Its been on the cards for some time with Singas and from memory MAL already flying the route but just got this through from Thai..ROC this morning....

Beginning May 1 Thai International will fly NonStop between Bangkok and New York on all new A340-500 aircraft.

3 classes of service available, including new Royal Silk Class, with sleeper seats.

All seats in all classes feature personal on demand video programming

Bangers - 00.40 > New York. 06-35

New York - 12-00 > Bangers 16-10.

http://list.nfsolution.com/enewsletter12005/A.htm

There is a new trend among multinational companies.

The world has always been divided (by them) as Americas, EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) and APJ (Asia Pacific and Japan).

Now, they are saying, no biz class when travelling between the regions if a "Premium Economy" is available.

The non-stop flights SIN, HKK, BKK to NY have exactly that. Only 180 seats on a 400 seats capable planes.

Bit more in the mail...Promo......

BANGKOK-NEW YORK-BANGKOK....(RETURN TICKET)

Royal Silk Class......111,000..1YEAR

Premium Economy... 45,000..1YEAR

Economy Class.......40,000..1YEAR

Economy Class.......36,000...1 MONTH

Conditions :

Effective for reservation /ticketing on today onwards and departure on 01MAY05-30JUN05 only.

Last departure date 30JUN05 only.

.

This promotion cannot be used in conjunction with other promotions. TG reserves the right to change fares and conditions without prior notice.

Reservation : 0-2628-2000 or contact travel agents in Thailand only

INFORMATION

BKK-NYC-BKK : TG790/791.Aircraft : Airbus 340-500..60 Seats in Royal Silk

Class / 42 Seats in Premium Economy Class / 113 Seats in Economy Class .

http://www.thaiair.com/Promotions/Thailand...mile_nyc_en.htm

and.. Nice Pics..

Completely redesigned cabin interiors will be launched with Airbus A340-500.

The decor will be contemporary Thai, with ambient mood lighting and delicate soft furnishings.

Lavishly appointed lavatories will be equipped with top-brand toiletries.

State-of-the-art entertainment systems include large format, touch-control screens offering a very wide choice of film, feature and inter-active game channels, plus personnel telephones operated from each seat.

http://www.thaiair.com/Travel_Destination_...thai_to_nyc.htm

Sweet deal. Now there's no need hang out in Changi to get to NYC. Now's it's just a quick tollway drive to Don Muang that's the hassle. 45,000 "premium economy" is a carbon copy of the SQ fare as well for their "executive economy."

Cool. More yanks to balance the poms and krauts.

The new Thai Airbus A340-500 is ready, first pic is here http://www.airliners.net/open.file/797472/M/

The new livery looks great