Thai Airways May Order 35 More Boeing 787 Dreamliners to Strengthen US Trade Ties

Thai Airways is considering exercising an option to purchase 35 additional Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners as part of Thailand’s strategy to avoid potential US import tariffs. The possible aircraft order is linked to ongoing trade negotiations between the Thai government and the Trump administration.

Speaking to Reuters, Thai Airways CEO Chai Eamsiri confirmed that the airline is reviewing the expansion of a previous agreement with Boeing, signed in February 2024, which covered 45 Dreamliners.

The new aircraft order could support diplomatic and commercial ties between Thailand and the US while expanding Thai Airways’ long-haul fleet. Currently, the airline operates 77 aircraft, most of them from Airbus, along with 20 Boeing 777s (including 17 777-300ERs) and nine Boeing 787s.

Thai Airways has been banned from flying to the United States since 2015, after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) downgraded Thailand’s safety rating to Category 2.

Although the ban was lifted recently, the airline’s CEO said there are no immediate plans to resume direct flights to North American destinations.

As a founding member of Star Alliance, Thai Airways can still offer connections to the US through partner airlines such as United Airlines.

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