British Airways has made its return to Bangkok this week after more than four years of absence from Thai skies.
The flight left London Gatwick at 21:15 local time on Monday, October 28, and arrived at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport the following day at 16:10 local time. Passengers on the inaugural flight were welcomed with traditional dancers, flower garlands, and local gifts upon their arrival.
Earlier this year, British Airways announced its intention to resume flights to Bangkok, having last operated a service in 2020. Initially, flights will run three times a week, increasing to five times a week in January and February 2025, and four times a week in March 2025. Travelers can choose from three cabin classes: World Traveller (economy), World Traveller Plus (premium economy), and Club World (business class), with return fares starting at £718.
The airline also revealed an expanded codeshare partnership with Bangkok Airways, enabling customers to seamlessly connect to five holiday destinations from Bangkok. Passengers can visit the stunning beaches of Koh Samui or Phuket, or head north to Chiang Mai to admire its picturesque mountains and historic temples. For those interested in traveling to Cambodia, flights are available to the bustling capital of Phnom Penh or the resort town of Siem Reap.
Neil Chernoff, Chief Planning and Strategy Officer for British Airways, expressed excitement about the route’s restart, stating, “We know that Bangkok has been a highly anticipated route restart for our customers, so we are thrilled to see it firmly back on our global route map. Bangkok itself has so much to offer our leisure customers and serves as a gateway to some of Southeast Asia’s most beautiful destinations, which we are proud to make more accessible to the UK market.”
Ms. Sadudee Sangnil, Director for the UK, Ireland & South Africa at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), welcomed British Airways back just in time for the peak season, highlighting the abundance of experiences Thailand has to offer. “The addition of these flights allows us to welcome more travelers seeking winter sun to enjoy Thailand’s warmth, beauty, and culture. The connectivity to popular hubs like Phuket is fantastic, but we also encourage visitors to explore local communities, national parks, and lesser-known beaches. Chiang Mai, which has rapidly recovered from recent floods, is also ready to welcome travelers again.”
British Airways also confirmed it will resume flights to Kuala Lumpur on April 1, 2025, providing a daily flight from London Heathrow. Next month, new flights will launch to Tromsø, Norway from London Heathrow and to Ivalo, Lapland from London Gatwick. The airline operates to nearly 200 destinations in over 60 countries worldwide.
Photo credit: British Airways
