Hi All,
I'm currently considering booking flights internationally using Thai airways. After reading this article I'm not as confident to go ahead as I'm not sure what this really means for me as a passenger.
http://www.routesonline.com/news/29/breaking-news/252226/usa…
I would like some feedback from people here on this topic and if anyone who has flown with them lately to give some insight.
Thai Airways are fine. The last crash was in 1998, compared to Malaysia Airlines which of course lost 2 jets in 2014.
Air Asia are fine too. Their last crash was in 2014.
Garuda are also fine, their last crash was in 2007.
If the Australian Government were concerned, these airlines would not be flying into Australia.
Safe Travels
Air Asia are fine too. Their last crash was in 2014.
That is very reassuring.
It would be interesting to know the specific reason because there seems to be a number of possible reasons. Regarding MAS, I don't consider 'number of recent crashes' a statistically sound way of measuring air safety. As a frequent flyer to Thailand, who doesn't see behind the scenes, the running of Thai airways and Thai airports 'looks' professional to me. Thailand is certainly a country more advanced than surrounding asian countries, and they have a lot of foreign expertise, which I suspect they are also using in their airline industry.
The downgrade isn't due to Thai Airways, or any Thailand flagged operator per se. It's a safety downgrade due to the fact that the Thai safety regulator (think CASA in Australia) is not up to the job of assessing and maintaining air safety in Thailand.
Doesn't necessarily mean that Thai Airways are safe or unsafe, just that their regulator would have no way of knowing. I flew them last year to Europe ($904 return!), had no qualms.
Did you fly on the old 747s to Europe? I know this varies per European destination, but could be one of the other reasons they are much cheaper than the other competitors who are using A380s or A330s
We flew in and out of Brussels, and all flights (Aus - Thailand, Thailand - Brussels, and reverse) were on the 777 of varying models. Very comfortable 9 across seating in their 777s. For comparison, Emirates fits in 10 across. Nice IFE selection, food was alright too.
You'll be fine. Plenty of people fly with Air Asia and their pilot training is a concern.
I've done Thai Airways about 10 times and they're always good. I prefer Malaysian Airlines. Better comfort and service.