Thai Airways to decide on long-haul widebody replacement 'in one to two years'

Thai Airways plans to choose a replacement widebody for long-haul operations within one to two years, with CEO Chai Eamsiri assessing both Airbus and Boeing programs. Speaking during an event in Amsterdam tied to new Bangkok flights, Eamsiri said the airline is evaluating the Airbus A350-1000 and the Boeing 777X, with the first aircraft expected from 2036. Thai currently operates the A350-900 and holds options for 777X aircraft from a 2024 order for 45 Boeing 787s, plus additional options to switch commitments to the 777X. Eamsiri said the new widebodies would support a restart of Bangkok–North America services last flown in 2015, but he ruled out the ultra-long-haul A350-1000 variant because the “cost per seat” is too high. He expects its 777-300ERs to remain for at least another 10 years, while retiring 777-200ERs by year-end. The interview was published 3 July, and Thai is also expanding 787 deliveries, including a new 787-9 with GE Aerospace GEnx engines.