THAI introduces new Bangkok-New York flight

BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International Plc has introduced a new Bangkok-New York flight that takes only 16.50 hours to the destination, the fastest in a trip from the Southeast Asia to New York.

Kanok Apiradee, President of THAI, said the company would open the inbound and outbound flight between Bangkok and New York by new 340-500 Airbus planes on May 1.

There would be six flights per week, except on Monday, on the new route. The passenger cabin of the plane has a new interior design and decoration and is equipped with visual and audio appliances for entertainment.

He said the company had a high hope that the number of tourist arrivals from the United States would annually increase to 650,000 from 450,000.

It expected the number of passengers would be around 70% per flight in the first year of the operation and would rise to 75-80% in the second year.

There are three classes with 215 seats on board: business class with 60 seats at 111,000 baht per seat, premium economy with 42 seats at 45,000 baht, and economy with 113 seats at 34,000 baht.

“We are confident the Bangkok-New York flight will draw attention from passengers. We hope the flight will be able to tap passengers from Bangkok-Hanoi-Hochimin and other cities because it takes the shortest time among flights in the region,” he said.

--TNA 2005-04-22

flight that takes only 16.50 hours to the destination,

Only!? Tell that to the guy in the middle seat sitting between two sumo wrestlers -- and immediately behind a backrest reclined for 16.25 hours.

But TG did promise to take-off with both winglets.

It may be an announcement in the press yesterday, but it was also covered in the current Sawasdee magazine for April, on board all the Thai flights. Sounds like part of their 'new branding' with new uniforms, colors, symbols, etc. It also sounded like a deluxe type of Airbus.

Are those prices round trip/return? I'd buy the 111,000 seat except I just made ten flights through about 24 time zones, and I need to change the oil on the new Bentley Turbo.

Now, where's that emoticon for tongue-in-cheek?

Yes, those are round trip airfares.

They claim the first flight is fully booked?

Even those middle seats in economy???

It used to be First Class, Business Class and Economy,

now it is Business, Premium Economy and Economy?

Does a Rose by yet another name smell as sweet?

I have read that Etihad plan to put a new Airbus 380 on this route when available. If the economy fare of 34000 bht is possible now, similar, if not less, than the western airlines standard fares to London, what could it be with this new plane? and what effect would it have on price structures in general, interesting.

There's a booth set up over at the Grand Hyatt Erawan, over on the Sogo side. Haven't checked it out yet..