Thai Airways Business Class Review (A320): Chiang Mai to Bangkok BKK

Published: 6th May 2026.
This is not a sponsored post & I am not affiliated with any of the businesses or organisations mentioned.

Thai Airways Business Chiang Mai Bangkok

A short domestic flight is rarely the moment to splurge on business class -or at least that’s what I would usually say. But, sometimes, context matters more than flight time. On our recent 1h 15min hop from Chiang Mai to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi with Thai Airways, we decided to test that assumption.

Partly for comfort, but mostly out of curiosity.

WHY WE CHOSE BUSINESS CLASS ON A 1-HOUR FLIGHT

Two reasons tipped the balance.

Firstly, Chiang Mai International Airport has a reputation for being VERY crowded, particularly in the domestic departures area. We were hoping that flying business class would give us access to a quieter space before boarding.

Secondly, I kept hearing the same phrase from aviation circles: ‘Thai is back.‘ Naturally, I wanted to see how their short-haul business class compares -not just on its own terms, but against the often underwhelming European equivalent.

At £205 (approx. 170 USD) per person one-way, this was by no means a bargain for such a short flight. Economy fares on Thai are roughly half that, and low-cost carriers come in even cheaper. Still, my husband and I were curious enough to try it.

THE LOUNGE AT CHIANG MAI: MODEST, BUT A REFUGE

Let’s set expectations correctly: the Thai domestic business lounge (aka Royal Orchid Lounge) in Chiang Mai is not somewhere you would arrive early for. It’s small, basic and, sadly, lacks windows. The seating, nonetheless, is comfortable.

The food offering is modest. There are a few rice and noodle dishes (including chicken rice), several variations of instant cup noodles, and a selection of Thai and Western desserts. That said, there were a few touches I genuinely enjoyed, particularly the butterfly pea-infused sticky rice with cream. Simple, but delicious.

However, the real value of this lounge only becomes clear when you step outside it.

The domestic departure area was packed. Loud, busy, and slightly chaotic. In that context, even this rather average lounge felt like a small sanctuary.

So no, I wouldn’t recommend booking business class for the lounge. But given the conditions in the terminal, we were very glad to have it.

On that note, I should mention that Chiang Mai airport is in dire need for an expansion, so I can’t help but think that Chiang Mai clearly suffers from second city syndrome. I am not sure if that is an actual term, or I just made one up, but I am sure you can tell what it is. And I mean no disrespect to Thailand here, since second city syndrome is an international disease that affects the second largest cities of most countries worldwide.

But I digress. Let’s hop on board.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS ONBOARD: UNEXPECTEDLY IMPRESSIVE

Boarding the Airbus A320-200, the first impression was immediate. This aircraft felt immaculate. Based on this plane alone, Thai is, indeed, back.

I’m not sure whether the plan was brand new or recently refurbished, but everything -from the seats to the cabin finishes- felt fresh. Thai’s signature colour palette of deep purples and dark greys gives the cabin a refined, elegant feel. Even economy looked excellent. But, as always, business class is where the real difference lies.

THE SEAT: HOW SHORT-HAUL BUSINESS SHOULD BE DONE

The business class (aka Royal Silk) cabin consists of just three rows in a 2–2 configuration, rather than the familiar European model of economy seats with a blocked middle seat. The difference is significant.

The seat itself was:

brand new, wide and comfortable,
equipped with generous armrests (wide enough for both passengers with a tiny cocktail table at the end),
fitted with both a leg rest and footrest, and
offered very good legroom and recline.

There were also a few thoughtful details, like a coat hook, individual plugs and multiple storage pockets, that made the space feel more considered.

Amenities were already waiting at our seats:

bottled water,
a refreshing towel
plush pillow, and
a very soft, duvet-style blanket.

For a 75-minute flight, it felt slightly indulgent, in a good way.

DINING & SERVICE: SIMPLE, BUT WELL EXECUTED

Given the short flight time, the service was necessarily streamlined.

There was no pre-departure drink, and only one meal option: chicken with noodles, served with fruit and a small dessert, alongside a beverage of choice.

Taste-wise, it was perfectly ok but nothing remarkable. What stood out more was the presentation: a crisp white tablecloth with Thai’s branding added a subtle sense of occasion.

The service itself was courteous and fairly formal, perhaps not as warm or distinctly ‘Thai’ as one might expect, but efficient throughout.

FINAL THOUGHTS: IS IT WORTH IT?

This isn’t a clear-cut yes or no.

If you’re purely looking at value, it’s difficult to justify paying double the economy fare for such a short flight.

However, if you:

appreciate comfort and personal space, even on short sectors,
want to avoid the crowds at Chiang Mai airport (or maybe you are taking this flight from BKK and wish to benefit from a much nicer lounge),
or are simply curious about how good short-haul business class can (and should) be

…then Thai Airways offers a genuinely impressive experience…

(…And one that will make you think again, how much the hard product of European Business Class underperforms -even on flights four times longer than this one).

This is not a sponsored post and I am not affiliated with any of the businesses or organisations mentioned.