Thai to bring B747-400's back to Sydney

[Stefan Perkas]

Evening all,

As per 15NOV11 GDS timetable and inventory display, THAI has adjusted planned operational aircraft on selected routes starting December 2011.

Further, due to on-going flooding situation, a number of long-haul routes sees temporary service reduction by average 1-2 weekly for the first-half of December 2011. Note the Star Alliance member is continuing to monitor the situation and future bookings, and will further adjust planned operation when required.

Bangkok – Sydney 16JAN12 – 24MAR12 Boeing 747-400 replaces Airbus A340-600, 2 Daily


Source: http://airlineroute.net/2011/11/14/tg-dec11/

Lets hope for Sydney spotters, the Retro jet comes down for a visit during this period.

[Shayne G]

No way!!!! I've been waiting years to see Thai 747's come back to Sydney!

[Jaryd stock]

Bring on the 50th anniversary scheme.... Great to see the queen of the skies come back. Stefan on a side point is there any Thai Royal Barge liveries left I'm thinking no but just checking......

[Shayne G]

Airframes to keep an eye on:


HS-TGY: This is currently the only 747 left in the old scheme, fingers crossed it operates to Sydney and will keep the livery long enough as Thai are repainting them at a very rapid rate now.

HS-TGP: As Stefan mentioned, it is in retro livery. I believe this aircraft was painted after the Thai 747's stopped coming to Sydney meaning this livery has never been to Sydney.

HS-TGW: In Star Alliance livery, this one visited often to Sydney but it's definately welcome back as it is an TG 747!

[Kieran Wells]

Airframes to keep an eye on:

HS-TGP: As Stefan mentioned, it is in retro livery. I believe this aircraft was painted after the Thai 747's stopped coming to Sydney meaning this livery has never been to Sydney.


Very true.. Hasn't been here...

[Tim Bowrey]

TGP has new seating as its used for LHR, FRA, ZRH, CPH routes etc similar to A346 so we will more than likely get it. 2 of the 3 types of 744 that TG have, should come here. The ones with old J and Y more than likely wont come.

Shaynr I think TGY is an 'All Series' 744 so may not come unless unschedualled change. Only aircraft in TG fleet in old scheme now. TKA and TKB(773's) were the last ones that are now painted.

[Shayne G]

Yeah Tim, TGY is in some sort of old configuration and probably won't come here unless there is an unscheduled changed. I think the aircraft will be updated in 2012 and will probably recieve the new livery when that is done but hopefully that is after TG 744's are done servicing Sydney. Though it is unlikely, there is still a chance so you never know! :D

[Tony G]

Great find Stefan. Cannot get enough 747s out here. The retro and the previous colour schemes would be a nice catch.

[Shayne G]

Shaynr I think TGY is an 'All Series' 744 so may not come unless unschedualled change

I noticed TG475 is scheduled at this time to be " Boeing 747 All Series Passenger " equipment 1 day a week and arrive in SYD every Tuesday while 747s are back. I presume TGY is the only one in this configuration? The old livery seems likely to return :D

[Andrew Coggan]

Thai 744 ops start here tomorrow with the first due in as TG475!

[Tim Bowrey]

I presume TGY is the only one in this configuration? The old livery seems likely to return :D

Tomorrows flight is unlikely to be TGY as its in for maintenance and quite possibly being repainted, TGP will be in Rome. TGW is likely as it has recently arrived from LHR into BKK although if its an 'All Series' probably not. A,B,F,G or Z most likely but we will know in a few hours.

[Shayne G]

All series B747's come in on Tuesdays as TG475 then depart as TG476 last time I checked.

And yep Tim TGY is out I noticed earlier this year, that p****d me off, it's going to lose the old livery.

[Brad Varney]

I'm so keen! :D

[Shayne G]

I am too Brad, they are very nostalgic to me. I will be going crazy trying to catch as many of the regos as I can before they are gone again.

Too bad the weather won't be the best but I'll probably still go see the 1st one to touch down in Sydney since March 2008.

I've been waiting years to see them again..

[Brad Varney]

Will your be at the mound Shayne?

[Nigel C]

HS-TGL in tomorrow at 0740.

[Brad Varney]

Thanks Nigel. :)

[Tim Bowrey]

After about 30mins holding, TGL is on final 34L.

[Tim Bowrey]

We are in luck!

Retro Jet HS-TGP due tonight 2110 as TG471 from BKK and departs tomorrow 4:30pm as TG472.

[Shayne G]

We are in luck!

Retro Jet HS-TGP due tonight 2110 as TG471 from BKK and departs tomorrow 4:30pm as TG472.

I will be very happy if someone photographs from the beach carpark when TGP is in front of the tower on Alpha if 34L is in use when it departs.

Definately a sight I thought I would never see in Sydney!

[Tim Bowrey]

I will be very happy if someone photographs from the beach carpark when TGP is in front of the tower on Alpha if 34L is in use when it departs.

That would be the money shot ;)

Like this (http://www.airliners.net/photo/Qantas/Boeing-747-438-ER/2014234/L/&sid=b1675acf27aa64c014020af377269409)

[Shayne G]

Not rubbish at all Chris, it's definately the best you can do in those conditions. Great shot.

With all the retros coming out these days it's very surprising that this is one of Sydney's only retro livery visits. Is there any other retro livery from any airline I'm forgetting that has visited Sydney previously?

[Michael Mak]

Great shot Chris!

[Stefan Perkas]

Shayne,

There are only 2 airlines currently that I know of that fly Retro liveries to Australia. Garuda with their 2 B738's to Perth and now the TG B744 to Sydney.

[Tim Bowrey]

Just to advise, HS-TGZ opperating this mornings TG475/476 service with TGP departing at 1630 as TG472.

[Sarah C]

Great photo Chris!

[Tim Bowrey]

Looking fine as expected!

[Erik H. Bakke]

Yeah, was that Sam, perhaps?

[Sarah C]

Great shot Tim! Nice crowd out there, but what is that fisherman looking at?

[Jayden Laing]

Climb Out....

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7011/6713249511_7d4e41c66c_b.jpg

[Tony G]

Very nice shots guys. Is your from Ikea Jayden?

I noticed the chopper also Chris, it seemed to follow the depature of Thai. Do people actually hire helicopters just to get the shot?

Does anyone know if Its only the outside that is retro or do they change the uniforms or any of the interior also?

Love the scheme, wish we had a few more retro schemes available. SAS looked very similar.

[Kieran Wells]

Nice shots Tim & Jayden!!

Very nice shots guys. Is your from Ikea Jayden?

Tony - its from the Tempe Golf driving Range.

[Tim Bowrey]

I noticed the chopper also Chris, it seemed to follow the depature of Thai. Do people actually hire helicopters just to get the shot?

Some people do haha. And that chopper was holding for the Rex, which departed before TG, to make the SID left hand turn and was intructed to depart to the north west. When i saw it hovering I thought it was 'him';). I was told he was there but closer to the action.

[Shayne G]

I guess we will find out in a few days on Jetphotos or A.net if it was indeed Sam ;)

[Lee G]

It wasn't Sam in the chopper ..... Sam was down on the hardstand area just the other side of GHD with a Safety car and then went down beside the runway.

One of my shots from the departure that weren't of the rotation.....

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2010288/IMG_1726_1200V_HSTGP_20120117_YSSY_FORUM.jpg

[Kieran Wells]

Ive got a shot on here...
http://aircraftimages.net/display.php/Boeing_13443

[Tim Bowrey]

HS-TGX flew in this morning around 7:50am, flew right over my train.

As posted in Jan Movememnts, Retro due tonight.

[Ash W]

Anyone know when TGP will be in Sydney next? Not this coming Sunday by any chance? Am on this flight and would make up for the loss of the A340-600 that I was looking forward to flying on. (having never been on one, but on many TG 747's)

[Paul Hunter]

TGP is on its way in now.

Will arrive about 7am.

Regards.

[Stefan Perkas]

Evening all,

As per 08MAR12 GDS timetable display, THAI is further adjusting planned service reduction on Bangkok – Sydney service. Service to operate 11 weekly from 25MAR12 to 18JUN12. Planned 2 Daily service from 19JUN12, is now reduced to 12 weekly.

Details on flight reduction as follows:

TG471/472
25MAR12 – 18JUN12 Day x123 from BKK / Day x234 from SYD
19JUN12 – 06OCT12 Day x13 from BKK / Day x24 from SYD
07OCT12 – 27OCT12 Day x123 from BKK / Day x234 from SYD

TG475/476 operates Daily

From 27MAR12 to 22APR12, Airbus A340-600 replaces 747-400 on both flights.


http://airlineroute.net/2012/03/08/tg-syd-s12/

[Ash W]

Not happy Jan. Flew into Sydney this morning on HS-TGA, fitted with old style seats. Paid for business class but clearly got a seat that on routes where this a/c normally flies Thai would sell as premium economy, which at best is what it is.

Must have really lucked out on this trip as also got to fly a 5 hour red eye on HS-TEA, the oldest A330 in the fleet. It really has seen better days, especially the front dunny which was cracked around the rim.

[Andrew Coggan]

Thai A340-600 HS-TNE operating tonight's TG471. :(

[Rory Delaney]

I have got videos of the Thai Airways Retro 747-400 Landing and taking off at Sydney. They have been filmed by me ;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vC8l_odcdUY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1zZkeN14dw

[Shayne G]

Afternoon all,

Thai B744 HS-TGY has FINALLY returned to the air yesterday after being out of action for 7 months. She had a extensive D-Check, repaint and then had a retrofit. She performed a test flight yesterday as TG8304. It is my understanding it will re-enter service on 1st August 2012 on certain routes that don't include Sydney unfortunately. I wouldn't rule it out she may visit down the line, but not likely.

[Andrew Coggan]

Taking a look at TG flights in and out of Sydney early next year, it seems the 744 will be sticking around here longer than OCT. :D