Jump to content

Thai Airways International: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Nut02185 (talk | contribs)
80 edits
No edit summary
Line 120: Line 120:


===2010s===
===2010s===
The has been providing the service to Bangkok-[[Suvarnabhumi Airport]]-[[Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport]]since 1 June 2010 (TG930/931) on a new [[Boeing 777#777-300ER|B777-300ER]].<ref>http://airlineroute.net/2010/04/02/tg-77w-cdg/</ref>

The has been providing the service to Bangkok-[[Suvarnabhumi Airport]]-[[Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport]]since 16 July 2010(TG932/933) on a new [[Boeing 777#777-300ER|B777-300ER]].<ref>http://airlineroute.net/2010/04/02/tg-77w-cdg/</ref>

The airline has been providing the sometime service to Milan - [[Malpensa Airport]] since 23 March 2011 (TG940/941) on [[Boeing 747-400]] usually on [[Boeing 777#777-200ER|B777-200ER]]
The airline has been providing the sometime service to Milan - [[Malpensa Airport]] since 23 March 2011 (TG940/941) on [[Boeing 747-400]] usually on [[Boeing 777#777-200ER|B777-200ER]]
or [[Airbus A340#A340-600|A340-600]].
or [[Airbus A340#A340-600|A340-600]].

The airline has been providing the service for Tokyo-[[Haneda Airport]] since 30 October 2010 (TG660/661) on a new [[Airbus A340|A340-500]].
The airline has been providing the service for Tokyo-[[Haneda Airport]] since 30 October 2010 (TG660/661) on a new [[Airbus A340|A340-500]].


The has been providing the sometime service to [[Dubai International Airport]] since 14 April 2011 (TG517/518) on a new HS-TEN rather [[Airbus A330#A330-300|A330-343X]]. usually on [[Airbus A330#A330-300|A330-300]].
The has been providing the sometime service to [[Dubai International Airport]] since 14 April 2011 (TG517/518) on a new HS-TEN rather [[Airbus A330#A330-300|A330-343X]]. usually on [[Airbus A330#A330-300|A330-300]].


On 16 April 2011 the airline will service for Bangkok-[[Suvarnabhumi Airport]]-[[Phuket International Airport]]-[[Perth Airport]](TG485/486) on a new [[Airbus A330#A330-300|A330-300]].
The has been providing the service to Bangkok-[[Suvarnabhumi Airport]]-[[Phuket International Airport]]-[[Perth Airport]] since 16 April 2011(TG485/486) on a new [[Airbus A330#A330-300|A330-300]].


On 31 October 2011 the airline will service between [[Chiang Mai International Airport]] and [[Phuket International Airport]] to [[Krabi Airport]].
On 31 October 2011 the airline will service between [[Chiang Mai International Airport]] and [[Phuket International Airport]] to [[Krabi Airport]].

Revision as of 10:46, 4 May 2011

Thai Airways International
IATA ICAO Callsign
TG THA THAI
Founded1 May 1960 (merged with Thai Airways Company on 1 April 1988)
HubsSuvarnabhumi Airport
Focus cities
Frequent-flyer programRoyal Orchid Plus
AllianceStar Alliance
Fleet size86 (+26 orders)
Destinations72 (60 inter. + 12 domes.)
Parent companyThai Ministry of Finance[1]
HeadquartersChatuchak District, Bangkok, Thailand
Key people
  • Ampon Kittiampon (Chairman)
  • Piyasvasti Amranand (President)
  • S QN.LDR.Capt.Asdavut Watanangura
    (Executive Vice President, Operations Department)
Websitewww.thaiairways.com

Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (Thai) (SET: THAI, Thai: การบินไทย) is the national flag carrier and largest airline of Thailand. Formed in 1988, the airline's headquarters are located in Chatuchak District, Bangkok,[2][3] and operates out of Suvarnabhumi Airport. Thai is a founding member of the Star Alliance. Thai is a major shareholder which hold 39% shares of Nok Air—a low-cost Bangkok-based carrier. In August 2010, Thai announced to own 51% of a joint venture for a low-cost airline based in Thailand, with Tiger Airways owning the remaining 49%.[4]

From its hub at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thai flies to 72 destinations in 35 countries, using a fleet of 85 aircraft. The airline operates one of the 5 longest non-stop commercial flights.The airline operates one of the longest non-stop commercial flights of Boeing 777-300 from Bangkok to Athens(seasonal), and the longest non-stop commercial flight of Boeing 777-200 from Bangkok to Brisbane. Thai Airways International is the first Asia-Pacific airline to serve London Heathrow Airport.

Skytrax awarded Thai Airways International Worlds Best Cabin Staff and The Best Airline in the World in 2006, while placing second in the Airline of the Year category in 2007.[5] Thai's first class lounge at Suvarnabhumi Airport was awarded World's Best First Class Lounge by Skytrax in 2009. Thai Airways International has received an award for the excellence of its inflight hygiene measures by the World Health Organization.[6] Thai Airways International is currently an official sponsor of Football Association of Thailand.

History

The beginning

Thai Airways International has its origins in 1960, when the airline was a result of a joint venture between Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) which held a 30 percent share capital of 2 million Baht, and Thailand's domestic carrier, Thai Airways Company (Thai: เดินอากาศไทย) to create an international wing for Thai Airways. SAS also provided operations, managerial and marketing expertise, with training assistance aiming at building a fully independent national airline within the shortest possible time. Thai nationals, through training and experience, were gradually able to assume full managerial responsibility and the number of expatriate staff duly reduced until, in 1987, expatriates accounted for less than one percent of staff based in Thailand.[7]

The carrier's first revenue-raising flight was on 1 May 1960. Flights were operated to nine overseas Asian destinations from Bangkok[when?]. The first intercontinental services started in 1971 to Australia, then to Europe the following year. Services to North America commenced 1980.[7]

End of co-operation

On 1 April 1977, after 17 years of capital participation by SAS, the Thai government bought out the remaining 15% of SAS-owned shares and Thai became an airline fully owned by the Thai government.[7]

One national airline policy

On 1 April 1988, Thai Airways Company or TAC, which was the operator of all domestic flights, and the international division, on behalf of the then-Prime Minister Gen. Prem Tinsulanonda, in a goal to have a single national carrier, merged to form the present company, Thai Airways International.[8]

Thai Airways International's head office - Chatuchak, Bangkok

1990s

On 25 June 1991, Thai listed its shares on the Stock Exchange of Thailand and offered them to the public. The Thai public offering of shares is the largest ever undertaken in the country.[citation needed]

On 14 May 1997, Thai, along with Lufthansa, Air Canada, Scandinavian Airlines System and United Airlines, founded the world's first and now the largest airline alliance named Star Alliance.

2000s

The airline has been providing service for Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport since 2 Jan 2002, its second route to Southwest China (TG618/619) on Airbus A300-600

The airline has been providing service for Busan - Gimhae International Airport since 31 Mar 2002, its second route to South Korea (TG650/651) on Airbus A300-622R; Thai's longest A300-622R flight.

The airline has been providing service for Chennai - Chennai International Airport since 11 Oct 2002, its Fourth route to India (TG337/338) on Airbus A330-300

The airline has been providing service for Xiamen - Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport since 31 Oct 2002, its second route to Southeast China (TG610/611) on Airbus A300-600

The airline has been providing the service for Bangkok Don Mueang International Airport - Milan Malpensa Airport since 4 May 2004 operate its second route to Italy (TG940/941)Boeing 777-200ER or Airbus A340-600
In early 2005, the arrival of the A340-500 and A340-600 coincided with a change to the airline's image, including a new livery and a revised font for the title "THAI".[citation needed]

On 1 May 2005, the airline began a nonstop Bangkok-New York service (TG790/791) with a new A340-500. Citing very high fuel costs, Thai discontinued the JFK service as of July 1, 2008, even though the airline had been able to fill 80% of the seats.

On 26 October 2005 - 25 March 2006 ,[9] the airline frist service Don Mueang International Airport - Sydney Airport - Melbourne Airport - Phuket International Airport

The airline has been providing service for Moscow - Domodedovo International Airport since 1 November 2005 its first route to Russia (TG974/975) on Boeing 777-200ER

The airline has been providing service for Islamabad - Benazir Bhutto International Airport since 2 November 2005, its Third route to Pakistan (TG349/350) on Airbus A330-300

On 2 December 2005 (TG794/795) leaving LAX as the only Thai Airways destination in the United States and North America to Bangkok

On 30 July 2006, the airline began a nonstop Don Mueang International Airport to Suvarnabhumi Airport on TG1881 and Full operated at Suvarnabhumi Airport on 28 September 2006

On 1 September 2006 the airline began a nonstop from Singapore Changi International Airport on flight TG8815 becomes the first International flight for Suvarnabhumi Airport.

On 23 September 2006, the airline began to Seoul - Incheon International Airport on flight TG6561 become the first International Flight for Suvarnabhumi Airport

On 28 September 2006 (TG794/795) leaving LAX as the only Thai Airways destination in the United States and North America to New Bangkok Airport[10] longest flight of A340-500 Thai Airways International

Thai airways International first day service at Suvarnabhumi Airport. The airline has been providing the service for Suvarnabhumi All Internaional and Domestic flight.

The airline has been providing the service for Suvarnabhumi- Hyderabad - Rajiv Gandhi International Airport since 30 October 2006 on flight TG329 it First International new route Flight for Thai Airways at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

The airline has been providing the service for OR Tambo International Airport since 31 Oct 2006 on flight TG703 become the first international between Continent Flight new long route for Thai Airways at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

The airline has been providing the service for Suvarnabhumi Airport - Gaya Airport - Varanasi Airport since 28 October 2007 on flight (TG8820) and flight (TG8821) Varanasi Airport non stop flight to Suvarnabhumi Airport longest flight of B737-400 Thai Airways International

The airline has been providing the service for Suvarnabhumi Airport - Koh Samui Airport since 15 February 2008 its 11th route to Thailand on flight (TG287/288) on Boeing 737-400

The airline has been providing the service for Tokyo Narita International Airport - Phuket International Airport since 17 July 2008 (TG671) [11]

On 26 october 2008- 25 March 2010 the airline frist service Suvarnabhumi Airport - Manila International Airport - Kansai International Airport on TG620 and back TG621 usually Boeing777-200[12]

On 26 November 2008 The airline stopped Service when Suvranabhumi Airport close as November 2008 protests. 27 November 2008 - 4 December 2008 The airline began opertaed at U-Tapao International Airport between during the closure for Suvarnabhumi Airport until 5 December 2008.

On 27 November 2008 - 4 December 20008 the airline frist service Los Angeles International Airport to U-Tapao International Airport [13] longner flight than Los Angeles International Airport to Suvarnabhumi Airport

On 25 October 2009 - 25 March 2010 the airline frist service Suvarnabhumi Airport - Hong Kong International Airport - Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport on TG600 and back TG607 usually Boeing747-400

The airline has been providing the Often service to Suvarnabhumi Airport - Singapore Changi International Airport since 25 March 2010 (TG409/410) and (TG413/414) on Boeing 747-400

On 25 October 2009 The airline has been providing the service Phuket International Airport - Hong Kong International Airport and Hong Kong International Airport - Phuket International Airport[14]

The airline has been providing the service Suvarnabhumi Airport to Oslo Airport, Gardermoen since 15 June 2009 as the only Thai Airways destination in the Norway (TG954/955) with a new A340-500 but now change to Boeing 777-200ER .

2010s

The has been providing the service to Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi Airport-Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airportsince 1 June 2010 (TG930/931) on a new B777-300ER.[15]

The has been providing the service to Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi Airport-Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airportsince 16 July 2010(TG932/933) on a new B777-300ER.[16]

The airline has been providing the sometime service to Milan - Malpensa Airport since 23 March 2011 (TG940/941) on Boeing 747-400 usually on B777-200ER or A340-600.

The airline has been providing the service for Tokyo-Haneda Airport since 30 October 2010 (TG660/661) on a new A340-500.

The has been providing the sometime service to Dubai International Airport since 14 April 2011 (TG517/518) on a new HS-TEN rather A330-343X. usually on A330-300.

The has been providing the service to Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi Airport-Phuket International Airport-Perth Airport since 16 April 2011(TG485/486) on a new A330-300.

On 31 October 2011 the airline will service between Chiang Mai International Airport and Phuket International Airport to Krabi Airport.

Financial trouble

After achieving profitability for the previous 40 years, Thai made a loss for the first time in 2008 at around 21 billion Baht on high fuel costs and Thailand's political situation.[17] As of Q2 of 2009, after a series of restructuring initiative, the carrier returned to a net profit of 2.5 billion Baht.[18]

Thai Airways Airbus A340-600, in current livery

Thai Airways has announced that it is trying to sell its fleet of four Airbus A340-500 aircraft which was used to fly between Bangkok and New York, but has not yet done so due to the world economic crisis and the weak market for an aircraft with a relatively high seat-mile-cost. The Airbus A340-500s were used for flights between Bangkok and Oslo for some months during 2009, and currently operates flights from Bangkok to Tokyo (Haneda) and Los Angeles.Sometime of flight from Bangkok to Singapore and Sydney. All four airliners will stay in the fleet and might be reconfigured and deployed on other profitable routes. [citation needed]

In an interview Mr. Wallop, one of Thai's board of directors, stated that it is "unavoidable" for the airline to resume flights to New York because A340-500s are still there. The plan is to make all planes better utilized, add more seats and move from New York JFK to Newark Liberty International Airport, which is a hub of new Star Alliance member, Continental Airlines.[19] As of December 2010, no plans have been confirmed regarding additional services to the United States.

Destinations

Main article: Thai Airways International destinations

Codeshare agreements

Check-in desks in Suvarnabhumi Airport

In addition to Star Alliance member airlines, Thai codeshares with these following airlines:[20]

Corporate image

Thai Airways is one of the few airlines with a uniform change policy. International female flight attendants are required to change from their corporate purple suits (for use outside the cabin) into their traditional Thai dress (as seen on the company's marketing campaigns) prior to the general boarding of passengers. They are also required to change back into the former prior to disembarkation. Cabin crew of nationalities other than Thai are not allowed to wear the traditional Thai dress.

Fleet

The average age of THAI's fleet was 12.1 years as of 31 May 2010.[21][22][23][24]

Thai Airways Boeing 747-400 takes off from London Heathrow Airport in a retro livery to commemorate the airline's 50th anniversary year of 2010
Thai Airways Boeing 777-200LRF landing at Frankfurt am Main Airport in a retro livery to commemorate the airline's Thaicargo
Thai Airways and Suvarnabhumi Airport
Thai Airways B747-400 Phuket Inernational Airport
Aircraft In Service Orders Passengers Notes
F C U Y Total
Airbus A300-600R 13 — — 28
46 		— 232
201 		260
247 		[25]
Airbus A330-300 17 0
10 		— 42
36 		— 263
263 		305
299 		HS-TEL painted in Star Alliance livery.
Out of the five delayed aircraft, three await seating installation and delivery scheduled through July 2011. An additional order of seven aircraft will begin delivery in 2011.
Airbus A340-500 4 — — 60 42 113 215
Airbus A340-600 6 — 8 60 — 199 267
Airbus A380-800 — 6 12 60 — 435 507 4 to be delivered in 2012
2 in 2013 [26]
Boeing 737-400 5 — — 12 — 137 149
Boeing 747-400 18 — 10
14 		40
50 		— 325
325 		375
389 		HS-TGW painted in Star Alliance livery.
HS-TGP painted in retro livery.
Economy class refurbishment on 12 aircraft, business class and first class refurbishment on 6 aircraft, scheduled for 2011–2012. First aircraft with refurbished economy cabin due in April 2011. Two will leave the passenger fleet in 2011 and be converted into cargo configuration.
Boeing 777-200 8 — — 30 — 279 309 Economy Class refurbishment on all 8 aircraft expected between 2011 and 2012
Boeing 777-200ER 6 — — 30 — 262 292
Boeing 777F 2 — Leased from Southern Air
Boeing 777-300 6 — — 34 — 330
236 		364
270
Boeing 777-300ER 3 10 8 30 — 274 312 3 leased from Jet Airways[24][27][28][29]
Plans to lease three aircraft from Air India have been shelved.[30] However, in 2011 THAI annouced that they will lease 2 more 77W from Jet Airways in order to modify 2 747 into cargo plane and to increase the modification process of new seats on 12 747s. The 2 77W are expected later on this year.
Total 85 26
  • Thai Airways’ Boeing 747-400, registration HS-TGP, has been painted with the ‘Thai International’ livery as part of the airlines' 50th anniversary in 2010. The ‘Thai International’ livery was used on Thai's fleet in the 1960s when the airline was founded as a joint venture between Thailand's domestic carrier, Thai Airways Company (TAC) and Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) with the Scandinavian carrier initially providing a 30% share capital of two million Baht.
  • The airline received the 1000th Airbus A330/A340 on 30 July 2009, which is an Airbus A330-343X powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700,with the registration HS-TEP.[31][32]
  • Thai Cargo leases two Boeing 777F N774SA & N775SA to launch heavy cargo service. It offered service between Bangkok-Hong Kong-Amsterdam, Bangkok-Dubai-Frankfurt, Bangkok-Hong Kong-Frankfurt, Frankfurt-Bangkok, Bangkok-Delhi-Amsterdam, Amsterdam-Bangkok. (as at May 2010)[33]
  • Thai Airways has Boeing Customer Code D7. For example, Boeing 747-400 aircraft that the airline has ordered directly from Boeing Commercial Airplanes are coded Boeing 747-4D7

Fleet development plan

THAI’s fleet development plan, as of November 2010,[34] for the period 2010-2022 is in three phases:

  • 2010-2012: phase out of 15 aging aircraft, delivery of 16 government-approved aircraft (three of which, the leased Boeing 777-300ERs, are already in use and five of which, the Airbus A330-300s, await the delivery of seats), and acquisition of four additional undetermined aircraft.
  • 2013-2017: phase out of 32 aging aircraft, delivery of 11 aircraft that have already been approved, and acquisition of 33 new aircraft, including 26 next generation wide-bodied aircraft and 7 narrow-bodied aircraft.
  • 2018-2022: phase out of 21 aging aircraft and acquisition of 21 next generation wide-bodied aircraft.

Aircraft acquisition plan for 2010–2014

Information current as of November 2010[34]:

The airline will phase-out its 6 oldest Boeing 747-400 aircraft between 2012 and 2013, 10 Airbus A300-600 between 2010 and 2013, 3 Boeing 737-400 between 2010 and 2014, and 2 ATR-72 in 2010. The airline also expects to discontinue its leasing arrangement for Jet Airways' three Boeing 777-300ERs by 2013.

The 9 government-approved aircraft deliveries include 8 Airbus A330-300 aircraft (3 of which have been delivered and 5 of which await seating installation) and 6 Airbus A380-800 aircraft scheduled for delivery between 2012 and 2013.

Thai will acquire an additional 7 Airbus A330s between 2011 and 2013 for regional routes, and 8 Boeing 777-300ERs between 2012 and 2013 for intercontinental routes. Thai has indicated that the intercontinental routes served by these new aircraft would be Copenhagen, Stockholm, Los Angeles and Oslo, and the regional routes to be served by the new A330s include Perth, Dubai, Shanghai, Taipei, Mumbai (Bombay), Kolkata (Calcutta), and Bengaluru (Bangalore).[35]

Centre Aircraft Maintenance Repair

Thai airways International have 3 Center for Repair and Impove Aircarft Service at U-Tapao International Airport Don Mueang International Airport and Suvarnabhumi Airport for Thai airways International and foreign airline
Technical department Thai airways international have certificate Federal Aviation Administration onlyU-Tapao International Airport and Suvarnabhumi Airport[36]
Technical department Thai airways international have certificate Japan Civil Aviation Bureau only Don Mueang International Airport and Suvarnabhumi Airport [37] European Aviation Safety AgencyPart-145 Maintenance Organisation Approval[38]
Technical department Thai airways international have Repair Station Certificate Department of Civil Aviation (Thailand) at U-Tapao International Airport Don Mueang International Airport and Suvarnabhumi Airport[39]
On 27 February 1998 Technical department Thai airways International have certificate ISO 9002 from Bureau Veritas Quality International[40] On 16 March 2001 Technical department Thai airways International and New Aircraft Maintenance Facility at U-TAPAO Airport have certificate ISO 14001 from Bureau Veritas Quality International[41]

Hygiene award

The Most Hygienic In-cabin Environment programme was initiated for the safety and hygiene of Thai Airways International passengers and employees. The programme includes removal of all inflight disposable materials after flight, sterilization and fumigation of all cabin equipment and inspection of the air-circulation system. The programme also includes passenger food safety. The Special Audit Process is also carried out for the cleaning and sanitization of the overall system of its aircraft by specialists. These measures are applied to the entire Thai Airways International fleet.[42]

Thai Airways International is the first airline to install hospital grade air-filter True HEPA capable of intercepting up to 99.999% of dust particles and micro organisms on every flight.[42]

The World Health Organization awarded Thai Airways International a plaque for the implementation of the in-cabin management system in 2004. It was the first award of its kind to be presented to private organization.[43][44]

Ground services

Thai Airways First class lounge entrance

Thai Airways's passengers are provided separate waiting lounges in some domestic and international destinations which were Royal Slik lounges or Royal Orchid lounges.In Suvarnabhumi Airport,Thai Airways provides the awarded Royal First lounges.Also,they offers a Royal Orchid Spa which provides massage. This service is available for Royal First and Royal Silk passengers only(visitor are not allowed to use this service).
On 30 September 2008 Ground services department thai airways international have Certificate ISO 14001 from Bureau Veritas Certification [45] On 4 Janualy 2011 The airline has been providing the service for check-in service at Bangkok City Air Terminal at Makkasan Station Suvarnabhumi Airport Link for passengers and their baggage flying THAI domestic and international flights.[46] The passenser and their baggage flying THAI domestic and international flights.Can tranferMRT (Bangkok) Phetchaburi Station and tranfer BTS Skytrain Phaya Thai BTS Station or Saphan Asok Station of NIDA Line Khlong Saen Saep Express Boat (50 Meters from MRT (Bangkok) Phetchaburi Station) when they use Suvarnabhumi Airport Link
If passenser and their baggage flying THAI domestic and international flights go to province , Don Mueang International Airport and Hua Lamphong Railway Station. They will can tranfer Lat Krabang Station State Railway of Thailand at Lat Krabang Station Suvarnabhumi Airport Link Ground services department thai airways have Best Airport Services and Best Airline Lounge – First Class at the 2010 Skytrax World Airline Awards[47].

Cabin services

Thai offers four cabin classes including Royal First, Royal Silk, Premium Economy and Economy.

Royal First Class

Thai First Class cabin on the Boeing 747-400

Thai's standard Royal First Class seats, manufactured by B/E Aerospace, were introduced with the arrival of the Airbus A340-600. The aircraft offers eight single flat-bed seats with a separate foot rest. Thai's 12 retrofitted Boeing 747-400s are also equipped with this seat, mostly serving Europe and some intra-Asian flights. The new seats are equipped with lumbar massage and 10.4" touch screens with AVOD and IFE system. Passengers in Royal First class can pick from 22 available meals, which can be pre-ordered before flight. With the introduction of Thai Airways' new B777-300ERs leased from Jet Airways, THAI has introduced fully enclosed first class suites on select flights to Paris and Tokyo (Narita).

On long-haul routes Bangkok – Copenhagen and Bangkok – Stockholm,Bangkok – Hong Kong(TG600/601 Monday & Thursday), Thai operates B747-400 aircraft with its oldest first class product. These seats are sold as Business class seats.

On some Medium-haul routes such as Bangkok – Singapore,(TG413/414 Sometime Wednesday Only), Bangkok – Beijing, Bangkok – Hong Kong(TG606/607) , Bangkok –Denpasar, the B747-400 Version B747 with the previous generation old First Class seats are used. On select domestic flights operating between Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket, Thai uses B747-400 aircraft with either its standard first class product or its older first class product, though these seats are sold as business class seats. At present, standard Royal First Class is offered on flights between Bangkok and Madrid, Zurich (Often),Milan (Rarely), Frankfurt, Rome, London, Tokyo (TG640/641 only), Hong Kong (TG600/601, 606/607 only), Singapore (TG413/414 Sometime Wednesday only). Select Royal First Class is offered on flights with A340-600 between Bangkok and Sydney, Zurich.

Royal Silk Class (Business)

The new Royal Silk Class was introduced with the arrival of Thai's Airbus A340-500 aircraft. The first series of shell, angled lie-flat business class seats were installed on 12 Boeing 747-400 aircraft, all Boeing 777-200 aircraft, and all Airbus A340 aircraft. A newer set of seats was then installed on all Boeing 777-300 aircraft, all Boeing 777-200ER aircraft, and select Airbus A330-343X aircraft (registrations HS-TEN and later). On these aircraft, the pitch is 60"-62" between seats and the width is 20"-21.5". When fully reclined (electrically adjusted) the seat becomes completely flat, but angled. The seat can perform lumbar massage. All seats are equipped with a 10.4" or 15" (newer version) touch screen with AVOD and IFE. On select flights from Bangkok to Paris and Tokyo (Narita), Thai uses Boeing 777-300ER aircraft leased from Jet Airways, which include fully lie-flat seating in a Herringbone layout.

On some long-haul routes such as Bangkok – Copenhagen, Bangkok – Stockholm, the B747-400 Version B747 with the previous generation Old Business Class seats are used; therefore the seats are sold under Premium Economy Class fare. On some Medium-haul routes such as Bangkok – Delhi (TG315/316 Only), Bangkok – Beijing, Bangkok – Hong Kong (TG600/601 Monday & Thursday), Bangkok – Singapore (TG413/414 Sometime Wednesday Only) the B747-400 Version B747 with the previous generation old Business Class seats are used. On domestic routes from Bangkok - Chiang Mai (TG102/3,TG116/7only) and Bangkok - Phuket (TG201/202, 203/204, 217/218, 221/222 only) are used on all version in Boeing 747-400 and Airbus A340-600 with the New Business Class on the Airbus A340-600 and Boeing B747-400 version 744 but also on the 747 Old Business Class seats as well.

In Present Bangkok - Chiang Mai(TG102/103, TG116/117 only) and Bangkok - Phuket (TG201/202, 203/204, 217/218, 221/222 only) are used on B744 Only

On Route Bangkok - Perth, Bangkok - Phuket - Perth, Bangkok-Dubai , Bangkok - Kuala Lumpur (Random on TG415/416), Bangkok - Hong Kong - Phuket(Random on TG602/638)

Premium Economy Class

Thai Airways Economy Class meal
Thai airways Economy Class Cabin

The new Premium Economy Class is only available on intercontinental flights between Bangkok - Los Angeles, Bangkok - Tokyo Haneda, Bangkok - Sydney (Random on TG471/472, TG477/478)Bangkok - Singapore(TG413 Friday only[48]) on a Airbus A340-500 aircraft. The fare for Premium Economy Class is of course slightly higher than those of Economy. Premium Economy seating is configured as 2-3-2 rather than the standard 2-4-2 in Economy. Seat pitch is increased to 42", 135 degree angle of recline and the seat features a leg-rest. Premium Economy class passengers also have more choices over their meal selection. All seats of Premium Economy class are equipped with AVOD and IFE with a 9" touch screen.

On some long-haul routes such as Bangkok – Copenhagen and Bangkok – Stockholm Aircraft B747-400 version B747 (Old Version) with previous generation Old Business Class seats are used but not Royal Silk Class; therefore the seats are sold under Premium Economy Class fare.

Economy class

The seat pitch offers passengers up to 36" pitch in some aircraft as well as 34" on all other aircraft. Seat rows are configured in a 3-3-3 configuration in Boeing 777-200, 777-300 and 777-200ER aircraft, 2-4-2 in Airbus A340-500, A340-600, A330-343X and Airbus A300-622R aircraft, 3-4-3 in Boeing 747-400 aircraft. All Economy seats in Airbus A340-500, Airbus A340-600, Airbus A330-300 (rather HS-TEN), Boeing 777-200ER, 777-300 and the leased Boeing 777-300ERs have individual Audio-Video On Demand (AVOD) 9" touch screens. Thai's newer A330-343X aircraft scheduled for delivery through 2010 and beyond also include AVOD in the Economy cabins. THAI also expects to complete a refurbishment of its existing Boeing 747-400s and Boeing 777-200s to include AVOD in the Economy cabins by the end of 2012.

Royal Orchid Plus

Royal First class lounge and check-in at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Thai Airways International's Royal Orchid Plus is the airline's frequent flyer program. It has a membership of over two million people.[49]

Earning miles There are two types of mile which can be earned towards a Royal Orchid Plus account.

Firstly, Eligible Qualifying Miles (EQM) this type of mile is earned on:

  • Thai Airways flights
  • TG codeshare flights on routes departing from/to Bangkok (Malaysian Airlines, Emirates Airlines, El Al Israel Airlines and China Eastern Airlines)
  • Star Alliance member's flights
  • Jet Airways flights

Qualifying Miles (Q Miles) are the miles flown and additional class of service miles on Thai and Star Alliance airlines. Royal Orchid Plus miles are earned based on the paid class of travel.

Thai Airways Boeing 747-400 in 1974-2005 livery, taking off

Secondly, Partner Miles are earned from non-airline partners, such as hotels.

Status Tiers There are three tiers in the Royal Orchid Plus program

  • Member– entry-level status
  • Silver– requires 10,000 Q Miles in one calendar year or 15,000 Q Miles from the date of enrolment up to 31 December of the next complete calendar year
  • Gold– requires 50,000 Q Miles in one calendar year, 80,000 Q Miles from the date of enrolment up to 31 December of the next complete calendar year, or 40 international flown sectors on Thai within any 1 calendar year.

Incidents and accidents

  • 30 June 1967 Thai Airways International Flight 601 Sud Aviation SE-210 Caravelle III with registration HS-TGI crashed in the sea on approach to Kai Tak Airport in a typhoon. Killing 24 out of 80 passengers and crew on the flights.
  • 25 December 1967 Thai Airways International Flight 002Douglas DC-3with registration HS-TDH crashed in Chiang Mai Airport Killing 4 out of 31 passengers and crew on the flights.[50]
  • 10 May 1973 Thai Airways International Douglas DC-8-33 with registration HS-TGU overran the runway on landing at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. There was 1 fatality out of 100 passengers and 10 crew on board.[51]
  • 27 April 1980 Thai Airways Flight 231, an Hawker Siddeley HS 748 crashed after entering a severe thunderstorm on approach to Khon Kaen Airport. Forty four of the fifty three people on board were killed.[52]
  • 10 November 1990 – Flight 306,an Airbus A300-600 Yangon to Don Muang International Airport Hijackers demanded to be taken to Kolkata[53]
  • 31 July 1992 – Flight 311, an Airbus A310-300 hit the side of a hill 23 miles north of Kathmandu while descending towards Tribhuvan International Airport from Bangkok. All 113 on board (99 passengers and 14 crew) died. The accident was caused by technical faults (with flaps and a possible second unknown fault), pilot error and lack of equipment at TIA at the time (no radar).[54][55]
  • 11 December 1998 – Flight 261, an A310-200, bound for Surat Thani from Bangkok, during its third landing attempt in heavy rain, crashed into a rice paddy about two miles from Surat Thani airport; 102 of 143 on board were killed.[56]
  • 3 March 2001 – Thai Airways International Flight 114, a Boeing 737-400 HS-TDC, bound for Chiang Mai from Bangkok, was destroyed by explosion of the center wing tank resulting from ignition of the flammable fuel/air mixture in the tank while the aircraft was parked, pre-boarding, on the ground. The source of the ignition energy for the explosion could not be determined with certainty, but the most likely source was an explosion originating at the center wing tank pump as a result of running the pump in the presence of metal shavings and a fuel/air mixture. One death was reported.[57]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Major Shareholders". Stock Exchange of Thailand. 10 January 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-16.
  2. ^ "Details of Shareholders and Board of Directors" (PDF). Thai Airways International. Retrieved 4 March 2010.
  3. ^ "Addresses and contact numbers". Thai Airways International. Retrieved 21 February 2009.
  4. ^ "Thai, Tiger to tie-up". Straitstimes.com. 2010-08-01. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
  5. ^ "Skytrax Airline of the year 2007 (World Airlines Awards)". Skytrax. 2007-07-30. Retrieved 6 July 2010.
  6. ^ ": National News Bureau of Thailand". Thainews.prd.go.th. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
  7. ^ a b c "THAI Company Information : History". Thaiairways.com. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
  8. ^ Thai Airways International Public Information
  9. ^ http://www.ryt9.com/es/prg/41235
  10. ^ Airlines Curb Long Flights to save on Fuel, Wall Street Journal, July 8, 2008, pp. B1-B2
  11. ^ http://www.newswit.com/.life/2008-07-09/47fc870fb43999a1990663a9de13e880/
  12. ^ http://www.prthaiairways.com/thaiair_4p/front/news_detail.php?lg=en&dng=610
  13. ^ http://www.travelmath.com/flight-distance/from/UTP/to/LAX
  14. ^ http://www.prthaiairways.com/thaiair_4p/front/news_detail.php?dng=771&lg=en
  15. ^ http://airlineroute.net/2010/04/02/tg-77w-cdg/
  16. ^ http://airlineroute.net/2010/04/02/tg-77w-cdg/
  17. ^ "ตลาดหลักทรัพย์แห่งประเทศไทย : ข้อมูลรายบริษัท/หลักทรัพย์" (in Template:Th icon). Set.or.th. Retrieved 2010-09-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  18. ^ "The Stock Exchange of Thailand : Companies/Securities in Focus". Set.or.th. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
  19. ^ บริษัท มติชน จำกัด (มหาชน). "ข่าวการเงิน ตลาด รถยนต์ พร็อพเพอร์ตี้ ไอซีที ท่องเที่ยว ไอซีที ต่างประเทศ : ประชาชาติออนไลน์". Prachachat.net. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
  20. ^ "Codeshare flights". Thai Airways International.
  21. ^ Airfleets information for Thai Airways
  22. ^ Thai Airways International Website May 2010
  23. ^ "Transportation In Thailand , Čůšâěąĺň§˘Éíáůĺáĺđ˘Čňçęňăąňă¤Ášň¤Á˘Šę觢ͧġ - Content". Thaitransport-photo.net. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
  24. ^ a b "Thai Airways International - Details and Fleet History - Planespotters.net Just Aviation". Planespotters.net. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
  25. ^ "CH Aviation - Thai Airways International". ch-aviation.ch. Retrieved 2010-12-18.
  26. ^ Thai Airways bringt A380 nach Frankfurt - Marketing - Management - airliners.de
  27. ^ "THAI Services : Our Aircraft". Thaiairways.com. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
  28. ^ "ThaiAirways News Release: THAI Leases Three Boeing 777-300ER Aircraft from Jet Airways". Prthaiairways.com. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
  29. ^ ThaiAirways News Release: THAI Announces Board Meeting Results
  30. ^ "Air India Shelves Plans For Leasing Out 777s". FlightGlobal.com. Retrieved 2010-12-18.
  31. ^ "Press Release: Airbus delivers 1000th A330/A340 Family Aircraft A330-300 for Thai Airways International". Thaipr.net. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
  32. ^ [swords]=1000th&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=1780&tx_ttnews[backPid]=1765&cHash=8f0265821f
  33. ^ Suvarnabhumi Airport
  34. ^ a b "TG November 2010 Shareholders Meeting Presentation" (PDF). thai.listedcompany.com. Retrieved 2010-12-18.
  35. ^ "ThaiAirways News Release: THAI Holds Media Briefing on Fleet Development Plan". Prthaiairways.com. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
  36. ^ http://www.thaitechnical.com/mnuAboutUs/certificate.html
  37. ^ http://www.thaitechnical.com/Certificate/JCAB.pdfand
  38. ^ http://www.easa.eu.int/approvals-and-standardisation/organisation-approvals/docs/lists/Foreign_EASA_Part_145.pdf
  39. ^ http://www.thaitechnical.com/mnuAboutUs/certificate.html
  40. ^ http://www.thaiairways.com/about-thai/public-information/en/thai-with-iso.htm
  41. ^ http://www.thaiairways.com/about-thai/public-information/en/thai-with-iso.htm
  42. ^ a b THAI Travel Hygiene
  43. ^ WHO HAS PRESENTED THAI AIRWAYS WITH A HYGIENE AWARD
  44. ^ THE MINISTRY OF PUBLIC HEALTH PRESENTS PLAQUE TO THAI FOR GOOD MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH ON BOARD FLIGHTS
  45. ^ http://www.prthaiairways.com/thaiair_4p/front/news_detail.php?dng=595&lg=en
  46. ^ http://www.prthaiairways.com/thaiair_4p/front/news_detail.php?lg=en&dng=1087
  47. ^ http://www.thaipr.net/nc/readnews.aspx?newsid=64E555836C8696E54362413D0AAA060C
  48. ^ http://flightaware.com/live/flight/THA413/history/20110409/0415Z/VTBS/WSSS
  49. ^ "Frequent Flyer : About Royal Orchid Plus". Thaiairways.com. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
  50. ^ http://www.planecrashinfo.com/1967/1967-92.htm
  51. ^ ASN Aircraft accident Douglas DC-8-33 HS-TGU Kathmandu-Tribhuvan Airport (KTM)
  52. ^ "ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 727-2D7Adv Srs. 2 HS-THB Bangkok." Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 1 March 2010.
  53. ^ http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19901110-0
  54. ^ [1], [2]
  55. ^ The Inconvenience Truth of Air Crash at Kathmandu
  56. ^ Asia Economic News 14 December 1998
  57. ^ "ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 737-4D7 HS-TDC Bangkok International Airport (BKK)." Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 14 June 2009.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Thai Airways International.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thai_Airways_International&oldid=427386193"