Originally Posted by
Aussie_flyer
It's been mentioned (by me) at least half a dozen times but some of Thai's A300's are made in 1998 and NEWER than some of the B777's (Thai's 777s date from 1996) and many of the B747's (from 1990 on). So there has been no reason for Thai to retire aircraft that are only 15 years old even now. They just needed a new business class cabin really.
Actually, I think there are some pretty good ones. Range on A320s is pretty decent, and AK, JQ and TR are demonstrating that the higher frequency/narrowbody model for service works pretty well when fuel charges are high, which I think is why TG is moving towards the Thai Smile model of A320 service as time goes by.
Also, the 772s and 747s can fly missions that the A300 cannot do (longer intercontinental ones), which is why they get kept around. The A300 is a tweener.