THAI showcases A380

BANGKOK, 30 August 2012: Thai Airways International,  held a pre-launch reception, Wednesday, to showcase its Airbus A380-800 aircraft  and services.

THAI chairman, Ampon Kittiampon, said the airline opted for the Airbus A380-800 aircraft because its spacious cabin, operational efficiency and wide passenger acceptance.

The delivery of the A380 will compliment THAI’s strategy to upgrade its inflight products and services while maintaining the airline’s competitive advantage with a fuel-efficient aircraft  that delivers maximum seat capacity.

THAI executive vice president of strategy and business development and acting president, Chokchai Panyayong, said THAI was  pleased to showcase the cabin layout to illustrate the products and services including new seats, on-board equipment and entertainment systems,that should give customers  high-quality across the fleet as new generation aircraft join the fleet.

THAI will receive six Airbus A380-800 aircraft, with the first to be accepted  27 September and three more aircraft, during the coming winter programme, and two aircraft in 2013.

THAI’s first Airbus A380-800 will operate flights on the Bangkok-Hong Kong and Bangkok-Singapore routes, beginning 6 October. Upon acceptance of the second aircraft approximately in mid-December, THAI will deploy it on the Bangkok-Frankfurt route as well as to and from Hong Kong.

In January 2013, THAI will begin operating the Airbus A380-800 to and from Tokyo’s Narita Airport and Paris in February.

THAI’s A380s feature 507 seats in three classes: 12 in Royal First Class, 60 in Royal Silk Class, and 435 in economy.

Royal First Class’s seats recline 180 degrees, have 83 inch pitch, 26.5 inch seat width, with a 23 inch personal screen. Passengers also have more personal storage area with individual coat storage, internet connection. The cabin has a Royal First Class Bar and Lounge and spacious lavatory and dressing room.

Royal Silk Class has lie-flat seat 180 degrees with 74 inch seat pitch, 20 inch seat width, with staggered seat configuration for easy access, 15 inch personal entertainment screen with a Royal Silk Bar.

Economy Class in the upper deck area has 58 seats and 377 seats in the lower deck. Seats have 32 inch pitch,18 inch seat width, 10.6 inch personal entertainment screen.

Its in-flight entertainment includes 100 movies, 150 television programmes, 500 CD albums, and 60 games.

Inflight connectivity enables passengers to use mobile phones on board for a fee charged by the mobile service provider. SMS and MMS messages may be sent and received through GPRS or Wi-Fi connection, while passengers with Wi-Fi enabled electronic equipment may access the internet using Wi-Fi, so that passengers may remain connected when traveling on board flights.

In addition, THAI will receive two more of A330-300  this December and another two in  early 2013. It will be used to operate flights on Australian and Asian routes such as Perth, Osaka, Fukuoka, Shanghai, and Colombo.

THAI will also receive 17 A320-200 aircraft for THAI Smile in addition to the current fleet of three  by the end of the winter programme 2012/2013 (28 October 2012 – 30 March 2013). The fourth aircraft will be delivered in September while the fifth to tenth aircraft in 2013, seven more in 2014, and the rest in 2015.

Sourced: ttrweekly