Connecting Thailand, India, and Destinations Beyond: Air India and Thai Airways Expand Cooperation

Passengers traveling between India and Thailand could soon benefit from more flight options and smoother connections after Air India and Thai Airways International signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at expanding cooperation between the two carriers.

Thai Airways aircraft. Photo: Vytautas Kielaitis / Shutterstock

The agreement was signed on June 7 during the ongoing IATA Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and builds on the airlines' existing interline partnership.

Under the proposed collaboration, the two Star Alliance members intend to launch a codeshare agreement in 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. The partnership is expected to provide travelers with easier access to destinations across India, Thailand, Asia, Europe, and North America through a single booking.

Air India. Photo: Shutterstock

The airlines plan to place their respective airline codes on selected flights operated by each carrier, creating what they describe as a more seamless travel experience between the two countries and beyond.

“India and Thailand are connected by longstanding cultural ties, growing economic engagement, and strong flows of tourism and business travel,” said Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Air India.

Wilson added that “deeper collaboration between leading airlines will be key” to making travel “more seamless and accessible,” while supporting Air India's ambition to strengthen India's connectivity with the world.

Thai Airways Chief Executive Officer Chai Eamsiri described the agreement as “a meaningful milestone” in the airline's strategy to strengthen regional connectivity.

“It reflects the shared commitment of both airlines to supporting economic growth, promoting people-to-people exchanges, while contributing to broader cooperation between the two countries,” Eamsiri said.

Further details regarding routes and implementation of the proposed codeshare agreement are expected to be announced at a later date.