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Thai Airways International (TG) Guide

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Flights from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi across Thailand, Asia, Europe and Australia, fleet and cabins, baggage, check-in and how to find cheaper THAI fares. Ask a question
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In short

Thai Airways International is the flag carrier of Thailand, based at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport. It flies to about 60 destinations in Thailand, Asia, Europe and Australia, linking Bangkok with long-haul cities and Thai holiday spots. Thai is a Star Alliance founding member and runs Royal Orchid Plus. Cabins range from Economy and Premium Economy to Royal Silk business and Royal First.

Thai Airways International (THAI) is Thailand’s national airline and a founding member of Star Alliance.

Please note: bookingMentor is an independent travel service and is not affiliated with Thai Airways International. Routes, schedules and baggage rules change, so always confirm the details of your booking with the airline.

What to expect

Thai Airways International (THAI, IATA TG) is the flag carrier of Thailand, based at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. It flies to about 51 international and 9 domestic destinations in 29 countries, across Asia, Europe and Australia, and is a founding member of Star Alliance. It is the obvious choice for travel to Thailand from Europe or Australia and for connections through Bangkok across Asia.

From joint venture to state airline

Thai International was founded in 1960 as a joint venture between Scandinavian Airlines, which held 30 per cent, and the domestic Thai Airways Company. Its first intercontinental flights, to Australia with DC-8s, began in 1971. The Thai government bought out SAS's remaining shares on 1 April 1977. On 1 April 1988 the domestic Thai Airways Company merged into THAI, and the airline listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand in 1991.

THAI was a founding member of Star Alliance, formed on 14 May 1997. After about 40 years of profits, it posted its first annual loss in 2008.

Recovery after the pandemic

After the pandemic THAI cut its fleet and staff and brought back its regional subsidiary Thai Smile, which made its last flight on 31 December 2023.

THAI shares returned to trading on 4 August 2025. The Ministry of Finance remains the largest shareholder. Chai Eamsiri is chief executive, and the airline had 12,858 employees in 2025.

Bangkok hub and network

Suvarnabhumi Airport is the hub, with Chiang Mai and Phuket as focus cities. From Bangkok THAI flies to China, Japan, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia and European cities. Bangkok sits between Europe and Australia and between South Asia and the Far East, so many itineraries use it as a single connecting stop.

In 2024 THAI carried 16.14 million passengers with a cabin factor of 78.8 per cent.

Flying THAI through Bangkok

Suvarnabhumi is THAI's base for almost every flight, so check the departure airport if a separate ticket has you arriving at Bangkok's other airport, Don Mueang. Allow generous time on any self-made connection.

Fact-checked by the bookingMentor Travel Desk Reviewed · Updated when rules or prices change

Checked against trusted sources:
THAI official website

See the source
  1. THAI official website
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Good to know

  • Founded1960
  • Online check-inYes

Everything you should know

Airline codes

TG · THA

IATA · ICAO · callsign “THAI”

Look for TG in front of the number on your ticket: that prefix marks a flight sold under the THAI code. Enter TG and the number to follow a THAI departure.

Key facts

Network

About 60 destinations

Thailand · Asia · Europe · Australia

THAI connects Bangkok with Thai cities, most of Asia, Europe and Australia; it does not fly to the US.

Destinations

Cabin classes

Economy

and Premium Economy, Royal Silk (Business), Royal First

Royal First, Royal Silk (Business), Premium Economy and Economy, depending on the aircraft.

Compare cabins

Good to know

THAI returned to the stock exchange in 2025. Its former regional subsidiary Thai Smile was merged into THAI at the start of 2024. Official website: thaiairways.com.

Frequent flyer

Royal Orchid Plus

Member of Star Alliance

THAI is a founding member of Star Alliance; its programme is Royal Orchid Plus.

How it works

Start a new search

bookingMentor lists TG fares beside the other carriers on the same route, which shows quickly whether THAI is the cheaper way to reach Sydney.

Bon voyage on your next THAI flight.

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At a glance

Thai Airways International (IATA: TG, ICAO: THA) is the flag carrier of Thailand, founded in 1960 and based at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. A founding member of Star Alliance, it flies about 80 Airbus and Boeing aircraft to around 60 destinations in Thailand, Asia, Europe and Australia.

Key facts about Thai Airways International
HeadquartersChatuchak, Bangkok, Thailand
Fleet typesAirbus A350-900, A330-300, A320, A321neo, Boeing 787-8/-9, 777-300ER
Frequent flyerRoyal Orchid Plus
Official websitethaiairways.com

Flight routes

Destinations and routes

Direct routes
The THAI network at a glance. The airline changes routes from time to time, and a search shows which TG flights run on your dates. Search flights

Thailand

Bangkok (BKK) departures8 destinations

Check all

Fleet and aircraft

About 80 Airbus and Boeing aircraft (January 2026): A320s and A321neos regionally; A330-300s, A350-900s, Boeing 777-300ERs and 787s on wide-body routes. THAI plans to reach 143 aircraft by 2029.

  • Airbus A350-900 Wide-body Europe and long Asian routes
  • Boeing 777-300ER Wide-body Europe and high-demand routes
  • Boeing 787-8 Wide-body Asia, Australia and Europe
  • Boeing 787-9 Wide-body Asia, Australia and Europe
  • Airbus A330-300 Wide-body Regional Asian routes
  • Airbus A320 Narrow-body Domestic and short regional routes (incl. former Thai Smile)
  • Airbus A321neo Narrow-body Domestic and short regional routes (incl. former Thai Smile)

Cabin classes

Up to four cabins depending on aircraft.

Economy All flights

Full service with Thai cuisine

MealsChecked bag includedEntertainment on wide-bodies

Premium Economy Selected aircraft

More room on long flights

Extra legroomPriority services

Royal Silk (Business) All wide-bodies

Flat beds on long-haul

Royal Silk LoungePriority servicesExtra baggage

Royal First Selected long-haul aircraft

Top cabin

Private seatRoyal First LoungeFine dining

Royal Orchid Plus

Earn points on TG flights with Royal Orchid Plus, which you can join on the THAI website.

Members earn miles on THAI and Star Alliance flights and redeem them for award tickets and upgrades. Royal Orchid Plus tiers are recognised across Star Alliance.

Baggage allowance

On THAI, the bag allowance follows your fare type, cabin and route, and the exact figure is printed on your TG e-ticket.

Checked baggage
On your e-ticket
Cabin baggage
Depends on fare
Extra bags
Cheaper before you fly
Power banks
Cabin bag only

Allowances depend on route, cabin and fare; Europe and Australia routes may differ from regional Asian routes. Check your e-ticket.

Pro tip: connecting to a domestic THAI flight in Bangkok? Domestic and international flights use the same Suvarnabhumi terminal.
Travel day

Online Check-in

The four steps below take you from your THAI booking to the gate, whether you depart from BKK or another airport on its network.

  • Online check-in available
  1. Step 1

    Check in online

    Use thaiairways.com or app to check in for eligible flights. Have your THAI booking reference or e-ticket number and your surname ready.

    Booking ref + surname
  2. Step 2

    Prepare your documents

    Pack your passport plus any visa, residence permit or entry papers your destination asks for. Domestic TG passengers should bring a photo ID the airline accepts.

    Passport · visa · ID
  3. Step 3

    Arrive early

    THAI closes its check-in counters before departure, and passengers who miss the cut-off can be refused boarding. Leave room for bag drop and security at BKK.

    Well before departure
  4. Step 4

    Drop your bags

    THAI desks and bag-drop points take your hold luggage. Keep the bag-tag receipt with your boarding pass until the bags come off at the end of your TG trip.

    THAI counter
Departing from Bangkok? Terminals, lounges, food and transport at Suvarnabhumi Airport, all in one guide.
Bangkok Airport guide Check in with THAI
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Cheap tickets

THAI fares out of Bangkok move with the season and the fare brand. These habits help keep the price down.

  1. 01

    Be flexible with your THAI dates

    THAI fares are often lower on midweek departures. Search a spread of dates around your trip to find the cheaper days.

    Midweek flights
  2. 02

    Avoid peak seasons

    Songkran (mid-April), Christmas–New Year and Chinese New Year are the busiest times.

    Songkran & New Year
  3. 03

    Compare THAI fare types

    The lowest TG fare is not always the cheapest trip once bags and seats are added. Compare the fare types before you pay.

    Baggage & changes

  4. Ready to compare fares?

    Search THAI alongside every other airline on your route, with flexible dates.

    Search THAI flights

Reviews and questions

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Everything travellers ask before flying Thai Airways International.
We check these THAI answers with the airline’s own sources and aviation references every season.

General

Thai Airways is a founding member of Star Alliance, created in 1997. You can connect to and earn miles on partners such as Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, ANA and United Airlines on eligible tickets.