Thai Smile Airways bid farewell with its passengers on its final flight before merging with Thai Airways (THAI) on December 31. This came after THAI initiated a five-year business rehabilitation plan in October 2021 to revamp its operations, involving extensive restructuring, job cuts, cost-saving measures, and revenue-boosting efforts.
As part of its bankruptcy rehabilitation strategy, THAI adopted unique approaches, like selling plane seats as mementos and transforming some seats into the Royal Orchid Dining Experience restaurant, targeting food enthusiasts. It even ventured into selling its famous Pa Tong Go fried dough and other innovative initiatives.
The discontinuation of Thai Smile Airways was announced in February of the preceding year, as a facet of THAI’s restructuring plan. The airline is set to merge into THAI, consolidating its fleet and an 800-strong workforce, an endeavor expected to finalize by January’s end.
Thai Smile Airways commemorated its 11 years of service with a “One THAI One Fly” event on December 31, featuring final flights from Bangkok to various destinations. Senior management engaged with passengers on some flights while others welcomed travelers at each airport, offering special desserts like orange cake, fruit cake, mango cheesecake, and banana almond cake.
Passengers holding Thai Smile Airways tickets were advised to contact the THAI Contact Centre or email to adjust their travel plans after the transition. THAI has since reintroduced nine domestic flights, including routes to various provinces previously served by Thai Smile Airways.
