Thai Airways currently operates a fleet of six types of twin-aisle jets, including the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The airline’s current 787-8 models feature an outdated 2-2-2 seating layout in its Royal Silk business class, while the newer 787-9 versions have a contemporary 1-2-1 layout.Thai Airways currently operates a fleet of six types of twin-aisle jets, including the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The airline’s current 787-8 models feature an outdated 2-2-2 seating layout in its Royal Silk business class, while the newer 787-9 versions have a contemporary 1-2-1 layout. In 2027, Thai Airways is set to take delivery of 45 new Boeing 787-9 twinjets. These new aircraft are expected to breathe new life into the airline’s fleet and business class offering. While the design of the business class seats for these new Dreamliners has not yet been finalized, industry experts speculate that Thai will opt for a modern design that incorporates the latest amenities, such as sliding doors for privacy, large 4K video monitors, and wireless switching. It is also possible that Thai will implement a “business plus” concept, offering enhanced space and amenities in the first row of business class. The arrival of these new 787-9 Dreamliners will allow Thai Airways to continue phasing out older, less fuel-efficient aircraft and transitioning to a long-haul fleet largely comprised of the modern and comfortable 787-9.
Thai Airways has one of the most diverse long-haul fleets in the sky, with six types of twin-aisle jets – and that’s after The airline has retired its Airbus A380 and Boeing 747s.
It often happens that the airline Star Alliance swaps these aircraft at short notice, leading travelers to think they are getting a certain type of aircraft – and a certain type of business class seat – but in fact they are being downgraded.
A good example is Thailand’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet, where the six 787-8 models have an old-fashioned 2-2-2 seating layout in Thailand’s Royal Silk business class, while the two more modern 787-9 versions have a contemporary 1-2-1 layout, although the seat itself is not ‘modern’ in any way.
Thai’s 1-2-1 business class.
That could change in a few years, when Thai Airways will take delivery of 45 new Boeing 787-9 twinjets – aircraft you might expect to be equipped with the latest business class.
Furthermore, this order alone is nearly as large as Thailand’s current fleet, allowing the airline to continue phasing out older, less fuel-efficient aircraft and transitioning to a long-haul fleet largely comprised of the 787-9 Dreamliner.
(Thai also has options for 35 additional jets as part of the optimistic Boeing order, but it’s hard to imagine the airline will actually do anything with them.)
Thailand’s order for 45 new Dreamliners could breathe new life into the airline’s fleet and business class offering.
Thailand’s new Boeing 787-9 business class
The new Dreamliners will not arrive until 2027 and will be in service “over a ten-year period,” the airline said.
While the first jet is still three years away, a Thai Airways spokesperson says Executive traveler the design of the business class seats “is not yet final.”
But in line with a 2027 delivery, Thai will need to lock in that design within the next 18 months – and chances are Thai will opt for what is already the basis for the modern business class.
Think ‘suites’ with sliding doors for privacy, large 4K video monitors with Bluetooth audio streaming, plus wireless switching alongside AC and USB-C ports. Even now, in 2024, the latest crop of business class already ticks those boxes.
It’s also possible that Thai will join other airlines embracing the “business plus” movement, transforming the first row of business class with more space and more amenities, ranging from an ottoman that doubles as a companion seat to a chilled minibar.
