Updated: July 2025.
On a recent bleisure trip from Melbourne to Bangkok, I once again flew Thai Airways’ A350 Business Class. Having flown them last year and now again in 2025, I can offer fresh insights and a few important updates that could seriously enhance your travel experience — or save you from a seat selection nightmare.
Thai Airways currently has 80 aircraft in its fleet as of January 2025. Among them are 23 Airbus A350-900s, which are split across four sub-variants:
- A350-900 (359)
- A350-900 (35B)
- A350-900 (35C)
- A350-900 (35D)
Last year I flew the A350-900 (359). This year, I was on the A350-900 (35B), and it’s worth noting: not all A350s are created equal. The layout is different, and some variations can affect your comfort, especially when it comes to seat placement.
What plane is Thai Airways A350-900?
It’s an Airbus and Thai Airways currently has 23 of them as part of its fleet. It is a two class aircraft with Business Class at the front of the aircraft. These seats are set in a 1-2-1 configuration, meaning every passenger enjoys direct aisle access — a major plus. Directly behind it are Seats in Economy Class. Knowing your aircrafts and their configurations is important. By getting the best business class hard and soft product you get bang for you buck. In fact, doing your research is paramount, because there is business class, and then there is business class.
Many airlines have started rolling out their A350’s yet not all are the same. Turkish Airlines picked up 4 from Aeroflot which have mini suites. On the other hand Cathay Pacific flies their A350’s again as a different configuration.
Seat Map and Configuration
Let’s talk seat selection — because this can make or break your journey.
On paper, Thai Airways’ A350 Business Class cabins all look nearly identical across the 35B, 35C, and 35D variants. But there’s a quirk that keeps repeating — and it’s hard to ignore once you’ve seen it and experienced it.
Worst Seats
Let’s talk about Row 11.
I know — it immediately brings to mind the devastating Air India crash that recently made headlines, where a passenger in Row 11 miraculously survived.
On Thai’s aircraft A350 (35B), the lavatory is positioned on an angle and faces Row 11. It’s not just a small inconvenience. There’s a constant stream of people, the door opening and closing, and an occasional waft of air you don’t really want mid-meal. It’s far from ideal — especially in a Business Class cabin where you expect privacy and tranquility. I just can’t make it make sense. I’m truly baffled.
If you’re flying Thai’s A350 (35B), and Row 11 is available… you might want to skip it.
- Seat 11F in particular is located right next to the toilet, and to make matters worse, the toilet door faces the seat.
- There is a curtain, but it’s usually drawn open due to high traffic in and out of the nearby galley.
- Row 12 is still within earshot and eyeshot of the lavatories 🫣.
Your best bet? Start at Row 14, or play it safe with Row 15 or 16.
I sat in 16E and 16F — absolute comfort, zero disruptions.
Here are the seat maps of both variants:
Unlike some competitors, the business class seats on Thai Airways’ A350 are lie-flat and straight, ensuring a comfortable rest without the inconvenience of angled footwells!
It’s important to note the seating nuances, particularly regarding window seats. Unlike the herringbone seating configuration on Cathay Pacific A350-1000 for example, the single window seats on Thai A350 900 (359) are divided into true window seats and aisle window seats. This distinction requires passengers to choose their seats mindfully, considering their preference for direct access to the window or easier aisle accessibility. On Board Thai Airways A350 900 (35B) they are all true window seats as you will see on the seat map above.
The look and feel of the cabin, design, seats and their configurations are also different between the A350 variants.
Amenities and Facilities
Thai Airways offers amenity kits in business class, although they do not currently provide pyjamas, a feature found on some other airlines.
The airline’s business class also includes power plugs, albeit tucked away on the side of the seats on the 359 variant, which can be slightly inconvenient when navigating in and out of your seat or attending to personal needs.
The tray table folds neatly away, and the small coat hook is a thoughtful addition for hanging shirts or jackets. There is also plenty of space for shoes or a small bag just under the TV Screen.
This keeps everything easily accessible throughout the flight without the need to open and close overhead lockers repeatedly.
If you are travelling with kids or babies the baby bassinet seats are at the front and rear of the business class cabin. Some may find the rear seating more practical as the bassinet is positioned next to the seat rather than in front. (see image below)
Inflight WiFi
Thai Airways provides inflight Wi-Fi, although it comes at an additional cost. It’s worth noting that some passengers have reported issues with the Wi-Fi service, experiencing connectivity challenges throughout the flight.
I for one, could not connect at all during the duration of the flight last year.
This time, there was no Wi-Fi at all — at least on the 35B variant from Melbourne.
So if staying connected matters to you, plan ahead — or bring a downloaded Netflix stash.
Ground Experience and Dining
Before boarding, passengers can enjoy Thai Airways’ lounge in Bangkok, which offers a simple yet spacious environment with various private spaces. The lounge features food and drink stations stocked with refreshments and snacks, along with well-maintained restroom facilities.
Onboard dining experiences vary, with passengers offered to pre-book meals 72 hours before the flight to secure preferred options. I didn’t think this was necessary at the time, but may opt of this in future were my thoughts last year.
This time around, meals were well-prepared, beautifully presented, and surprisingly delicious — a step up from last year. I recommend pre-ordering your meals 72 hours prior, if you have dietary preferences or want to ensure your preferred option is available.
Ground Experience: Departing Melbourne
Air New Zealand Business Class Lounge – Melbourne Airport
Departing from Melbourne, Thai Airways Business Class passengers have access to the Air New Zealand Lounge.
- It’s located on the basement level, so don’t expect panoramic airport views.
- But to its credit, it does have a window — even if it’s just runway ground level.
- The lounge is functional, clean, and quiet enough to relax before your flight There are showers available for use and a number of spaces to enjoy.
Overall Impressions: Still Solid, Still Great Value
Reflecting on the overall business class experience you can expect a comfortable and reasonably priced journey, with one way tickets typically priced around $2400 per person for J Class. While it may not rival the luxury offerings of airlines like Emirates (especially Ek409 from Melbourne to Dubai) or Singapore Airlines, Thai’s A350 business class provides a commendable level of comfort and amenities that make it a competitive choice for travellers seeking a balance between quality and affordability.
Key takeaways:
- Avoid Row 11 (unless you’re curious).
- Choose Row 15 or beyond for peace and quiet.
- Don’t rely on inflight Wi-Fi.
- Enjoy the food — it’s genuinely good.
- Use the lounges for quiet time before boarding.
Summing Up
Thai Airways’ A350 business class offers a solid travel experience, particularly for those looking for a reliable and comfortable journey at a reasonable price point. It is the second time I am flying them and certainly not the last. By being mindful of seat choices, pre-booking meals, and managing expectations regarding inflight amenities, you can make the most of your business class experience with Thai Airways on board their A350 aircraft.
Finally, if you are travelling into Thailand you may want to be aware that there is a new rule that requires all foreigners to submit a Digital arrival Card (TDAC) within 3 days of their flight. This will come into effect 1st May 2025.
Safe Travels 😊
