If you’ve spent any time on aviation forums lately, you’ve probably heard the rumors. Thai Airways is "coming back." Or it’s "struggling." Or it’s "the best food in the sky" but "the worst customer service on the ground."
Honestly? It is all of those things at once.
Navigating the world of Thai Airways International Airlines in 2026 feels like watching a giant wake up from a very long, very expensive nap. After years of bankruptcy court and restructuring that would make a corporate lawyer sweat, the "Smooth as Silk" carrier is finally trying to live up to its name again. But if you’re booking a ticket expecting the 1990s golden era, you might want to read the fine print first.
The Reality of the Fleet: Luck of the Draw
You might get a brand-new A350 with seats that feel like a hug. Or, you might end up on an aging 777 that's seen better decades. It’s the Thai Airways lottery.
Right now, the airline is in the middle of a massive identity shift. They just exited court-supervised rehabilitation in June 2025. That’s huge. It means they aren't just "surviving" anymore; they are buying. We’re talking about a massive order of 45 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and some shiny new Airbus A321neos that just started flying routes to Singapore and China this January.
But here is what most people get wrong: the "new" Thai Airways hasn't replaced everything yet.
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If you are flying short-haul, keep an eye on your aircraft type. Some routes that used to have wide-body planes are being swapped for narrow-body A320s or the new A321neos. The service is still great, but the "big plane" feel is disappearing on regional hops. On the long-haul side, the A350-900 is the current crown jewel. If you can snag a seat on one of the 22 they have in the fleet, do it. The humidity levels are better, the windows are bigger, and your jet lag won't feel like a physical assault.
Why Thai Airways International Airlines Still Wins (And Where It Fails)
Let's talk about the elephant in the room. The service.
Thai hospitality is a real thing, not just a marketing slogan. The cabin crew—dressed in those iconic traditional silks—are often the highlight of the trip. They actually care if you liked your Massaman curry. Speaking of which, the food remains some of the best in the industry. While other airlines are cutting back to a "bento box" of sadness, Thai is still serving multi-course meals that actually taste like they came from a kitchen in Bangkok.
But then there's the ground experience.
The "Ground Support" Gap
This is where the frustration starts. 2025 was a messy year for their customer service centers. If your flight is on time, you're golden. If there’s a delay or a missed connection? That's when you encounter the "Copy-Paste Policy." Passengers have reported waiting hours for rebooking, and the ground staff at Suvarnabhumi Airport can sometimes feel overwhelmed.
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- The Win: In-flight dining and crew warmth.
- The Loss: Inconsistent ground support and rigid refund policies.
- The Surprise: The new "Neo Space Group" Wi-Fi. They are rolling out 200 Mbps speeds on the new 787s. You can actually stream Netflix over the Indian Ocean now.
Is Royal Orchid Plus Still Worth It?
If you're a points chaser, the Royal Orchid Plus (ROP) program has been through the wringer. A lot of people abandoned ship during the restructuring, fearing their miles would vanish. They didn't.
In fact, as of January 5, 2026, there’s a massive refresh of the American Express Thai Airways Platinum card. They are making it significantly easier to hit Gold status. Usually, you need 50,000 miles, but the new "fast track" lets you hit it with 25,000 miles if you meet certain spending requirements.
Is Gold status worth the effort?
If you fly through Bangkok often, yes. The lounges at Suvarnabhumi are massive, and the spa treatments (even the 15-minute ones) are the only way to survive a 12-hour layover. However, be warned: redeeming miles for "Star Alliance" partner flights is still a bit of a headache compared to Singapore Airlines or Cathay Pacific.
The 2026 Network: Where They Are Actually Flying
Thai Airways is aggressively reclaiming its territory. They are no longer just a "Thailand" airline; they are trying to be the bridge between Europe and Australia again.
They've doubled frequencies to Beijing and Guangzhou for the 2025-2026 winter schedule. If you're heading to Europe, they’ve resumed daily service to Brussels and are running 14 flights a week to London and Frankfurt. They are even looking at new religious routes to Gaya, India, for the pilgrimage crowd.
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The strategy is clear: dominate the "Kangaroo Route" from London to Sydney/Melbourne with a stop in Bangkok. It's often cheaper than Qantas and more comfortable than some of the budget Middle Eastern carriers if you value that specific Thai service style.
Money Talks: Is the Airline Stable?
You don't want to buy a ticket from an airline that might not exist in six months.
The good news? The numbers look surprisingly solid. In late 2025, they reported a nine-month net profit of 26.39 billion baht. That’s a 73% jump. They’ve slashed their staff from 30,000 to about 14,000 and simplified their fleet. They used to fly way too many different types of planes, which made maintenance a nightmare. Now, they are focusing on four core models.
It’s a leaner, meaner version of the old airline. They even relisted on the Stock Exchange of Thailand in August 2025.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Booking
If you’re planning to fly Thai Airways International Airlines this year, don't just click "buy" on the cheapest fare.
- Check the "Operated By" Tag: Make sure it’s a TG 3-digit flight. Some regional routes are still being juggled, and you want the full "Silk" experience, not a codeshare on a budget partner if you're paying full price.
- The 787-9 vs. 787-8: If you have the choice, go for the 787-9. The business class configuration is generally superior, and they are the first to get the high-speed line-fit Wi-Fi.
- Baggage Fees are Brutal: They’ve become very strict. Some passengers have reported being charged nearly $900 for a second suitcase in Tokyo. Weigh your bags at home. Seriously.
- The "Royal Silk" Meal Pre-Order: If you’re in Business Class, use the "e-Service" on their website to pre-order your meal. The "Chef’s Table" options are far better than what’s on the standard menu on the day.
- Download the App: It’s actually decent now. You can track your bags in real-time, which is a life-saver given the ground service inconsistencies mentioned earlier.
The bottom line? Thai Airways is back, but it's different. It's more business-minded and less "government-subsidized-extravagance." It still has the heart—and the curry—that made it famous, but you have to be a savvy traveler to avoid the remaining growing pains of its reconstruction.
To make the most of your trip, always verify your aircraft type on a site like FlightRadar24 about 24 hours before departure, as last-minute equipment swaps are still common as the new fleet arrives. Check your Royal Orchid Plus balance now to see if you qualify for the new 2026 status accelerators before your next long-haul booking.