!
Latest updates
kiwi Guarantee Book now and get protection against cancelations that would wouldn't get if you booked direct
Chiang Mai's Food Odyssey: Street Eats to Gourmet Feasts
Bangkok Airways to Resurrect Vital Flight Routes to Northern Thailand
Thai Vietjet Air: Exclusive May Offers for FUN Rewards Members
Hua Hin Airport anticipates surge in international flights after expansion
No more flights to Mae Hong Son
Really Cool Airlines to launch in December (Really!)
6 Steps to Grabbing Cheap Flights - DomesticFlightsThailand
Getting Around Bangkok
Koh Lanta: A Hidden Treasure Near Krabi
Sea, Sand, and Surf in Thailand: Top 5 Spots
All news
More travel guides
Thai Smile Receives A320 for Service in July
4th Jul 2012
Thailand's newest low-cost airline, Thai Smile, welcomed the first of its fleet, an Airbus A320, in Hamburg recently. Thai Smile is a subsidiary of Thai Airways International.
The acquisition of the brand-new A320 aircraft on June 29, a Friday, makes it the newest carrier to operate a fleet of A320 family.
The new aircraft will join the current fleet of Thai Airways International under the widebody Airbus family.
Airbus A320 is powered by IAE V2527-A5 engines with a seating capacity of 174 passengers. Though its focus is on domestic service, Thai Smile will have its maiden flight to Macau on July 7, commencing its daily flight to Asia's gambling capital. Thereafter, it will serve domestic routes to popular destinations such as Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi and Surat Thani.
Later on, the budget carrier will expand its service to more regional destinations in Asia.
The Managing Director of Thai Smile, Woranate Laprabang, was delighted delight on the delivery of the brand new aircraft. He praised comfort and operational reliability of the Airbus A320 aircraft.
The initial delivery of the brand new aircraft on Friday signals the start of the airline's acquisition of 10 more Airbus A320s scheduled for delivery up to the middle of 2015. Its current fleet of six aircraft are on lease from SMBC Aviation Capital.
Peter Barrett of SMBC Aviation Capital was equally ecstatic about their initial transaction with the budget carrier saying his company is looking forward to forging a close business relationship with Thailand's youngest carrier. His leasing company boasts a fleet of 69 Airbus A320s as well as 45 more of the same aircraft currently on order.
Five of Thai Smile's remaining aircraft will be purchased directly from Airbus company. According to Airbus, the new generation A320 aircraft, starting 2012, will be fitted with new sharklets which would translate to more fuel savings as the new enhancement will reduce fuel burn by 3.5%.
Thai Airways International has been one of Airbus loyal customers since its inception. Thai Smile's brand new A320 joins the current fleet of A300s, A330s, A340s and soon A380s which will start delivery later this year.
Related News
Thai Vietjet Air: Exclusive May Offers for FUN Rewards Members
Hua Hin Airport anticipates surge in international flights after expansion
