Thai Airways Adding Lie-Flat Beds On A321Neos
- Konrad Tillman
- Sep 5
- 3 min read
Intro
Thai Airways has long been my favorite airline (yes, you have heard that one too many times by now), and with the airline now serving caviar in business class, as well as pajamas being offered in business class come 2026, this airline is looking to once again be the TG that we all know and love.
Well, there is an update here to the Thai Airways fleet going forward, as they plan to expand their network with lie-flat seats on their A321Neo.
I'll touch on First Class disappearing by 2033, thanks to reader Alan for flagging that!
The Details
Thai Airways currently has 32 A321Neos on order, with the very first plane expected to come very soon (November-December 2025) to the fleet. With the current A320 fleet stretched and being revamped with the new disgraceful business class seats (I say that lovingly), this will be a huge step up for the airline.
Featuring 16 business class seats in a 2-2, 1-1, alternating configuration, it'll be easy to be pleased with this layout. While this layout isn't cutting-edge, it's certainly more than adequate, as these planes won't fly more than 5 hours of airtime.
Thai has already scheduled this product on flights to Delhi, Hong Kong, and Phuket, as of early 2026.
Additionally, economy will be laid out in a typical 3-3 configuration offering power ports at every seat, as well as seatback entertainment (unlike their A320s).
I have to say, while these cabins are all well and good on paper, I sure hope Thai Airways hasn't cut corners and has gone with Bluetooth connectivity and USB-C ports. They rushed their A32o retrofits, and this was a huge letdown for the airline hoping to modernize its fleet.
Update: according to the most lovely reader, Alan, this product will now feature Bluetooth connectivity and a USB-C socket. Thanks, Alan!
My Thoughts
I am really, really happy that Thai Airways is getting a competitive medium-haul range aircraft. On paper, a lot of these widebodies go out with many seats open in business due to the sheer lack of demand, so having the ability to fly the A321Neo will open up a realm of possibilities here.
However, and I say this in a good way, I would have loved to see Thai Airways think this through a little bit more. It seems that they have cut corners on cost and in terms of timeline in order to bring new aircraft in ASAP. Now I get why, since they are looking to expand and capitalize on tourism booming in Thailand, but just a little more thought would have gone a long way.
To see a 2-2, 1-1 layout on an A321Neo is a few years behind. When you look at carriers around the world, they are now gearing towards a 1-1 layout, and while I get the aspect towards couples, the airline needs to draw in more business travelers.
Whatever, I'm not an expert, but that is the way that I see things... Anyway, I'll touch on First Class being gone tomorrow since that is even more peculiar, but expected...
Final Thoughts
Thai Airways is set to take delivery of their brand new A321Neo shortly, with lie-flat seats in economy and seatback entertainment in economy. It's been a rough time for the airline, but things seem to be going in the right direction. Serving Delhi, Hong Kong, and Phuket as of early 2026, definitely hop on one of these if you can. I really hope that Thai Airways decides to add all of the bells and whistles, as if they didn't, it represents which way the brand is going...
You'll be glad to know, that when they debuted the seats at a press event earlier this year in May. They confirmed that the seats will for sure come with Bluetooth connectivity as well as USB-C charging!, which will also be reflected when this seat is retrofitted to 777s and A350s as well as installed on the upcoming 787s.