For nearly 50 years, Thai Airways has built a reputation for excellent customer service. It has most recently won awards from Skytrax in 2006 for Worlds Best Cabin Staff and placed second in 2007 in the Best Airline in the World category. It is the national carrier of Thailand, operating out of its hub at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Thai Airways also offers many non-stop passenger flights from Chaing Mai International Airport, Don Mueang International Airport and Phuket International Airport.
It was’60 when Thai Airways International Public Company Limited was created. It was an endeavor undertaken by Thailand’s domestic airline, Thai Airways Company and Scandinavian Airlines System as partners. The government of Thailand then took full control of the industry after a 17-year partnership when it purchased SAS’s interests in the company.
The first flights began operations from Bangkok to nine destinations within the Asian region. The first intercontinental flights were to Australia, then Europe and North American by’80. After a merger with the Thai Airways Company, the company experienced faster growth as Thailands only national carrier.
Thai Airways helped found the Star Alliance network in’97. Member airlines are able to offer more flights by codesharing with one another through this network. Through other partnerships, the Thai Airways list of destinations has grown to include trips to Africa (although only until January 16 of 2009); Asia, including Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, the Philippines, and Vietnam, as well as India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka; the Middle Eastern countries of Kuwait, Oman, and United Arab Emirates; Europe, including France, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Greece, the United Kingdom, and Russia; the United States; and Australia, including Queensland, Victoria, and Western Australia, as well as New Zealand. One of the longest non-stop commercial flights now being untertaken by any airline in the world is the Thai Airways Bangkok to Los Angeles route.
Thai Airways fleet includes 89 aircraft, with the largest being the Boeing 767-400, seating 389 passengers.
The types of travel classes which are offered by this airline are Royal First, Royal Silk, Premium Economy and Economy.
Royal First Class offers flat-bed seats and is available mostly on Europe-Australia and some intra-Asian flights. Seats are equipped with touch screens, audio-video on demand and in-flight entertainment systems and lumbar massage. Passengers may also choose from more than 20 meal options.
Royal Silk is the equivalent of the business class and includes angled, lie-flat business class seats that offer lumbar massage. All seats have 17-20 touch screens and AVOD and IFE.
Premium Economy Class is available on intercontinental flights from Bangkok and Los Angeles on the Airbus A40-500. Fewer seats are available on these planes to offer more room for the reclining seats and leg rests. These seats also come with 10.5 touch screens with AVOD and IFE.
Economy Class seating is less roomy than the other classes, but includes AVOD.
Royal Orchid Plus is Thai Airlines frequent flyer reward program. It has more than two million members worldwide. The program has three tiers, member, silver and gold. Members can earn miles on Thai Airways flights, codeshare flights departing or arriving at Bangkok, Star Alliance flights and Jet Airways flights or at partner hotels.
One of the seven Thai Departure Lounges at Suvarnbhumi Airport can be visited by Thai Royal Silk Class,Star Alliance Gold passengers and Thai Royal First Class passengers.Traditional Thai massage,spa Jacuzzi suites and foot massage is offered by the Royal Orchid Spa.
Tom Martens is the content syndication coordinator for South Aricas leading Flight comparison portal, which includes Thai Airways amongst others.