Thai Airways Among World's Top Ten Airlines in 2024

[webfact]

 

Thai Airways has clinched the No.8 spot on Travel & Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2024, placing it among the top ten airlines globally. The rankings, announced today, reflect votes from international travellers who rated various aspects of airline performance, including comfort, service quality, and operational efficiency.

 

Travel & Leisure, a celebrated travel magazine, conducts an annual survey engaging tourists, frequent flyers, and business travellers to determine excellence across a myriad of travel categories. This year, the survey showcased Thai Airways’ consistent delivery of high-standard services, even amidst ongoing challenges in the aviation industry.

 

Passengers frequently praised the airline’s comfortable seating, exceptional in-flight service, and efficient ground operations. The recognition cements Thai Airways’ reputation for maintaining high service standards despite the tumultuous conditions brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

In response to the accolade, Thai Airways expressed heartfelt gratitude to its loyal customers. In an official statement, the airline pledged continued efforts in elevating passenger experience and optimising services across all flight stages. “We are deeply honoured by this recognition and are committed to continual improvement,” the statement read.

 

Travel & Leisure’s endorsement is especially significant given its global reach and influence. Its acknowledgment not only elevates Thai Airways' standing within the airline industry but also reassures passengers of the airline’s reliability and excellence in service.

 

Parallel to this recognition, Thai Airways is on the cusp of finalising its restructuring plan, expected to conclude by the end of the year. This extensive overhaul began in 2020 as the pandemic-induced financial crisis severely impacted the airline’s operations.

 

The restructuring marks a crucial phase in Thai Airways' recovery, aiming to reduce its considerable debt and enhance operational efficiencies. Recent financial disclosures for Q1 2024 indicate a promising return to profitability, fuelling optimism for re-entering the stock market and securing long-term growth.

 

As Thai Airways celebrates its current accomplishment, it remains committed to future improvements to retain and build upon its esteemed position in the global aviation sector.

 

Picture courtesy: MGR Online

 

-- 2024-07-18

 

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[josephbloggs]

Cue the bashers....

[n00dle]

6 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

Cue the bashers....

 

 

 

 More like cue the realists or anyone that has actually flown Thai

Edited July 18 by n00dle

[WHansen]

Voted highly by travellers that have never used a different airline

[Khyron]

Travel and Leisure, Skytrax, and other groups that have people "vote" for the best airlines are all "pay for play".

The amount of money the airlines pay determines how high they are in the "voting". I've flown Thai in the past couple of years, albeit domestically, and the planes are filthy, and worn looking. Thai air Asia is a much better product.

[ikke1959]

Was fake news not forbidden?

[tomazbodner]

Flew THAI domestic and international several times in past 2 years. Very punctual, planes were A320 or B787, quite comfy when compared to some European carriers. Food was OK, quite unexpected to get a box of it on domestic flight, but I guess that's Thai Smile leftover - as are A320 planes, just that "Smile" is scrubbed off. Overall, happy with them and will certainly choose them again.

[josephbloggs]

5 hours ago, n00dle said:

 More like cue the realists or anyone that has actually flown Thai

Nah, you'll find that most of the bashers rarely fly at all. People that do will know they are not that bad. I did have a period of about ten years or more not using them at all then I went back and I can say they are much improved.

 

I've said it many times on here before, but I travel fairly frequently and Thai are my choice for regional travel and I would say they are one of the best regional airlines. Usually fairly modern planes (with the odd clunker on certain lower priority routes), perfectly acceptable food and decent service - nothing to complain about at all. Their ground services are also decent, check-in is always well manned at Suvarnabhumi.

For long haul, no, definitely not as their IFE is poor and they are not a patch on the Middle Eastern carriers. If flying business class long haul then it is a double no. When I worked for a Thai public company many years ago the CEO always flew Thai business. I had to do a trip to the UK with him and I persuaded him to come with me on Emirates. He was astonished, he couldn't believe the difference - and that started in the lounge and the chauffeur service - his eyes were opened. Having said that I still see him on Facebook flying everywhere on Thai.

Anyway, the bashers can bash, regionally they are one of the best. 

[kickstart]

Last time I come back from the Uk I was with Qatar Air, got to Heathrow looked the departure board, found flight time, then destination, Doha, then had to wait while the board went round to my flight number, that flight must have been sheared with 4 other airlines, and the plane was well full.

How many Thai flights are code sheard with other airlines, Thai being a member of Star Alliance, some passengers not knowing? that they fight is being code sheared with Thai, and flying Thai.

Went with Thai once Bkk -LHR got to Swampy, due to fly with China Easten, it was Chines New Year flight over booked, long story short, I was transferred to a Thai flight, it was OK ,first time I have had proper milk in tea not powdered milk, some of the cabin staff English was not that good, had to resort to speaking Thai one time.

Would fly again but they ticket prices are more than other airlines.

[MalcolmB]

Definitely in my top 10 also.

 

[SAFETY FIRST]

16 hours ago, webfact said:

Thai Airways has clinched the No.8 spot on Travel & Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2024

I read it made the most profit of all airlines. 

 

I always enjoyed flying Thai and would choose it above other airlines. 

I reckon others are like me, do the same. Probably why the airline always have the highest prices, they look for profits. 

 

 

[Georgealbert]

23 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

I read it made the most profit of all airlines. 

 

I always enjoyed flying Thai and would choose it above other airlines. 

I reckon others are like me, do the same. Probably why the airline always have the highest prices, they look for profits. 

 

 

Earlier this year Piyasvasti Amranaf, an independent director of Thai Airways, posted data which shows that Thai Airways in 2023 was the world’s highest profit margin making airline, as Thai Aiways is reportedly charging the highest margin on its ticket sales among all airlines.

 

Edited July 18 by Georgealbert

[SAFETY FIRST]

1 minute ago, Georgealbert said:

Earlier this year Piyasvasti Amranaf, an independent director of Thai Airways, posted data which shows that Thai Airways in 2023 was the world’s highest profit margin making airline, as Thai Aiways is reportedly charging the highest margin on its ticket sales among all airlines.

 

Yes, that's what I read. 

 

Thanks mate 👍

 

[ezzra]

I fly business with Thai BKK MEL twice a year and i would grade the service as 7.5 out of 10, not good enough

for a 100,000+ thb fare...

[brimacthai]

I like Thai Air, but they stopped flying direct from Brisbane, when they start a direct flight to and from Brisbane I will return. Currently flying Singapore Airlines, mainly because I would rather have a stopover in Singapore than Sydney.

[Mbaki]

I fly Thai international every couple of months and find the counter service very good, and have no complaints about the on board service, food or comfortability of the seats although business class could be upgraded a bit. As far as prices go it pays to shop around for the best deal and travel days.

[Skeptic7]

Thai Smile was great domestically. Have flown Thai Airways many times previously roundtrip between BKK-NRT (Japan). Nothing at all special about Thai. Staff were just OK. Finished cabin service, then hid in the galleys eating and talking until the landing service, every single time. Tiny, thimble sized cups and glasses. Had to get up and hunt them down in the galley for another drink or coffee. Delta is far better internationally and back in the day, Northwest Airlines (NWA) was superior too. Flying Qatar in September to Africa and surely they will far exceed anything Thai provides, in all aspects. 

 

Disclaimer: have not flown Thai in 5 years, so perhaps they have improved. Hope so. 

Edited July 19 by Skeptic7

[proton]

In my top three of never use again, the others being Qatar and KLM

[hotchilli]

18 hours ago, webfact said:

Thai Airways has clinched the No.8 spot on Travel & Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2024, placing it among the top ten airlines globally.

Amazing land of recoveries... 

[new2here]

17 hours ago, Khyron said:

Travel and Leisure, Skytrax, and other groups that have people "vote" for the best airlines are all "pay for play".

The amount of money the airlines pay determines how high they are in the "voting". I've flown Thai in the past couple of years, albeit domestically, and the planes are filthy, and worn looking. Thai air Asia is a much better product.

 

I think that it’s perhaps a fair claim about SkyTrax given they are largely a ratings/review entity.. However, T&L I think is a bit different as they are first and foremost a legitimate travel magazine dating back to the 70s as I recall.  So, while I might question yhr .. scope .. of someone like SkyTrax, I think T&Ls ratings are probably based on much more data actual traveler data and from a wider audience.    But in the end, any “rating” for things that are not purely numerical and objects in nature, are always going to be both subjective and biased no matter to source 

[daveAustin]

18 hours ago, WHansen said:

Voted highly by travellers that have never used a different airline

Flown most and still enjoy Thai. Have a good connection to the West from local town. Good times, Love the staff who have to put up with miserable foreigners. Emirates, Qatar are nice but haven’t got the patience to mess about changing planes, plus they’re pricey nowadays and routinely charge silly money to pick a normal seat. 

[daveAustin]

52 minutes ago, Skeptic7 said:

Thai Smile was great domestically. Have flown Thai Airways many times previously roundtrip between BKK-NRT (Japan). Nothing at all special about Thai. Staff were just OK. Finished cabin service, then hid in the galleys eating and talking until the landing service, every single time. Tiny, thimble sized cups and glasses. Had to get up and hunt them down in the galley for another drink or coffee. Delta is far better internationally and back in the day, Northwest Airlines (NWA) was superior too. Flying Qatar in September to Africa and surely they will far exceed anything Thai provides, in all aspects. 

 

Disclaimer: have not flown Thai in 5 years, so perhaps they have improved. Hope so. 

Loved THAI Smile. They were rarely much more than the Mickey Mouse airlines with all their annoying add-ons, and had the best times, beautiful honeys and would park up at the gate. 

[john donson]

bought to you by TAT, or was it brought ?

[NedR69]

19 hours ago, josephbloggs said:

Cue the bashers....

...known for the comfortable seats.  Yeah, right.  From a country where sleeping on a 1 inch foam pad on a concrete floor, or sitting on the floor to eat is the norm and perfectly acceptable.  Bull fracking shyte!

[maddermax]

They clearly have not flown with many other airlines!

[TroubleandGrumpy]

20 hours ago, josephbloggs said:

Cue the bashers....

Acknowledge the Thai apologists .........

[TroubleandGrumpy]

We flew Thai Airways once from Aust to Thailand - never never ever never again.

Qantas and Singapore and Emirates much much much better.

[Umlungu]

Travelled on THAISmile twice last year and they were good. No complaints. Sadly now defunct and absorbed back into the clutches of the mothership. For international I would not even consider THAI, not on my radar, too many superior carriers to choose from.

[CockneyGit]

Personally I think THAI are pretty good on the whole, just a bit expensive.

[Guderian]

Did their entertainment system progress beyond this yet? lol