Norse Atlantic Launches Five Direct Flights from Europe to Thailand, Winter Fares From $135

Sun-starved travellers from Europe are about to find Thailand far closer than the 9,000-kilometre map suggests. A surge of new nonstop flights—many of them landing in Phuket and Bangkok for the first time—has given the Tourism Authority of Thailand fresh ammunition in its campaign to draw high-spending, long-haul guests during the coming cool season and beyond.

Key Points at a Glance

• 5 brand-new routes by low-cost long-haul carrier Norse Atlantic Airways connect Thailand with the UK, Sweden and Norway.

• TAT’s “Airline Focus” strategy targets a 15 % jump in European arrivals next year.

• Up to 338 seats per flight on fuel-efficient Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners are now on sale for the winter 2025/26 timetable.

• Early-bird fares start at $135 (about ฿4,700) one-way, thanks to a joint promo code THAI2025 valid until 15 December.

• Industry analysts estimate the new London-Bangkok service alone could funnel ฿70.46 B into the Thai economy in 2025.

New Winter Airlift from Northern Europe

The biggest single boost comes from Norse Atlantic’s five routes, each tailored to the European winter exodus. Three head straight for Suvarnabhumi Airport—from London Gatwick, Manchester, and Stockholm—while two ferry Scandinavians directly to Phuket from Stockholm and Oslo. All services rely on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners fitted with Premium Economy and Economy cabins, totalling 338 seats. Frequencies vary from once-weekly links out of Manchester and Oslo to up to five rotations each week on the London run once demand peaks in December. For Manchester, it is the first-ever direct connection to Bangkok, shortening travel time by roughly four hours compared with one-stop itineraries.

Why Scandinavia Matters to Thai Tourism

Nordic travellers may be relatively few, but they punch far above their weight in spending. Government data show an average outlay of ฿64,000 per trip, well above the global visitor mean. In the first eleven months of 2025 alone, Thailand welcomed 185,580 Swedes and 104,618 Norwegians, year-on-year rises of 9.5 % and 13 % respectively. Their itineraries fan out far beyond the beaches: Bangkok nightlife, khanom jeen street eats in Krabi, digital-nomad cafés in Chiang Mai and island hopping around Surat Thani. TAT field offices in Stockholm and Oslo say the lure is simple—warm seas, affordable luxury and the famed Thai concept of sanuk (fun).

Price Promotions Aim at Value-Conscious Travellers

To convert pent-up demand into bookings, Norse Atlantic and TAT rolled out a limited-time discount that slices entry-level fares to just $135 from Stockholm or Oslo. The deal, unlocked with code THAI2025, covers departures between 1 December 2025 and 16 March 2026 (black-out 8 December–19 January). While seasoned backpackers applaud the bargain, hotel groups in Phuket see a wider benefit: lower airfare frees up more cash for spa packages, golf rounds and island excursions, reinforcing Thailand’s shift toward quality over volume.

Airline-Focused Strategy: Beyond Seat Counts

The latest launch slots neatly into TAT’s “Airline Focus” playbook, a multilayer campaign that has already persuaded over 50 foreign carriers to add or resume Thai service since borders reopened. The agency co-funds joint marketing, guarantees minimum seat purchases for charter operators, and lobbies airports to fast-track slot approvals. More critically, the blueprint backs the government’s ambition to cement Thailand as an Aviation Hub for mainland Southeast Asia. Two additional international airports are on the drawing board, and Airports of Thailand (AOT) is expanding Suvarnabhumi’s satellite terminal to lift annual capacity toward 120 M passengers.

Industry Voices: Opportunities and Warning Signs

Tour operators hailed the Norse expansion as a "shot of adrenaline" for the long-haul segment, but they also flagged cautionary notes. Rising competition from Vietnam and Japan, a stronger baht, and lingering concerns over destination safety could temper growth. Low-cost, long-haul carriers themselves walk a fine profitability line: fuel hedging missteps or soft shoulder-season demand have tripped up predecessors. Yet for now, the forward-booking curve is encouraging—European winter holiday reservations to Thailand are running 17 % ahead of last year, according to travel data firm ForwardKeys.

Outlook: High-Season Breeze but Headwinds Remain

If all goes to plan, TAT projects 8.45 M European arrivals in 2025, with the UK supplying 1.13 M and Scandinavia growing double-digits. That would nudge total foreign visitor numbers toward 35 M, inching closer to the pre-pandemic record. The real test, experts say, will come after the snow melts in Europe and the April-May shoulder returns. By then, co-marketing, diversified itineraries and perhaps a fresh round of airfare incentives will need to keep the momentum alive. For Thai hoteliers, restaurateurs and tour guides, however, the immediate message is clear: more flights are on final approach, and the opportunity cabin door is open—at least while the Dreamliners keep rolling down the runway.