THAI update: A321NEOs expected soon & 777-300ER Wi-Fi fitting begins

Introduction

I previously spoke about the changes coming to Thai Airways in my 3 part post detailing the airline's future improvements. Some of those changes are closer to becoming a reality now, with an expected arrival date for the airline's first A321NEO now, in line with the expected inaugural flight. The airline also announced earlier this year that 14 777-300ERs will be fitted with Wi-Fi starting the end of this year, the first of those aircraft has now left the hangar. So I will split this posts in to 2 sections and go into further detail.

HS-TOB "Thepprasit", THAI's 2nd A321NEO now fully painted with engines fitted

Part 1: I don't want a lot for Christmas, I just want an A321NEO

Its been known for a while now that THAI is expecting at least one Airbus A321NEO by the end of 2025. We now have a date for when the aircraft is rumoured to arrive in Thailand. Christmas day! Yep, HS-TOA, royally bestowed "Bowonrangsi" is due to arrive in Thailand just in time for Christmas, a great present to THAI and THAI's fans.

This marks the first factory-fresh aircraft delivery for the airline since 2022, when it took on three of some of the final build 777-300ERs, it also marks the first new aircraft type introduced to the fleet since it introduced the 787-9 back in 2017.

The airline is also expected to be on-time in launching the A321NEO. With debut routes previously announced to be Delhi and Phuket starting January 16th and Hong Kong and Vientiane following February 16th. This should allow the crew to get accustomed to the new cabins, as well as the service style. The airline is expecting to operate these aircraft with around 4 to 5 crew, as they are going for quite a generous 175 seat configuration, bare in mind this is an aircraft that can fit 240 seats!

The service onboard, in Business Class at least is expected to mimic the service available on the carrier's widebodies. Meals served in individual courses on longer flights, amenity kits as well as Business Class bedding. Note the currently the airline offers only tray service on its A320 Business, even on longer routes. So very exciting times indeed for TG flyers!

A sneak peak of the real Business Class seat to be used, shown to the press back in May

The new Economy seats, also expected to be fitted to the carrier's widebody fleet

Part 2: 777-300ERs and Wi-Fi....Its been a long time coming!

Back in May of 2025, the airline announced that it will start fitting Wi-Fi to 14 Boeing 777-300ERs, starting at the end of this year. The good news is, this has now begun. Please note that this is separate to the head to tail retrofit that these planes are expected to get, starting in 2027.

These aircraft feature a comfortable but rather old Business product, they are expected to get new Business Suites starting in 2027

Economy while older, is very comfortable, unfortunately we will lose the 9 abreast seating in the 2027 retrofit

For some background, THAI has 17 Boeing 777-300ERs currently in service, these make up a good chunk of the airline's long-haul fleet, seeing them on a lot of the airline's flagship European routes. So you may be wondering, if they have 17, why are only 14 being fitted with Wi-Fi?

Well, this is because the 77W fleet is actually split into 2 configurations. The 77B config, 14 aircraft with Business and Economy, these were delivered between 2012 and 2015, and hold the registrations HS-TKK to TKR and HS-TKU to TKZ. In 2022, the airline also received 3 additional 77Ws, in the 77Y config, featuring First, Business and Economy. These are HS-TTA to TTC. The 3 77Y 777s came from Everett with Wi-Fi already installed. Hence why only 14 77Bs are getting Wi-Fi.

HS-TKP "Sri-Amphorn" the first 777-300ER in the 77B config to be fitted with WiFi

As of this morning (November 26th), the first of these aircraft has been spotted leaving the airline's maintenance facility at Don Mueang Airport with the distinctive SATCOM hump that it did not have previously. It took off to perform a test flight lasting around 2 hours before returning to Don Mueang. HS-TKP received the honour of being the first 77B to be fitted with Wi-Fi, having been delivered to the airline back in July of 2013.

HS-TKP seen with the SATCOM hump at Don Mueang Airport

While there has not been any official announcement yet, we can expect the airline to announce soon about Wi-Fi being available on the 77Bs, a programme it is expected to complete on all 14 by the end of next year.

Conclusion

To conclude, the airline is expected its first A321NEO by Christmas as well as expecting to have its first Wi-Fi refitted 777-300ER flying very soon. All part of the major changes and improvements coming to the airline within the next few years. Its very promising to see that the airline is sticking to its announced timelines with these improvements. A very exciting time for the airline indeed!