Thailand Awaits Final FAA Inspection for Direct Flights to the US

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of CAAT

 

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has announced that the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is conducting a final inspection to assess Thailand’s progress in addressing previous safety concerns. This step is crucial for Thailand to potentially regain its Category 1 (CAT 1) status, which would allow Thai airlines to operate direct flights to the United States.

 

On 11 March, CAAT Director-General Air Chief Marshal Manat Choumanapreuk confirmed that FAA representatives, led by Dennis Hill, Acting Director of the Office of Air Carrier Safety Assurance, have arrived in Thailand for the final review taking place from 10 to 12 March. This review follows a November 2024 assessment, during which several safety issues were identified and highlighted for correction.

 

If Thailand successfully resolves all outstanding issues, it will be upgraded from Category 2 to Category 1. This status means that Thailand’s aviation safety standards are aligned with international norms, allowing Thai airlines to resume direct flights to the US. In addition to restoring air services to the US, the upgrade will increase the number of flights and carriers permitted to operate on routes involving the US, fostering continued growth in Thailand’s aviation sector.

 

The final results of this inspection will be announced within 30 days. “CAAT officials are fully committed to addressing these shortcomings to ensure a smooth final review and to restore Thailand to CAT 1 status,” Air Chief Marshal Manat said.

 

-- 2025-03-12

 

 

[flyingtlger]

22 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

This status means that Thailand’s aviation safety standards are aligned with international norms, allowing Thai airlines to resume direct flights to the US. In addition to restoring air services to the US, the upgrade will increase the number of flights and carriers permitted to operate on routes involving the US

That's great news! On another note, I heard United will resume flight from the US to BKK???

[CANSIAM]

So Thai Airways is CAT 2 ?  Maybe Europe needs to know this ??? 

[Georgealbert]

5 minutes ago, CANSIAM said:

So Thai Airways is CAT 2 ?  Maybe Europe needs to know this ??? 

The FAA Category 2 is for the country, meaning the Thai civil aviation authorities (CAAT) have been assessed as not meeting ICAO safety standards.

 

Europe safety ratings are covered by EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) and the UK by CAA (Civil Aviation Authority).

 

The FAA downgraded Thailand to Category 2 (CAT2) after identifying 36 problems based on the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) standards, in 2015 and improvements and re inspections have taken place since.

 

CAAT was formed in October 2015 from the split of the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) into two separate agencies in response to the downgrading. The other body split from the DCA is the Department of Airports (DOA) which operates airports previously managed by the DCA.

 

 

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The FAA Category 2 is for the country, meaning the Thai civil aviation authorities (CAAT) have been assessed as not meeting ICAO safety standards.

 

Europe safety ratings are covered by EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) and the UK by CAA (Civil Aviation Authority).

 

The FAA downgraded Thailand to Category 2 (CAT2) after identifying 36 problems based on the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) standards, in 2015 and improvements and re inspections have taken place since.

 

CAAT was formed in October 2015 from the split of the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) into two separate agencies in response to the downgrading. The other body split from the DCA is the Department of Airports (DOA) which operates airports previously managed by the DCA.

 

 

Some reasoning at last... 

[connda]

They must have lost that after 2007 as I came here on a direct flight from LAX to BKK.  I'd pay extra money for a direct flight and avoid stopovers.

[bamnutsak]

4 hours ago, flyingtlger said:

On another note, I heard United will resume flight from the US to BKK???

 

Can you share any details?

 

Where did you hear this?

 

Direct, Non-stop, daily service?

 

ex-SFO, or LAX?

 

This was their most recent announcement...  https://www.flightradar24.com/blog/aviation-news/airline-news/airline-routes/united-airlines-announces-massive-international-expansion-for-summer-2025/

 

 

Their SFO-MNL flight has produced good results.

 

Direct Non-stop Daily service has higher yields - people will pay a premium direct flights.

 

But USA-BKK (daily) requires at least three aircraft and extra crew.

[Nid_Noi]

2 hours ago, connda said:

They must have lost that after 2007 as I came here on a direct flight from LAX to BKK.  I'd pay extra money for a direct flight and avoid stopovers.

We flew non-stop between NYC and BKK 20 years ago on Thai Airways A340.

Food and service were exceptional in business. We did not have pods with lay-flat seat but the width and comfort of the reclining seats were quite good with excellent support for legs and feet. I slept half of the flight.

[blazes]

Air Canada have been flying YVR to BKK direct these last two winters.  15 hours west and 12/13 east.  However, I prefer Eva Air for the welcome break-up of this loooong  journey.