Thai Airways History
Thai Airways, also known as Thai Airways International Public Company Limited, is the national flag carrier airline of Thailand. Established in 1960, the airline has grown to become one of the leading carriers in the Asia-Pacific region.
Thai Airways was founded as a joint venture between the Thai government and Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) to establish an international airline for Thailand. The airline's first flight took off on May 1, 1960, with a route from Bangkok to Hong Kong. Initially, Thai Airways operated a small fleet of propeller-driven aircraft, including the Convair 440 and the Douglas DC-3.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Thai Airways expanded its network and fleet, introducing jet aircraft such as the Boeing 707 and the McDonnell Douglas DC-10. The airline focused on connecting Thailand to major destinations in Asia, Europe, and the United States. Thai Airways gained a reputation for its warm hospitality, excellent service, and traditional Thai cuisine on board.
More Airline Insights & Tips
Here are a few of helpful resources & tips that can further enhance your knowledge of Thai Airways airlines and how to best be prepared for your trip:
- Delays are an unfortunate fact of the life of an air traveler. Arm yourself against surprises by knowing the flight status of your TG Thai Airways flight before heading to the airport, as this could save you a lot of time, or even your trip to the airport if your flight is canceled.
- Info can be found here on Thai Airways’s company structure, headquarters, etc.
- See which partnerships and alliances Thai Airways has here. This is useful if you want to build up your frequent flyer points on partner airlines.
- Want to know which plane types are in service? Check out TG’s fleet list here.
- When considering a flight booking on Thai Airways, be aware that third-party travel sites might require you to use their customer service instead of Thai Airways's, which may be less than ideal in certain situations.
Beyond the history presented here for Thai Airways, if you’re wanting more aviation history, read about the history of commercial flight here, or the history of the airline industry here.
In the 1990s, Thai Airways underwent a period of modernization and expansion. The airline introduced new aircraft, including the Boeing 747-400 and the Airbus A300, to meet the growing demand for air travel. Thai Airways also expanded its route network, adding new destinations in Africa, Australia, and the Middle East.
Thai Airways faced challenges in the early 2000s due to increased competition and the global economic downturn. The airline implemented various cost-cutting measures and restructuring initiatives to improve its financial performance. Thai Airways also focused on enhancing its customer experience by upgrading its fleet, introducing new cabin products, and improving its inflight entertainment system.
Today, Thai Airways operates a modern fleet of wide-body aircraft, including the Airbus A380 and the Boeing 777. The airline serves more than 80 destinations in over 30 countries, connecting Thailand to major cities around the world. Thai Airways continues to be recognized for its exceptional service, winning numerous awards for its inflight experience, cabin crew, and overall performance.
For more information about this airline, check out our comprehensive Thai Airways Guide.
Find more help here for your journey through the airport