British Airways Restores Direct London-Bangkok Flights, Boosting Thailand-UK Connectivity

Thailand’s Tourism Authority (TAT) welcomed the return of British Airways’ direct flights from London Gatwick to Bangkok, as the airline’s inaugural flight BA 2231 landed at Suvarnabhumi Airport today, following its departure from Gatwick yesterday evening. This new service, resuming just ahead of the high season, strengthens air connections between Thailand and the United Kingdom.

Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, TAT’s Deputy Governor for International Marketing (Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas), highlighted British Airways’ decision as reinforcing Thailand’s status as a premier travel destination.

“These flights further boost tourism and foster greater connectivity between the UK and Thailand, giving travellers a gateway to our unique cultural and natural experiences,” Mr. Siripakorn said. He joined executives from Thailand’s public and private sectors in greeting passengers at a ceremony marking the flight’s arrival.

The flights will operate three times weekly from 28 October to 30 March 2025, with an extended service set through 26 April 2025.

Additional flights will be available during peak demand, adding a fourth and fifth weekly service. British Airways’ Boeing 777-200, featuring Club World, Premium Economy, and Economy seating for 332 passengers, will service the route.

Through codeshares with Bangkok Airways, British Airways will also offer connections to Chiang Mai, Phuket, Ko Samui, Phnom Penh, and Siem Reap, broadening travel options for passengers.

The airline’s prior Bangkok route from London Heathrow was suspended in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, decreasing capacity by 7,700 seats monthly or 18% compared to 2019 levels.

The resumption of flights to Bangkok from Gatwick, alongside other routes to Thailand, will now bring Thailand-UK air seat capacity from November 2024 to March 2025 to 552 flights and 174,864 seats, covered by British Airways, Thai Airways International, EVA Air, and TUI UK (Charter).