THAI to fly wide-body jets on domestic routes this December
In a move that’s sure to delight frequent flyers, Thai Airways (THAI) revealed plans to swap its trusty A320s for luxurious wide-bodied aircraft on select domestic routes this December, just in time for the peak holiday season. The airline is ramping up capacity to accommodate the soaring demand during the Christmas-to-new year rush, from December 20 to 31.
While official word from THAI’s communications team is still pending, several travel sources, including Nation Online, have confirmed the changes. Starting in early December, Boeing 777s, Boeing 787 Dreamliners, and Airbus A330s will replace the smaller A320s on key domestic routes, including those to Phuket, Krabi, Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai.
The upgrades are expected to alleviate pressure on popular routes, particularly from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport. On the Krabi route, for instance, the A320 will be swapped out for a Boeing 777-200ER or an A330-300, running daily morning flights throughout December. Additionally, THAI will bolster flights to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai with the deployment of Boeing 787-8s and Airbus A330s from December 20 to 24.
Though the airline has been undergoing a fleet restructuring, with potential route shifts and aircraft changes, the details of the December upgrades remain a bit hazy. However, industry insiders confirm that the upgrades will enhance both comfort and capacity during the busy holiday period, offering a more spacious and premium flying experience to passengers heading to Thailand’s most beloved destinations, reported TTR Weekly.
The boost in capacity marks a strategic move as THAI prepares for its busiest season yet—so if you’re flying over the holidays, you might just be in for a seat upgrade!
In related news, six airlines are set to increase their seat offerings by over 73,000 during the new year period to prevent excessive price hikes during the festive season. This effort, led by the Transport Ministry, involves collaboration with Thai Airways International and other members of the Airlines Association of Thailand (AAT), including Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, and Thai Vietjet Air.
