THAI to replace ageing fleet

Post by **JimboPSM** » May 18, 2007, 7:28 am

From Bangkok Post (copied from Bloomberg News):

National airline to replace ageing fleet

Bloomberg News

Thai Airways International Plc plans a spending spree to buy at least 46 new aircraft to replace older fleet models, and step up competition with new carriers in the region.

The national carrier, known as THAI from its initials, will buy the planes by 2017 in its 10-year business plan, president Apinan Sumanaseni said after a board meeting yesterday.

The airline, Southeast Asia's second-biggest carrier by market value, will retire 46 aircraft between 2008 and 2017, and will use the new planes to add routes.

THAI, whose airplanes are on average twice as old as those of rival Singapore Airlines [and it shows], needs greater capacity to compete with carriers in Southeast Asia that are buying planes.

Expansion in Asian economies may help boost passenger travel growth in the region to outpace the global average, said the International Air Transport Association.

"The company has to complete the business plan as soon as possible to maintain competitiveness in the regional airline industry," said Mr Apinan. "The airline's fleet is relatively old compared with competitors."

THAI's 91 planes have an average age of 12 years, the airline said. SIA had 94 aircraft with an average age of six years and three months at the end of March, according to a May 11 press release by the carrier, the world's biggest by market value.

SIA expects to take delivery of eight aircraft, it said in the press release.

Mr Apinan did not say what types of aircraft THAI would buy.

The airline said in February it would order eight Airbus SAS A330-300 planes at a discount, as compensation for delays in the delivery of the six A380 superjumbos it has ordered.

The company expects deliveries of the A330 to begin from October next year and to be completed in 2010.

The A330-300s will be used to replace six Airbus A300-600s and two Boeing 747-300s, which it has been using for over 20 years.

THAI shares closed yesterday on the Stock Exchange of Thailand at 47.25 baht, unchanged, in trade worth 26.83 million baht.

Post by **Prenders88** » May 18, 2007, 5:03 pm

The 747's Thai use on their London Bangkok route do need updating, the seats are worn out and the on board entertainment system is straight out of the 1970's.
Apart from that THAI is our first choice, we like the food, and we always get good seats, extra luggage allowance with our Royal Orchid membership. The staff have always been friendly, compare them with the stuck up rough diamonds dressed like a sack of nonsense on BA. No one can beat the THAI female cabin crew for looks. Maybe the girls on Singapore a close second.

Post by **beer monkey** » May 18, 2007, 5:41 pm

i also like flying Thai from London and agreed the video system and screens need bringing in to the present, the seats have been recovered a few times over the years but are ok.
But if BA/qantas reduced their higher fares so they were a lot less than Thai i might use them again,but i won't hold my breath.

Post by **arjay** » May 18, 2007, 5:53 pm

Yes, the B747's are an ageing fleet. A number of airlines have now switched to B777, such as EVA Air. Though I read many reports of B777 seats being hard and uncomfortable. The legroom on EVA B777's is very good.

EVA's cabin staff are also very good, polite and personable, though some are a bit short on their English language skills.

A number of Airlines have been holding on for the new Super Jumbo Airbus - A380 - which unfortunately has been subject to a number of delays in production. I believe Singapore Airlines, cancelled their order for A380"s due to the delays.

Depending where you are flying from and to, I have also found Malaysian a good alternative, though they still use B747's on the KUL - LHR route.

Post by **bubbles** » May 19, 2007, 8:17 am

Yes Granted they certainly need upgrading, I fly from Aussie to Thai and mostly fly Business class and until late last year the seats where worn out on the Jumbos, but since November they have introduced four new Boeing 777.200ER to the Aussie legs and they are beautiful in Businees and Econmony the in flight enterainment systems with so much to offer, you can also watch a camera seeing yourself taking off and landing, the business class has the latest sleeper seats they still fly one jumbo which is being replaced with a new one from Queensland, also must congratulate Thai on the new airport if you fly Business they have guys come out to your car pick up your baggage and straight into check inn which is unreal after that you have your own personal Immigation officers.

Post by **BKKSTAN** » May 19, 2007, 9:20 am

bubbles wrote:the business class has the latest sleeper seats they still fly one jumbo which is being replaced with a new one from Queensland, also must congratulate Thai on the new airport if you fly Business they have guys come out to your car pick up your baggage and straight into check inn which is unreal after that you have your own personal Immigation officers.

Wow,that is great service !I wonder if this holds true for flights from the USA?

Post by **Doc** » May 19, 2007, 12:20 pm

Sounds like Thai is doing better than in the past. Flew them internationally about 5 years ago the last time - and swore never again. My airline of choice is Singapore.

Post by **BKKSTAN** » May 19, 2007, 12:52 pm

Mine is also Singapore Airlines,but I will have to give Thai another look!

Post by **Doc** » May 19, 2007, 4:47 pm

Think I will wait a couple more years to see how their new fleet develops. If the planes they buy are anything like the new airport - think I will have to pass them over...

Post by **bamboopaul** » May 19, 2007, 7:18 pm

Flew with Thai a few times now, BKK to Beijing etc, crap service, out of date aircraft and safety concerns I had were not even dealt with (like people sleeping on the floor of the aircraft whilst Landing!!).

Now flying from the UK to Thailand I use Etihad (National Airline of the UAE), or Singapore Airlines.

Post by **mally** » May 24, 2007, 8:09 am

I,ve just flown Thai from London-BKK & return, ok the planes are a little old and the in flight entertainment well out of date, but their service, meals & leg room were excellent, I've flown Quantas, Emirates, British, and now Thai, I rate Quantas 1st and Thai 2nd, but Quantas is too expensive as I do this trip 3 or 4 times a year, so the next trip in August will be Thai.

Post by **Miruku** » May 24, 2007, 10:49 am

Just checked the Thai fare this morning. Up to June 21st (low season) if you can get seats, Melbourne to BKK return is A$870 including all taxes and charges. If you do as I sometimes do and book Thai from Melbourne to Tokyo/Osaka via BKK, the current fare up to 21/06 is A$1320 return including all taxes and charges and allows you to stop off once (up or back) in Thailand and transit on the other leg. I have taken advantage of this cheap fare arrangement several times previously and will probably do so again.

Post by **arjay** » May 24, 2007, 10:59 am

Mally, how did you rate Qantas for legroom on your BKK - LHR flights?

I understand they (and BA) give 31/32" wheras Thai give 34". Is that borne out in your experience?

Post by **bamboopaul** » May 24, 2007, 11:21 am

Most Quantas flights from LHR are code share with British Airways and you end up on BA aircraft !
Flown with Quantas and BA, both are bottom of the pile, old aircraft worn out seats and you are cramped in economy.

Depends on how many airlines you have flown and your own experience, that said I have flown 60 flights a year for the past 5 years and have used many different airlines, my personal opinion is that Singapore and Etihad, EVA Air Emirates come out on top, just look for the Conde Nast traveller awards survey they will tell you !!

Post by **Roadman** » May 24, 2007, 1:46 pm

The advantages of flying from a small country these days.

We go direct from Orcland to BKK on Thai's Airbus A340-600's. I think they are some of Thai's more modern planes purchased when they opened up the direct flights 3 or 4 years ago. Do not fly with anybody else as the Thai experience on their modern jets is awesome.
Besides every other opposition flight out of here has a stop over which is a pain.
Even Thai used to be a pain up to 4 years ago as we had to go through Sydney transit - the Aussie immigration/customs people have to be the biggest pack of w**kers out, which is far removed from the typical Aussie.

Post by **beer monkey** » May 24, 2007, 4:18 pm

some of my friends rate Eva air highly, prices can be cheaper, and had a good report from Etihad too, better leg room on Thai rather than BA,Qantas, but the last time i was on BA/Qantas they had good up to date seats and if you fancy a chocolate fix just ask as they keep a selection in the galley !!

Post by **Aardvark** » May 24, 2007, 5:39 pm

Roadman, your not wrong about Aussie customs, good job they dont let them carry Guns

Post by **Aardvark** » May 24, 2007, 5:48 pm

When Thai Air does finally get the Airbus 380 if they use it on the Perth Thailand route I for one will spend the extra just for the experience. If what I have read is true it should be awesome, although it does depend on the seating arrangments they choose!!

Post by **bamboopaul** » May 24, 2007, 6:14 pm

The Airbus A340-600's are already for sale !! Apparantly they have just figured out that they really cannot afford to have them!!

The last delivered B777's are ok but as for the rest of the fleet...........it's over the hill.
The B747's and B737's are now very old.

Plus charging what they charge on flights it's no wonder they are loosing money !!

Post by **Aardvark** » May 24, 2007, 6:25 pm

I was led to believe the A380 was as cheap as chips to run, especially long haul