Thai Airways will remove first class cabins across its fleet, replacing them with upgraded “business plus” suites as its most premium onboard offering. The move, confirmed by CEO Chai Eamsiri, aligns the airline with other major international carriers that have already eliminated first class. Passengers will instead see enhanced business class seating, particularly in the front row, offering more space and upgraded features.
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The airline’s first class product, once a hallmark of luxury travel, had already been scaled back in recent years. Only three Boeing 777 aircraft still feature first class cabins, all of which will be refitted under a broader fleet standardisation programme. This overhaul will introduce a consistent layout across aircraft, including business class, premium economy and economy cabins on Airbus A350, Boeing 787 and Boeing 777-300ER jets.
The new Royal Silk business class suites will include sliding privacy doors, 24-inch screens, Bluetooth audio streaming, wireless charging and USB-C power outlets. Thai Airways will also introduce “business plus” suites in the first row, offering larger seating areas, extended legroom and companion dining options. These four premium suites will be sold at a higher fare than standard business class.
The strategy mirrors similar approaches by airlines such as American Airlines, Air New Zealand, Virgin Atlantic and Lufthansa, which have shifted focus from first class to enhanced business offerings. Thai Airways believes this change will provide passengers with more choice while improving revenue potential, particularly in competitive premium travel segments.
Premium economy will also become a standard feature on Thai’s twin-aisle aircraft, targeting travellers seeking a more affordable upgrade from economy. However, the airline clarified that its “Premium Economy Plus” product currently consists of older business class seats from previously operated Airbus A330 aircraft, rather than newer lie-flat designs.
The upgraded long-haul business class will complement the lie-flat regional business class on Thai’s new Airbus A321neo jets. The airline aims to create a seamless premium experience across short- and long-haul routes, allowing passengers to maintain consistent comfort throughout their journey. Chai Eamsiri stated this unified product strategy is expected to boost customer satisfaction and help Thai Airways capture a larger share of the regional business travel market.
Picture courtesy of ExecutiveTraveller
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Executivetraveller 9 Apr 2026