Thai Airways 787-9 Seat Selection Guide (2026)

Thai Airways 787-9 Royal Silk Business Class cabin with Safran Cirrus reverse herringbone seats in purple and beige

Thai Airways' 787-9 is a significant upgrade over the 787-8 — the 1-2-1 reverse herringbone Business Class (Safran Cirrus) delivers direct aisle access and privacy that the 787-8's dated 2-2-2 layout cannot match. If given a choice between Thai's 787 variants, always choose the 787-9.

Two versions exist: the original Thai configuration (V.1) and ex-Hainan aircraft (V.2). Both have identical Business Class, but V.2 has extra legroom Economy seats in rows 31-34 — a hidden gem if you're in the back.

Important: Thai Airways is notorious for last-minute aircraft swaps. Don't be surprised if your A350-900 becomes a 787-9 (upgrade) or a 777-200ER (downgrade). The 787-9 is a relatively small fleet (~6 aircraft growing to 50+), so availability varies by route.

Quick Verdict

Best Business seats: 11A, 11K (bulkhead with larger footwell), 15K (mid-cabin privacy favourite)

Avoid: 18A/18K (last row near Economy), 11D/11G (bulkhead centre exposed to aisle traffic)

Versions at a Glance

Version Seats Business Economy How to Identify
V.1 (Original Thai) 298 30 (1-2-1) 268 (3-3-3) Standard 32" Economy pitch throughout
V.2 (Ex-Hainan) 292 30 (1-2-1) 262 (3-3-3) Extra legroom rows 31-34 (36" pitch, 5" recline)

Both versions have the same Safran Cirrus reverse-herringbone Business Class. The difference is in Economy, where V.2 has a premium mini-cabin up front.

How to Identify Your Configuration

At booking

  • If Economy shows fewer total seats (262 vs 268) → V.2 (ex-Hainan)
  • Check seat map for rows 31-34 marked differently → V.2

Aircraft registration (if visible)

  • HS-TWA, HS-TWB: Original Thai V.1 (Rolls-Royce engines)
  • HS-TWC and newer: V.2 (GE engines, ex-Bamboo/Hainan)

Note: Thai has ordered 44 more 787-9s for delivery from 2027 with new cabin products — current configurations may evolve.

Business Class (Royal Silk)

Safran Cirrus II/III | 30 seats | Rows 11-18 | 1-2-1 reverse herringbone

Thai's 787-9 Business Class is a modern product featuring fully lie-flat beds in the popular reverse-herringbone configuration. Every seat has direct aisle access, and the angled design provides good privacy from the aisle.

Seat specifications

  • Width: 20"
  • Bed length: 6'7" (79") fully flat
  • Pitch: 43"
  • IFE: 16" HD touchscreen
  • Power: Universal AC + USB-A

The signature Thai purple and beige colour scheme creates a warm cabin ambiance, complemented by the airline's distinctive orchid scent upon boarding.

Best Seats in Business

Seat Why
11A, 11K Bulkhead row with larger footwell and extra storage space; first served
15K Mid-cabin window with good privacy; reviewer favourite
12A, 14A, 16A True window seats (reverse herringbone means even rows face window)
13E, 15E Centre pairs for couples who want to interact during flight

Seats to Avoid in Business

Seat Why
18A, 18K Last row; closest to Economy cabin and rear galley traffic
11D, 11G Bulkhead centre but exposed to aisle traffic from both directions
17D, 17G, 18D, 18G Rear centre seats near galley and lavatory

Economy

V.1: 268 seats | V.2: 262 seats | Rows 31-58 | 3-3-3 configuration

Standard Dreamliner Economy with Safran Z300 seats. The 787's lower cabin altitude and higher humidity make long-haul flights noticeably more comfortable than older aircraft.

Seat specifications

  • Width: 17.1"
  • Pitch: 32" standard (36" in rows 31-34 on V.2)
  • Recline: 4" standard (5" in rows 31-34 on V.2)
  • IFE: 10.6" touchscreen
  • Power: Universal AC + USB-A at every seat

Best Seats in Economy

Seat Why
31A, 31K (V.2 only) Extra legroom rows with 36" pitch and 5" recline; best Economy seats
32A-34K (V.2 only) Premium mini-cabin with above-average legroom
31A, 31K (V.1) Bulkhead row; extra floor space but fixed armrests
Exit row windows Extra legroom; verify row numbers on your specific seat map

Seats to Avoid in Economy

Seat Why
Row 57-58 Last rows; limited recline, lavatory proximity, boarding last for overhead bins
Centre seats (D, E, G) No window, two neighbours; avoid if possible
Seats near galleys More noise and foot traffic; check seat map for galley positions

Routes

The 787-9 operates medium to long-haul routes where Thai needs efficient capacity:

Europe

  • Bangkok–Milan (MXP)
  • Bangkok–Vienna (VIE)

Australia

  • Bangkok–Melbourne (MEL)
  • Bangkok–Sydney (SYD) — sometimes

Regional Asia (high-frequency)

  • Bangkok–Singapore (SIN)
  • Bangkok–Kuala Lumpur (KUL)
  • Bangkok–Osaka (KIX)
  • Bangkok–Tokyo (NRT/HND)
  • Bangkok–Sapporo (CTS) — seasonal, ANA codeshare

Note: Routes change seasonally, and aircraft swaps are common. The A350-900 and 777-300ER serve many of the same routes.

Known Quirks & Practical Tips

Quirk Detail
Aircraft swaps Thai frequently substitutes aircraft at short notice. A booked A350 may become a 787-9 or 777-200ER. Check seat map closer to departure.
787-9 vs 787-8 The 787-9 (1-2-1 Business) is far superior to the 787-8 (2-2-2). Always verify which variant you're on.
Caviar in Business Thai serves caviar even on short regional flights — a rare touch for a 2-hour flight.
Pre-flight massage Royal Silk passengers departing Bangkok can get a complimentary massage at the lounge.
Small fleet (for now) Only ~6 787-9s currently in service; 44 more on order for 2027+. Availability is limited.
V.2 extra legroom Ex-Hainan aircraft have rows 31-34 with 36" pitch — worth targeting if available.
Panasonic Wi-Fi Business gets 1 hour free; full passes $14.99 (surfing) or $39.99 (streaming).
Signature scent Thai's purple orchid fragrance is pumped through the cabin — love it or hate it.

FAQs

Is Thai Airways 787-9 better than the A350-900? ▼
It depends on configuration. The 787-9's Safran Cirrus (1-2-1 reverse herringbone) is competitive with most A350-900 configs. However, Thai's A350-900 fleet has multiple seat types — some better, some worse. The 787-9 is more consistent.
How do I avoid the 787-8? ▼
Check your booking's seat map. The 787-8 has Business in rows 11-14 with 2-2-2 layout (22 seats). The 787-9 shows rows 11-18 in 1-2-1 (30 seats). If you see 2-2-2, that's the 787-8 — consider changing flights.
Are there extra legroom Economy seats? ▼
Yes, on V.2 (ex-Hainan) aircraft only. Rows 31-34 have 36" pitch instead of 32" — a significant upgrade. These may be bookable for a fee or available at check-in.
What's the difference between V.1 and V.2? ▼
Business Class is identical. The difference is in Economy: V.2 has 6 fewer seats but a premium mini-cabin (rows 31-34) with extra legroom. V.1 has consistent 32" pitch throughout.
Does Thai have Premium Economy on the 787-9? ▼
No. Unlike the A350-900 and some 777s, the 787-9 is two-class only (Business and Economy).
How does this compare to the 777-300ER? ▼
The 777-300ER has a staggered 1-2-1 layout (similar privacy) and is generally Thai's flagship product. The 787-9 is slightly more modern but the 777 has a larger Business cabin. Both are good choices.

Comparable Aircraft

Same seat family (Safran Cirrus reverse herringbone)

  • Air France 787-9 — same seat type
  • Air Canada 787-9 — similar Safran product

Same airline

  • Thai Airways A350-900 — multiple configs, version lottery
  • Thai Airways 777-300ER — staggered 1-2-1, larger cabin (guide coming)

Same routes (Australia/Europe from Asia)

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