Thai Airways threw the global commercial aviation sector for a loop as 2026 began when it announced that it was doing away with first class and offering a new option called Business Plus.
This is a timely decision on the part of the airline: it has been noted that the number of premium class travellers flying into Thailand from high-value markets like South Korea, Singapore, and Hong Kong has increased significantly since 2024 and the numbers continue to rise.
Just last month, Thai Airways chief executive Chai Emsiri declared: “Major international airlines have already abolished first class and left business class as the top tier. This new upgrade plan ensures all Thai Airways aircraft offer consistent, standardised products across the fleet.”
Indeed, over the past couple of years, Thai Airways has converted the cabins of its 20 Airbus A320 narrow-body aircraft from economy-only to a two-class configuration.
As a result, cabins aboard these planes now feature a 12-seater Royal Silk Class with seats that adjust up to eight centimeters for greater comfort on top of 144 Economy Class seats.
Along with ample comfort, the new Royal Silk Class boasts of wireless in-flight entertainment for guests on top of the gracious hospitality and exceptional amenities that has made Thai Airways one of the world's most admirable airlines in terms of service.
Beyond mere comfort
The airline's shift to a Business Plus model is also one rooted in sensible business planning and marketing savvy: fleet modernisation, after all, boosts overall profitability.
Likewise, improved inflight comfort and standardised service are a major come-on for the growing number of premium travellers in Asia and beyond.
By phasing out first class and raising the bar for business class, Thai Airways further improves its competitiveness against both regional and global carriers with a standard of luxury that is consistent throughout its fleet.
Changing the game
For Travel Daily Media chief executive Gary Marshall, travelling aboard Thai Airways' revitalised Business Class is something that today's harried business travellers and incredibly discerning luxury travellers need to consider for their next trip.
Gary was one of the first to experience the service towards the end of last year; and, for someone who travels a great deal for work, this improved offering enables weary business travellers to enjoy exceptional inflight luxury between destinations.
As he describes it: "The food is good; the service excellent. The fact that you can fully recline your seat ensures that you're comfortable throughout your flight, and that's a plus if you're flying after a hectic round of meetings or conferences.
"Even before you board your flight, you're well taken care of at Thai's airport lounges where you get the same level of service quality on the ground as you would in the air. It's all wonderfully elegant without being stiff, and certainly marked with Thailand's signature graciousness."
The elegance is certainly palpable in this case, with services ranging from impeccable cuisine with menus developed by some of the best chefs in the world, to caviar service on specific routes.
Best of all, for business travellers, the provision of stable inflight connectivity enables them to transform their air suites into offices where they can work in comfort even whilst 30,000 feet in the air.
It also needs to be said that today's luxury travellers won't miss first class once they've travelled on the new Royal Silk Class: it is a streamlined approach to inflight elegance that is at once chic and contemporary but infused with the traditions that have made Thai Airways a leading player in modern commercial aviation,
