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Thai Airways International to phase out first class by 2028
September 12th 2025
Thai Airways International (THAI) will remove first class from its fleet in the next three years to improve its premium travel experience and regain market share, THAI CEO, Chai Eamsiri, told Prachachat. Read More » Instead of a first class offering, THAI will upgrade its business class with a premium seat option in the front rows of the airline’s expanded business class cabins. The new option will deliver an elevated experience to premium passengers at a lower cost than traditional first class, Chai said. THAI is converting 20 A320s from all-economy to a two-class configuration in a retrofit scheduled for completion by year-end 2026. THAI is expecting to accept two new A321neo this year followed by another 15 of the type from 2026. “We see aircraft as mass products. The real competition lies in inflight service - seats, entertainment, food and crew service. The arrival of the A321neo and the refurbished A320s are crucial steps in strengthening THAI’s competitiveness on regional routes,” Chai said. After the regional fleet update is finished, THAI will refurbish 14 777-300ERs with new business class suites fitted with doors and redesigned premium economy and economy seats. Upgrades of THAI’s 20 A350s will start in 2028. The airline also is scheduled to take delivery of 45 787s. “This upgrade ensures THAI offers consistent and standardized products across its fleet,” Chai said. THAI chief commercial officer, Kittipong Sarasombat, added the airline reduced its first class capacity when it retired its A380s and 747-400s during the pandemic. First class is still offered on three 777s flying Bangkok-London Heathrow and Bangkok-Tokyo Narita. The Boeing twin aisles will be phased out as part of the carrier’s fleet standardization.
