Star Alliance airlines such as Lufthansa, SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines and United have, for several years now, been adopting the practice of offer more spacious seats at an additional cost in its economy class cabin. Now it's Thai Airways International's turn to follow the lead of its colleagues. Since the end of July, Thailand's national carrier has been offering for sale a selection of seats offering more space on international flights. But it is also offering another rather unique option. Passengers travelling in Royal Silk (Business Class) can now upgrade to First Class.
Fares vary according to flight distance. For example, the Thai carrier charges 15 US dollars for an economy class seat between Bangkok and neighbouring countries, 70 $ for a flight to Australia or New Zealand and 100 $ for a European destination. For an upgrade to first class, the airline charges 200 $ for a flight to the Pacific and 200 $ for a flight to Europe. 280 $ to Europe. Upgrades can also be paid for in local currency. However, two restrictions apply. Upgrades to Première do not include a higher baggage allowance and, more importantly, are non-refundable.
The company, which is in the midst of financial turmoilis seeking to generate new revenues. In the second quarter, sales fell by 10 % to 13.8 billion dollars, while losses more than doubled, reaching 223.7 million dollars compared with 101 million dollars a year earlier.
Many factors are affecting the airline's performance. Thai Airways is suffering from an overly strong baht - up 8% on average since the start of the year - which is affecting tourism, as well as an ageing, fuel-guzzling fleet and a a certain inertia in the face of competition from low-cost airlines and Gulf carriers.
Ten flights a week to Paris this winter
Yet another recovery plan will be proposed to reposition the airline in a more premium segment. This will begin with a rejuvenation of the fleet, with the Transport Minister giving the go-ahead for the acquisition or leasing of 38 new aircraft. The airline will also completely overhaul its timetable for spring 2020, making more use of the "new" routes. synergies with its two subsidiaries Thai Smile, on regional routes, and the low-cost carrier Nok Air. Thai Airways International will continue to transfer new routes to Burma, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam as well as its domestic flights to these two airlines and to the private carrier Bangkok Airways.
On the other hand, the Thai national carrier will be increasing frequencies on its intercontinental routes, in order to improve connecting opportunities. This will apply, for example, to Paris CDG-Bangkok. The airline will be launching three additional frequencies this winter, starting at the end of October. The airline will withdraw the Airbus A380 from its daily frequency, but will operate some of its ten weekly flights with an Airbus A350-900XWB. The airline will also be switching to daily flights to Vienna, compared with the previous five weekly flights.
