Thai Airways recently marked its 65th anniversary in London with exciting new fleet developments, service enhancements and more. Inflight Editor Satu Dahl met up with THAI’s Chief Commercial Officer, Mr Kittiphong Sansomboon, to find out more about the memorable milestone and the carrier’s new onboard initiatives.
This article was published in the January/February 2026 edition of Inflight. To read more, apply for your complimentary subscription today.
Inflight was invited to attend a very special business briefing by Thai Airways (THAI) on 7 November 2025 at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, where the airline marked its 65th anniversary.
The occasion saw THAI’s Chief Commercial Officer, Mr Kittiphong Sansomboon, share insights into the carrier’s new developments.
He said the airline was delighted to connect with its valued partners and industry friends at the business briefing, adding: “As we celebrate 65 years, we are entering an exciting new chapter of transformation and innovation – from our refreshed fleet and elevated service to the authentic touches of Thai culture that continue to inspire everything we do.”
As part of its fleet renewal programme, the airline has ordered a fleet of new Airbus A321neo aircraft, with the first A321neo planned to join the THAI fleet in Q1 this year, forming part of a broader strategy to redefine regional travel.
The aircraft will offer two cabins for passengers. The carrier’s previous Economy Plus has been upgraded to Royal Silk Class and features wider seats that convert into full-flat beds. There are also double seats for companions and exclusive “Throne Seats” for exceptional privacy for solo travellers.
Mr Sansomboon said the carrier opted for the 180 degree lie-flat option because the aircraft can fly longer distances. It makes sense, then, to put in these kinds of seats because on longer flights people may wish to lie down.
Regarding in-flight entertainment systems, the seats are fully equipped. “So, no need to use your own device, it’s already there,” said Mr Sansomboon.
Setting the mood: Next-Gen A321neo Cabin Interiors and Lie-Flat Seats
Thompson Aero Seating is delivering the company’s Vantage business class seats for the A321neos. The full lie-flat Vantage seats will be in a two-one-two configuration, in addition to the Throne seat on alternate rows.
A Thai modern contemporary style is featured in both cabins, inspired by traditional
Thaitone colours, along with advanced air circulation and filtration systems, LED mood lighting and new-generation engines for a quieter and smoother journey.
In economy, enhanced comfort with more space than any other narrowbody aircraft is offered, as is slimmer seat design for extra legroom, as well as larger overhead bins.
“We decided to expand the overhead bins to the extra-large size so that it can easily accommodate the baggage,” Mr Sansomboon said, noting that people don’t have to fight for the luggage space even if they are the last to board the plane. “So, a passenger on board the A321 won’t experience that problem because there will be enough space.”
RECARO Aircraft Seating announced in May last year that it will be line-fitting THAI’s fleet of A321neos, including 32 shipsets of the R3 Economy Class seats produced at RECARO’s facility in Poland and planned to be delivered in Q4 2025.
The company said the R3 seats have been customised with purple dress covers, intricate stitching, and a beige headrest with a debossed THAI logo. The seats also feature a tray table, cup holder, literature pocket and amenity pocket, in addition to a steward step and baggage bar to assist crew and passengers when accessing the overhead bins.
Creating a Connection: Enhanced In-Flight Wi-Fi and Digital Connectivity
THAI offers a comprehensive digital experience on board which includes THAI Sky Connect in-flight Wi-Fi service with complimentary access for Royal First, Royal Silk and Royal Orchid Plus members.
THAI’s wireless in-flight entertainment system, THAI Vision Connection, allows passengers to stream a curated selection of movies, TV and music directly to their personal devices free of charge.
Regarding onboard Wi-Fi for passengers, SES is providing its SES Open Orbits global in-flight connectivity network for Thai Airways. These new IFC services will be delivered through SES Open Orbits connectivity service partner Neo Space Group (NSG) and are available via Airbus’s HBCplus Programme and through Safran Passenger Innovations’ AeroConnect terminals for Boeing aircraft.
NSG revealed in November last year that Thai Airways had become the first global airline to line-fit its in-flight connectivity solution on Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Neo Space Group’s NSG Skywaves solution will be line-fit on all of THAI’s new fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
NSG Skywaves leverages the SES Open Orbits network, which combines MEO low-latency, high-speed performance with GEO stability and global coverage, integrating the ThinKom Ka2517 antenna.
The companies say that by choosing a factory line-fit installation, Thai Airways ensures that every new Dreamliner will be delivered with full connectivity capability from day one, avoiding the downtime, complexity and cost of aftermarket retrofit installations.
The partnership between NSG and Thai Airways began already in 2024 when NSG retrofitted the airline’s Boeing 777 fleet and now expands to include line-fit installations on A321neo aircraft via the Airbus HBCplus program with Safran Passenger Innovations.
Thai flavours in the spotlight: Sustainable Catering and Michelin-Starred Dining
At the event, Mr Sansomboon highlighted THAI’s focus on sustainability. He said the materials used for onboard amenities such as toothbrushes are biodegradable, adding: “It’s about the eco-friendly chain.”
On its catering offering, Thai Airways collaborates with local Thai producers and has set up a “Good Taste for a Good Cause” initiative that celebrates onboard culinary excellence with an exclusive selection of sustainable and socially responsible products.
When it comes to catering and amenities on board, THAI says that for this special birthday year, it is partnering with some of Thailand’s most celebrated brands to showcase the nation’s artistry, culture and culinary traditions on a global stage.
These include Jim Thompson amenity kits with matching eye masks and pouches and premium travel essentials, available for Royal Silk Class passengers on international long-haul flights.
Food-wise, beloved sweet treats from renowned Thai dessert café After You are offered on board, as are chocolates by award-winning Thai artisan chocolatier KanVela, signature cocktails created in partnership with premium Thai brand SILPIN with flavours, and DoiTung’s single-origin coffee grown in Chiang Rai’s highlands.
Mr Sansomboon said THAI’s culinary initiative is based on the local community, noting that the airline works with highly renowned and award-winning female Thai chefs.
The airline’s respect for diversity is one of the reasons the carrier works with female chefs, but Mr Sansomboon pointed out that in addition the airline considers Thai Airways as a woman.
“We call ourselves Royal Orchid,” he said. “Orchid is a woman. Even the gender of the airplane you use is a she.”
He explained that THAI requires five conditions that a chef must be able to meet. “Number one, the food must be good. It has to be delicious. Second, it must be healthy. Third, the dishes have to use the local produce from Thailand.”
The fourth condition is that the meals must be doable. “In in-flight catering, we’re talking about 100 meals, 1,000 meals”. And lastly, it has to have a story. “People love a story,” he noted.
Mr Sansomboon mentioned the airline’s “Streets to Sky” initiative on board international flights that features iconic Thai street food dishes from renowned local eateries that highlight the rich flavours, cultural stories and unique identities of Thailand’s beloved street food, such as Pad Thai stir-fried noodles. Passengers can enjoy dishes from the Michelin-starred street food vendor Jay Fai and Thailand’s favourite Pad Thai from Bangkok’s Thipsamai restaurant.
Which aircraft are forming part of a broader strategy to redefine regional travel?
The new Airbus A321neo aircraft
What does the "Streets to Sky" initiative on board international flights feature?
iconic Thai street food dishes from renowned local eateries that highlight the rich flavours, cultural stories and unique identities of Thailand’s beloved street food
What does THAI’s wireless in-flight entertainment system, THAI Vision Connection, allow passengers to do?
stream a curated selection of movies, TV and music directly to their personal devices free of charge
Why did the carrier opt for the 180 degree lie-flat option for the A321neo?
because the aircraft can fly longer distances
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About the author
Inflight Editor Satu Dahl is a highly respected aviation journalist who, for over a decade, has been reporting on airlines’ latest developments and ground-breaking new products, as well as conducting extensive airline executive interviews and in-depth analysis on the global aviation marketplace, covering both commercial and business aviation.
