Thai Vietjet Air 2026: KL-Bangkok Route Launch
TAT welcomes Thai Vietjet Air's inaugural Kuala Lumpur-Suvarnabhumi flight on October 9, 2026, achieving a strong 90% load factor.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- TAT welcomed Thai Vietjet Air's inaugural Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok flight on October 9, 2026.
- Daily services utilize Boeing 737-8 aircraft seating 189 passengers, launching with a 90% load factor.
- Malaysia remains a key market, recording over 3 million arrivals to Thailand through early October 2026.
- TAT and the airline are hosting a 12-agency Malaysian fam trip from October 12-16 to boost bookings.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) hosted a welcoming ceremony for Thai Vietjet Air's inaugural flight VZ681 arriving from Kuala Lumpur International Airport at Suvarnabhumi Airport on October 9, 2026. This launch marks the airline's first direct route connecting Malaysia and Thailand, providing travelers with expanded options.
Mr. Kittipong Prapattong, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing, Asia and South Pacific, led the reception alongside public and private sector representatives. Among the arriving passengers was Mr. Pinyot Pibulsonggram, Vice President of Commercial and Customer at Thai Vietjet Air.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Mr. Kittipong emphasized that Malaysia is a vital market for Thailand, with both air and land connectivity playing essential roles. The new daily service offers independent travelers, families, and repeat visitors a convenient option for short-haul holidays, complementing established land gateways in southern Thailand.
Flight VZ681 operates daily, departing Kuala Lumpur at 15:15 hours and arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 16:30 hours. The return flight VZ680 leaves Bangkok at 11:00 hours and arrives in Kuala Lumpur at 14:10 hours. Operated by a Boeing 737-8 with 189 seats, the inaugural flight recorded 171 bookings, representing a 90 per cent load factor.
"This new daily Kuala Lumpur–Bangkok service gives Malaysian travellers another convenient option, particularly for independent travellers, families, younger visitors and repeat travellers seeking short-haul holidays."
Mr. Kittipong Prapattong, TAT Deputy Governor
Statistics indicate that Malaysia recorded 3,006,730 arrivals to Thailand between January 1 and October 7, 2026. Visitors utilized both air and land entry points, heading to key destinations including Songkhla, Bangkok, Narathiwat, Yala, Phuket, Krabi, and Satun, as well as emerging spots like Phang-nga, Surat-Thani, Chiang Rai, Rayong, and Kanchanaburi.
The introduction of this direct air service underscores the strategic importance of capturing short-haul travel demand within the region. Given the high volume of independent and repeat travelers from Malaysia, enhanced air connectivity serves as a crucial catalyst for distributing tourism revenue beyond major hubs and supporting year-end travel goals.
Building on this launch, TAT’s Kuala Lumpur Office is collaborating with partners to organize an Agent Fam Trip from October 12–16 for representatives from 12 leading Malaysian travel agencies. The itinerary covering Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Nakhon Pathom, and Samut Songkhram aims to introduce fresh tourism products for future travel programs.
Source: TAT Newsroom
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