Guide To Thai Airways Business Class

Intro

As I continue to rant and rave about my favorite airline in the world, Thai Airways, I figured I would make a comprehensive post detailing a guide to flying business class with them.

The airline recently started renovating its A320 cabins, meaning that going forward, Thai Airways will now be another carrier in Southeast Asia to offer business class fleetwide across its 787s, A330s, 777s, A350s, and A320s. While dated for the time being, I hope this post helps when choosing which aircraft to book!

Keep in mind that Thai Airways often has aircraft swaps, whether that be in advance or hours before departure. So if you are expecting an A350-900 and end up on a 777-200ER, don't say I didn't warn you 😉.

777-300s

The flagship aircraft of Thai Airways, and also the largest in their fleet, happens to be the 777-300ER. Operating an active fleet of 16 aircraft to the likes of London Heathrow, Taipei, Frankfurt, and more, this aircraft is most likely where you will have the best business class experience.

While mightily similar to the A350, the extra fuselage space provides more room in this 1-2-1 staggered layout. Each seat features a USB port, a power outlet, plenty of space to stretch out, and a comfortable bed when turned down.

Thai Airways 777- 300ER Business Class

If you happen to be flying business class on the 777-300ER, opt for the smaller cabin between doors 1 and 2 if you are flying to London, Bangkok, or Osaka, and the smaller cabin behind doors 2 if you are flying anywhere.

This is due to Thai Airways configuring the 777s differently to London, Osaka, and Tokyo. These 3 jets feature First Class.

777-200ER

While set to retire very soon, Thai Airways still operates a fleet of 3 777- 200ERs serving the likes of Pakistan, India, and Jakarta on occasion. You will not get this aircraft on long-haul routes, but be prepared to be in a little bit of shock if you book this business class seat, as this is one of the more dated business class cabins in the sky.

Seats are laid out in a 2-2-2 configuration, angling flat and lacking privacy. However, everything else remains the same, including the power outlets, USB ports, and an IFE screen that surprisingly works.

In my humble opinion, the cabin is quite charming, and considering you will never get it on a route over 5 hours, it works for me. It's a blast from the past, but if you are not looking for that, avoid the 777-200s

Airbus A350-900

The latest staple to the Thai Airways fleet is the brand new A350-900. Operating 22 active aircraft, the airline flies these A350-900s to places such as Bali, Munich, Istanbul, and more.

Overall, this is quite a nice product that is mightily similar to the 777-300ER. You will find that the seats are a touch narrower on the A350, but are also more modern,n so to each their own.

Try to score a true window seat if you can!

A330s

Thai Airways used to operate a fleet of three Airbus A330s, but recently leased two ex-Virgin Atlantic A330s for the near future.

On two of these aircraft, serving Delhi, Mumbai, and Fukuoka, you will find the traditional Virgin Atlantic herringbone seats, but with the TG branding.

Thai Airways A330 Business Class

Alternatively, if your route is served by the alternative A330s, you can expect to find seats laid out in an alternating 2-2-2 and 1-2-1 configuration. Opt for a throne seat if possible here, as it is far superior.

The seats are vastly similar to the Malaysian Airlines A350

I would personally avoid the A330 if there are other options, but you can't really go wrong with a lie-flat seat on a flight that is only 5 hours...

787s

The Thai flag carrier currently has an active fleet of eight Dreamliners, with many more on order in the near future. Through these 8 jets, they are split across 5 787- 8s and 3 787- 9s serving parts of Europe, Australia, and regional flights within Asia.

With these planes, it's a little harder to tell which aircraft is going to be assigned until the day of, but if you can, try and get on the 787-9 as business class is arranged in a reverse herringbone 1-2-1 configuration.

However, if you end up on the 787-8, there are 4 rows of business class in a 2-2-2 configuration. On the one hand, these are lie-flat seats, but they do lack privacy and direct aisle access.

Try and reserve the first row for a large footwell if you end up on the 787-8

Europe and Australia schedules tend to stick, but it's more the intra-Asia flights that can change at the last minute.

A320

Lastly, we have the A320, which has just undergone serious retrofits to provide a business class. Serving the likes of smaller destinations such as Taipei, Yangon, Colombo, and domestic flights, I would personally seek out other options if you have the chance.

Seats are laid out in a 2-2 configuration, offering decent legroom, but that is about it. No charging ports, no USB plugs, and limited footspace. If you have the choice, such as to Taipei, book a 777/A350.

Thai Airways A320 Business Class

Soft Product

Now, the one thing you can count on with Thai Airways is that the soft product generally remains the same. Featuring fantastic Thai hospitality, decent food, champagne flutes, and comfortable bedding (even on short-hauls), it makes for a very nice experience. However, there are a couple of exceptions:

• Champagne flutes are not offered on the A320

• Caviar service is provided on business class flights to Europe (not sure about Istanbul)

• I do not believe bedding is provided on domestic flights around Thailand (not 100% certain)

Overall, this is where the product shines. Not with the seats, but the rest of the onboard experience!

Final Thoughts

If you were thinking about which aircraft to fly Thai Airways on your upcoming trip, I hope this article helped you out. When given the choice, my personal ranking would be the 777-300ER, A350-900, A330-300, 787 series, 777-200ER, and finally the A320. With that being said, I would say avoid the A320 like the plague if there is another option. No power ports???