Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus - New 773ER (Non 9W) Routes

Has TG announced the route yet for the new delivery 773ER? I assume it's not going to Europe for a little while as they try to work out the kinks.

As far as I know CPH will be the first destination followed by ARN for European routes.

May be off topic but this is the link that shows the seat pictures of new B777-300ER (HS-TKK).
http://www.pantip.com/cafe/blueplanet/topic/E12486972/E12486972.html

Has TG announced the route yet for the new delivery 773ER? I assume it's not going to Europe for a little while as they try to work out the kinks.

Tokyo Narita 16AUG12 - 27OCT12
Singapore eff 28OCT12
Copenhagen eff 31MAR13

9-16 Aug 2012 - TG415/416/417/418 BKK-KUL

Any chance it will be used on BKK-ICN on 18-Aug?

There's an article on Thaivisa this morning, claiming that the new 777-300ERs will be put on the LAX and BRU routes. Seems possible in a sense, as the LAX flights seem to be either sold out, or nearly so. So more seats are needed on the route, though you'd think (if they have the aircraft) they'd ramp up frequencies and get this flight running daily.

Also seems a bit odd at this late date to be talking about changing the aircraft over to a 777-300ER in October, when there have been no other indications of that, and they have already started showing 747's on the route, for booking starting next spring.

Take it for what it's worth.

Thai Airways New 777-300Er For Lax/Bru Route (http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/576448-thai-airways-new-777-300er-for-laxbru-route/)

To add further to my previous post, apparently THAI does intend to put these new, leased 77W aircraft on the BKK-Seoul-Los Angeles route when they get their second aircraft in October.

From the THAI website News section (August 2012) THAI receives Delivery of New Boeing 777-300ER:

Mr. Chokchai Panyayong, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Business Development Department and Acting President, said that THAI has on order eight Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, for long haul flights across continents. This Boeing 777-300ER delivery is the first aircraft that is part of the Company’s corporate plan for aircraft acquisition and aircraft acquisition investment plan 2011-2017. These aircraft will replace the decommissioned aircraft, with the second Boeing 777-300ER aircraft being delivered in October 2012, and six more to be delivered in 2013.

With this first Boeing 777-300ER delivered, THAI will operate one daily flight between Bangkok and Narita (Tokyo); and will operate the Bangkok-Seoul-Los Angeles route and Bangkok-Brussels route when the second aircraft arrives.

THAI’s Boeing 777-300ER can accommodate 348 passengers in a two-class configuration:



THAI reservations still shows the same "777-200/300" aircraft and operating 4x/week.

I wouldn't take TG's announcement (77W to LAX/BRU) that seriously.

I had a chance to fly the new 777-300ER today (hs-tkk) in C from KUL-BKK. I had read about the new biz seating configuration, so I was pleasantly surprised when I boarded and saw this was not the 777-200 I was expecting. I sat in 17k, last window seat in the larger, forward biz section.

First impressions were that the seat was very good with one notable exception. Much improved privacy for single travelers while couples can be seated together in every other row of the middle section. The seat was comfortable for lounging and well designed overall. However, the only issue of note may be for those passengers who are at least 6 feet or taller. When I reclined the seat to the fully-flat mode, there was simply no way for me to lie completely straight. I would have needed at least an additional 5-6 inches of pitch (I'm 6'3"). I didn't try lying on my side, but I'm guessing that also may not be that comfortable given that these seats aren't terribly wide.

Were I flying this aircraft on a long-haul route while trying to sleep, I honestly think it would be easier to do so in a lounging or reclined position rather than trying to contort my body to fit into the lie-flat position. Of course, if you are 5'9" or under, you'll love this new seat. :)

Anyway, just my $.02.