Cancellation of Europe-bound flights only temporary: THAI president

[baboon]

Does this confirm that the Russians are not coming?

No there is still Nordwind and Transaero which will benefit from this. Of course Aeroflot !!

And S7, to name another one...

[BKKdreaming]

and the LAX flight will also be dropped soon,

it was direct a few years ago , not its a stopover in Korea and not everyday ,

I will have to think twice about booking them even at the same price as EVA ,

With United stopping the Narita - BKK flight the options over the Pacific are less if you are Star Alliance ,

and LAX to BKK going thru Europe / Dubia is a LONG flight

[Swampypoom]

My Thai friends living in Los Angeles also say THAI Cabin Crew treat Thai's poorly and mainly choose EVA AIR via Taipei or Korean Air via Incheon for wonderful service and transit airport amenities.

Moreover, THAI can charge a premium as Economy seat pitch is greater than most airlines flying into Suvarnabhumi. THAI does not charge for seat selection compared to some major airlines. Nonstop and direct service also command a premium saving travel time.

THAI has spent major investment in new aircraft such as A380 and B787. Ageing 737-400 and A300, for example, consume more fuel thus a proposal to dispose of many aircraft.

Split operation at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang doesn't help cost as this would be seen as two hubs adding expense.

Codeshare operations to suspended destinations can help with revenue and presence via Star Alliance.

And personally, I wish all THAI Employees well. I've always had excellent flights and great customer care on the ground and above wing.

[Kiwisailor]

Never had a problem with Thai Air going back 12 yrs (AKL-BKK-AKL)- direct flights and usually the best airfare. Last 2 yrs though it has all changed - less service on the aircraft and rarely if ever discounted below the $1800 NZ standard discount price (even at that price, no airpoints). Our new preferred carrier is Qantas, has been at $1200 NZ (with airpoints) for that period albeit with an Aus stopover

[kjhbigv]

Thai is far too expensive anyway, Europeans are smart enough to see that.

Not at the moment they are not.......cheapest direct flights from the UK at the moment!

LHR-BKK-LHR for less than a month visit GBP543.00 inc taxes.

London - BKK - Chiang Mai and back is currently GBP560.00 return for most of this year AND if you travel after Aug 1st, you will be flying on a A380.

I did notice they are reducing flights to one per day to London from two.

Maybe they have realised they need to do something about their prices at long last?

Edited February 9, 2015 by kjhbigv

[ezzra]

Thai ways of doing business... business not good and revenues down? raise the fares, as

if Thai has the only monopoly on flying, still stuck in the Write brothers era of flying...

Thai need to sack at least 25% of it's bloated work force to start with, will they dare to

antagonize the Thai workers union risking industrial unrest? I doubt that very much...

[kinmaew]

Why isn't a Farang running this company? They must enjoy losing loads of money.

[chooka]

Most Thai in UK that I know have always preferred Eva, they say they get treated poorly on TG. TG are not always the most expensive, to NZ recently they were the cheapest.

But who goes to N.Z all the kiwis are living in Australia.

[chooka]

Why isn't a Farang running this company? They must enjoy losing loads of money.

Farangs eat bread.

[Briggsy]

Why isn't a Farang running this company? They must enjoy losing loads of money.

Again the myth.

The myth that the priority of the people controlling Thai is to make a profit for the shareholders, which is the government as the majority shareholder. This is not the case.

The priority is to keep the gravy train going at the expense of the taxpayer. The party has never stopped for decades, free business class travel, fat salaries, huge director's allowances, jobs with little to do, envy and awe from fellow Thais, nepotism and guaranteed great jobs for your kids and young totty for the air force officers applying for jobs as air hostesses.

[Ricardo]

The som-tam lady, still the source of wisdom about all things Thai, informs me that Thai Airways will resume these routes just-as-soon as their new fleet of Concordes is delivered and in-service !

[smotherb]

Gonna be kinda tough, Charamporn, to "definitely resume flights to these routes in (the) future," when you've sold 42 planes, ain't it?

Geez, these people just can't tell the truth.

EDIT: Spelchker

Well, easy to see you and your supporters have done little downsizing, perhaps only been the downsized. Just suppose the 42 planes in question are old or high maintenance. Just suppose those discontinued routes are more costly to operate than other routes. Then just suppose there are plans for new planes, new routes and new policies. It is really hard to tell without more information, but go ahead do your armchair quarterbacking.

[geriatrickid]

Maybe want to take a look at how many customers are enjoying freebies on Thai.

Not on the routes mentioned

The Russians prefer the cheap charters and now with the collapse of the Russian economy the Russians are staying away.

There was never much traffic on the Spanish routes.

TG will still be able to purchase seats on other star alliance carriers and sell at a profit

[spidermike007]

So THAI is in trouble is it..?? I wonder why...

Return flight, BKK > London

THAI - 48,000 THB

BA - 33,000 THB

All Others - 28,000 - 32,000 THB

D'uh! Work it out people!

But Thai is very, very special, so people will pay 50% more. This is our marketing strategy. LOL. And we have orchids in our lounges, if you are lucky enough to get into one.

[ScarpoFongness4U]

Title implied all flight's were canceled or I never would have clicked on this stupidity

Ad sales anyone?

[mickyboy]

Does this confirm that the Russians are not coming?

is russia in europe mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm dont think so

[trogers]

Does this confirm that the Russians are not coming?

is russia in europe mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm dont think so

Read, don't skim and comment. Bangkok to Moscow route is also to be suspended.

[Nuddy]

I don't know why you some guys here are really putting the boot into Thai, Earlier on I acknowledged the fare structure could well be better but some of the comments are downright not true from my experience.

Like for instance this from Sunderland:" Average food, less enthusiastic staff than in the past, old airplanes, antiquated in flight entertainment systems (if at all) and uncompetitive fares ... hmmmmm ... why would anyone want to fly on this airline when they have better choices?

Thats blatantly not true. The staff onboard are enthusiastic, where did you see otherwise? The food is Thai for sure buts it comparable with other airlines and I never got the shits from it. And the planes are not old...thats just bullshit. The entertainment system is great with the latest movies and so on .

Look I have no interest in protecting Thai Air but lets be fair about it. I just hate <deleted> making untrue statements.

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[BKKdreaming]

on the LAX route

newish planes with in seat screen with too much content

service staff is fine, I never had a problem

Food out of LAX is very plain , and not much better out of BKK to LAX

I fly to get the the other side and try and sleep most of the way ,

but the food at 7-11 tastes better !

Thats OK, the flight was the same price as Eva

one thing is they are terrible at giving you your frequent flyer miles........

[RT555]

The less Eurotrash the better..........

[mike324]

THAI is expensive if you fly from BKK to any other country, but not the other way around. Its pretty much the same for all airlines, tickets cost more if you fly from the carriers home country. Is that something many just found out?

Edited February 11, 2015 by mike324

[Tomtomtom69]

It's not just these routes but I've noticed flight frequency on other THAI routes, originally due to "fleet maintenance" that started back in like 2010 or 2011 has gone down and despite assurances flight frequency will be restored, it has never happened.

For example:

SYD-BKK. Operated by a B747-400 (although there was talk of switching to the B777-300) currently operates only 10 flights weekly, down from 3 daily back in 2010 (although one of those flights was for a while operated via BNE, however, for a few months all three flights were operated non-stop in both directions), 2 daily until around 2012 or so and 11 weekly during the high season until about a year ago. After checking the THAI flight schedule for November this year, I was shocked to find that THAI is planning only once daily flights from then on, despite coming into the high season. However, that schedule may not be entirely trustworthy since about half of THAI's 747s will be retired by then and alternative aircraft probably haven't been assigned to the SYD route yet. However, it's also entirely possible that flight frequency will indeed go down to a single daily flight, even though MEL has been getting two daily flights for years and showing no signs of a reduction in frequency.

BKK-FRA. Operated by an A380 on it's daily overnight services out of Bangkok and afternoon departures back to Bangkok, and a 777 or is it an A340? on the other daily flight for a total of 14 flights per week. Recently however I noticed a reduction down to 13 flights per week even though that normally only happens during the low season and by year end, down to only a single daily A380 service. Again, the reason for this could be due to the company's fleet consolidation and we'll just have to wait and see what happens later in the year.

BKK-CDG. For a long time operated a daily overnight service operated by a 747, then all of a sudden 3 additional weekly flights operated by a 777 I think were offered. Down to a single daily service once the A380 came into service and has stayed that way ever since.

BKK-LHR. Two daily flights, one operated by a 747-400 and the other either by a 747-400 or an A340-600. By year's end only showing a single daily flight.

BKK-LAX. Originally operated non-stop daily by an A340-500, which have now been taken out of service, then reverted to a 777-300 I think, operating via Seoul Incheon but down to only 4 weekly services. With that kind of schedule and the high prices they are charging I doubt they'll be able to continue operating that route for much longer and have stated they may suspend that route too.

BKK-SGN. Currently operates twice daily as it has for years, but a few years back a third daily flight was added, but that didn't last. Also, smaller aircraft are now operating on the morning flight, meaning a narrowbody A320 taken over from THAI Smile and without a proper business class, rather than the A330 or B777 that has normally been used. However, sometimes widebody aircraft are still used depending on demand but of course this route is now served by so many other airlines, including low cost airlines that unless THAI tries something drastic, it's market share will only drop further.

Edited February 11, 2015 by Tomtomtom69

[Tomtomtom69]

So THAI is in trouble is it..?? I wonder why...

Return flight, BKK > London

THAI - 48,000 THB

BA - 33,000 THB

All Others - 28,000 - 32,000 THB

D'uh! Work it out people!

You are correct.

And yet many Thais living in the UK insist on flying Thai, often providing irrational and non-factual reasons to support their choice of airline.

e.g.

The flight staff can understand (and yet you choose to live in an English-speaking country )

There is unlimited baggage for Thais flying on THAI (in defiance of gravity )

Arabs smell (in reference to the Middle Eastern airlines, Qatar, Etihad, Gulf, etc.)

When dealing with Thais and indeed the fate of Thai Airways, logic needs to be suspended as other less tangible priorities take precedence.

Is this when the Thai is paying themself or a foreigner is paying, or taking care of them? I find most Thai want the cheapest they can get, even the ones with money. When I fly Thai to LHR it is about 90% non Thai and out of the remaining 10% how many of them are discount fares as they are staff etc, probably a .......

Well on how many flights to/from Thailand and anywhere else in the world do Thais ever make up a majority of the passengers? None, that I've been on, even on domestic flights only flights to such places as Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Chiang Rai etc. might have a majority of the passengers being Thais but even on major trunk routes like Phuket and Chiang Mai, the majority are foreign holidaymakers and the occasional businessmen etc.

On international flights, even to nearby cities like Singapore, Hong Kong, Yangon etc. the nationals of those countries and third country foreigners are always present in larger numbers than Thais, whether you fly THAI, the home carrier airline (such as Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific etc.) or another airline.

Thais just don't seem to travel in large numbers - Thailand is very much an inbound travel market. It's a very different story when you fly to/from China or within China, where nearly every flight is full of Chinese or even to Vietnam, where some flights have a large number of Vietnamese holidaymakers on cheap tours while others feature a mixture of Vietnamese and third country foreigners including both holidaymakers and businesspeople, with only a smattering of Thais.

[Kaoboi Bebobp]

THAI is expensive if you fly from BKK to any other country, but not the other way around. Its pretty much the same for all airlines, tickets cost more if you fly from the carriers home country. Is that something many just found out?

This is very true. Two years ago I changed my flights origin back to my home country because it saves hundreds of dollars. Also decided to spend more time in Canada and get away from the hot and rainy seasons.

The only time I've flown on THAI is because of codeshare connections with origins in North America. I have never bought a THAI ticket despite flying to Cambodia, Lao and Vietnam frequently, as well as North America. This is because THAI's airfares were grossly out of whack with every single airline flying to these destinations.

Earlier (post 47), someone said returning regular Thais, officials and hi-so's got secret super discounts. That's because THAI reckons foreigner passengers can pay the difference and then some. True to form, the Thais make foreigners pay.

In another fresh thread, THAI is under advisement by the ICAO that all of its safety standards are suspect and a soon-to-come decision may mean THAI could be banned from European airspace. http://bangkokpost.com/news/transport/471296/air-regulator-downplays-possible-thai-airline-blacklisting

All that said, I've had fine flights with THAI. I just don't look to them when I want to get anywhere for a reasonable fare.

[mike324]

It's not just these routes but I've noticed flight frequency on other THAI routes, originally due to "fleet maintenance" that started back in like 2010 or 2011 has gone down and despite assurances flight frequency will be restored, it has never happened.

For example:

SYD-BKK. Operated by a B747-400 (although there was talk of switching to the B777-300) currently operates only 10 flights weekly, down from 3 daily back in 2010 (although one of those flights was for a while operated via BNE, however, for a few months all three flights were operated non-stop in both directions), 2 daily until around 2012 or so and 11 weekly during the high season until about a year ago. After checking the THAI flight schedule for November this year, I was shocked to find that THAI is planning only once daily flights from then on, despite coming into the high season. However, that schedule may not be entirely trustworthy since about half of THAI's 747s will be retired by then and alternative aircraft probably haven't been assigned to the SYD route yet. However, it's also entirely possible that flight frequency will indeed go down to a single daily flight, even though MEL has been getting two daily flights for years and showing no signs of a reduction in frequency.

BKK-FRA. Operated by an A380 on it's daily overnight services out of Bangkok and afternoon departures back to Bangkok, and a 777 or is it an A340? on the other daily flight for a total of 14 flights per week. Recently however I noticed a reduction down to 13 flights per week even though that normally only happens during the low season and by year end, down to only a single daily A380 service. Again, the reason for this could be due to the company's fleet consolidation and we'll just have to wait and see what happens later in the year.

BKK-CDG. For a long time operated a daily overnight service operated by a 747, then all of a sudden 3 additional weekly flights operated by a 777 I think were offered. Down to a single daily service once the A380 came into service and has stayed that way ever since.

BKK-LHR. Two daily flights, one operated by a 747-400 and the other either by a 747-400 or an A340-600. By year's end only showing a single daily flight.

BKK-LAX. Originally operated non-stop daily by an A340-500, which have now been taken out of service, then reverted to a 777-300 I think, operating via Seoul Incheon but down to only 4 weekly services. With that kind of schedule and the high prices they are charging I doubt they'll be able to continue operating that route for much longer and have stated they may suspend that route too.

BKK-SGN. Currently operates twice daily as it has for years, but a few years back a third daily flight was added, but that didn't last. Also, smaller aircraft are now operating on the morning flight, meaning a narrowbody A320 taken over from THAI Smile and without a proper business class, rather than the A330 or B777 that has normally been used. However, sometimes widebody aircraft are still used depending on demand but of course this route is now served by so many other airlines, including low cost airlines that unless THAI tries something drastic, it's market share will only drop further.

People have to put it in perspective, THAI is just changing the frequency according to the number of passengers and also due to the economic downtown. Many other airlines have cut down on the number flights, not just THAI. Whats the fuss? Do people expect it to continue to fly with empty seats and loose money? Given that they probably have poor leadership to begin with, but what they are doing is still reasonable.

[Tomtomtom69]

It's not just these routes but I've noticed flight frequency on other THAI routes, originally due to "fleet maintenance" that started back in like 2010 or 2011 has gone down and despite assurances flight frequency will be restored, it has never happened.

For example:

SYD-BKK. Operated by a B747-400 (although there was talk of switching to the B777-300) currently operates only 10 flights weekly, down from 3 daily back in 2010 (although one of those flights was for a while operated via BNE, however, for a few months all three flights were operated non-stop in both directions), 2 daily until around 2012 or so and 11 weekly during the high season until about a year ago. After checking the THAI flight schedule for November this year, I was shocked to find that THAI is planning only once daily flights from then on, despite coming into the high season. However, that schedule may not be entirely trustworthy since about half of THAI's 747s will be retired by then and alternative aircraft probably haven't been assigned to the SYD route yet. However, it's also entirely possible that flight frequency will indeed go down to a single daily flight, even though MEL has been getting two daily flights for years and showing no signs of a reduction in frequency.

BKK-FRA. Operated by an A380 on it's daily overnight services out of Bangkok and afternoon departures back to Bangkok, and a 777 or is it an A340? on the other daily flight for a total of 14 flights per week. Recently however I noticed a reduction down to 13 flights per week even though that normally only happens during the low season and by year end, down to only a single daily A380 service. Again, the reason for this could be due to the company's fleet consolidation and we'll just have to wait and see what happens later in the year.

BKK-CDG. For a long time operated a daily overnight service operated by a 747, then all of a sudden 3 additional weekly flights operated by a 777 I think were offered. Down to a single daily service once the A380 came into service and has stayed that way ever since.

BKK-LHR. Two daily flights, one operated by a 747-400 and the other either by a 747-400 or an A340-600. By year's end only showing a single daily flight.

BKK-LAX. Originally operated non-stop daily by an A340-500, which have now been taken out of service, then reverted to a 777-300 I think, operating via Seoul Incheon but down to only 4 weekly services. With that kind of schedule and the high prices they are charging I doubt they'll be able to continue operating that route for much longer and have stated they may suspend that route too.

BKK-SGN. Currently operates twice daily as it has for years, but a few years back a third daily flight was added, but that didn't last. Also, smaller aircraft are now operating on the morning flight, meaning a narrowbody A320 taken over from THAI Smile and without a proper business class, rather than the A330 or B777 that has normally been used. However, sometimes widebody aircraft are still used depending on demand but of course this route is now served by so many other airlines, including low cost airlines that unless THAI tries something drastic, it's market share will only drop further.

People have to put it in perspective, THAI is just changing the frequency according to the number of passengers and also due to the economic downtown. Many other airlines have cut down on the number flights, not just THAI. Whats the fuss? Do people expect it to continue to fly with empty seats and loose money? Given that they probably have poor leadership to begin with, but what they are doing is still reasonable.

Air travel in Asia-Pacific continues to increase and despite demonstrations, martial law, coups, economic circumstances and other reasons, foreigners continue to flock to Thailand and yet THAI has reduced frequency to a great many destinations, meanwhile other airlines have INCREASED frequency to the region, including to Thailand. I think that suggests to me that THAI is struggling to keep passengers rather than blaming it on economic circumstances alone.

[JAG]

I'm no expert (cue a flood of posts from those who are, many of whom will talk in abreviations), but could it be that Thai airways are stuffed because they cannot afford to keep ( maintain ) their existing fleet, and the aircraft which they wish to flog off to raise some cash are either too old or too thirsty for anyone to want to buy them?

Edited February 11, 2015 by JAG

[moojar]

Hi, need help! My friend has a ticket from Bangkok to Madrid in march, anyone know if the cancellation is immediate? If so, what to do? Sorry about my English...

It looks like Madrid will end in September - from the routesonline website:

==================

Based on latest inventory update as of 02FEB15, THAI is ending Bangkok – Madrid service, as reservation for travel on/after 07SEP15 is closed.

In Summer 2015 season, THAI operates 3 weekly Boeing 777-200ER service, with 4th weekly added from 09JUN15.

TG948 BKK0005 – 0800MAD 777 x357

TG949 MAD1300 – 0605+1BKK 777 x357

In addition, THAI has filed 3 weekly 777-300ER service to Madrid for service on/after 25OCT15 (Winter 2015/16 schedule), however reservation is also closed.

==================

http://www.routesonline.com/news/29/breaking-news/246977/thai-ends-madrid-service-in-september-2015/

[luk AJ]

Does this confirm that the Russians are not coming?

No there is still Nordwind and Transaero which will benefit from this. Of course Aeroflot !!

right, I have gold card Thai which gives a lot of privileges which I now loose. Transaero?? Did you ever fly with this airline? This is retro with wings..

[Fat Haggis]

So THAI is in trouble is it..?? I wonder why...

Return flight, BKK > London

THAI - 48,000 THB

BA - 33,000 THB

All Others - 28,000 - 32,000 THB

D'uh! Work it out people!

Your quoted prices are anecdotal as you will always be able to find quite substantial differences depending where you book, times and days of travel etc etc. I have always found BA to be much much dearer than either Thai or EVA (my preferred choice) I would love to know how or where you managed to get a BA flight for just 33,000

I just ran a quick search on Ebooker for a flight this week returning in 3 weeks and got the following

Thai 31,374 BHT

EVA 34,256 BHT

BA 41,507 BHT

And yes you may save 4 - 5000 BHT by using one of the middle eastern airlines but they do not fly direct! So instead of a 12 hour flight you can have anything between 14 to 24 flight time. Personally I would sooner stump up the extra 5000 and not have the inconvenience of getting off and hanging about in a middle east airport for 2 - 12 hours.

Nothing wrong with Dubai for "hanging around" for a couple of hours what's wrong with relaxing in one of the business lounges? Jesus all you need for cattle class lounge is $40 and that get you food and drink and a shower if you so wish, $40 for 4 hours as opposed to 4-10,000 baht for a direct flight benefit ? For getting there 2 - 4 hours earlier? Hmmmm let me have a think about that one!!!

I have been using emirates for over 10 Years and not once have I had any major dramas on a stopover in Dubai ... I guess some people are more fussier and cash is no object and if that's the case why bitch in the first place about THAI?