THAI Outlines Initial A380 Information & 747 Retrofit; Potential Scandinavia service increase

Posted 07 April 2011 10:59

At separate events within 2 weeks, THAI’s Traffic Planning Department at RoutesAsia (Seoul Incheon, 27MAR11-29MAR11) and the airline’s chief at Aircraft Interiors Expo (Hamburg, 06APR11) both outlined planned Boeing 747-400 re-configuration and Airbus A380 Operation and configuration.

According to the Star Alliance member, 12 Boeing 747-400 will under-go retrofit project, which is already progressively in effect. 6 of 12 frames will see retrofit in Economy Class only, featuring the new AVOD Personal Entertainment system. TG’s 747 fleet does not have Personal Entertainment System on Economy Class. First retrofitted Boeing 747 is to enter service by the end of April 2011.

The retrofit of Boeing 747-400 aircraft, which mainly operates to Europe, will be similar to the product that the Star member plans to introduce on Airbus A380. First 3 of 6 Airbus A380 aircraft, in F12C60Y435 configuration, is due to arrive September 2012, and will inaugurate service to Frankfurt due to slot constraint, followed by London Heathrow and Paris CDG.

On A380, First and Business Class are located on the upper deck. Business Class in particular features full lie-flat seats. Economy Class are located on the lower deck with AVOD system.

youtube video from airliners.de (article in German)

Interview Clip from THAI’s Traffic Planning Department at RoutesAsia can be found here. For other interview clips from RoutesAsia, held by RoutesOnline which is a partner of this site, click here.

Separately, the Star member is looking to increase service in its key market in Scandinavia, which may be in effect as early as Winter 2011/12 season.