THAI Airways
Thailand’s flag carrier, providing full-service domestic and international flights through its main hub in Bangkok.
About THAI Airways
Thai Airways International was established in 1960 and serves as Thailand’s national flag carrier. The airline developed from a joint venture between the country’s domestic operator, Thai Airways Company, and Scandinavian Airlines System, before becoming wholly Thai-owned. It operates scheduled passenger services under the THAI brand and is publicly listed, with the Thai government retaining a significant ownership interest.
Bangkok is THAI Airways’ primary hub and the centre of its network, while Phuket is another important departure point. The airline operates 224 routes serving 91 destinations across 45 countries. Its network connects Thailand with major cities throughout Asia, Europe and Oceania, including Seoul, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, London, Copenhagen, Stockholm and Auckland.
THAI Airways has operated a broad mix of Airbus and regional aircraft, including the Airbus A300, A310, A319, A320, A321, A330, A340 and A380 families, as well as the ATR 72. Its wider long-haul operations have also used modern Boeing and Airbus wide-body aircraft. Cabin products generally include Economy and Royal Silk business class, with Royal First available on selected aircraft and routes.
The airline is a founding member of Star Alliance, giving eligible passengers access to connecting services, reciprocal status benefits and lounges across the alliance network. Its frequent-flyer programme is Royal Orchid Plus, through which members can earn and redeem miles with THAI Airways and participating partners. Benefits depend on membership tier, fare conditions, operating carrier and route.
A principal strength of THAI Airways is its extensive connectivity through Bangkok, particularly for journeys combining Thailand with other Asian or long-haul destinations. As with many large network airlines, aircraft type, cabin design and onboard amenities can vary between routes. Travellers should therefore check the operating aircraft, connection time and fare rules before booking, especially when an itinerary includes partner-operated segments.
Good to know
Flying with THAI Airways — what to expect
Bangkok Connections
Bangkok is the airline’s main connecting hub. Allow sufficient transfer time and confirm whether checked baggage will be tagged through when combining separate tickets.
Cabin Variations
Seat design, entertainment and premium-cabin features can differ by aircraft and route. Check the scheduled aircraft before selecting a seat, while remembering that operational substitutions remain possible.
Baggage Rules
Baggage allowances vary by route, cabin, fare and loyalty status. Review the allowance printed on your booking before travel, particularly for partner-operated or codeshare flights.
Royal Orchid Plus
Royal Orchid Plus members can earn and redeem miles on eligible THAI Airways and partner flights. Earning rates and benefits depend on the booking class and operating airline.
Alliance Benefits
Eligible Star Alliance frequent flyers may receive lounge access, priority services or additional baggage. The exact benefit depends on status, itinerary and the carrier operating the flight.
Online Check-in
Online check-in is useful where available, but document checks may still be required at the airport. Arrive earlier for international flights or journeys involving visa verification.
Network overview
Where THAI Airways flies
THAI Airways operates 224 routes to 91 destinations across 45 countries, its longest sector reaching Bangkok to Madrid (10,194 km nonstop).
Destinations served
Cities THAI Airways flies to, most-served first.
Main hubs
Busiest departure bases, by route count.
Fleet
Aircraft types on record for these routes.
Longest nonstop route
Bangkok → Madrid
10,194 km · BKK → MAD
The longest sector in the THAI Airways network, measured as the great-circle distance between the two airports.
Route data · TravelPayouts route data · updated 2026-07
Route network
Popular routes operated by THAI Airways
Tracked THAI Airways routes touch Thailand, South Korea, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, United States.
ICN - BKKSeoul → Bangkok4h 43m3,667 kmBKK - ICNBangkok → Seoul4h 43m3,667 kmBKK - HKGBangkok → Hong Kong2h 27m1,692 kmHKG - BKKHong Kong → Bangkok2h 27m1,692 kmBKK - KULBangkok → Kuala Lumpur1h 54m1,219 kmKUL - BKKKuala Lumpur → Bangkok1h 54m1,219 kmICN - TPESeoul → Taipei2h 11m1,462 kmTPE - ICNTaipei → Seoul2h 11m1,462 kmBKK - SINBangkok → Singapore2h 8m1,416 kmSIN - BKKSingapore → Bangkok2h 8m1,416 kmHNL - NRTHonolulu → Tokyo7h 33m6,135 kmNRT - HNLTokyo → Honolulu7h 33m6,135 kmHKG - ICNHong Kong → Seoul2h 52m2,066 kmICN - HKGSeoul → Hong Kong2h 52m2,066 kmReviews of THAI Airways
TripAdvisor · 2023–2023- 510
- 410
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What travellers flew
Counted from the 50 reviews below — a tally of the flights reviewed, with each chip carrying the average score those reviewers gave. Nothing here reads their prose or summarises what they said.
✓ marks a group averaging 7/10 or better, − one averaging 4/10 or worse, across at least three reviews.
A really good airline
I never write reviews but I had to make an exception for Thai Airlines. I have been on so many appalling airlines in the last year (EasyJet, Wizz etc..) who treat their customers with distain, but Thai Airways was fantastic. They departed on time for my flight… See more to Bangkok, connecting flight to Bali, and my return flights home, and had the best service on board even though I was in economy. The crew were smartly dressed, the food on board was good and I enjoyed the online entertainment on the plane. Would without a shadow of a doubt fly Thai Airlines again.
See lessPosted June 2023 by warlord99
BKK-DPS-BKK : Aircraft requires to be upgraded
I flew from BKK-DPS-BKK, firstly there is only one flight per day. So by the time we reach DPS already half of the day is gone. The Thai service is very good, food and beverages are great, but the aircraft is tad old. The seats are not fully reclining and does… See more not give a comfortable sleep even in business class. The other problem is the Inflight entertainment system. Its really old and non-responsive. The content available is also very very limited. I noticed that many people were getting there own media (in Ipad or phones) to entertain themselves.
See lessPosted June 2023 by Parit Gupta, New Delhi
First Thai flight in more than three years!
After decades of flying Thai, I had a COVID-induced hiatus of more than three years. Glad to see that Thai has so far survived and is trying to re-invent itself as a profitable airline. The service to Manila was typically elegant and professionally staffed and… See more well managed. Food was rather disappointing, but otherwise the flight was OK.
See lessPosted June 2023 by Raintree_Thailand, Bangkok
Baggage lost! Non existent customer service to assist
I travelled from Melbourne to Hyderabad on 1 June via Bangkok. Only one of my 2 bags was returned. My 25 kg heavier bag which had all my clothes, didn’t make it. It has been really hard to get in touch with anyone from Thai Airways. All the Indian contact… See more numbers for Thai Airways are mostly uncontactable as they are invalid. I even dropped in to their Hyderabad office only to be told that if I drop my email I will be posted with updates. So far no one has contacted me. I have also submitted a claim online for some financial reimbursement as I have to buy new clothes till I get my bag. I haven’t received any email confirmation whether a form was submitted or someone is processing my request. I have even tried to contact Thai Airways Bangkok office but could only get through once where I was told that I should contact Hyderabad airport. Hyderabad airport has been following up and haven’t received any feedback. The whole problem started as someone else’s tag was applied to my bag as a result it only made it to Bangkok and not further. While I can understand that mixups can happen, the complete lack of customer service is very appalling. Thai Airways has been the airline of choice for all these years but my latest experience has made me think about flying with Thai Airways in the future. It’s so far been a nightmare.
See lessPosted June 2023 by shubhankar t, Melbourne
Always delay
My first flight to Bangkok was delayed for 45 minutes for no reason. My return flight to HK was delayed for 1h before boarding. After we board on the plane, there seemed to have some problems with the plane (weather was very good), we had been sitting ON THE… See more PLANE for another 2 hours without any explanation. Overall, the plane was delayed for 3h+ without any explanation. Poor airplane quality and poor service as well. I would suggest you choose other airline if you don't want to have delayed flights. (100% delay).
See lessPosted May 2023 by Jess C
Unrepresentative of the Amazing Thai Service and Standards
This airline is just simply shoddy. We pre-ordered vegetarian meals and when we got on the flight were told nothing was booked. We were given meat meals and told to ‘pick the meat out of it’. When we complained they got very offended that we didn’t understand… See more their point of view that they ‘didn’t have it logged’. Bizarre! We kept getting dirty looks off the steward the entire flight and continued to be offered meat options. We didn’t eat anything on an 11 hour flight. Not a great start to our honeymoon. Fortunately, we have experienced nothing but amazing service from almost all services in Thailand and its strange how Thai airlines can fall so far short of their fellow countrymen. After the flight we first tried to confirm the vegetarian meals for the flight home and firstly the app said it was confirmed but reset itself. We called customer service who said it hadn’t been logged but confirmed they had done it. Only to later receive a response from customer services in regard to our complaint who said they noticed we hadn’t logged the meals for the return journey so had done it. It seems to just keep resetting itself and they don’t seem to get that. So frustrating and we have no confidence that we will get the meals on the way home. No form of compensation was offered at all. Nothing. Such incredibly poor service and so disappointed.
See lessPosted May 2023 by richardwD1374IS
Traveller reviews originally published on TripAdvisor, shown for reference — service standards may have changed since. Originfacts does not edit or verify individual reviews, and the sample reflects who chose to leave one.
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FAQ
THAI Airways — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
8 common questions
- The longest route is Bangkok to Madrid, covering about 10,194 km nonstop.
- Carry-on limits depend on the cabin, fare and operating carrier. Passengers should check the baggage conditions attached to their ticket for the permitted dimensions, weight and number of pieces.
- The airline’s busiest departure cities by route count are Bangkok, Phuket, Seoul, Tokyo and Copenhagen. The specific airport and operating carrier should always be checked on the itinerary.
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts. Originfacts never adds a fee.
- Lower fares are often easier to find outside major Thai holidays and peak travel periods, particularly with flexible midweek dates. Comparing nearby departure dates and booking earlier for long-haul travel can improve the available fare choices.
- THAI Airways serves 91 destinations across 45 countries and operates 224 routes.
- THAI Airways’ primary hub is Bangkok, which supports the largest share of its routes. Phuket is another important departure point.
- THAI Airways serves destinations across Thailand, Asia, Europe and Oceania. Notable cities include Bangkok, Phuket, Seoul, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, London, Copenhagen, Stockholm and Auckland.