The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) welcomes the introduction of five new direct services by Norse Atlantic Airways, expanding long‑haul connectivity from the United Kingdom, Sweden and Norway to Bangkok and Phuket for the 2025/2026 winter season. The move supports the government’s “Big Impact, Act Fast” strategy aimed at increasing international arrivals.
Mrs Chiravadee Khunsub, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas, said the new routes demonstrate growing confidence in Thailand as a long‑haul destination and will provide travellers from the UK and Northern Europe with more affordable and convenient options, while helping diversify source markets and extend visitor stays.
Founded in 2021, Norse Atlantic Airways operates Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliners with 338 seats. The airline will launch the following routes:
- London Gatwick – Bangkok, starting 26 October 2025, with three to five weekly flights.
- Manchester – Bangkok, weekly from 26 November 2025 through March 2026, making Manchester the only UK airport outside London with a direct service to Bangkok.
- Stockholm – Bangkok, twice weekly from 22 October 2025, increasing to four flights per week in December.
- Stockholm – Phuket, weekly from 4 December 2025.
- Oslo – Phuket, weekly from 8 December 2025.
The inaugural Stockholm–Bangkok flight (NO191) carried 338 passengers and was welcomed at Suvarnabhumi Airport by TAT officials and Mr Bård Nordhagen, Chief Commercial Officer of Norse Atlantic Airways.
Other airlines are also strengthening links to Thailand this winter: Arkia Israeli Airlines will operate twice‑weekly Tel Aviv–Bangkok flights from 26 November 2025; Air France will launch three weekly Paris Charles de Gaulle–Phuket services from 28 November 2025; Etihad Airways has started Abu Dhabi–Krabi flights as of 9 October 2025; and United Airlines will resume direct Los Angeles–Bangkok service on 26 October 2025, restoring U.S. connectivity after more than a decade.
Visitor numbers from the United Kingdom rose 13.66 % year‑on‑year to 757,960 in the January‑September 2025 period. Swedish arrivals reached 145,188 by mid‑October, an 8.56 % increase. Swedish travellers spend an average of 65,000 Baht per trip and stay around 19.9 days, generating over 14.6 billion Baht in revenue. Forward bookings from the UK are up 10 % for October‑December 2025 and 13 % for January‑March 2026, reflecting sustained confidence in Thailand’s long‑haul appeal.
Source: www.tatnews.org
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