THAI AIRWAYS: Resumes flying Bangkok to Perth route

From 5 July, Thai resumes flying between Perth and Bangkok 3 times per week – every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Looks like Thai will be using a 2-class Boeing 787-800 Dreamliner for starters, with 22 Royal Silk Business Class and 234 economy seats.

The business class product is looking a little tired but does offer direct aisle access for all but the window seats in its 2-2-2 configuration. Economy Class is a fairly standard 3-3-3 configuration.

The flight out of Bangkok leaves pretty damn early at 7.20 am, arriving in Perth just after 3 pm. Out of Perth, the flight leaves at 4.20 pm, arriving in Bangkok at 10.20 pm.

Flight No.	Route	Day	Duration	Departure	Arrival
TG481	Bangkok – Perth	TUE, THU, SAT	6.45 hrs	07.20	15.05
TG482	Perth – Bangkok	TUE, THU, SAT	7 hrs	16.20	22.20

2PAXfly Takeout

This is another timely reminder to wear your seatbelt when seated. Holding you close to your seat will protect you from the sort of injuries sustained on this flight, when unsecured passengers flew to the ceiling of the aircraft, and then came crashing down once the ‘drop’ ceased.

The hope will be that this is an anomaly – a ‘freak accident’ in casual parlance. If it is a systemic error either mechanical or electronic, then this is a larger concern for the airlines that fly Boeing Dreamliner 787 aircraft. Let’s hope it isn’t. If it is, it will pile on the woes to Boeing’s existing stack.

Thai Airways is going through a tough time at the moment. It is effectively in administration and is going through the process of streamlining its fleet, and reducing staff. The airline has angered many customers by withholding paid fares for cancelled flights during the pandemic under the protection of administration. Its Australian staffing has been slashed, as had its flights, which with this Perth route are slowly being restored. Thai now services Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth and over the ditch to Auckland.

Back in the early 2000s, I used to travel with Thai all the time due to their budget-friendly business class, and their top-notch service. I haven’t travelled with them in a while, as their business product became dated, and they severely compromised their business class food and beverage service. Thai was the first airline I ever flew in First Class with, and was the only passenger in the cabin. Fond memories!