THAI Air Ups the Ante on Short Flights With New Royal Silk Class

BANGKOK – Tired of cramped seats and lackluster service on short-haul flights? Thai Airways International Plc is betting you are, unveiling a revamped Royal Silk Class cabin on its Airbus A320s designed to bring a touch of luxury to both domestic and regional routes.

The airline showcased its new premium offering at an event at the THAI Technical Department at Suvarnabhumi Airport, attended by top executives including Chairman of the Plan Administrator Piyasvasti Amranand and CEO Chai Eamsiri. This isn't just a cosmetic refresh, THAI says. It's a key part of their "One THAI One Fly" strategy, integrating Thai Smile Airways and aiming for improved revenue and a more seamless passenger experience.

"This upgrade reflects our dedication… to set new standards in air travel, particularly for short-haul routes," said Korakot Chatasingha, THAI's Chief Commercial Officer. The airline is promising a full-service experience, even on shorter hops, emphasizing spacious seating, in-flight entertainment, and elevated dining.

The redesigned cabin features 12 seats in a 2-2 configuration, spread across the first three rows. Think wider seats, adjustable headrests and legrests, and convenient tray tables. For entertainment, Thai is going wireless – a first for domestic flights in Thailand, they claim – allowing passengers to stream content to their own devices. And for those longer short-hauls (over 3.5 hours), passengers in Royal Silk Class will receive amenity kits designed by Jim Thompson.

But the premium experience extends beyond the seat itself. Royal Silk passengers will also enjoy perks like Fast Track immigration, priority boarding and baggage handling, access to the Royal Orchid Lounge, a generous 40kg checked baggage allowance (plus 7kg carry-on), and bonus miles in the Royal Orchid Plus program.

The new Royal Silk Class is rolling out on eight domestic routes from Bangkok, including popular destinations like Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Hat Yai. Internationally, it’s available on select flights to 22 destinations across Asia, from Taiwan and Hong Kong to India and Nepal. Thai plans to have all 20 of its A320s outfitted with the new cabin by the second quarter of this year.