United Airlines Relaunches Daily Flights to Bangkok After 11 Years

United Airlines has resumed service to Bangkok after an 11-year absence, marking a significant milestone for both the airline and the Thai tourism sector. The inaugural flight from Los Angeles to Bangkok, with a stopover in Hong Kong, took off at 23:15 on October 24, 2023, and landed at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 11:25 on October 26, 2023. This new daily service operates with a fleet of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, capable of accommodating up to 257 passengers across three cabin classes.

Robert Godec, the U.S. ambassador to Thailand, and Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, were present for the ceremonial welcome of the flight, which included a traditional water cannon salute. This return of United Airlines is particularly noteworthy as the U.S. continues to be a growing long-haul market for Thailand, with a reported 5% year-over-year increase in visitors from the United States so far this year.

Service Details and Flight Schedule

The new service, designated as Flight UA 820, departs Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and makes a brief stop at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) before arriving in Bangkok. The return journey, Flight UA 821, departs Bangkok in the afternoon. The schedule is designed to cater to both leisure travelers and those visiting friends and family.

The outbound leg from Los Angeles to Hong Kong lasts approximately 15 hours, with a subsequent connection to Bangkok taking an additional 2 hours and 30 minutes. The return flight from Hong Kong to Los Angeles is notably shorter, clocking in at under 12 hours.

United Airlines last operated flights to Bangkok in 2014, when it used Tokyo Narita as a stopover. The recent approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for the Hong Kong fifth-freedom segment in April has facilitated this service, which is primarily aimed at tourist and visiting friends and relatives (VFR) traffic.

Implications for U.S.-Thailand Connectivity

United Airlines’ re-entry into the Bangkok market signifies the first service from a U.S. carrier in over a decade, following the exit of both United and Delta Air Lines in 2014. Delta, which also provided service to Bangkok via Tokyo Narita, has since withdrawn from that route. Notably, Delta plans to launch a direct service between Los Angeles and Hong Kong next summer but will not extend this to Bangkok.

Consequently, Thailand has depended on foreign airlines for connectivity with the U.S., utilizing hubs from carriers such as EVA Air, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, and Singapore Airlines, as well as major Middle Eastern airlines including Etihad Airways, Emirates, and Qatar Airways. Although Thai Airways previously flew to the U.S., it ceased operations on these routes in 2015 due to financial difficulties.

The resumption of flights is expected to enhance Bangkok’s status as a leading tourism hub and gateway to various destinations across Thailand. With Thailand regaining its FAA Category 1 status in April, there is potential for more direct North American routes to emerge in the future.

As United Airlines looks to capitalize on the growing demand for travel to Thailand, the response from travelers and the tourism industry will likely shape the future of U.S.-Thailand air connectivity.