If you can’t sell it, restore it? That’s the decision facing Thai Airways.
Thai Airways’ A340-600 Problem
Five years ago Thai Airways retired its last Airbus A340 aircraft. The four-engine planes were used for intercontinental travel, but relatively fuel inefficient in an era of A350s and 787s.
But as Thai Airways’ financial problems continue, the Thai government has proposed that Thai bring back its A340-600s into service after updating the cabin interior.
Currently, six A340-600s are parked in Pattaya, an idyllic beach town about 100 miles from Bangkok. Thai Airways has tried–and failed–to lease or sell these aircraft. But it is hardly a surprise that little interest has been shown. Singapore Airlines and others in the region retired their own A340 fleets for the same reason.
Dueling Visions For Thai Airways + Thai Government
Earlier this year, I wrote about Thai’s fleet renewal plan. The proposal included a plan to buy 38 new aircraft. Citing Thai’s $3.2BN debt and widening losses, however, the government rejected the plan. It suggested Thai Airways lease aircraft instead, an idea Thai ultimately rejected.
The government’s latest counter-offer comes from Deputy Minister of Transport Thaworn Sennam and concludes that restoring the six A340s and putting them back into service is a better option than letting them rot in an aircraft boneyard.
Déjà Vu For Thai Airways
Thai Airways’ A340-600 fleet is actually not that old. Deliveries took place between 2005-2008, making them relatively youthful. Originally, Thai Airways planned to extend the life of the A340s into the 2020s, but suddenly accelerated the retirement in 2015.
The premium-heavy A340-600s have angled business class seats. Window seats do not have direct aisle access. A retrofit would not just be wise, but a condition precedent to restoring these aircraft to service.
Currently, the aircraft features eight first class seats (1-2-1), 60 business class seats (2-2-2), and 199 in economy class (2-4-2). That means 25% of the aircraft is premium. Compare that to Thai’s A350-900, in which only 10% of seats onboard are premium.
A retrofit would re-balance onboard seating, recognizing the difficult economics of such a premium-heavy aircraft.
CONCLUSION
Thai Airways has not yet indicated if it is open to bringing back the A340-600. But with a rash of recent resignations, the Thai board is stacked in favor of the government. Thai Airways might not have a choice…
Is the proposal to retrofit A40-600s insane or a better alternative than leaving them to rust?
Depends on if they can operate them profitably, excluding the original capital cost of the planes+storage fees since they would otherwise be trashed.
The Thai A346s were great in their day and I always enjoyed flying them. Others including VS still are flying them and they remain popular with passengers.
The angled business class seats on the Thai A346s are still in use on their 747s and is one of the varieties of business class seats Thai operate.
IMO what Thai really need to do is rationalise their fleet, it’s a bit like Qatar and they must have just about everything in current use in the fleet if you include the 737s with Nok Air.
There may be a place for the A346 and perhaps it could replace the even older 747s and have business and first updated to current standards.
Unfortunately the classic old 747 400 fleet is getting past the use by date. They are used for the Sydney Bangkok leg. The A346s could maybe be utilised on this rout but the business class would have to be improved from the angle beds. Maybe some premium economy seats as well. Just a thought.
I’ve never heard Pattaya described as idyllic. Perhaps it was to EVA Air bathroom man.
The planes are actually at U Tapao, right?
Correct.
Ha! One suspects it was idyllic c1964, prior to the arrival of the R&R crowds.
This is insane. In addition to everything else, I would certainly not want to fly a 340 that’s been stored outside in Thai climate for four years.
There’s a reason US carriers park their aircraft in places like Victorville or Tucson. No humidity.
I love the A346! I don’t know what about gas guzzlers, but they just look beautiful. Something about having 4 engines probably. But restoring them might not be such a bad idea. Delta uses MD-80s and 717s and they have been successful. Assuming that humidity hasn’t killed the A346s and Thai somehow got their act together, I could see the planes working well for them.
I agree with you, Aaron. I think the A340 is a gorgeous plane – and the 600’s look even better. I’ve flown Olympic, Air France, Qatar and South African A340’s and am always sad when an airline retires this aircraft from their fleet. I get the economics; it’s just that Airbus’s 340 to my eyes is better looking than the more economical 330.
Good looking plane and very comfortable and quiet plane to fly. I’m booked on a couple of 787 longhauls and wouldn’t mind sn upgrade to a 340.
As long as the seats are upgraded!
Absolutely, angled things are a no-go. You wrote it was part of the suggestion so then it works for me. If it’s not part of the deal they better keep those planes in Pattaya.
Do you think This airways is going to survive or will go bankrupt in 2020?
I’d say with the government involvement I see bankruptcy and then a new government backed company buying the assets at fire sale prices, or they go down the Alitalia road.
The cynical amongst us would say it’s a set-up for some of the ‘connected’ to get an asset for next to nothing ( in the manner of the Russian oligarchs).
Yep, yep and yep. TG ain’t going anywhere. Lots of things may change, but it’s not going to disappear. Too many opportunities for corruption. That, and the minor detail that the Thai royal family routinely uses TG for their personal transport. They will bump the entire premium cabin out on scheduled flights when any of the royals want to ride along (including a stint flying left seat on the flight deck…I don’t think I would want to be on one of those flights).
Never been on TG but have flown LH A346 a few times. Nice ride. Fuel prices are a lot lower compared to 10 years ago, so bringing the 346 back might make more sense than new planes.