Thai Airways Unveils New Business Class For 2027 Rollout

Thai Airways has struggled for years to offer a consistent business class experience, with the product varying wildly depending on which aircraft you happen to board. But that's about to change. Thai Airways has unveiled its business class seat of the future, which will roll out across its Boeing 777s, Boeing 787s, and Airbus A350s, beginning in 2027.

The Star Alliance carrier has selected the Thompson Aero VantageNOVA platform for its new long haul business class seat. This is a reverse herringbone design with sliding privacy doors, and is the same seat Delta will launch on its Airbus A350-1000s from next year.

Thai Airways will introduce its new business class seat across the fleet in stages:

• Boeing 777-300ER: 14 jets will be retrofitted between mid-2027 and the end of 2028
• Airbus A350-900: 21 jets will be retrofitted in 2028 and 2029
• Boeing 787-9 and -10: new aircraft to be delivered with new business seats from early 2028

Thai's 777-300ER are the oldest airframes being refreshed, and will receive some extra TLC. Beyond the new business class seating, the retrofit brings fresh lighting, wall panels, and galley kitchens to bring the cabin up to date. A new business class snack bar is also part of the overhaul. These are also the only aircraft in the fleet currently carrying first class, which will be phased out entirely as part of the changeover. With just three 777-300ERs offering first class today, it's not a huge loss, but still marks the end of an era.

Standard business class seats get direct aisle access in a 1-2-1 layout, with closing privacy doors. There's also 24-inch monitors, and a zero-G seat position that tilts and lowers the body while raising the legs. Thompson Aero, the manufacturer behind the seat, leans on "residential" style cues, and I have to say Thai Airways' purple looks quite impressive here.

The front row is where it gets more interesting, with a 'business class plus' offering similar to what other airlines have introduced after dropping first class. It comes with four suites, 32-inch screens, companion seating, and the option to convert the middle two suites into a shared space for up to four passengers.

As Thai's first concept images aren't great quality, we've included some VantageNOVA product shots below to give you a sense of the seat.

Bottom Line

Thai Airways has revealed its new business class seating, and based on the initial renders, it looks like a genuine step up. Passengers enjoy privacy doors, improved IFE, and a four-suite business class plus section with added perks. With rollout kicking off in 2027, it won't be long before these seats start showing up on actual flights.