Thai Airways A330 Premium Economy: The Plan For The Future?
- Konrad Tillman
- Apr 6
- 3 min read
Intro
Yesterday I wrote about how Thai Airways plans to install a brand new business class cabin across the majority of their current and upcoming fleet. Additionally, I also mentioned how Thai Airways plans to bring back premium economy onto certain aircraft, and it got me thinking: might we see a similar product to what is being offered or something brand new?
Thai Airways Current Premium Economy
Thai Airways operates a decently large fleet, but interestingly, they recently acquired two A330s back in December 2024 that used to fly for Virgin Atlantic. Thai Airways made the decision not to refurbish these two jets, and instead operate them in the ex-Virgin Atlantic layout featuring 19 business class seats in a herringbone configuration, 48 seats in premium economy in a 2-3-2 configuration, and the rest of the plane in a classic 2-4-2 configuration in economy.
At the moment, you can find these A330s flying to Mumbai, New Delhi, and Fukuouka on select frequencies and at half-reasonable costs. As an example from Bangkok to Fukuoka one-way the costs are as follows:
Economy= 377$
Premium Economy- 609$
Business- 1008$
Is This The Future?
While I expect Thai Airways to come out with a revolutionary business-class product (for them), I am not so sure the same will apply to premium economy. As an example, when Emirates began retrofitting some of their aircraft with premium economy, these seats were cutting edge, but I imagine the Thai Airways premium economy will be more along the traditional lines (I could be wrong, write me down for this).
On the two ex-Virgin Atlantic planes, this is what premium economy looks like:
Now, while I am sure TG will stick with the 2-3-2 configuration on the 787s, I would also presume that the revamped seats will look a lot sleeker and more upholstered (they are better). However, I think that Thai Airways will stick with something similar to what EVA Air has on their newer jets, or United has on their A321Neos...
Once again, this is purely speculative, but I wouldn't expect to see something revolutionary in premium economy...
Quick note: While I haven't read a review out there yet of a widebody Thai Airways Premium Economy experience, this is the perfect way to figure out all of the kinks before more planes are delivered with premium economy. For example, what amenities to offer, what food to serve, what bubbly to serve, and most of all, take into consideration the feedback from the passengers regarding this. It's almost perfect for the airline, especially on these relatively low-yield routes.
Final Thoughts
Did you know that Thai Airways actually operates a fleet of two ex-Virgin Atlantic aircraft that fly from Bangkok to Delhi, Mumbai, and Fukuoka? Well, back in December 2024, Thai Airways acquired these birds and has been flying them around in the same configuration and seats that Virgin Atlantic flew them around in. With this, Thai Airways has been operating premium economy which is a perfect way for the airline to figure out all of the kinks before gaining more planes with premium economy.
Perhaps it is time for me to hop on a plane to Bangkok and review the Thai Airways Premium Economy experience before it comes to the majority of the fleet.
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