Thai Airways International

Alliance:

Star Alliance

Frequent Flyer Programme:

Royal Orchard Plus

Fleet:

89

Founded:

1957

Country of Origin:

Thailand

Major Hub Airports:

Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Bangkok

Number of Destinations:

72 cities in 37 countries

Major Destinations:

Asia
Athens
Auckland
Brisbane
Frankfurt
Johannesburg
London
Los Angeles
Melbourne
Munich
New York
Paris
Perth
Rome
South East Asia
Sydney

Brief Summary / Interesting Facts/ Interesting Destinations:

Thai Airways International is Thailand's national carrier and is now wholly owned by the Thai government. Thai Airways International's first flight in 1960 was made possible by the formation of a joint venture between domestic carrier Thai Airways Company and Scandinavian Airlines System (also known as SAS). The 17 year cooperative facilitated Thai Airways flying to numerous Asian destinations as well as Australia, Europe and North America.

In 1997, Thai Airways became a founding member of the Star Alliance network, the world's first and currently biggest airlines cooperation. Today Thai Airways' non-stop 18 hour flight from Bangkok to Los Angeles is one of the longest non-stop commercial flights in the world. Thai Airways is also affiliated with Bangkok based, low cost carrier Nok Air, of which Thai Airways hold a 39% share.

The Thai Airways fleet of aircraft are primarily fitted out with 3 classes, depending on the route. These include economy, Royal Silk Business and Royal First class. Thai Airways have cheap business class airfares to both Europe and North America. On selected routes, including Bangkok to Los Angeles and Oslo, Thai also offer Premium Economy class.

Thai Airways has won numerous industry awards. The airline was named Skytrax Airline of the Year in 2006 as well as being recognised by Skytrax that same year as having the World's Best Cabin Staff. In 2007, Thai Airways was rated second overall for Airline of the Year. In 2009, Skytrax awarded Thai Airways' first class lounge at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok, as the World's Best First Class Lounge. Thai Airways is rated as a 4 star airline by Skytrax.