Thai Airways Cuts Ticket Prices 20-30% Amidst Falling Oil Prices, Boosts Bookings

MGR Online•Economy•9d ago

Reader Briefing

Thai Airways announces significant fare reductions and enhanced loyalty program benefits to stimulate travel demand.

•Thai Airways will reduce ticket prices by 20-30% starting in July due to declining jet fuel costs, aiming to boost passenger bookings.
•The airline is also enhancing its Royal Orchid Plus (ROP) loyalty program with new benefits and payment options, effective from August 5, 2026.
•These initiatives are expected to increase ROP membership by approximately 10% by the end of 2026.

Overview

•Thai Airways is gradually reducing fares by 20-30% in July, in response to falling oil prices.
•Jet fuel prices are currently around 110 USD/barrel, down from a peak of 240 USD/barrel in March, but not yet back to the early year level of 90 USD/barrel.
•Thai Airways forecasts cabin factor to be over 70% in the second half of the year, approaching 80% in Q4.
•The reduction in airfares is due to the decrease in jet fuel prices following the easing of Middle East conflicts.
•A press conference titled "ROP: The New Chapter Begins" was held on July 7, 2026, to announce upgrades to the Royal Orchid Plus program.
•Thai Airways is enhancing the Royal Orchid Plus program to offer greater flexibility and value to its 5.5 million members globally.
•New Royal Orchid Plus benefits, including easier qualification criteria and elevated privileges like special check-in counters and free Wi-Fi, will take effect on August 5, 2026.
•From August 1, 2027, members will receive special bonus miles for accumulating elite miles based on calendar year achievements.

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Key Quotes

Chai Eiamsirikul

"This enhancement of Royal Orchid Plus is another important step in developing Thai Airways' customer experience, focusing on creating value beyond travel through benefits that meet members' needs at every stage of their journey."

การยกระดับ Royal Orchid Plus ในครั้งนี้ เป็นอีกก้าวสำคัญของการพัฒนาประสบการณ์ลูกค้าของการบินไทย โดยเราให้ความสำคัญกับการสร้างคุณค่าที่มากกว่าการเดินทาง ผ่านสิทธิประโยชน์ที่ตอบโจทย์สมาชิกในทุกช่วงของการเดินทาง

Kittipong Sarmsamorn

"Over the past 33 years, the Royal Orchid Plus mileage program has been continuously developed. This enhancement focuses on enabling members to use their miles flexibly, with maximum value and benefit."

ตลอดระยะเวลา 33 ปีที่ผ่านมา โปรแกรมสะสมไมล์ Royal Orchid Plus ได้รับการพัฒนาอย่างต่อเนื่อง โดยการยกระดับครั้งนี้มุ่งเน้นให้สมาชิกสามารถใช้ไมล์สะสมได้อย่างยืดหยุ่น คุ้มค่า และเกิดประโยชน์สูงสุด

Kittipong Sarmsamorn

"Enhancing Royal Orchid Plus benefits highlights ROP Smart Miles Pay and ROP Smart Miles Pay Lite to meet the needs of modern mileage usage."

การยกระดับสิทธิประโยชน์ Royal Orchid Plus ชู ROP Smart Miles Pay และ ROP Smart Miles Pay Lite ตอบโจทย์การใช้ไมล์ยุคใหม่

Key Entities

Organization

Thai Airways(การบินไทย)ℹ️

The national airline of Thailand, implementing fare reductions and loyalty program enhancements.

Person

Chai Eiamsirikul(นายชาย เอี่ยมศิริ)

Chief Executive Officer of Thai Airways, who discussed the strategic importance of enhancing customer experience through the Royal Orchid Plus program.

Kittipong Sarmsamorn(นายกิตติพงษ์ สารสมบูรณ์)

Chief Commercial Officer of Thai Airways, who elaborated on the ROP program's 33-year development and new payment features.

Law

Royal Orchid Plus

Thai Airways' frequent flyer loyalty program that is undergoing significant enhancements and benefit upgrades.

ROP Smart Miles Pay

A payment option within the Royal Orchid Plus program allowing members to use cash combined with miles or miles only to purchase tickets.

ROP Smart Miles Pay Lite

An alternative payment method for Royal Orchid Plus members seeking to use miles to purchase tickets departing from Bangkok, using a multiplier system for economy and business class.

Royal Orchid Holidays

A platform integrated with the Royal Orchid Plus program that links travel services, hotels, activities, and partner benefits, allowing for diverse mileage redemption.

ROP The Experience

A special program within Royal Orchid Plus offering exclusive activities with chefs, artists, hotels, and leading partners, redeemable with mileage.

Junior Sky Explorers

A mascot program by Thai Airways for young Royal Orchid Plus members, with special luggage tags and future expanded benefits planned.

THAI Mobile App

A mobile application by Thai Airways that offers bonus miles to users who download it before July 31, 2026.