.Thai Lion Air (TLA) is ensuring its entry into the medium- and long-haul segment of Thailand’s fledgling low-cost carrier (LCC) market.
TLA has confirmed delivery schedules for its first three wide-body Airbus A330-300 aircraft, which can play a key role in entering the long-haul services market by the tip of this yr.
These three jets come from the Airbus assembly line in Toulouse and have features adopted by full-service airlines to face out from the competition.
The plane will feature a business-class-like cabin, which it describes as premium economy, with lie-flat seats and a free rear-seat in-flight entertainment system.
Standard economy seats include similar IFE programs offering blockbuster movies, also freed from charge. Premium economy can have 18-20 seats, while the rear cabin can have 370 seats.
Thai AirAsia
The recent TLA jets will feature a special livery that differs from the usual TLA motif of a red logo on a white fuselage.
The first aircraft is scheduled to be delivered in November and the remaining two in December this yr
Widebody jets have significantly greater flight range and seating capability than TLA’s current business model of short-haul flights operated by single-aisle aircraft.
TLA’s current fleet consists of Boeing B737-800 and B737-900ER aircraft with 189 and 215 seats, respectively, in an economy-only layout. They can cover distances of 5,665 km and 5,900 km, respectively.
The A330-300 can carry as much as 400 passengers constantly over a maximum range of 11,750 km.
The recent jets shall be used primarily to launch scheduled services from Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport base to China, Japan and South Korea – the identical markets already served by TAAX and NokScoot.
The first recent route is to Shanghai, where TLA has already secured traffic rights from Chinese authorities. Next is Beijing, which has already submitted an application for rights and slots.
Source: Bangkok Mail | ch-aviation
