Thai Airways International

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Thai Airways International
IATA TG	ICAO THA	Callsign THAI
Founded		1960
Hubs		Suvarnabhumi Airport Don Mueang International Airport(some domestic flight)
Focus cities		Chiang Mai International Airport Phuket International Airport
Frequent flyer program		Royal Orchid Plus
Member lounge		Royal First Lounge Royal Orchid Spa Royal Silk Lounge Royal Orchid Lounge
Alliance		Star Alliance
Fleet size		91 (+18 orders)
Destinations		74
Parent company		Thai Airways International
Headquarters		Bangkok, Thailand
Key people		Apinant Suraseranee (president), Chalit Pookpasuk(chairman)
Website: www.thaiairways.com

Thai Airways International (Thai: การบินไทย) is the national air carrier of Thailand, operating out of Suvarnabhumi Airport, and is a founding member of the Star Alliance network. Like Singapore Airlines, Thai offers some of the longest non-stop commercial flights from Bangkok to New York and Los Angeles.

Contents 1 History 2 Destinations 3 Travel Classes 3.1 Economy Class 3.2 Premium Economy Class 3.3 Royal Silk (Business) Class 3.4 Royal First Class 4 Royal Orchid Plus 5 Passenger fleet 6 Codeshare agreements 6.1 Flight numbers 7 Incidents and accidents 8 See also 9 External links

[edit] History

Thai started as Thai Airways International, a joint venture with Scandinavian Airlines System (which initially held a 30% share), along with a domestic carrier, Thai Airways Company (Thai: เดินอากาศไทย). The carrier's first flight was on May 1, 1960. On April 1, 1977, the Thai government bought out the remaining 15% of SAS-owned shares. On April 1, 1988, the two carriers merged to form the present Thai Airways International. [1] In August 2005, Thai Airways International president Kanok Abhiradee was suspended from his managerial duties just before the airline reported a massive loss for its fiscal third quarter to June 30. Following the suspension, the airline appointed board member Somchainuk Engtrakul to oversee Kanok's major responsibilities. The airline has named a new president in April 2006. [2] As most tourists to the country come from Europe, Thai has a limited presence in North America, where its flights are marketed by Lufthansa.

The arrival of the A340-500 coincided with a change to the airline's image, including a new livery and a revised font for the title "Thai".

On May 1, 2005, the airline began a non-stop Bangkok-New York service (TG790/791) with a new A340-500. The New York bound flight time is 16 hours 55 minutes and Bangkok bound flight time is 17 hours 10 minutes. It flies over the North Pole, and departs at midnight (Bangkok time 0040 at summer).

Non-stop Bangkok-Los Angeles service (TG794/795) started on December 2, 2005, also using a new A340-500. The flight time is 16.5 hours eastbound. This replaces TG774/775 (LAX-KIX-BKK & BKK-KIX-LAX) service using Boeing 747-400 aircraft and the stop at Kansai International Airport in Osaka.

In February 2006, the airline announced it was studying the startup of a new airline, to be called Thai Orchid (Thai: เอื้องหลวง), which would market itself as a luxury alternative to the low-cost carriers, such as subsidiary Nok Air (Thai: นกแอร์). [3] In June 2006 Thai International Airlines was awarded 'Worlds Best Cabin Staff' by Skytrax. Thai Airways International will be operating three weekly direct flights on the route Bangkok – Johannesburg v.v., utilizing A340-600 aircraft from October 2006.

On September 28, 2006 at 1:45am, flight TG 662 to Shanghai was the last Thai Airways departure from Don Mueang. At 4:45am, TG 613 from Delhi was Thai Airways' first official arrival at Suvarnabhumi. [4]

[edit] Destinations

Main article: Thai Airways International destinations

[edit] Travel Classes

Thai has four travel classes: Economy, Premium Economy, Royal Silk and Royal First.

[edit] Economy Class

Like all airlines, Economy Class is the cheapest class on Thai. Seat pitch on Thai Economy offers passengers up to 36" pitch in selected aircraft with an average of 34" on all aircraft. All Economy seats in Airbus A340-500, Airbus A340-600 and Boeing B777-200ER have individual Audio-Video On Demand (AVOD) In-flight Entertainment (IFE) system. Passengers will be given a choice of Thai or Western meals. Alcoholic beverages are free and served to passengers over the age of 18.

[edit] Premium Economy Class

The new Premium Economy Class is only available on trans-continental flights between Bangkok(BKK) and Los Angeles(LAX) or New York(JFK) on Airbus A340-500 aircraft. The fare for Premium Economy Class is slightly higher than Economy but lower than Royal Silk (Business) Class. Premium Economy seating is configured as 2-3-2 rather than the standard 2-4-2 in Economy. Seat pitch is increased to 42", 135 degree angle of recline and the seat features a leg-rest. Premium Economy class passengers also have more choices over their meal selection.

On some long-haul routes such as Bangkok - Copenhagen, aircraft with previous generation Business Class seats are used - therefore the seats are sold under Premium Economy Class fare.

[edit] Royal Silk (Business) Class

With higher fares, Royal Silk Class passengers enjoy a number of priorities and luxury not available to Economy Class passengers. This includes dedicated premium check-in facility at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport, dedicated check-in desks at major airports around the world, lounge access, priority boarding, pre-flight champagne, fast track lane for passport control and security-check, and priority baggage handling.

The new shell angled lie-flat business class seats are installed on 12 Boeing 747-400 aircraft, all Boeing 777-200ER aircraft, all Boeing 777-200 aircraft, all Airbus A340-500 aircraft and all Airbus A340-600 aircraft. The pitch is 60" between seats and width is 20". When fully reclined (electrically adjusted) the seat become completely flat, however it is angled. The seat can perform lumbar massage. All seats are equipped with AVOD IFE.

There are more choices of main course meal selection in Royal Silk class on international flights, although some may be identical to Economy Class offering. Premium alcoholic drinks are served with a more extensive choices of wine. Port and cheese is served after lunch and dinner.

[edit] Royal First Class

[edit] Royal Orchid Plus

Thai Airways International's Royal Orchid Plus is the first frequent flyer program established in Thailand^{[citation needed]}. It has a membership of over two million members world-wide. Individuals above the age of two can join the program.

Earning Miles

There are two types of mile which can be earned towards a Royal Orchid Plus account.

1. Eligible Qualifying Miles (EQM) this type of mile is earned on flown:

• Thai Airways flights
• TG codeshare flights on routes departing from/to Bangkok (Malaysian Airlines, Emirates Airlines, El Al Israel Airlines and China Eastern Airlines)
• Star Alliance flights
• Jet Airways flights

Qualifying Miles (Q Miles) are the actual miles flown and additional class of service miles on Thai and Star Alliance airlines. Royal Orchid Plus miles are earned based on the paid class of travel and subject to eligible booking class codes of the airline flown.

2. Partner Miles are earned from various non-airline partners, such as hotels.

Status Tiers

There are three tiers in the Royal Orchid Plus program

• Member - entry-level status
• Silver - requires 10,000 Q Miles in one calendar year or 15,000 Q Miles from the date of enrolment up to December 31 of the next complete calendar year
• Gold - requires 50,000 Q Miles in one calendar year, 80,000 Q Miles from the date of enrolment up to December 31 of the next complete calendar year, or 40 international flown sectors on THAI within any 1 calendar year.

[edit] Passenger fleet

The Thai Airways International fleet consists of the following aircraft as of March 2007:

Thai Airways International Fleet

Type	Total	Passengers (First/Royal Silk/Premium Economy*/Economy)	Notes
Boeing 747-400	6 12	389 (14/50/325) 375 (10/40/325)
Boeing 747-300	2	405 (18/62/325)
Boeing 777-300	6	388 (0/49/339)
Boeing 777-200ER	4 (2 orders)	292 (0/30/262)	To be delivered 2007
Boeing 777-200	8	309 (0/30/279)
Boeing 737-400	10	149 (0/12/137)	Includes 4 aircraft leased out to Nok Air
Airbus A380	(6 orders)		Entry into service: 2010
Airbus A340-500	3 (1 order)	215 (0/60/42*/113)	To be delivered in 2007
Airbus A340-600	5 (1 order)	267 (8/60/199)
Airbus A330-300	12 (8 on order)	305 (42/263)	To be delivered between 2008 and 2010
Airbus A300-600	20	260 (0/28/232)	Some aircraft to be phased out in 2007
ATR-72	2	66 (0/0/66)	Incudes 1 aircraft leased out to Nok Air
Total Number of Aircraft	90 (18 on order)	Updated: March 2007

^{*Premium Economy only available on Airbus A340-500}

^{The average age of the Thai fleet was 10.2 years at December 2006.}

^{Thai has ordered 6 Airbus A380 aircraft, which will be delivered in 2010 for use on services to Frankfurt, Paris and London where frequencies cannot yet be increased.}

^{Thai have confirmed an order (made in 2004) for 6 Boeing 777-200ER aircraft to be delivered from 2006 to October 2007.}

^{Twenty one A300-600 aircraft will leave the fleet sometime from 2006-2007. This will most likely coincide with the delivery of the new 777-200ER aircraft.}

^{Six Airbus A300-600 and Boeing 747-300 will leave the fleet within 2007, Thai has now confirmed to buy 8 A330-300 as a replacement for delivery between 2008 and 2010.}

^{Thai is currently choosing between purchasing 6 or more Airbus A350 or Boeing 787.}

^{[edit] Codeshare agreements}

^{Thai Airways International codeshares with the following airlines on the following routes:}

• ^{Swiss International Airlines-Codeshare on service between Bangkok and Zurich, Switzerland. Service is operated by either Thai or Swiss.}
• ^{Emirates-Codeshare on service from Bangkok to Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Thai operates the service and Emirates codeshares it.}
• ^{Malaysia Airlines-Codeshare on service between Thailand and Malaysia. Thai takes some of the service, Malaysian the rest.}
• ^{El Al-Codeshare on service to Tel Aviv, Israel. All flights are operated by El Al and codeshared by Thai.}
• ^{Japan Airlines (JAL)-Codeshare on service to several destinations in Japan, including Osaka and Nagoya. Flights are operated by JAL or Thai Airways.}
• ^{Jet Airways-Codeshare operated by Jet Airways codesharing with Thai to Indian Destinations.}
• ^{Royal Jordanian-Codeshare operated by Royal Jordanian codesharing with Thai to}

^{Amman, Jordan.}

• ^{Air Madagascar-Codeshare operated by Air Madagascar codesharing with Thai to Antananarivo.}
• ^{Qatar Airways-Codeshare operated by Qatar Airways codesharing with Thai to Doha, Qatar.}
• ^{Gulf Air-Codeshare operated by Gulf Air codesharing with Thai to Bahrain.}
• ^{Egyptair-Codeshare operated by Egypt Air codesharing with Thai to Cairo, Egypt.}

^{[edit] Flight numbers}

• ^{TG 0XX : Northeastern Thailand}
• ^{TG 1XX : Northern Thailand}
• ^{TG 2XX : Southern Thailand}
• ^{TG 3XX : South Asia and Myanmar}
• ^{TG 4XX : Southeast Asia ex. Myanmar and Indochina and Philippines}
• ^{TG 5XX : Middle East and Pakistan}
• ^{TG 60X - TG 67X : East Asia and Philippines}
• ^{TG 68X - TG 69X : Indochina}
• ^{TG 7XX : America and Africa}
• ^{TG 8XX : Special Flight}
• ^{TG 90X - TG 97X : Europe}
• ^{TG 98X - TG 99X : Australia and New Zealand}

^{[edit] Incidents and accidents}

• ^{April 27, 1980 – a Thai Airways Avro 748 enroute from Khon Kaen to Bangkok lost altitude during a thunderstorm and crashed about 8 miles from Don Mueang International Airport. All four crew members and 40 of the 49 passengers were killed. [5]}
• ^{April 15, 1985 – a Thai Airways Boeing 737-200 hit high ground on Phuket and was destroyed by the impact and fire. All four passengers and seven crew members were killed. The accident occurred after a failure of both engines. [6]}
• ^{August 31, 1987 – a Thai Airways Boeing 737-200 flying from Hat Yai to Phuket crashed into the sea off Phuket. All nine crew members and 74 passengers were killed [7]}
• ^{July 31, 1992 – Thai Airways International Flight 311 an Airbus A310-304 hit the side of a hill 23 miles north of Kathmandu while descending towards Tribhuvan International Airport from Bangkok. All 113 on board (99 passengers and 14 crew) died. The accident was caused by technical faults (with flaps and a possible second unknown fault), pilot error and lack of equipment at TIA at the time (no radar). [8], [9]}

• ^{December 11, 1998 – Thai Airways Flight 261, another A310-200, bound for Surat Thani from Bangkok, during its third landing attempt in heavy rain, crashed into a rice paddy about 2 miles from Surat Thani airport; 102 of 143 aboard were killed. [10]}
• ^{March 3, 2001 – a Thai Airways International Boeing 737-400, bound for Chiang Mai from Bangkok, was destroyed by an explosion and fire that occurred about 35 minutes before the Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and about 150 other passengers were to board. Five members of the cabin crew were aboard, and one was killed. Witnesses said they heard an explosion before flames erupted aboard the aircraft. NTSB investigators reported that the center fuel tank exploded followed by the right tank 18 minutes later. The cause for the explosion was unclear. No traces of explosive were found. The center fuel tank is located near air conditioning packs which generate heat, and were running nonstop prior to the explosion.[11]}
• ^{April 19, 2005 – a Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-200 stopped approximately 194 meters beyond a painted stop line at Don Mueang International Airport, and its left wing-tip was clipped by a Thai Airways International Airbus A330-300 taxiing for take-off. Both aircraft were severely damaged. There were no injuries.}
• ^{October 26, 2005 – a Thai Airways International A300 skidded off the runway in heavy rain on landing at Don Mueang International Airport. There were no injuries.}

^{[edit] See also}

• ^{Nok Air (a low-cost carrier of Thai Airways International)}
• ^{Thai Airways (merged into Thai Airways International, 1988)}

^{[edit] External links}

• ^{Thai Airways International}
• ^{Thai Airways International Newsroom}
• ^{Royal Orchid Plus}
• ^{Thai Airways International Passenger Opinions}
• ^{Star Alliance}