Thai Airways drops First Class, bets on luxury Business
Thai Airways is scrapping First Class across its entire fleet, shifting focus to a revamped Business Class as part of a sweeping modernisation plan.
Bold move as Thai Airways axes First Class
The national airline of Thailand, Thai Airways, confirms it will eliminate First Class on all routes within the next two to three years. CEO Chai Eamsiri says the airline will instead offer a three-class cabin: Business, Premium Economy, and Economy.
This decision follows a global trend among major carriers. “Many international airlines have already removed First Class and made Business Class their top tier,” Eamsiri explains, citing American Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and others.
Upgrades target premium flyers
Thai Airways, fresh from a financial turnaround and relisting on the Thai stock exchange, is now prioritising onboard service upgrades. The airline plans to enhance seats, meals, and entertainment to deliver a better experience for travellers worldwide.
First Class, once the pinnacle of luxury with lie-flat seats and fine dining, is now limited to just two or three routes, including Bangkok-London and Bangkok-Narita. Soon, it will be gone entirely.
To fill the gap, Thai Airways will introduce new premium seats at the front of each Business Class cabin, offering extra comfort without the sky-high First Class fares.
Fleet modernisation gathers pace
The airline is already refitting its 20 Airbus A320 aircraft from all-Economy to a two-class layout, adding Royal Silk Class with adjustable seats and installing wireless entertainment. The full retrofit is set for completion by 2025.
Thai Airways will also take delivery of two new Airbus A321neo jets this year, with 15 more to follow in 2026. These aircraft will feature lie-flat Business Class seats and enhanced privacy for premium passengers.
Massive expansion and new aircraft
The carrier plans to expand its fleet from 78 to 150 aircraft by 2033, including 98 wide-bodies and 52 narrow-bodies. This will include 45 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, with the first nine arriving in 2028, and a mix of Boeing 777-300ERs and Airbus A350s.
None of the new planes will have First Class cabins. Instead, all will follow the new three-class standard, with upgraded Business Class leading the way.
Market share ambitions at Bangkok hub
Thai Airways aims to reclaim a 42 percent market share at Suvarnabhumi Airport by 2029, up from a target of 35 percent. To support long-haul growth, the airline may lease up to 10 additional wide-body jets for six years, pending board approval.
Chief Commercial Officer Kittipong Sarasombat notes that First Class capacity was already cut after retiring the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747-400 during the pandemic. Now, only three Boeing 777s still offer First Class, mainly on flagship routes.
Business Class to match First Class luxury
The next generation of Thai Airways Business Class will offer comfort and amenities rivaling, or even surpassing, today’s First Class. “The real competition is in onboard service—seats, entertainment, food, and crew,” says CEO Eamsiri.
This strategic shift reflects changing passenger demand and allows the airline to boost profitability, as modern Business Class products have reduced the need for traditional First Class service.