18wheeler_vanrekt

So, a few months ago, Thai's intention to replace the 747s on the Bangkok to Sydney route with their new A350s:
https://blueswandaily.com/thai-airwa...ice-in-1h2018/
However, Thai still seems to be selling First Class tickets on the route through the end of the schedule, so the change hasn't been made yet.
I figured a good number of people on this forum are holding First tickets for that flight (most booked with United miles pre or post devaluation), so I figured we should have a thread dedicated to tracking this development.

Mauibaby2008

I know this gets discussed in the “Thai - News” thread but having its own thread sounds good to me.. .

I am holding SYD BKK for early September. They just cut F from BKK HKG and now this development what a bummer. I check my reservation religiously

suedave88

Thai office Sydney no A350 till next year.

flyerby

There are 2 more A350, HS-THM & HS-THN, waiting to be delivered in the next 2 months.
They may decide in the end to move one A380 to BKK-SYD to keep an F on this route.

BinSabai

I would suggest to raise this questions in a couple of more threads; it will for sure improve the transparency, amend the position of ticket holders and multiply the speculation about this issue

flyerby

SK AAR

It's for sure more than enough.No interest in the SYD route and no sympathy for UA members having snatched all C and F seats before the devaluation of their miles/points ;-)

BinSabai

Quote of the day

flyerby

Tokyoite

This topic has been beaten to death, in combination with the withdrawal of F from HKG. I suggest the mods merge this into the "Thai News" thread.
Anyway, just to rehash, Thai Airways realize they cannot compete in the premium market with the 747 recliners. They indeed plan to offer all lie-flat premium product in Australia market from 2018. The only way to achieve that (they wont retrofitting the old birds), is to switch to the 787, 77W, or A350.
As per this (link) website,
In 2018, Thai Airways will receive the last five aircraft from orders it placed several years ago. The current fleet plan for 2018 includes five A350-900 deliveries, all in the first half, as well as the retirement of two 777-200s and two 737-400s. In 2017 the airline also took delivery of five A350s, along with two 787-9s, and at the same time retired two A330-300s.
And then, from the same link,
In Australia, Thai plans to offer lie-flat business class seats on all flights by mid-2018. The airline is now in the process of upgrading Melbourne, and plans to upgrade Sydney in 1H2018. Mr Krittaphon said the company was planning to upgrade Sydney from 11 weekly 747-400 flights to twice daily A350 flights in 1H2018, as additional A350s are delivered. The new twice daily service will improve connectivity, while increasing total capacity by a modest 7%.

To stoke those fears even more, here is some data:
Thai Airways has five more A350s on order, all of which are slated to be delivered in 1H2018. The eighth aircraft will likely be used to upgrade the second Melbourne flight while Thai’s ninth and tenth A350 will likely be used on the Bangkok-Sydney route.

The remaining 5 orders:
8th TG A350 HS-THJ delivered Jan 27,2018
9th TG A350 HS-THK delivered Feb 01,2018
10th TG A350 HS-THL delivered Feb 22,2018
11th TG A350 HS-THM , first flight complete, should be delivered in March or April 2018
12th TG A350 HS-THN , first flight complete, should be delivered in March or April 2018

flyerby

HS-THM is now on its way to BKK to be delivered to TG.

Tokyoite

@flyerby
the end is definitely near.
any data on where/what routes the 747s have been repositioned to so far?
im still seeing 747 only on MUC/HND x2/SYD

flyerby

BinSabai

TG is flying to HKG with 747 for many many years but this will stop now.
To Sapporo also for quite some time

Change from 9F to 10F is not a downgrade just different seats. And for a day flight I actually prefer the 10F non Suite version

SK AAR

Is there really a market for a 747 to Sapporo ??

I understand to TYO and KIX but CTS! I'm surprised.

Japanese going to TH for vacation? - I doubt many from Thailand travel to Sapporo.