Thai Airways Eyes Global Top 10 Ranking with New Strategies

[snoop1130]

File photo for reference only

 

Thai Airways is aiming high, planning to secure a spot among the world's top 10 airlines and increase its passenger count to 15 million in 2024.

 

During the Matichon Leadership Forum 2025 held on February 19 at Bangkok's Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, Chansin Treenuchagron, a board member and executive planner for Thai Airways International, expressed the airline's ambitions. In his lecture titled "Trust TG: Transforming into the Future," Chansin highlighted the airline's essential role in driving Thailand's tourism economy.

 

Tourism brought in 1.67 trillion baht last year, and the government aims to boost annual arrivals to 40 million people. Currently holding a 15.1% market share, Thai Airways transported over 9 million passengers in 2023. The goal for 2024 is to reach up to 15 million passengers, despite facing stiff competition from more than 30 other major airlines.

 

Chansin cited the airline's successful restructuring as a foundation for growth. Before COVID-19, Thai Airways contributed nearly 200 billion baht to the economy and supported about 1 million jobs. The pandemic, however, forced a pivot to cargo transport as passenger flights were halted.

 

Entering a rehabilitation plan on May 26, 2020, the airline reduced its workforce by 7,000 and slashed costs, which has set a course back to profitability. By the end of 2024, sales had rebounded to 18 billion baht, indicating a renewed strength.

 

 

Looking forward to 2025, Chansin outlined strategies for restoring customer trust, such as enhancing in-flight services and reintroducing new routes, including direct flights to Milan. Incorporating Thai Smile Airways and improving connectivity are also part of the plan.

 

Having achieved a profit of around 15 billion baht last year, Thai Airways is poised to adapt to a competitive landscape marked by workforce shortages and wage rises. Chansin called for national unity and policy support to solidify Thailand as a global aviation hub.

 

As part of its rehabilitation, Thai Airways must meet several conditions, including capital increases and financial benchmarks, aiming to exit the plan and return to the stock exchange by mid-2025. This would mark a proud milestone as the airline resumes operations as a private company.

 

Chansin concluded by thanking stakeholders—creditors, the government, customers, media, and employees—for their unwavering support in this transformational journey, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-02-20

 

 

[Olav Seglem]

Supported 1 million jobs ??? 🙂

 

[flyingtlger]

11 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thai Airways is aiming high, planning to secure a spot among the world's top 10 airlines

 

LOL, who are they trying to fool???

[TedG]

They can start by having their flights leave on time. 

[VBF]

I was forced to fly TG in 2020. They've got a LONG way to go to even approach the quality of service offered by Emirates. I'm told the same applies to Qatar.

[phetphet]

One can dream. Khun Chansin.

[worrab]

1 hour ago, VBF said:

I was forced to fly TG in 2020. They've got a LONG way to go to even approach the quality of service offered by Emirates. I'm told the same applies to Qatar.

Should be interesting as I am flying Thai in June BKK-LHR-BKK Business Class for the first time in 5 years. Mainly because the timings suit me better this time and the price was very cheap in comparison. Booked at the right time! 
Been flying Emirates and this will be an interesting comparison! 

[Blueman1]

1 hour ago, worrab said:

Should be interesting as I am flying Thai in June BKK-LHR-BKK Business Class for the first time in 5 years. Mainly because the timings suit me better this time and the price was very cheap in comparison. Booked at the right time! 
Been flying Emirates and this will be an interesting comparison! 

I Don't Think Emirates is what it used to be,They've Gone down the pan with customer satisfaction IMHO......

[SmartyMarty]

It's good to dream

[khunjeff]

16 hours ago, Olav Seglem said:

Supported 1 million jobs ??? 🙂

 

I assume they're using some kind of multiplier, as in "we bought this much food for inflight service, so we 'supported' the people making it, and we flew in this many tourists, so we 'supported' all the taxi drivers, hotel employees, and tour guides who took care of them during their stay", but yes, it's rather fanciful 😅

[richard_smith237]

7 hours ago, flyingtlger said:

19 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thai Airways is aiming high, planning to secure a spot among the world's top 10 airlines

 

LOL, who are they trying to fool???

 

I have to agree....

 

While they are not as bad an undeserving of the poor reputation they receive on this forum, neither are they anywhere close to a 'top-tier' airline.

 

Seating - seats are closer (less leg room) than its seems on other airlines (perhaps an inch less 'knee room') but that could be my negative bias after feeling wedged in last week.

 

Infotainment - horrific, nothing worth watching at all. No issues, this was expected and I had my iPad (as did my family).

 

Flight attendants - doing the bare minimum - Dinner service, then clearing... then they were absent from the cabin for at least 2 hours, no walk throughs (we were at the rear row of the first section near the kitchen, they were sat there talking for 2 hours) - not really service minded at all.

 

Food - outbound: Inedible, we didn't even bother with it, Wife and son refused to eat it to, pretty awful. Inbound: Semi-decent, not good, not bad either - edible and average. 

 

Drinks: Wine - not that it bothered me, but its like they were rationing it, less than half a small beaker, maybe due to turbulence risk, but asking for a refill seemed not to be a popular request. 

 

The aircraft itself as clean and seats as comfortable as any other. 

 

In short - Thai airways didn't offer any more or any less than I expected of them, which certainly is no where near top tier status.

 

 

I think they need to do a lot to improve to top tier status: 

- Improvements in catering

- Improvements in flight attendants (attitudes and training)

- Improvements in infotainment (movies etc)

 

Its not that Thai airways are bad, its just that they are not good either. 

I'll fly them again when the timing is most convenient, pricing is better or I'm using air-miles but they are never a primary choice. 

 

 

[VBF]

5 hours ago, worrab said:

Should be interesting as I am flying Thai in June BKK-LHR-BKK Business Class for the first time in 5 years. Mainly because the timings suit me better this time and the price was very cheap in comparison. Booked at the right time! 
Been flying Emirates and this will be an interesting comparison! 

Will Indeed be interesting. My comparison of TG Vs Emirates was both in biz class on an A380.

If you think of it, update this thread please.

[richard_smith237]

2 minutes ago, VBF said:

Will Indeed be interesting. My comparison of TG Vs Emirates was both in biz class on an A380.

If you think of it, update this thread please.

 

I flew TG business class last year... BKK to Tokyo. 

I've flown Qatar Business Class numerous times in the past 12 months... BKK to Doha

I've flown Emirates Business Class numerous times in the past (previous to 12 months ago).

 

They're all good, and I would expect them to be so, but IMO the Q Suits offered by Qatar Airlines out does them all... 

 

One think Emirates do that I like (that the others don't) is bring out a thin mattress that makes the seat (bed) a little bit more comfortable. 

 

Food wise Qatar is better, and Emirates is better than Thai.

 

Entertainment / infotainment wise, Thai is terrible...  Emirates is by far the best of them all. 

 

Crew wise - In Qatar, Emirates and Thai - they're all top notch as would be expected.

 

Its only really in Economy where Thai falters....  partially because its almost as if the cabin crew give off the impression that they feel they are above the peasants...... and thats something to do with 'socio-economics'....  traditionally, Thai cabin crew have been sourced from educated families with connections and that seems to seep through in their attitude, almost as if 'economy' is below them... (not all, but certainly a few seem to exude this attitude).

 

 

 

 

 

[VBF]

11 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

I flew TG business class last year... BKK to Tokyo. 

I've flown Qatar Business Class numerous times in the past 12 months... BKK to Doha

I've flown Emirates Business Class numerous times in the past (previous to 12 months ago).

 

They're all good, and I would expect them to be so, but IMO the Q Suits offered by Qatar Airlines out does them all... 

 

One think Emirates do that I like (that the others don't) is bring out a thin mattress that makes the seat (bed) a little bit more comfortable. 

 

Food wise Qatar is better, and Emirates is better than Thai.

 

Entertainment / infotainment wise, Thai is terrible...  Emirates is by far the best of them all. 

 

Crew wise - In Qatar, Emirates and Thai - they're all top notch as would be expected.

 

Its only really in Economy where Thai falters....  partially because its almost as if the cabin crew give off the impression that they feel they are above the peasants...... and thats something to do with 'socio-economics'....  traditionally, Thai cabin crew have been sourced from educated families with connections and that seems to seep through in their attitude, almost as if 'economy' is below them... (not all, but certainly a few seem to exude this attitude).

I'm minded to try Qatar next trip. I need to check if they fly to LGW and if they offer the limousine service.

One thing does irritate me with Emirates and that's when I book, all sectors are on the A380 but last year and this, they changed DXB - LGW to the Boeing 777.

Still last time I complained and got 10000 air miles compensation. We shall see what happens this time 🤔😯

[Beerzy65]

21 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

File photo for reference only

 

Thai Airways is aiming high, planning to secure a spot among the world's top 10 airlines and increase its passenger count to 15 million in 2024.

 

During the Matichon Leadership Forum 2025 held on February 19 at Bangkok's Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, Chansin Treenuchagron, a board member and executive planner for Thai Airways International, expressed the airline's ambitions. In his lecture titled "Trust TG: Transforming into the Future," Chansin highlighted the airline's essential role in driving Thailand's tourism economy.

 

Tourism brought in 1.67 trillion baht last year, and the government aims to boost annual arrivals to 40 million people. Currently holding a 15.1% market share, Thai Airways transported over 9 million passengers in 2023. The goal for 2024 is to reach up to 15 million passengers, despite facing stiff competition from more than 30 other major airlines.

 

Chansin cited the airline's successful restructuring as a foundation for growth. Before COVID-19, Thai Airways contributed nearly 200 billion baht to the economy and supported about 1 million jobs. The pandemic, however, forced a pivot to cargo transport as passenger flights were halted.

 

Entering a rehabilitation plan on May 26, 2020, the airline reduced its workforce by 7,000 and slashed costs, which has set a course back to profitability. By the end of 2024, sales had rebounded to 18 billion baht, indicating a renewed strength.

 

 

 

Looking forward to 2025, Chansin outlined strategies for restoring customer trust, such as enhancing in-flight services and reintroducing new routes, including direct flights to Milan. Incorporating Thai Smile Airways and improving connectivity are also part of the plan.

 

Having achieved a profit of around 15 billion baht last year, Thai Airways is poised to adapt to a competitive landscape marked by workforce shortages and wage rises. Chansin called for national unity and policy support to solidify Thailand as a global aviation hub.

 

As part of its rehabilitation, Thai Airways must meet several conditions, including capital increases and financial benchmarks, aiming to exit the plan and return to the stock exchange by mid-2025. This would mark a proud milestone as the airline resumes operations as a private company.

 

Chansin concluded by thanking stakeholders—creditors, the government, customers, media, and employees—for their unwavering support in this transformational journey, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-02-20

 

 

Since 2020 their in-flight services have been reduced.  They are no match for SIA for instance. Still charging for wifi is one bug for me as is their high fares

[richard_smith237]

3 minutes ago, VBF said:

I'm minded to try Qatar next trip. I need to check if they fly to LGW and if they offer the limousine service.

One thing does irritate me with Emirates and that's when I book, all sectors are on the A380 but last year and this, they changed DXB - LGW to the Boeing 777.

Still last time I complained and got 10000 air miles compensation. We shall see what happens this time 🤔😯

 

Qatar are also quite terrible for the 'bait and switch' of their air-craft.

 

In the past I've booked for a Q-Suite only to see the aircraft altered - I guess all the airlines have little choice but to do this due to operational reasons. 

This has also benefited me in the past with a Bump up to First Class, so its not all negative !

 

Qatar Airlines do offer the Chauffeur serves just as Etihad and Emirates do.

And yes, they also fly into Gatwick.

 

 

[VBF]

1 minute ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Qatar are also quite terrible for the 'bait and switch' of their air-craft.

 

In the past I've booked for a Q-Suite only to see the aircraft altered - I guess all the airlines have little choice but to do this due to operational reasons. 

This has also benefited me in the past with a Bump up to First Class, so its not all negative !

 

Qatar Airlines do offer the Chauffeur serves just as Etihad and Emirates do.

And yes, they also fly into Gatwick.

Thanks.... consideration for next trip as I said 👍(Assuming the prices compare favourably of course)