Thai Airways International and Air India are both full-service flag carriers and Star Alliance members, based in Bangkok and Delhi respectively. Travellers compare them mainly for India–Thailand flights, where both fly nonstop between Delhi, Mumbai and Bangkok, and for connections onward through Star Alliance.
Quick verdict
Thai is the more natural choice for Bangkok-based itineraries and onward travel to Europe, Asia and Oceania, with Royal Silk, Premium Economy and Economy cabins on most long-haul aircraft and a fleet being renewed. Air India suits travellers who want the widest choice of Indian cities, domestic connections via Delhi, Mumbai or Bengaluru, and a premium economy cabin on its newer widebodies. Both are full-service, so compare the exact aircraft and fare rules on your date rather than assuming a standard product.
Choose Thai Airways International if…
- You are flying onward from Bangkok to Europe, Asia or Oceania on one ticket.
- You want Royal Silk business, Premium Economy and Economy on a fleet led by the A350-900, 777-300ER and 787 family.
- You value a fleet being renewed, with A321neo and 787 deliveries and a cabin overhaul planned for 2027.
Choose Air India if…
- You need to connect within India, with a Delhi hub, secondary hubs at Bengaluru and Mumbai, and 87 destinations served.
- You want free Wi-Fi on the A350, 787-9 and selected A321neo aircraft, plus seatback screens on widebodies.
- You want a First cabin option on some 777-300ER aircraft, or a premium economy seat on the A350 and 787-9.
At a glance
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Key differences
Network and hubs
Thai flies from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi to 51 international and 9 domestic destinations in 29 countries (January 2026), focused on Europe, Asia and Oceania. Air India is built around Delhi, with Bengaluru and Mumbai as secondary hubs and 87 destinations (November 2025). On India–Bangkok, nonstop flights as of July 2026 are listed from Delhi and Mumbai on both airlines, and Thai also flies from Bengaluru and Chennai.
Cabins and seats
Thai offers Royal Silk (business), Premium Economy and Economy, depending on aircraft. Air India varies more by fleet: First on some 777-300ERs, and business, premium economy and economy on the A350-900 and 787-9. Its 787-8s are two-class but are being retrofitted with premium economy, and most narrowbodies have business and economy only. Air India's cabin on a given flight depends heavily on aircraft type, so check the seat map before booking.
Entertainment and Wi-Fi
Air India widebodies have seatback on-demand screens, and most narrowbodies have none apart from the A321LR. Wi-Fi is free on the A350, 787-9 and selected A321neo aircraft, and in April 2026 the airline selected Hughes Network Systems for in-flight connectivity. On short Delhi–Bangkok sectors, check which aircraft is operating. Thai's entertainment and Wi-Fi vary by aircraft, so confirm on its website for your flight.
Baggage and fares
Thai allows one 7 kg cabin bag. For tickets issued from 25 November 2025 for travel from 2 March 2026, allowances are 1 x 23 kg in Economy Saver and Standard, and 2 x 32 kg in Royal Silk. Air India's checked allowance depends on route and fare, and cheaper Value fares can include fewer bags than Classic on long international routes. Check the fare rules before paying.
Safety and reliability
Thai received EU third-country operator certification in December 2015 and recorded 79.29% on-time arrivals in June 2025 (Cirium). Air India's most recent fatal crash was Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8, at Ahmedabad on 12 June 2025; investigation findings are worth checking for updates.
Loyalty and alliances
Both are Star Alliance members, so miles and status can be earned and used across the group. Thai's programme is Royal Orchid Plus, and Thai is a founding Star Alliance member. Air India joined in 2014, and its Maharaja Club combined Flying Returns and Club Vistara after Vistara merged into Air India in November 2024. Air India is owned by Tata Group (74.9%) and Singapore Airlines (25.1%).
Frequently asked questions
Is Thai Airways better than Air India?
Neither is better everywhere. Thai has a Bangkok hub for onward travel, while Air India has a much larger Indian network. Product quality on both depends on which aircraft flies your route, and more so on Air India.
Do Thai Airways and Air India both fly between India and Bangkok?
Yes. Both operate nonstop flights between Delhi or Mumbai and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, and Thai also flies from Bengaluru and Chennai according to July 2026 listings.
Does Thai Airways include checked baggage?
For tickets issued from late November 2025, the allowance is one 23 kg bag in Economy Saver and Standard, two in Flexi and 2 x 32 kg in Royal Silk. Older tickets keep a weight-based allowance, so check your booking.
About Thai Airways International Read more
Overview
Thai Airways International is the flag carrier of Thailand. According to Wikipedia, it was founded in 1960 as a joint venture with Scandinavian Airlines and began operating in its current form in 1988 after merging with Thai Airways Company. The Ministry of Finance holds 42.94% of the shares, and the airline is listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Its headquarters are in Chatuchak, Bangkok. Thai is a founding member of Star Alliance. Its regional subsidiary Thai Smile was merged back into the mainline carrier from 2023.
Network and hubs
The main hub is Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. As of January 2026 the airline served 51 international and 9 domestic destinations in 29 countries, with a network focused on Europe, Asia and Oceania. A return to North America is under discussion, according to Aviation A2Z (July 2026).
Fleet
Wikipedia lists a fleet of 80 aircraft as of January 2026, with a large order book (see the fleet page). In July 2026 Aviation A2Z reported a Boeing 787 fleet of 45 aircraft, including those on order. TTG Asia (25 September 2026) reports that long-haul flying will rely on the Airbus A350-900, Boeing 777-300ER and Boeing 787 family as older wide-bodies retire. It also reports that the Airbus A321neo fleet will grow from nine to 15 by the end of 2026, with a target of 32. The fleet is to be streamlined to four types, with a cabin overhaul planned for 2027.
On board
- Cabins: Royal Silk (business), Premium Economy and Economy, depending on aircraft. Royal First is listed in some baggage tables.
- Meals: Thai and international dishes, which vary by route and month. Pre-selection is available up to 72 hours before departure.
- Seat pitch, entertainment and Wi-Fi: not confirmed in the sources reviewed, and these vary by aircraft. Check the airline before booking.
Good to know
- Cabin baggage: Thai's official page allows one hand-carry bag of up to 7 kg.
- Checked baggage: third-party sources such as HappyFares report a piece-based allowance for tickets issued from 25 November 2025 for travel from 2 March 2026. Economy Saver and Standard include 1 x 23 kg, and Royal Silk includes 2 x 32 kg. Older tickets keep the weight-based allowance. Check the official site for your fare.
- Punctuality: Cirium reported 79.29% on-time arrivals for June 2025.
- Lounges: Royal Orchid and Royal Silk lounges. The loyalty programme is Royal Orchid Plus.
About Air India Read more
Overview
Air India is the flag carrier of India. According to Wikipedia, it was founded in 1932 as Tata Airlines by J. R. D. Tata, nationalised in 1953 and returned to the Tata Group in 2022. It is headquartered in Gurugram, Haryana. Air India Limited is owned by the Tata Group (74.9%) and Singapore Airlines (25.1%). The airline joined Star Alliance in 2014 and is the second-largest Indian airline by passenger volume, after IndiGo. Vistara merged into Air India in November 2024. Air India Express is a separate subsidiary.
Network and hubs
The main hub is Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport, with secondary hubs at Bengaluru and Mumbai. Focus cities include Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata and Thiruvananthapuram. As of November 2025 the airline served 87 domestic and international destinations. Codeshare and interline partnerships extend the network, for example with Virgin Australia and Alaska Airlines.
Fleet
As of November 2025, Air India operated 189 aircraft: Airbus A319, A320, A320neo, A321, A321neo and A350, plus Boeing 777 and 787. The first factory-fit 787-9 was delivered in January 2026. Further orders were placed for Air India Express in January 2026.
On board
- Cabins: Legacy 777-300ERs have first, business and economy. 787-8s are two-class but are being retrofitted with premium economy. The A350-900 and 787-9 have business, premium economy and economy. A320/321ceo aircraft have business and economy; A320/321neo aircraft have three classes or all economy.
- Entertainment: Widebodies have seatback on-demand screens. Most narrowbodies have none, apart from the A321LR.
- Wi-Fi: Free on the A350, 787-9 and selected A321neo aircraft. In April 2026 the airline selected Hughes Network Systems for in-flight connectivity.
Good to know
- The loyalty programme is Maharaja Club, which combined Flying Returns and Club Vistara.
- Baggage allowances, change fees and lounge access vary by fare and route. Check the Air India website before travelling.
- Safety: Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8, crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on 12 June 2025. All but one of the 242 people on board were killed, along with 19 people on the ground. Investigation findings should be checked for updates.
Sources (4)
Ranking
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