Thai Airways is enhancing comfort on its single-aisle Airbus A320 jets by introducing regional business class, offering a new option for short-haul travel with points-based upgrades.
The A320 Royal Silk business class features 12 spacious recliners with a pitch of 38 inches and a recline of 5 inches. Although these aircraft do not have inflight video screens, passengers can access content from the Thai Vision Connect entertainment system via WiFi on their personal devices.
The rollout of the A320 Royal Silk business class is expected to be completed by the second quarter of this year across all 20 aircraft, initially serving eight domestic routes from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Ubon Ratchathani, Phuket, Hat Yai, and Krabi. Additionally, these A320s will operate on select flights to over 20 destinations in Asia, including Taiwan, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
Passengers in Royal Silk Class will enjoy gourmet meals along with a carefully curated beverage selection, and amenity kits will be provided on flights longer than 3.5 hours. Other benefits of the new premium cabin include Fast Track immigration service, Priority Boarding, Priority Baggage handling, access to the Royal Orchid Lounge, a checked baggage allowance of 40 kg (with an additional 7 kg for carry-on), and a bonus of 125-150% Royal Orchid Plus miles.
These A320s were previously operated by Thai Airways’ now-defunct Thai Smile regional service, which had a premium cabin concept similar to the Euro-business model, offering economy seats with the middle seat left vacant. The approach to regional business class in Asia varies significantly among airlines; while Thai, Cathay Pacific, and Malaysia Airlines typically use recliner seats, Singapore Airlines is introducing flatbeds on its Boeing 737 MAX fleet.
Most favored regional routes are typically served by twin-aisle jets such as the Airbus A330, A350, and Boeing 787 and 777, which provide true international-standard business class experiences. Cathay Pacific has already committed to refreshing its regional Airbus A330 fleet with flatbed business class, and is also preparing to receive its first A330neo jets starting in 2028. Meanwhile, Thai Airways is planning to reinstate premium economy and is exploring a new business class for the Boeing 787.
