Thai Airways Makes Huge Loss

[kwat nueng]

I have flown too many different European cities with Thai, on many occasions and on all of those flights

not one of them had a TV on the back of a chair. If I had to pay for the flights myself, there is now way

I would pay for a Thai Airways flight.

[barry]

maybe they'll let Thaksin take it over

[Old Man River]

I generally fly Star Alliance as it works out well for most destinations. And, quite frankly, United is certainly OK. Much better than Thai, and better than ANA. I like United better than Lufthansa, Egypt, Austria, and Swiss, other Star flights I have taken during the last year or two. The only one better which I have recently flown is Singapore.

Have you flown United to the US? If so, please explain what you like on business class about the consistently reported horrible food, rude flight attendants, old fashioned standard seats and old fashioned entertainment systems that I continually read about on Skytrax?

I will be flying to the US with my family at the end of the year and we always fly business class. Your comments are the only positive ones I have seen on United. Assuming you don't work for United, please tell me why it should be the airline of choice?

[SiriusBlack1]

Considering that many of the owners of Thai Airlines are the same higher-ups that orchestrated the PAD outrage, it's nice to see them hoisted on their own petards.

[bungy007]

Would you fly 'em? Is stray dog urine a suitable replacement for jet fuel?

The missus is flying with them to Thailand in June, she chose them over BA and Emirates because she'll be travelling with a 21 month old toddler and will be 5 months pregnant so she thinks, and I agree with her, if the trolley dollies are thai then she might get more help, we'll see.

Thai aren't all that bad - some of the planes are getting on a bit, but overall the experience for me has usually been satisfactory or better. There was one exception on a flight from Singapore to Bangkok when the plane counld't retract its undercarriage and had to return to Singapore airport shortly after taking off - twice! They did get me onto a later Finnair flight with no hassles though.

Avoid BA - the service is absolute cr*p and they have a habit of losing baggage. Ever since I began flying, my bags have been lost twice, both with BA and the most recent was last year, when I mistakenly gave them another chance. Even their own staff at Heathrow's notorious Terminal 5 told me how useless BA was while I was searching in vain for my bags, which turned up two days later. Their customer service is insulting, with repulsively inane pseudo-sincere gestures like "we are sorry you feel that way". Yeah right - try being sorry for making me feel this way with your awful service.

They don't give a toss, and I will never fly with them again even though I am British. Thai is streets ahead.

Haven't flown Thai in many years but have to say that I still firmly believe that their onboard service still knocks seven bells of brown out of the witches that work the Japan Thailand route on United Airlines. They are rude and aggressive beyond belief. Have to agree with the above about BA. I chose them for my last flight home to the UK as my school was paying for the ticket. They were the most expensive and I thought it would be a real treat. Wrong! The trolley dollies were mostly men built like tight head prop forwards with a very menacing attitude. Stay well away from BA if you're looking for a passenger friendly, service orientated flight

[bungy007]

I suspect there's even more to come with the loss of confidence in general that others have of Thailand.

Have to agree. Another case of shooting their feet off. It has been said many times over many years that the Thais 'mai pen rai' and nationalistic attitude will come back to bite them on the bum - and so it has come to pass!

[ozfarang81]

I and many others, stopped using Thai airways when they ruined their frequent flyer program. I will never fly with them again unless they are the cheapest on the market.

What did they do that ruined the program?

Basically they stopped given air miles on tics W-V..on which I (and Khun W) and most punters that I know travelled on.

you still get 500 miles on ROP for DOMESTIC v/w fares. you get 0 on international v/w fares. this restriction is not unlike most major carriers, the cheapest fares are 0 mileage. Buy a Q class fare if you want miles like I do.

[ozfarang81]

Everytime i look to book a return flight from BKK to London i always check Thai airways against Eva, BA and Qantus,

and everytime Thai are the most expensive, but if you book from London to BKK return, they're a lot cheaper, why?

I did however fly with them once and thought the plane was old, with no personel tv screens per passenger and had to put up with watching a communal tv with the rest, for me this plays an important part in a 12 hr flight.

I always put Thai at the bottom of the list of choice, unless they get some new planes or upgrade their exsisting ones together with reducing their fares to the level of their competitors.

This is a common phenomenon. Flights from an airlines home city are usually more expensive. The same applies to Qantas out of Australia, Singapore Airlines out of Singapore etc etc.

[vicco]

I was stuck in Tokyo for 3 days during the airport occupation. Air Canada in it's wisdom flew me there knowing perfectly well that my connection with Thaiair to Bkk had been cancelled. They just dumped me in Tokyo and told me to find a hotel! The staff at Thai Air were great.....they made a hotel reservation for me at 50% discount (their aircrew rate apparently). They escorted me to the shuttle bus and helped me in every way possible (I had a lot of baggage) Over the next few days it was chaos at Narita....thousands of people stranded and the staff at Thai Air were under immense pressure trying to answer the hoards of falangs who were bullying and yelling as if it was their fault that the bloody airport was closed. After a long wait I managed to chat with two ThaiAir girls (looked very tired and stressed) who were not able to give much help because they did not know exactly what was happening (how could they?) They told me that there might be a flight into Thailand tomorrow so come to the airport early and wait. They could not make a reservation because nothing was for sure. I had a big bag of toffees in my pack, so before I left I gave them the whole bag and told them to share with the other girls. Next morning early I arrive at Narita. There was a huge crowd lined up at the Thai Air desk. The word was that a flight had been arranged and we had to wait in line . After several hours of pushing, shoving and listening to bitching and complaining, I finally made it to the desk. The young woman I spoke with informed me that the flight was already full but they could place me on standby for the next one....maybe tonight, maybe tomorrow! Just then one of the girls I had given the toffees too the previous day spotted me and came over. She whispered something to the girl I was dealing with and the two of them went off and had an agitated conversation with a guy in uniform who looked like he was running things. Finally they came back with big smiles and told me I was now confirmed on the morning flight which was departing in just over one hour. I have to say that althought the whole thing was frustrating and fairly expensive (Tokyo hotels near the airport are not cheap) I met many others from a wide variety of airlines and they all seemed to fare much worse than me. I met two guys from the US who were staying at the same hotel as me and they were paying standard rates (which were double my rate) We flew into Utapau (sp) and then free shuttle bus to BKK. (I saw passengers from other flights paying 3500bt to get to BKK.....a 2 hr drive.) When we finally arrived in Bkk at around 2am we were taken to Thai Air HQ where they had food and drink and a bit of a reception for us. They arranged hotels and free taxi rides for anyone who needed one. I really don't know what moreThai Air could have done under the circumstances. I personally have never had a bad experience with them. The food and service has always been very good to excellent. Maybe the A/C's are getting a bit aged but they are always spotless. I once read on here where sombody complained that they did not have movie screens on the back of the seats!!! My god....talk about being deprived. How primitive.

For some people on this (and other) forums......life itself is a bad experince and no Thai person can ever do anything right.

[ME3]

hi i always fly from brisbane australia with thai airways but must return via sydney thai airways changed the schedule .........very inconvenient ......... i dont like........................ i now fly air asia from gold coast KL 1st then asia also thai air ticket went to $1500. return ............ air asia much cheaper and service good enough......... thai airways must change in changing environ...........

[redscouse]

Considering that many of the owners of Thai Airlines are the same higher-ups that orchestrated the PAD outrage, it's nice to see them hoisted on their own petards.

Very similar to what I posted on page one which was then edited without explanation, expect this to disappear as well mate.

[sedeflonga]

I and many others, stopped using Thai airways when they ruined their frequent flyer program. I will never fly with them again unless they are the cheapest on the market.

Exactly my opinion. What do they think to charge 50% or more AND charge then again a fuel surcharge!

I think we have to thank Thaksin for Airasia

[Metalgear]

I won't fly Thai for now. Simply because, losses lead to poor aircraft maintenance which leads to CRASHES !!

[kjhbigv]

Well for me Thai air is the only way to fly.

1. the price is the cheapest.

2. the service has been great.

3. the planes are new.

4. have my own TV.

so nothing to complain about here. and sure beats swimming.

never had a bad experience with them. and when there has been a problem they have gone out of their way to help.

1. Where are you flying from? Do a search from London to BKK and Thai are never the cheapest, take a look.

2. Service is ok.

3. 'Planes are new'? Having flown 6 times in lt 12 months on LHR/BKK (TG916/TG917) route, it's the same ancient 747 that must be 15-20 years old! On a busy route!

4. 'have my own TV'? Not on the plane I fly on, 1 TV for 100 people, every time!

BUT, saying that, yes I do fly Thai nearly all the time precisely because the planes are half full most of the time! The last 5 or 6 times I have had 3 seats in economy in both directions from LHR/BKK and that is most certainly worth another GBP100, use all the pillows and blankets and hey presto an almost flatbed seat for a fraction of the price! Cheap Charlie Business Class!

[ozfarang81]

hi i always fly from brisbane australia with thai airways but must return via sydney thai airways changed the schedule .........very inconvenient ......... i dont like........................ i now fly air asia from gold coast KL 1st then asia also thai air ticket went to $1500. return ............ air asia much cheaper and service good enough......... thai airways must change in changing environ...........

So.... what your saying is direct TG from BNE-BKK and home on TG BKK-SYD-BNE, with luggage transferred automatically and a short wait in sydney is MORE DIFFICULT than flying OOL-KUL on Air Asia, immigrating into Malaysia, collecting your bags, queuing in the LCCT for your next flight, which you are not protected on as it's not a through ticket, and hanging around for possibly hours more in the LCCT before getting a flight to bangkok???? Are you insane?

[ozfarang81]

Well for me Thai air is the only way to fly.

1. the price is the cheapest.

2. the service has been great.

3. the planes are new.

4. have my own TV.

so nothing to complain about here. and sure beats swimming.

never had a bad experience with them. and when there has been a problem they have gone out of their way to help.

1. Where are you flying from? Do a search from London to BKK and Thai are never the cheapest, take a look.

2. Service is ok.

3. 'Planes are new'? Having flown 6 times in lt 12 months on LHR/BKK (TG916/TG917) route, it's the same ancient 747 that must be 15-20 years old! On a busy route!

4. 'have my own TV'? Not on the plane I fly on, 1 TV for 100 people, every time!

BUT, saying that, yes I do fly Thai nearly all the time precisely because the planes are half full most of the time! The last 5 or 6 times I have had 3 seats in economy in both directions from LHR/BKK and that is most certainly worth another GBP100, use all the pillows and blankets and hey presto an almost flatbed seat for a fraction of the price! Cheap Charlie Business Class!

The 747s are the same age as those flying for United, Lufthansa, Qantas, Japan Airlines, Air New Zealand, British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Korean Airlines, China Airlines, Air China, Eva etc etc etc. It's just they haven't had the seats in ECONOMY upgraded to PTV's. As soon as they do, hey presto, everyone thinks its a brand new plane!!!! For certain makets, e.g Thailand to East Coast Australia 98% of flights are with 777's fitted with new economy class cabins. Also the non-stop to LAX and any european services operated by the A340-600 are all new cabins. The B777-300's are in the process of being upgraded to these new cabins also. Given some time, the personal tv's in economy will be standard across the fleet. The new A330's are expected to have them when they arrive over the next couple of years meaning great enhancements to regional services.

If ALL the loss-making airlines in the world all have shoddy maintenance then this year, look out, flying is going to be very dangerous this year!

[eastlight]

I and many others, stopped using Thai airways when they ruined their frequent flyer program. I will never fly with them again unless they are the cheapest on the market.

What did they do that ruined the program?

I had (only) enough miles for a 'free' internal flight on Thai and went to make a reservation as I have done on previous occaisions. However, I was told that I would have to pay the tax etc. for the flight which amounted to over 2000 baht. So no incentive to fly Thai again.

[SmugFarangBore]

Considering that many of the owners of Thai Airlines are the same higher-ups that orchestrated the PAD outrage, it's nice to see them hoisted on their own petards.

Very similar to what I posted on page one which was then edited without explanation, expect this to disappear as well mate.

My factual post about Lech Tomacz Kisielwicz and his experiences with Thai Airways also disappeared completely.

[BAZZAT]

I and many others, stopped using Thai airways when they ruined their frequent flyer program. I will never fly with them again unless they are the cheapest on the market.

I totaly agree theres no loyalty these days.They spout off about the cheap flights can never find them or you can never book a flight always full. this high fuel did not affect them they pass it on to the consumer with this so call airport taxes now ranging from £100- 300

[toret]

Thai aren't all that bad - some of the planes are getting on a bit, but overall the experience for me has usually been satisfactory or better. There was one exception on a flight from Singapore to Bangkok when the plane counld't retract its undercarriage and had to return to Singapore airport shortly after taking off - twice!

How scary.

Last time I was up with Thai, we were without power for something that was proably a half minute or so (it did feel like a lot more than that) about half way between Ko Samui and Bangkok. Extremely professional stewardess smiling from ear to ear with her lips, but the eyes were anything but happy. And her skin actually got a slight greyish tint...

I got so phobic that I started to make plans to go home to Norway by train. As far as i know, with a possible exception for the VN-CH border, it could be done from Saigon.

It could probably happen with any airline, but I'm not going anywhere with Thai for a looong time...

[SmugFarangBore]

Thai aren't all that bad - some of the planes are getting on a bit, but overall the experience for me has usually been satisfactory or better. There was one exception on a flight from Singapore to Bangkok when the plane counld't retract its undercarriage and had to return to Singapore airport shortly after taking off - twice!

How scary.

Last time I was up with Thai, we were without power for something that was proably a half minute or so (it did feel like a lot more than that) about half way between Ko Samui and Bangkok. Extremely professional stewardess smiling from ear to ear with her lips, but the eyes were anything but happy. And her skin actually got a slight greyish tint...

I got so phobic that I started to make plans to go home to Norway by train. As far as i know, with a possible exception for the VN-CH border, it could be done from Saigon.

It could probably happen with any airline, but I'm not going anywhere with Thai for a looong time...

See my post earlier about Thailand's poor aviation safety.

Something everyone should be well aware of before deciding to fly here.

[Ricardo]

I think we have to thank Thaksin for Airasia

Yes ... interesting that, when the Malaysian owner of Air Asia wanted to start a Thai subsidiary, he felt that he could only do so, if he took the PM into partnership on it. Why ?

Mind you, they did manage to get some tax-concessions, not available to any other start-up airline at the time, purely coincidental of course. Nothing to do with who the part-owner was.

And remember when Shin Corp got sold, and Air Asia Thai almost got shut down, because it was no longer Thai-owned, they had to lend someone Thai a lot of money, so that he could be the new 'Thai owner' of Temasek's shares.

[jasperguy]

My biggest concern is savings, if I can find a flight cheaper than Thai Airways to get to the same place, that is what I go for, so if the competitors can do it, why can't they? Fuel prices are not!

[Hugh Jarse]

The missus is flying with them to Thailand in June, she chose them over BA and Emirates because she'll be travelling with a 21 month old toddler and will be 5 months pregnant so she thinks, and I agree with her, if the trolley dollies are thai then she might get more help, we'll see.

Not so. The Taiwanese carrier EVA are far superior, have Thai cabin crew on board and are slightly cheaper too. EVA also have a modern fleet with rear of seat screens also. A far better bet in my view.

[BAZZAT]

The missus is flying with them to Thailand in June, she chose them over BA and Emirates because she'll be travelling with a 21 month old toddler and will be 5 months pregnant so she thinks, and I agree with her, if the trolley dollies are thai then she might get more help, we'll see.

Not so. The Taiwanese carrier EVA are far superior, have Thai cabin crew on board and are slightly cheaper too. EVA also have a modern fleet with rear of seat screens also. A far better bet in my view.

Fying back and forwards to Thailand 4 times a year Eva Are a great airline to fly with been using them now for the last 4 yrs great fleet of planes, also the mix of cultures within the flight crew makes it a more pleasent flight rather than a few privalidged air hostestes serving what we feal some times what we felt like second class citizens if you come from a mixed family. I can honestly say i have never complained about EVA not so Thai airways which in most cases they don't even bother to reply. I know EVA are not the cheapest but the sometimes the politness is worth a lot more.

Edited March 1, 2009 by BAZZAT

[DanneS]

Well for me Thai air is the only way to fly.

1. the price is the cheapest.

2. the service has been great.

3. the planes are new.

4. have my own TV.

so nothing to complain about here. and sure beats swimming.

never had a bad experience with them. and when there has been a problem they have gone out of their way to help.

1. Where are you flying from? Do a search from London to BKK and Thai are never the cheapest, take a look.

2. Service is ok.

3. 'Planes are new'? Having flown 6 times in lt 12 months on LHR/BKK (TG916/TG917) route, it's the same ancient 747 that must be 15-20 years old! On a busy route!

4. 'have my own TV'? Not on the plane I fly on, 1 TV for 100 people, every time!

BUT, saying that, yes I do fly Thai nearly all the time precisely because the planes are half full most of the time! The last 5 or 6 times I have had 3 seats in economy in both directions from LHR/BKK and that is most certainly worth another GBP100, use all the pillows and blankets and hey presto an almost flatbed seat for a fraction of the price! Cheap Charlie Business Class!

AGREE !!!

[BAZZAT]

Well for me Thai air is the only way to fly.

1. the price is the cheapest.

2. the service has been great.

3. the planes are new.

4. have my own TV.

so nothing to complain about here. and sure beats swimming.

never had a bad experience with them. and when there has been a problem they have gone out of their way to help.

1. Where are you flying from? Do a search from London to BKK and Thai are never the cheapest, take a look.

2. Service is ok.

3. 'Planes are new'? Having flown 6 times in lt 12 months on LHR/BKK (TG916/TG917) route, it's the same ancient 747 that must be 15-20 years old! On a busy route!

4. 'have my own TV'? Not on the plane I fly on, 1 TV for 100 people, every time!

BUT, saying that, yes I do fly Thai nearly all the time precisely because the planes are half full most of the time! The last 5 or 6 times I have had 3 seats in economy in both directions from LHR/BKK and that is most certainly worth another GBP100, use all the pillows and blankets and hey presto an almost flatbed seat for a fraction of the price! Cheap Charlie Business Class!

AGREE !!!

Yes Totally Agree i do not even consider this carrier in my list of maybe's no more would sooner move my flight dates.

[Lusso]

I flew for the first time with Thai in 2006 from LHR to BKK. I had flown to Malaysia longhaul with Malaysia Airlines before, so when I experienced Thai I was very impressed. The crew were different class, very helpful, friendly and professional. Being 6ft 1in, that little bit of extra leg room made a big difference to me.

Last year I went twice with Thai to BKk. My return trip the first time was not so pleaseant. The crew appeared surly and not really interested and seemed to begrudge helping us. The same can be said of my outbound flight later in the year. I was stuck in BKK during the Demos in November and eventaully got out in early December. Once Thai got organised I had nothing but praise for the way they handled things in getting me ticketed and onward to U'Tapoa. I wrote to them and thanked them. I doubt BA would have coped with the chaos as well as they did.

However, the airline appears to me to be on the slide and whilst I would still consider flying with Thai again they will not be my first choice. They will need to make some huge improvements in in-flight customer care and the arrogance with which they have treated customers recently if they are to capture the fare payers from now on. But I expect they won't, they will smile and carry on into oblivion.

As far as Thailand goes I won't be returning in the near future until the country is more stable and has at least two fully working international airports, one in the south and one in the north. I am in no rush to be held hostage again at the whim of any political gangster who decides to throw a barricade across the departure area.

[BAZZAT]

I flew for the first time with Thai in 2006 from LHR to BKK. I had flown to Malaysia longhaul with Malaysia Airlines before, so when I experienced Thai I was very impressed. The crew were different class, very helpful, friendly and professional. Being 6ft 1in, that little bit of extra leg room made a big difference to me.

Last year I went twice with Thai to BKk. My return trip the first time was not so pleaseant. The crew appeared surly and not really interested and seemed to begrudge helping us. The same can be said of my outbound flight later in the year. I was stuck in BKK during the Demos in November and eventaully got out in early December. Once Thai got organised I had nothing but praise for the way they handled things in getting me ticketed and onward to U'Tapoa. I wrote to them and thanked them. I doubt BA would have coped with the chaos as well as they did.

However, the airline appears to me to be on the slide and whilst I would still consider flying with Thai again they will not be my first choice. They will need to make some huge improvements in in-flight customer care and the arrogance with which they have treated customers recently if they are to capture the fare payers from now on. But I expect they won't, they will smile and carry on into oblivion.

As far as Thailand goes I won't be returning in the near future until the country is more stable and has at least two fully working international airports, one in the south and one in the north. I am in no rush to be held hostage again at the whim of any political gangster who decides to throw a barricade across the departure area.

Right Place WRONG!!! time sorry my friend but thats the way it is, Thailand is one of the most diverse countries in the world you like it or you Hate it personally we need countrie's like this to bring some sence of reality to the world you or i live in personally i love it.

Edited March 1, 2009 by BAZZAT

[pilgrim2505]

I just booked up to fly Thai in April and coincidently it was the 2nd best price 1st was BA, I have flown with them all I love Eva but flying with a 1 year old and a Thai wife I chose Thai because of the way the Thai people are yes I want my own TV but I’m flying on a night flight so all I wana do is get my fat head down and get my daughter to sleep. I don’t really like BA id love to fly Singapore but now there’s three flying its not really a feasible option.

I am aware of the fact some posters assume that the Thai Crisis will mean lower maint but the airline have to meet specific criteria and standards to use British airspace and airports, ever wondered why you don’t see the likes of Cameroon or Ghana Air to mention a few.