Thai Airlines to sell off new A340's

[cageyjames]

US' longhaul product is quite average or even slightly below (e.g. old B762 cabin), but there's no reason to compare it to FR.

I guess you haven't seen the new advertisements on the First Class trays yet have ya?

[ryanCX]

A345 campared to 777LR is less efficient- agreed. But it just isn't a good enough excuse to blame A345 for THAI's losses. Like someone mentioned earlier, Lufthansa, Virgin and Qatar Airways depend mostly on A340s for their long haul services and are making good profits.
It was probably never a good idea to even launch these ULH routes. Bangkok and Thailand still is majorly a tourist destination with most western ones coming from Europe. So, THAI probably wouldn't be able to sell expensive seats on these routes even with LRs as well as CX or SQ.

Best thing for THAI to do then is to restructure its network and focus on its profitable routes.

[CX]

A345 campared to 777LR is less efficient- agreed. But it just isn't a good enough excuse to blame A345 for THAI's losses. Like someone mentioned earlier, Lufthansa, Virgin and Qatar Airways depend mostly on A340s for their long haul services and are making good profits.
It was probably never a good idea to even launch these ULH routes. Bangkok and Thailand still is majorly a tourist destination with most western ones coming from Europe. So, THAI probably wouldn't be able to sell expensive seats on these routes even with LRs as well as CX or SQ.

Best thing for THAI to do then is to restructure its network and focus on its profitable routes.

Cathay has been posting record profits, and their long haul planes are their 15 A343s, 3 A346s and the 747s.. i dont' think operating A340s makes an airline lose, but perhaps less profitable..

[SN30952]

Best thing for THAI to do then is to restructure its network and focus on its profitable routes.

Can confirm that, ryanCX.

[ryanCX]

Thai decide to keep the US routes afterall

http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/t ... ?id=117685

[regi]

yes, but no news about the long range airbusses

[fleabyte]

The A340 has become a lemon.

[fleabyte]

I would argue Lufthansa is making a profit on A340 routes beacsue they are a very efficient and competent airline. If they had 777-300ER - those routes would have to be more profitable - considering they would be lugging around 40,000 lbs less every flight.

[SN30952]

I would argue Lufthansa is making a profit on A340 routes beacsue they are a very efficient and competent airline. If they had 777-300ER - those routes would have to be more profitable - considering they would be lugging around 40,000 lbs less every flight.

And so do Turkish Airlines and Virgin, too. And I can cite quite some more companies who making a profit on A340 routes.
On the other hand I cannot believe TG makes profit on BKK-CNX B777-routes. Using the right tool for the right job is a basic rule for good work and eventual profit, and the A340 is a tractor for well defined routes.

A340-200 Typical passenger seating 239 Bulk hold volume - Standard/option 19.7 / 13.76 m3
A340-300 Typical passenger seating 295 Bulk hold volume - Standard/option 19.7 / 13.76 m3
A340-500 Typical passenger seating 313 (3-class) Bulk hold volume - Standard/option 19.7 / 13.76 m3
A340-600 Typical passenger seating 380 Bulk hold volume - Standard/option 19.7 / 13.76 m3
Compare that to
A330-200 Typical passenger seating 253 (3-class) 293 (2-class) Bulk hold volume - Standard/option 19.7 / 13.76 m3
A330-300 Typical passenger seating 295 (3-class) 335 (2-class) Bulk hold volume - Standard/option 19.7 / 13.76 m3

The more passengers load, the longer the flights results in less cargo...

[website-info]

Guys,

the rumour is that these 4 A340's are heading to South African who in turn will sell 4 RR powered B744 to BA (thats teh real BA before anyone asks

T

[PYX]

I believe, but could be wrong, that the 340s Thai Air was using for their non-stop flights to and from the U.S. were configured for approximately 250 passengers.

[ryanCX]

If THAI is to continue with the direct american flights, it is most probable they will stick with the A340s. Blaming the aircrafts may have just been a lame excuse for the poor performance by the airline.
They very well could operate B777-200ERs though, if they are indeed keen on chucking the A340s.