TOP 10 Airlines to Fly to Thailand (2026 Guide)

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Planning a trip to Thailand is the fun part. Figuring out which airline to fly is where most people get stuck. I’ve done the long-haul to Bangkok and beyond more times than I care to admit, from cheap red-eyes in the back row to points-funded business class, and I’ve learned that the airline you choose can make or break day one of your holiday.

This guide pulls together the best airlines to fly to Thailand in 2026, with a focus on what really matters: comfy seats on long flights, sensible routes from the US and Europe, fair pricing, and decent options for points and miles. Some of these airlines are perfect if you’re chasing cheap fares, others are ideal for a smoother, more “treat yourself” start to your Thailand trip.

Quick tip on how to find cheap flights to Thailand

For years now, I’ve used Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) to find ridiculously cheap flights to Thailand and beyond. You pop in your home airport, tell them where you’d like to go, and they email you mistake fares and genuinely good deals you’d probably never find on your own. Thanks to their alerts, I’ve saved thousands of dollars on long-haul trips, including a recent roundtrip from Boston to Bangkok for under $700.

There’s a free version and a premium option. The free one is great if you’re just getting started, but if you travel regularly, the paid plan easily pays for itself with a single good deal. I always suggest starting with the free trial (you can cancel any time), then upgrading if you’re hooked. And if you do, you can use my code JON20 to save 20% on Going Premium.

Now, let’s get into the best airlines to fly to Thailand in 2026 and how to choose the right one for your trip.

1. 🇦🇪 Emirates

• 🛫 Hub: Dubai International Airport (DXB)
• 🛏️ Cabin options: Economy, Premium Economy, Business, First
• 🎯 Loyalty program: Emirates Skywards
• 🥂 Perks: Great entertainment, solid food and drinks, generous baggage on many fares
• 💡 Pro tip: If you have Amex or Chase points, transferring to Skywards can unlock good-value one-way tickets to Bangkok or Phuket.

When friends ask me who to fly to Thailand with, Emirates is usually one of the first names I throw out. Not because it’s perfect, but because it ticks a lot of the boxes most travellers care about: plenty of departures, decent comfort even in economy, and a fairly painless connection in Dubai.

If you’re flying from the US, UK or Europe, that one-stop routing via Dubai often ends up being the most straightforward option. I like that you usually get wide-body aircraft with proper seat-back screens, a big entertainment library, and a cabin that doesn’t feel too cramped on those long overnight legs. If your route has Premium Economy, it’s one of the nicer ways to make the journey without going full Business.

It’s not all roses. You will have to connect in Dubai, and some people find that middle-of-the-night layover pretty tiring. Prices can also spike in peak season, especially from smaller regional airports. And not every route gets the newest interiors, so the experience can feel a bit “standard” rather than special.

That said, if you want a reliable, mostly stress-free way to get to Thailand with just one easy connection, Emirates is a very safe bet – and often the most practical choice.

• Read next: Picture-Perfect Places in Dubai

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2. 🇹🇼 EVA Air

• 🛫 Hub: Taipei Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)
• 🛏️ Cabin options: Economy, Premium Economy, Business
• 🎯 Loyalty program: Infinity MileageLands (also partners with other Star Alliance programs)
• 🥂 Perks: Excellent Premium Economy, consistently comfortable cabins, strong safety reputation
• 💡 Pro tip: If you use Star Alliance miles, check award seats on EVA to Bangkok. Availability is often more reasonable than on other premium Asian carriers.

EVA Air is a great option if you want a comfortable long-haul journey without paying premium prices. You’ll usually connect through Taipei, which is straightforward and far less hectic than some of the mega-hubs travellers often pass through. I find the overall experience calm and consistent, which is exactly what most people want before landing in Thailand after 12–15 hours of flying.

Many travellers choose EVA because the cabins feel a little more spacious than average, especially in Premium Economy. The seats have a bit more breathing room, meals are perfectly decent, and the atmosphere onboard is pleasantly quiet. It’s the sort of flight where you can settle in, watch a movie, and feel like the hours are passing at a manageable pace.

There are a few things to keep in mind when deciding. EVA’s network isn’t as extensive as Emirates or Qatar, so depending on where you’re flying from, you may have fewer departures to choose from. It works really well if you’re based in West Coast US cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle or Vancouver, and it’s also strong from major European hubs like Amsterdam, Vienna and London, where the schedules connect neatly through Taipei on to Bangkok. If you’re starting from smaller regional airports or much of the US East Coast, another airline with a broader network might be more convenient.

The entertainment system is fine, but not the kind you’ll rave about, so I’d recommend downloading a few extras before boarding. If you’re comfortable with an Asia connection and want a smooth, reliably comfortable trip to Thailand, EVA Air is well worth considering.

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3. 🇹🇭 Thai Airways

• 🏙️ Hub: Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
• 🛏️ Cabin Options: Economy, Royal Silk (Business), limited First Class and Premium Economy on select routes
• 🎯 Loyalty Program: Royal Orchid Plus – part of Star Alliance
• 🥂 Perks: Warm Thai-style service, easy onward connections around Thailand and Southeast Asia
• 💡 Pro Tip: If you’re planning to fly beyond Bangkok (Chiang Mai, Phuket, Koh Samui), booking Thai Airways all the way through often gives you better baggage allowances and smoother connections than mixing airlines.

Thai Airways is the airline I look at when the trip is really about Thailand itself. The moment you board, the crew, announcements and food all feel very “Thai”, which is a nice way to ease into the trip. It’s not the flashiest airline on this list, but there’s a relaxed, unhurried tone that makes long travel days feel more manageable.

Where Thai really earns its spot is the network. If you’re flying into Bangkok and then heading on to Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi or even neighbouring countries, having everything under one booking with one airline makes life a lot simpler. I’ve found the crews patient and kind, especially with families or first-time long-haul travellers, and that goes a long way when people are tired and jet-lagged.

Is it the absolute “best” airline to Thailand? For cutting-edge cabins and ultra-modern business class, I’d still put Singapore Airlines or Qatar ahead. It’s ideal if Thailand is your main focus and you value friendly service over the latest seat design.

It’s less ideal if you’re chasing the most luxurious hard product or need a nonstop from North America. If you’re flying from the US, I’d recommend using a partner like EVA, ANA, JAL, Qatar or Singapore for the long-haul leg. Then, connect onto Thai for the final flight into Thailand.

• Read next: Best Airlines to Fly to Europe

4. 🇸🇬 Singapore Airlines

• 🏙️ Hub: Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)
• 🛏️ Cabin Options: Economy, Premium Economy, Business, First, Suites (on select A380 routes)
• 🎯 Loyalty Program: KrisFlyer – part of Star Alliance
• 🥂 Perks: Award-winning cabin crew, top-ranked service, one-stop links to Bangkok, Phuket and beyond
• 💡 Pro Tip: If you’ve got flexible dates, price out a Singapore stopover for a night or two. Changi has been named the world’s best airport again, and it breaks up the long haul really nicely.

When someone tells me the flight itself matters almost as much as the destination, Singapore Airlines is usually my first suggestion. The whole experience is geared towards making long journeys feel civilised: calm boarding, friendly crews, and thoughtful little details like menus you actually want to read. On routes to Thailand you’ll connect through Singapore, which is hardly a hardship given Changi’s food, showers and quiet corners to nap in.

Cabins are strong right across the board. Economy is one of the better options out there, with decent legroom and food that feels a notch above standard airline fare. Singapore’s Business Class is where the airline really earns its reputation, and with a huge A350 retrofit programme and new suites rolling out from 2026, the hard product is only getting better.

For US-based travellers, Singapore works well from cities like New York, Newark, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Houston, where you can fly non-stop to Singapore and then on to Thailand on a single ticket. The flip side is that if you’re starting from a smaller regional airport, you may need an extra positioning flight to reach one of those gateways. Fares are often higher than Middle Eastern carriers too, so you’re paying a premium for the service and consistency.

In my opinion, Singapore Airlines is best for travellers who want the most polished overall experience to Thailand and don’t mind a slightly higher ticket price. It’s a great fit for honeymoons, big-once-in-a-while trips and anyone who values a smooth, well-run long haul. If budget is your main concern, or you just want the quickest one-stop from a smaller US city, airlines like Emirates, Qatar or EVA may be more practical.

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5. 🇭🇰 Cathay Pacific

• 🏙️ Hub: Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
• 🛏️ Cabin Options: Economy, Premium Economy, Business, First (limited routes)
• 🎯 Loyalty Program: Asia Miles – oneworld alliance
• 🥂 Perks: Great lounges, calm service style, reliable connections to Bangkok and regional Thailand
• 💡 Pro Tip: If you’re flying from the US West Coast, Cathay’s overnight flights into Hong Kong line up beautifully with morning departures to Bangkok, so you arrive at a reasonable hour without losing a full day.

Cathay Pacific is the airline I often recommend to people who want a smooth, grown-up flying experience without the flashiness of some Middle Eastern carriers. The service is polite and unobtrusive, which I personally like on long flights when I just want to settle in and get comfortable. Hong Kong makes a great midway point too. It’s easy to navigate, the lounges are excellent, and the connection to Bangkok is usually short and painless.

Cabin-wise, Premium Economy is a sweet spot with Cathay. The extra width and quieter cabin make a noticeable difference on long-haul flights from the US or Europe, and the food is reliably good. Cathay’s Business Class is comfortable with lie-flat seats and a layout that feels private enough without being cramped. Economy is perfectly decent with good seat-back screens and a layout that doesn’t feel tight.

There are a couple of things to think about before booking. If you’re on the East Coast, the connection via Hong Kong can feel long compared with going through the Middle East. It’s worth checking total travel times.

Cathay has also been rebuilding its network post-pandemic, and while most major US routes are back, schedules aren’t always daily yet, which can limit flexibility. That said, if you like a calm flying experience, appreciate a well-run airport, and don’t mind a slightly longer routing for the sake of comfort and reliability, Cathay Pacific is a very solid choice for getting to Thailand.

6. 🇶🇦 Qatar Airways

• 🏙️ Hub: Hamad International Airport (DOH), Doha
• 🛏️ Cabin Options: Economy, Premium Economy (new rollout), Business (including Qsuite), First (limited routes)
• 🎯 Loyalty Program: Privilege Club – oneworld alliance
• 🥂 Perks: Top-tier service, excellent business class, consistently smooth long-haul connections
• 💡 Pro Tip: If you’re flying long-haul in business class, try to choose a route offering Qsuite — it’s one of the most comfortable and private setups in the sky.

If I need a long-haul flight to just run smoothly, Qatar Airways is usually near the top of my list. The whole experience feels fairly well organised, from check-in through to connections in Doha, which takes a lot of stress out of a big trip to Thailand. Crews are generally friendly and professional, and I rarely feel like I’m chasing someone down just to get a glass of water.

For US-based travellers, Qatar works especially well because of how many cities it serves. Routes from places like New York, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Miami and Los Angeles feed into Doha, then on to Bangkok or sometimes Phuket, often with sensible timings. Economy is comfortable enough for the price, Premium Economy is a nice upgrade if you value space but don’t want to spend business-class money. Qsuite (when you can get it) is genuinely one of the best ways to cross an ocean.

There are a few things to weigh up. Fares can be higher than some competitors, especially at busy times of year, so flexibility with dates pays off. Doha is a big, busy hub, which is great for connections but can feel overwhelming if you prefer smaller airports. And not every aircraft has the latest seats, so it’s worth checking the specific plane on your route.

If you want a reliable one-stop journey to Thailand with good service and modern cabins, Qatar Airways is a strong choice. If you’re on a tight budget or hate large, crowded hubs, you might find Emirates, EVA or even a mix of carriers better suited to how you like to travel.

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7. 🇦🇪 Etihad Airways

• 🏙️ Hub: Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
• 🛏️ Cabin Options: Economy, Economy Space, Business, First (on select routes)
• 🎯 Loyalty Program: Etihad Guest
• 🥂 Perks: Modern fleet, usually competitive fares to Bangkok, calmer hub than some bigger neighbours
• 💡 Pro Tip: If you see a small price jump from standard Economy to Economy Space on a long segment, I’d seriously consider it – that extra legroom makes a long overnight flight feel much more manageable.

If you’ve ever flown through a mega-hub at 2am and sworn you’d never do it again, Etihad is the Middle Eastern carrier that might change your mind. Abu Dhabi is big, sure, but it has this calm, almost measured atmosphere that makes connecting there feel a lot less frantic. Every time I fly Etihad I’m reminded that you don’t need a waterfall in the terminal or a gold-trimmed lounge to have a smooth, pleasant transit.

In the air, Etihad has always felt like the “quiet achiever.” The cabins are clean and modern, the crews are friendly in that warm-but-not-intrusive way, and the food is decent. I like that their branding isn’t shouting at you the whole time. It’s a more understated experience, which actually suits long-haul travel to Thailand really well. If you want a little more space without paying premium economy prices, their Economy Space seats are one of the better-value upgrades out there.

The network isn’t as expansive as Emirates or Qatar, so where you live in the US matters. New York, Chicago and Washington tend to get the best schedules, while travellers from smaller cities might find the total journey slightly more stitched together. And not every aircraft has the newest interiors, which is worth double-checking when you book.

All that said, Etihad is an airline I genuinely enjoy flying. It’s tidy, calm, good value on the right routes, and doesn’t try too hard – which is honestly refreshing when you’re crossing half the planet to get to Thailand.

• Read next: Beautiful Places in Thailand

8. 🇯🇵 Japan Airlines

• 🏙️ Hubs: Tokyo Haneda (HND) & Narita (NRT)
• 🛏️ Cabins: Economy, Premium Economy, Business, First (select long-haul routes)
• 🎯 Program: JAL Mileage Bank (oneworld)
• 🥂 Perks: Very comfortable seats (especially in Premium Economy), good food, calm onboard atmosphere, and excellent value on partner award redemptions
• 💡 Pro Tip: If you collect AAdvantage or Alaska miles, JAL can be an incredible redemption to Asia.

There’s a certain calm to Japan Airlines (JAL) that I appreciate, especially on long routes to Tokyo before heading on to Bangkok. Nothing feels rushed or chaotic, and that tone starts the moment you step onboard. I always notice how tidy the cabin is, how quietly the crew move around, and how the whole experience seems designed to make the hours feel gentler.

If you’re travelling from the US West Coast, JAL can be a real sweet spot. The flights to Tokyo are manageable, the onward connection to Thailand is usually straightforward, and you get that little “taste of Japan” in between legs of your trip. In economy, the seats feel a touch more generous than what you find on many Western carriers. In Premium Economy you genuinely feel the difference. It’s one of the few cabins where I’ve thought, “Yes, this was worth the extra.” The food is reliably good too, especially if you like Japanese meals.

Points and miles collectors get an extra bonus here. JAL partner awards through Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan or American AAdvantage can be incredibly good value, especially in Premium Economy or Business. It’s one of the few cases where a top-tier Asian carrier is often cheaper in miles than the US airlines flying the same region. If you’re planning a big trip to Thailand using points, JAL is absolutely one of the first programs I’d check.

A couple of things to know: routing via Tokyo from the US East Coast can add hours compared to going through the Middle East, and the entertainment system isn’t quite as splashy as Emirates or Singapore (I always download a few shows). But if you value comfort, quiet cabins and a really thoughtful onboard experience – plus great award travel value – Japan Airlines is a fantastic way to reach Thailand.

9. 🇲🇾 AirAsia

• 🏙️ Hub: Kuala Lumpur (KUL) + Bangkok Don Mueang (DMK)
• 🛏️ Cabins: Economy only
• 🎯 Program: AirAsia Rewards
• 🥂 Perks: Dirt-cheap fares across Thailand and Southeast Asia, tons of frequency, decent buy-on-board food
• 💡 Pro Tip: If you’re pairing a long-haul flight with a separate AirAsia ticket, leave a buffer. These aren’t protected connections, so build in 3–4 hours or an overnight.

I picked AirAsia for the list very intentionally. Not because it competes with Singapore Airlines or Qatar (it doesn’t), but because it solves a completely different problem. Once you’re in Thailand, AirAsia is often the easiest, most flexible and most affordable way to get around.

There’s nothing fancy here – no business class, no premium cabin, no frills – but that’s not why people book AirAsia. What you get is fast, cheap transport that mostly runs on time and gives you the freedom to shape your trip exactly how you want it. I actually like buying one of their hot meals on early flights; it’s simple, but it hits the spot, and it beats rushing through a terminal looking for a snack.

A couple of things to be aware of: AirAsia is strict on baggage (really strict), so I always prepay a checked bag if I even think I might need it. Seats are tight, so tall travellers may want an exit row. And because these are low-cost tickets, if you’re connecting from an international long-haul, you must leave plenty of time. AirAsia won’t protect you if you miss the connection.

But as a tool for exploring Thailand and its neighbours affordably and spontaneously, it’s brilliant. Just keep in mind that AirAsia isn’t the airline you’d choose for long-haul travel to Thailand. It really shines for short hops within Asia or for getting into Thailand from nearby countries.

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10. 🇹🇼 China Airlines

• 🏙️ Hub: Taipei Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)
• 🛏️ Cabins: Economy, Premium Economy, Business
• 🎯 Program: Dynasty Flyer (SkyTeam)
• 🥂 Perks: Stylish cabins, good food, fair pricing, and one of the easiest award options in Asia via SkyTeam partners
• 💡 Pro Tip: If you collect Delta SkyMiles or Flying Blue points, check China Airlines awards. Availability to Bangkok via Taipei can be surprisingly good.

I like recommending China Airlines for flights to Thailand because it’s far better than its name leads people to assume. This is Taiwan’s flag carrier, and the onboard experience reflects that: tidy cabins, friendly crews, and a calm, organised feel that makes long flights more bearable.

For travellers coming from the US, China Airlines is very accessible. Their flights from the West Coast – especially Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle – connect smoothly through Taipei to Bangkok. Many routes use A350s or refreshed 777s with comfortable seats and good entertainment. The pricing can be a pleasant surprise too. Outside peak seasons, their fares to Thailand often undercut some of the bigger-name carriers while still delivering a very solid experience.

If you’re into points and miles, China Airlines becomes even more appealing. Because it’s part of SkyTeam, you can book it using Delta SkyMiles, Flying Blue or Virgin Points. The award rates for Premium Economy or Business can be fantastic value. It’s one of the more realistic ways to secure a comfortable long-haul seat to Southeast Asia without needing a huge mileage balance or months of planning.

There are a couple of limitations worth knowing. If you’re flying from the East Coast, routing through Taiwan adds quite a bit of travel time, and the airline doesn’t have as many US gateways as the Middle Eastern carriers. But if you’re comfortable with a connection in Taipei and want a modern, well-run option with fair pricing and useful mileage availability, China Airlines is a smart and dependable choice for getting to Thailand.

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