THAI Places Orders For A350XWB And A320

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AVIATION

THAI places orders for A350XWB and A320

By The Nation

Thai Airways International (THAI) has signed a contract with Airbus covering the firm order of four A350-900s and five A320 aircraft, becoming a new customer for both aircraft types.

The aircraft have been selected by the airline under its fleet modernisation programme, with the A350 XWB set to operate on long haul services to Europe and the A320s on domestic and regional routes.

In addition to the aircraft ordered from Airbus, the airline is also leasing eight additional A350-900s and six more A320s from third party lessors.

"The A350 XWB and A320 will play a significant role in ensuring that THAI operates one of the most modern and efficient fleets in the region moving forwards. They will also help THAI strengthen its competitiveness, increase its market share and ensure its future as a strong and sustainable airline," said Piyasvasti Amranand, president of THAI. "With these fuel-efficient aircraft we will be able to offer passengers the highest levels of comfort on both long haul and shorter regional routes while benefitting from the lowest operating costs and cleaner environmental performance."

"This order from THAI reflects the unbeatable operating economics offered by the Airbus product range across the various market sectors," said John Leahy, chief operating officer for customers, Airbus. "Whether for short regional services or long intercontinental routes, Airbus has the right products with the lowest operating costs to meet every airline requirement."

THAI is currently operating a fleet including the A340, A330 and A300-600. In addition to the aircraft types ordered today, the airline is also set to become a new operator of the A380 in the second half of 2012.

The A350 XWB (Xtra Wide-Body) Family is an all-new long range product line comprising three models capable of flying between 270 and 350 passengers in typical three-class layouts on flights of up to 8,500 nautical miles. Scheduled for entry-into-service in 2013, the A350 XWB is one of most successful aircraft programmes ever, with over 570 firm orders already received from 36 customers worldwide.

The A320 Family (A318, A319, A320 and A321) is recognised as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. Close to 7,700 A320 Family aircraft have already been ordered and more than 4,700 delivered to over 330 customers and operators worldwide.

-- The Nation 2011-08-11

[ginjag]

A couple of months ago 2 theads about Thai orders for aircraft, these were many== forget but a dozen or so. This or these orders were to be delivered covering a period of about 7 years.

The earliest deliveries and I think they were due 2011-2012 included the A380--BUT the order had to be put on hold (until when didn't say) because of a SHORTAGE OF CASH. ???????????? would the Nation care to explain this report about the fresh orders. Is Thai International playing games with the public (passengers) because last week they said they were going to re furbish at great cost the aged 747-400s.

Why would they be spending this money if the new planes are going to be delivered.???? It will be a very expensive short term stop gap. Just totally mystified. Could we please have an up to date from the Nation on what is-and what is not ordered. and the run down to when the deliveries are due.

Do airlines normally boast about orders to pacify the clients, hoping to win new business and the new passenger books and finds he is still getting on an aged plane.

[SantiSuk]

I don't care about the smoke and mirrors, just give us some of those nice 350s on the London route please.

A320s are Air Asia's staple fodder are they not? I'm no aircraft geek, but they seem like nice nippy little runabouts (will be much better without the AA sit up and beg thingys that parade fraudulently as passenger seats)

[dddave]

I don't care about the smoke and mirrors, just give us some of those nice 350s on the London route please.

A320s are Air Asia's staple fodder are they not? I'm no aircraft geek, but they seem like nice nippy little runabouts (will be much better without the AA sit up and beg thingys that parade fraudulently as passenger seats)

For short, under two hour regional flights, I'd much rather have Air Asia's minimally reclining seats in exchange for not having the head of the passenger in front of me practically in my lap.

Air Asia; IMHO, does more things right that any other discount carrier in the region.

[Gonsalviz]

I don't care about the smoke and mirrors, just give us some of those nice 350s on the London route please.

A320s are Air Asia's staple fodder are they not? I'm no aircraft geek, but they seem like nice nippy little runabouts (will be much better without the AA sit up and beg thingys that parade fraudulently as passenger seats)

For short, under two hour regional flights, I'd much rather have Air Asia's minimally reclining seats in exchange for not having the head of the passenger in front of me practically in my lap.

Air Asia; IMHO, does more things right that any other discount carrier in the region.

Negative. If you want cheap assed and insurance you don't want or need, go to Air Asia. If you want comfort go anywhere else.

[Ricardo]

I don't care about the smoke and mirrors, just give us some of those nice 350s on the London route please.

There will be some delay, as the A380 hasn't yet actually flown, let-alone come into service with the airlines. That is currently scheduled-to-begin, as the article confirms, in 2013 ... although TG isn't a launch-customer.

But TG has promised to use their new A380s, due to arrive in the second-half of next year, on the popular BKK-LHR route, and most reports from passengers flying in these (on other airlines) are very-positive !

I suspect the A350s are intended for the 'thinner' daily routes to Europe.

[ginjag]

I don't care about the smoke and mirrors, just give us some of those nice 350s on the London route please.

There will be some delay, as the A380 hasn't yet actually flown, let-alone come into service with the airlines. That is currently scheduled-to-begin, as the article confirms, in 2013 ... although TG isn't a launch-customer.

But TG has promised to use their new A380s, due to arrive in the second-half of next year, on the popular BKK-LHR route, and most reports from passengers flying in these (on other airlines) are very-positive !

I suspect the A350s are intended for the 'thinner' daily routes to Europe.

I am assuming that your A380 remark about it not flown yet was a mistake, as it's been in service for some time-Emirates-Singapore etc.

Your other remark about the introduction of the A380 in the second half of next year, afraid you will have to check with Thai-as the previous thread their announcement was the were short of cash and that was delayed, THIS IS WHY in the last topic they were fitting out all the aged 747-400s with new seats and video's. see my thread on this page. Thai are way overdue with the new planes - but this last news seems to be opposite to their last news. Hope this is real and not more B-s##t

their story of late is= the order of 20 or so assorted planes covering the next 7 years.

they then said they had to delay the deliveries of the big aircraft. because of the lack of funds.

Then the announcement to refurbish all the aged aircraft, AT A MASSIVE COST.

now this thread telling us that apart from the massive orders already placed, they have placed orders for the new XLRange ones. the mind boggles.

SUM UP.. no cash=== billions to refurbish === new orders. ????????????????

Off topic--sounds like the election promises.

[Ricardo]

I am assuming that your A380 remark about it not flown yet was a mistake,

Correct, my typo, I meants A350 of course, Sorry All ! :jap:

[SantiSuk]

A380s are nice but don't look to disembark from the back of one in much less than 15 minutes!

[SantiSuk]

Emirates are now announcing that they have 2 daily A380s on the London to Dubai route (EK01/EK03) and one daily from Manchester (EK17).

Nice to try them once, but I wouldn't regularly pay a premium to to travel in one. The differences in Emirates, Etihad and Qatar quality of service are wafer thin - Emirates just edges it for me with its quality cutlery and slightly larger CD repertoire (it really is down to silly margins of difference like this IMO and you will all have your own marginal preferences and one-off bad experiences) but I still mostly buy on price and journey time/times convenience.

Qatar from Manchester was nice. Bad experience on departure. The much feted Qatar lost their check-in systems and manual check in resulted in a one hour wait in line, a two hour plus delay in departure (which meant some missed connections) and a one hour sit on the tarmac at 95 degrees, while Manchester airport searched for another air conditioner. Still, everyone has a one-off bad day and I would use them again.

[welbymd]

At one time, Thai Airways had the oldest 747 still flying passengers. If they still have it in service, it is probably the one I fly from Bangkok/Beijing/Bangkok. That 747 is in need of help.

[ginjag]

At one time, Thai Airways had the oldest 747 still flying passengers. If they still have it in service, it is probably the one I fly from Bangkok/Beijing/Bangkok. That 747 is in need of help.

I do know they operate very dated 747-400s. and as my last post says -Thai quote of shortage of funds, and are having to refurb these aged aircraft.

But we all have seen the new SMILE low cost airline, due next year. Using what planes ?? especially with being strapped for cash, One has to believe that they are going to Lease==or borrow big cash and gamble in a global downturn ??????? This CEO is a remarkable man if he pulls it off. The Thai government will have to foot the bill if it does not work out ?????????