Picture courtesy of The Thaiger

 

Thai Airways has introduced lie-flat seats as a premium economy option on select regional routes by repurposing retired business class seats from Virgin Atlantic. The new offering, called Premium Economy Plus, allows passengers to enjoy lie-flat comfort without paying the higher business-class fare. The initiative applies to flights from Bangkok to Chennai, Dhaka, Hyderabad, Jakarta and Kathmandu.

 

The airline’s newly leased Airbus A330-300 aircraft, originally fitted with 31 Zodiac UCS3 lie-flat Upper Class seats in a 1-1-1 herringbone layout, are being redeployed in this innovative way. Although these seats are no longer considered top-tier business class, they still provide a fully flat beds, 11.1-inch HD screens and power outlets. By repositioning them as premium economy, Thai Airways maximises underutilised cabin space while keeping costs lower than full business-class service.

 

Industry observers note that Virgin’s so-called “coffin” seats, while narrower and enclosed, remain more comfortable than standard economy options. The approach mirrors a growing trend in the airline industry to offer “unbundled” premium travel, giving travellers a taste of luxury without full-service perks like lounge access or amenity kits on some routes.

 

The strategy allows Thai Airways to fill premium seats on routes with limited demand while monetising older lie-flat seats. For example, flights such as Bangkok to Dhaka may offer dedicated check-in and certain premium amenities but will not include full business-class extras. The airline has not confirmed whether it will expand Premium Economy Plus beyond the A330-300s involved.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Thai Airways repurposes retired Virgin Atlantic lie-flat seats as Premium Economy Plus on select regional routes.

• The new offering provides lie-flat comfort without full business-class perks, reducing costs for the airline.

• The initiative reflects a wider trend of “unbundled” premium travel, targeting travellers seeking affordable luxury.

 

Related Stories:

 

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Thai-Airways-ditches-first-class-in-major-cabin-overhaul

 

  Adapted  by  Asean  Now from TheThaiger 2025-11-09

 

 

 

 

Hmm and why not LHR   😡

I applaud the effort but let's see how Thai aims to cash in. All these routes are quite short, not really requiring sleep. Nevertheless, it's a step in the right direction. How about a whole aircraft with lie-flats?

41 minutes ago, JoePai said:

Hmm and why not LHR   😡

Because you can't fly to LHR without offering a proper/competitive business class product which these seats are not.

24 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

Because you can't fly to LHR without offering a proper/competitive business class product which these seats are not.

But these seats are Premium Economy

7 minutes ago, JoePai said:

But these seats are Premium Economy

Exactly. They can't sell them as anything else and they certainly won't refit other planes with such ancient seats, and they are not going to fly planes with no business class to LHR.

45 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

Exactly. They can't sell them as anything else and they certainly won't refit other planes with such ancient seats, and they are not going to fly planes with no business class to LHR.

Why are there no Biz seats ?

6 minutes ago, JoePai said:

Why are there no Biz seats ?

 

  

9 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The strategy allows Thai Airways to fill premium seats on routes with limited demand while monetising older lie-flat seats

 

42 minutes ago, JoePai said:

Why are there no Biz seats ?

These are old planes with the so called coffin seats, sold by virgin as business many years ago. But always awful and very much outdated.

Coffin seats ! 

ugly  seating,cant look out of window , not straight ...sry prefer economy seat   when i think even have to pay more

 

no thxs