Representatives from Thailand’s leading airline addressed concerns regarding defective reclining seats during a press conference. This follows a wave of complaints on social media from passengers about issues experienced on certain Thai Airways’ flights.
Chai Eamsiri, Thai Airways’ Chief Executive Officer, confirmed that the problematic seats are found on four Airbus A350s and four Boeing 777-200ERs. While reassuring the public that the company is actively working to resolve the issue, he disclosed that ongoing discussions with Airbus and Boeing are in progress. Securing service slots and spare parts has proven to be time-consuming due to multiple airlines operating the same fleet.
As an immediate solution to ensure passenger comfort, Thai Airways is reallocating the affected aircraft to shorter routes with lighter passenger loads. This temporary measure will allow them to isolate the faulty seats until repairs can be completed.
When asked about the delay in addressing the issue, the airline’s management admitted to initially being unaware of the specific planes affected by the problem.
Looking forward, Eamsiri emphasized that if passengers encounter additional defective seats, on-site engineers will attempt immediate repairs. However, if repairs are not possible and alternative seating is unavailable, passengers will be compensated by Thai Airways.
Thai Airways’ swift acknowledgment and action to address the defective seat issue are crucial in today’s age where social media can significantly impact a brand’s reputation. For its loyal passengers, the assurance of a prompt resolution provides some relief amidst the uncertainty.
