The delivery flight TG8909 departed from Boeing's Everett Delivery Centre, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A. directly to Bangkok, Thailand on 16 September at 21.20 hours (local time) and arrived at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport on 17 September 2017 at 01.55 hours (Bangkok time). The special delivery flight was piloted by THAI Captain Kittivaj Mongkonpruthangkoon, Chief Technical Pilot of 787, and Captain Araya Daengchai; along with co-pilot Chawanut Pradidpatanachan.
THAI has six Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft that entered its fleet as of 2014. THAI's first 787-9 Dreamliner was royally bestowed the name "PHATTHANA NIKHOM", with aircraft registration No. HS-TWA. The aircraft is equipped with Rolls- Royce Trent 1000 engines. The culmination of advanced engines, aerodynamics and composite structures contribute to 20 percent reduced fuel consumption and 20 percent less emissions, as well as less noise around airport boundaries and nearby communities.The Boeing 787-9 Dreamlinerhasextended capacity and range, being 20 feet (6 meters) longer than the 787-8, thereby it can transport more passengers and cargo.
Mrs. Usanee Sangsingkeo, THAI Acting President, said "We are delighted to bring the new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fuel-efficient aircraft into our fleet. The Boeing 787-9 demonstrates our commitment to operating the most technologically advanced aircraft for passenger comfort. This type of aircraft is currently the most technologically advanced aircraft as well as the most modern and efficient aircraft, that meets customers' expectations."
Dr. Dinesh Keskar, Senior Vice President of Asia Pacific and India Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said "Boeing is honored to deliver the first 787-9 Dreamliner to Thai Airways International. The 787-9 Dreamliner will allow THAI to fly longer distances and to new destinations directly from Thailand - such as nonstop to North America – while providing their passengers with their exceptional onboard experience complimented by the 787 Dreamliner's well-known and loved passenger features such as the largest window of any jet."
THAI's Dreamliner interior is based on the Contemporary Thai design concept, with 298 seats in
a two-class cabin. Each of the 30 Royal Silk Class seats can recline to a long bed in full-flat, 180-degree position. The seats are shell-typed seats, and arranged in a 1-2-1 abreast configuration allowing for privacy and easy access to the aisles. The 268 Economy Class seats are arranged in a 3-3-3 abreast configuration.
THAI is proud to be the first airline to install 787-9 with the newest inflight entertainment system of its kind, the Panasonic system eX3, for all passengers on board its Dreamliner. Royal Silk Class monitors are 16-inch while Economy Class monitors are 11-inch with screen-swipe technology, just like the swipe features on smartphone and tablet devices. Inflight connectivity (IFC) is installed in the 787-9 with high speed Wi-Fi (Panasonic Ku band).
This first 787-9 Dreamliner will operate its first commercial flight on the route from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and Phuket from 23-30 September 2017, then from Bangkok to Singapore from
1 October – 15 November 2017. After the delivery of the second 787-9 aircraft, THAI will operate roundtrip flights from Bangkok to Auckland, New Zealand and Bangkok to Taipei, Taiwan beginning on 16 November 2017.