As THAI celebrates 15 years in the Middle East, ATN outlines the Asian carrier's USPs.
This year Thai Airways (THAI) celebrates its 48th anniversary as the national carrier of the Kingdom of Thailand and its 15th anniversary serving the Middle East.
The carrier, which initially served just nine destinations, claims its "dynamic growth and enviable reputation" has been built on one outstanding feature - the superior quality of its economy class cabin and service.
Over the years its success has been recognised through numerous customer surveys and awards conducted by well-known institutions.
2007/08 Awards
• 2nd Place Best International Airline - Travel News Magazine Sweden
• Best First Class Lounge Award 2007 at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport - Skytrax World Airline Survey
• 2nd place Best Airline of the Year 2007 - Skytrax World Airline Survey
• Best South-East Asian Airline TTG Travel Awards 2007
• Best White Wine - Best Traveller Magazine
• Best in Test for long-haul service in comparison with all other airlines flying out of Stockholm - Expressen
• 3rd Best Airline Go Asia Awards at ITB 2008
THAI is now based at Suvarnabhumi International Airport Bangkok, which opened on September 27, 2006 covering 563,000m2.
The main complex is larger than four football pitches placed side by side and the control tower, which rises to a height of 132.2 metres, is the world's tallest. THAI's own investment in the creation of the new airport is over 15 billion Baht.
Suvarnabhumi facts
• 25km east of Bangkok on the Bangna-Trat Highway
• 563,000m2 large
• Seven storeys high
• The airport is served by more than 90 airlines
• It has the capacity for 76 flights per hour
• Designed to handle 45 million passengers annually
• It boasts the world's tallest control tower
• State-of-art baggage handling and security systems
• Extensive duty-free shopping, dining, entertainment and relaxation
THAI also operates domestic flights out of Don Muang Airport in Bangkok city centre with public transport and limousines running between the two airports.
Passengers flying THAI Royal First Class are met curb-side at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok and personally escorted to a luxurious lounge area for light refreshments while check-in is completed, then escorted throughout passport control to THAI's exclusive Royal First Lounge and beyond for last-minute boarding.
Airport spa
THAI's Royal First Class travellers have access to the Royal Spa located in Concourse D featuring three spa suites and offering full body massages using traditional techniques.
Royal First Class passengers receive a complimentary 75-minute full body massage on a first-come-first-served basis while Royal Silk (Business Class) passengers are offered a complimentary 30-minute reflexology/neck and shoulder massage, again on a first-come-first-served basis.
Additional services and facilities include a Jacuzzi, sauna, steam rooms, showers and a relaxation lounge.
Access to the facilities is available to premium travellers whether departing, arriving or in transit.
Airline catering: halal certification
THAI's airport kitchens produce 80,000 meals daily for its own flights and those of more than 50 customer airlines. On January 1, 2008, THAI received a full ISO9002 certification for its Halal kitchen to ensure conformity with the permissible dietary requirements under Islamic law.
The Halal kitchen operates as an entirely separate unit from the regular catering facility at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
THAI in the Middle East
THAI commenced Middle East operations in 1993 with three weekly flights from Dubai to Bangkok.
Today THAI operates 11 flights weekly from Dubai to Bangkok using the state-of-the-art Airbus 330-300 aircraft and offering four flights a week via Chennai and three flights weekly from Dubai to Kuwait.
Today THAI is a well established member of the GCC travel trade community, offering support for industry activities such as the 37th annual SKAL Congress to be held in Samui, Thailand May 2008 by offering 75% economy class discount to attending members on the Dubai-Bangkok sector.
Royal Silk Business Class passengers are offered a complimentary limousine service within the UAE, and all passengers benefit from complimentary hotel accommodation at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok when transiting within the THAI network for ongoing flight connections between eight and 24 hours after arrival.
THAI in the Middle East
• 11x weekly Dubai-Bangkok
• 4x weekly Dubai-Chennai-Bangkok
• 3x weekly Kuwait-Dubai-Bangkok
• 4x weekly Muscat-Bangkok
International network
From the Middle East to destinations beyond Bangkok, THAI offers convenient airport connection times for destinations throughout Asia. For summer 2008 THAI will offer a total of 892 weekly flights with 570 overseas and 324 domestic sectors.
Frequency has been increased on routes such as Bangkok-Melbourne; Bangkok-Nagoya; Bangkok-Jakarta and Bangkok-Ho Chi Minh increasing the onward travel options for travellers from Dubai and the Middle East.
Newest flight
• Bangkok-Koh Samui was launched on February 15
• Flies twice daily
• Operated by B734 aircraft
• Smooth connections with Dubai flights
THAI's Royal Orchid Holidays division offers a range of holiday programmes to more than 18 countries for vacationers of all aspirations including those on stopovers, families, honeymooners, golfers, adventure travellers and those seeking spa or medical options.
Future developments
• Double daily direct flights Dubai-Bangkok
• Direct flights from Bangkok-Kuwait
• Plans to expand services to Jordan and Saudi Arabia
• Implementation of e-ticketing for the region (May 1)
• The introduction of new aircraft with First Class seating and an improved Business Class offering.
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