Vietnam is one of the important destinations in the 51 year history of Thai Airways International (THAI). Since its first flight more than half a century ago, Saigon was the hub of THAI aircraft in its flight schedule to Hong Kong and Japan.
And THAI was also one of the first international airlines back to Vietnam after the country started its renovation policy. Today, THAI operates 2 flights a day from Suvarnabhumi International Airport to Hanoi and also 2 flights a day to Tan Son Nhat International Airport, utilizing Boeing 777 and Airbus A330 aircraft.
"Flying with THAI, passengers not only have a chance to visit Bangkok, but also take flights to many popular tourist sites in Thailand such as Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, Phuket, etc, and from here, passengers can take flights to dozens of other major cities worldwide,” said Mr Narinthorn Purnagupta, General Manager of THAI Vietnam. Flight TG551 departing from HCMC in the morning allows passengers to fly to major cities in Europe, such as Frankfurt, Munich and Paris, for a “good morning Vietnam, good evening Europe” experience.
"From November 17, 2011, we will offer an additional choice for passengers who wish to take a quick flight to Brussels, the capital of Belgium and administrative capital of European Union (EU). What we offer is that we will open the first ever direct flight from South East Asia to Brussels, utilizing Boeing 777-200ER aircrafts with 30 seats in Royal Silk Class and 262 seats in economy class. Initial frequency will be 3 flights per week,” added Mr Narinthorn.
Brussels will the 72nd destination in the entire THAI network and the 14th to Europe. So THAI becomes the airline in Southeast Asia region serving the most destinations in Europe, including Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Madrid, Milan, Moscow, Munich, Rome, Zurich, and Athens. "And you can fly with us to Johannesburg, South Africa; Los Angeles in Western Coast of the United States; and to many other cities in China, Japan, India and Australia," said Mr Narinthorn.
Due to the fact that THAI is a member of the largest airline alliance in the world, Star Alliance (founded in 1997, currently including 26 airlines and about to get three more members), passengers flying with THAI will be offered more daily flights to several hundred cities in 181 countries and territories.
THAI’s flights are always smooth and comfortable like its slogan, “Smooth as silk”. In the past few years, THAI has been honoured among the top ten of Skytrax most excellent airlines in the world. In mid-June 2011, THAI was also placed 5th worldwide in the 2011 World’s Best Airlines category, moving up from 9th place last year, and picked the title for the best economy class airline seat.
With a fleet of 87 aircrafts from Airbus, Boeing and especially its new product Royal Orchid Holidays, passengers can travel with THAI worldwide. Based on these achievements, it is no surprise that THAI is the most well-known Thai brand in the world.
In the near future, THAI will increase its number of aircraft, and improve quality and services. THAI has already placed orders to buy many new aircrafts, around 37 aircrafts in its first phase from 2011-2017 and 38 in the second phase from 2018-2022. In the second half of 2012, THAI will utilize the giant A380 aircraft with 505 seats (including 12 first class seats, 60 business class seats and 450 common seats) to provide its passengers extensive air space and comfort.
According to Mr Piyasvasti Amranand, Chairman of Thai Airways International (voted the best MBA in Thailand by Asiamoney), due to growing passenger demand in different market segments, THAI, ‘the first class airline’ will exploit the ultra low carrier segment by opening a joint venture, namely Thai Tiger, serving the low-cost market segment and Thai Wing serving the middle class carrier market.
In the future, THAI will also focus on cargo business. Traditionally, THAI carries cargo in the bellies of its airplanes, however, in the beginning of 2010, THAI has decided to operate its own cargo planes and is in the process of converting two ex-passenger Boeing 747 planes into freighter aircraft. They will be in service in the first quarter of next year, and the
third cargo aircraft will join THAI’s fleet in April 2012.
Vietnamese
