British Airways Returns to Thailand After Four-Year Break

On October 29, 2024, British Airways made its much-anticipated return to Thailand with a Boeing 777 to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK), marking the end of a four-year hiatus since its last direct flight from London to the Thai capital. The first flight on this newly reintroduced route left London-Gatwick Airport (LGW) at 22:00 local time on October 28, landing in Bangkok the following day at 15:55—15 minutes ahead of schedule. Operated by one of British Airways’ Boeing 777-200ERs registered as G-YMMA, passengers on this inaugural flight were treated to a warm welcome, complete with traditional Thai dancers, flower garlands, and local souvenirs.

After announcing its plans to resume flights to Bangkok earlier in 2024, British Airways has launched a schedule that starts with three weekly flights, expected to increase to five per week in January and February 2025 and settling at four times per week in March. This relaunch caters to the pent-up demand for travel between London and Bangkok, a route that was previously discontinued in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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British Airways to Thailand — Photo by ***Hunter Brame***

Currently, outbound Flight BA2231 departs from London-Gatwick every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 21:15, touching down in Bangkok approximately 11 hours and 30 minutes later at 16:10 the following day. Return Flight BA2230 takes off from Bangkok at 22:25 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, landing in Gatwick at 05:30 the next morning.

Passengers on this route have the option to choose between three cabin classes: business, premium economy, and economy, accommodating 32, 48, and 252 seats, respectively. As part of the expanded service, British Airways offers 996 extra weekly seats on the route in each direction, which will rise to 1,660 weekly seats in both directions by early 2025.

Further elevating the passenger experience, British Airways has also expanded its codeshare agreement with Bangkok Airways, allowing travelers to seamlessly connect to five additional holiday destinations from Bangkok: the Thai islands of Koh Samui, Phuket, and Chiang Mai, as well as two popular cities in Cambodia—Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. This expanded network strengthens British Airways’ position as a convenient gateway for UK travelers heading to the picturesque landscapes of Southeast Asia.

A Welcome Return for British Airways to Thailand

Neil Chernoff, British Airways’ Chief Planning and Strategy Officer, emphasized the significance of this route:

“We know that Bangkok has been a highly anticipated route restart for our customers, so we are thrilled to see it firmly back on our global route map. Not only does Bangkok itself have so much to offer our leisure customers, but it is a gateway to some of the most beautiful parts of Southeast Asia, and we are proud to make these more accessible to the UK market.”

Sadudee Sangnil, Director for the UK, Ireland, and South Africa at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), echoed this sentiment:

“It is great to welcome British Airways back to Thailand, and just in time for the peak season. With so much to experience across Thailand, the addition of these flights means we can welcome more people, seeking winter sun, to experience Thailand’s warmth, beauty, and culture.”

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She encouraged visitors to explore beyond the popular hubs like Phuket, highlighting destinations that include local communities, national parks, and scenic, lesser-known beaches. Chiang Mai, an area that has quickly bounced back from recent flooding, is also fully open and welcoming travelers once again.

The Competition on the London-Bangkok Route

British Airways now joins Thai Airways, which operates twice daily flights between London-Heathrow (LHR) and Bangkok using Boeing 777-300ERs. Additionally, Taiwanese carrier EVA Air includes Bangkok as a stopover on its London to Taipei service, also utilizing Boeing 777-300ERs.

While Bangkok has made a strong return to British Airways’ route network, other planned expansions are facing delays. British Airways had originally scheduled daily flights between London and Kuala Lumpur for the 2024/25 northern winter season; however, due to issues with Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines powering the airline’s Boeing 787 Dreamliners, these services will be postponed until April 1, 2025.

With Bangkok’s addition back into the British Airways network, the airline now flies to nearly 200 destinations across more than 60 countries, both independently and with partner airlines. British Airways operates out of four major London airports—Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted (STN), and London-City (LCY)—and serves a variety of long-haul routes, including up to 26 cities in the United States.