range Airbus A340-500 on April 29 per Airline Route. The nonstop Bangkok-Los Angeles route on that date will revert to a one-stop route via Seoul (Incheon).

Thai Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Korean Air is coming to Nairobi, Kenya

Korean Air Airbus A330-223 HL8212 (msn 1155) TLS (new delivery), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Korean Air (Seoul-Incheon) will launch the Incheon-Nairobi route with Airbus A330-200s starting on June 21. The new route will be operated three days a week.

Thai Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Final assembly of the first Thai Airbus A380 begins at Toulouse

Thai Airways International (Bangkok) has six Airbus A380-800s on order. The first (msn 087) has begun its final assembly process at Toulouse.

At the first assembly station (pictured), the front, central, and aft fuselages, wings, and horizontal and vertical stabilizers are assembled and attached.

Thai Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Thai to launch an ultra low-fare airline

Thai Airways International (Bangkok) appears to be hedging all of its bets as it attempts to recapture its former market share especially in the low fare market. According to this article by channelnewsasia.com, Thai is planning to create an ultra low-fare subsidiary in addition to the new Thai Smile (Bangkok) which is due to be launched on regional routes in July 2012. 11 Airbus A320s have been ordered for Thai Smile with the first due in June 2012.