THAI's (Re)Launch of Its Premium Economy Class

DALLAS — Earlier this week, at Thai Airways International’s (TG) “FLY FOR THE NEW PRIDE” event, CEO Mr Chai Eamsiri announced that TG will introduce a new premium economy cabin offering, debuting on its Boeing 777-300ER fleet.

The premium economy travel class will be exclusively available for passengers to travel on routes to Europe and Australia.

This move comes after a rise in popularity for slightly more comfort without the business class price tag. Competitor airlines such as Air India and Emirates have recently added premium economy products to their cabins. Cathay Pacific said 50% more capacity for their retrofitted 777s, ranging from 32 to 48 premium economy seats.

Premium economy is a familiar cabin for TG, as their (now retired) Airbus A340-500 fleet was equipped with 42 premium economy seats in a 2-3-2 configuration. These pink and purple seats featured 42 inches of seat pitch, 122 degrees of recline, wider armrests, and leg rests. 

In October 2020, TG announced a comeback for something resemblant to the premium economy; “Economy Plus.” This consisted of 3-3-3 standard economy class seats in rows 31-34, with each middle seat blocked out.

In addition, Economy Plus passengers received an extra 5kg of checked luggage, priority check-in and priority bag tags, access to the business class reception area at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), and finally, choices of meal selection similar to Royal Silk Class. Economy Plus was only available on flights between BKK to Frankfurt and London from October 25, 2020, to December 31, 2020.

On other long-haul routes, such as Stockholm Arlanda to BKK, TG previously sold Royal Silk class seats as premium economy but removed and replaced certain Royal Silk amenities and services. This means that you would sometimes get a lie-flat seat in “premium economy.”

Current vs New Offering

At present, THAI offers a business (Royal Silk) and economy offering on all long-haul routes, with the addition of first-class (Royal First) on selected flights to London Heathrow (LHR), Tokyo Narita (NRT), and Osaka Kansai (KIX). TG’s Royal First Cabin is only installed on three 777-300ER aircraft, called 77Ys: HS-TTA, HS-TTB, and HS-TTC.

For domestic and regional routes operated by their A320 fleet, a “Euro-style” Economy Plus section comprising the same economy seats but with a blocked middle seat is available, and a standard economy class is available after the first three rows.

This is all set to change with TG’s A320 fleet retrofit plan, which will include wider, reclining seats in a two-by-two configuration.

The new premium economy cabin is planned to be installed only on TG’s 77W fleet; this means a retrofit will have to take place. Additionally, the new seats will be on the incoming 787-9 fleet as well, expected to be delivered in 2027.

Retrofitting will see an overhaul of TG’s economy, Royal Silk, and Royal First cabins, including the much-needed In-flight entertainment upgrade. 

There has yet to be solid information on what the airline will offer in their premium economy cabin.

In related news, following its exit from rehabilitation, TG intends to re-list on the Stock Exchange of Thailand in June 2025. CEO Chai Eamsiri delineates the airline's ambitious expansion, reiterating that the airline will not revert to state ownership and designating Bangkok as its global gateway.