New flights to Thailand are set to widen access from Europe and Asia, with direct links planned for Phuket and Chiang Mai and a return of Bangkok-Amsterdam service from 1 July.
Travel planning for Thailand is likely to become easier as airlines line up new routes across Europe, Asia and Australia. The changes were discussed at a major aviation conference in Bangkok, and the biggest impact is expected in the winter period spanning 2026 and 2027.
What is being planned
At the 158th IATA Slot Conference in Bangkok, representatives of dozens of airlines discussed new take-off slots. In total, 87 airlines negotiated new connections. Following those talks, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) announced ambitious plans to expand the country’s route network.
These new flights to Thailand are expected to start in the coming seasons. The announcement does not give a single launch date for every route, but it does identify the winter season at the turn of 2026 and 2027 as the period when the largest changes should be felt.
Which destinations gain direct links
The clearest benefit for travellers is the prospect of direct services to Phuket and Chiang Mai. That could help passengers avoid crowded Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok when their trip begins or ends on the coast or in the north.
For Europe, planned Phuket links include Copenhagen and two London airports, Gatwick and Heathrow. For travellers heading to northern Thailand, direct flights to Chiang Mai are planned from Hangzhou and Shanghai.
New airlines and a return route
Several carriers are also set to appear on Thai skies for the first time in this context. The names announced include Riyadh Air from Saudi Arabia, Virgin Atlantic from the United Kingdom, and SkyUp Nistru from Moldova.
There is also a return of a familiar service. Thai Airways International will resume direct flights between Bangkok and Amsterdam from 1 July. That adds another option for passengers connecting from Central Europe on the way to Southeast Asia.
What travellers should take from this
For international visitors, the practical value is simple: more direct choices may reduce the need for complex transfers and shorten total journey time. The strongest effects should be felt by people aiming for Phuket, Chiang Mai, or Bangkok as part of a wider Asia trip.
- Expect the most significant changes in the winter of 2026-2027.
- Direct routes are planned for Phuket and Chiang Mai.
- Bangkok-Amsterdam will resume on 1 July.
- Final schedules can still change as airlines confirm slots and launch dates.
