First direct flight from Stockholm to Bangkok: setting off into the sun!

First direct flight from Stockholm to Bangkok: setting off into the sun!

Air traffic to Thailand is picking up speed! On October 22, 2025, Norse Atlantic Airways launched the first direct flight between Stockholm and Bangkok, sending a positive signal for international tourism in the country. With 338 passengers on board, the flight landed safely at Suvarnabhumi Airport, where it was warmly welcomed by senior officials from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Bård Nordhagen, Chief Commercial Officer of Norse Atlantic Airways. TAT Deputy Governor Chiravadee Khunsub stressed that this new connection reflects growing confidence in Thailand as a long-haul destination and supports efforts to strengthen tourism ties with Northern Europe. In addition, the connection will initially be twice a week and will be increased to four flights per week from December, making travel planning much easier for many Swedish tourists.

What is behind this boom? Founded in 2021, Norse Atlantic Airways aims to offer comfortable yet affordable flights to key global destinations. The new routes will use the most modern Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, which are equipped with 338 seats. These developments are part of a broader initiative to improve air connectivity from Europe to Thailand and are designed to support the government's Big Impact, Act Fast policy, which aims to increase international arrivals.

Five new connections for the coming winter season

As part of this expansion, a total of five new direct routes have been announced, connecting Thailand with the UK, Sweden and Norway. Direct services from London Gatwick to Bangkok will begin on October 26, 2025 with several weekly flights. Manchester will also be reconnected to the Thai capital from November 26, 2025. This is particularly pleasing as Manchester is the only airport outside of London that offers direct flights to Bangkok.

In addition, a weekly service from Stockholm to Phuket will be introduced on December 4, 2025 and another from Oslo to Phuket from December 8, 2025. These initiatives help increase Thailand's appeal as a winter sun destination for European travelers. A total of 145,188 Swedish tourists have already been counted in Thailand between January and mid-October 2025, representing an increase of 8.56% compared to the previous year. So it's no wonder that Thailand is still considered one of the most popular travel destinations in Southeast Asia.

Expansion of international flight connections

However, the trend of expanding international flights to Thailand is not limited to Norse Atlantic Airways. Numerous other airlines are also strengthening their connections. Arkia Israeli Airlines will start on November 26, 2025 with two weekly flights from Tel Aviv to Bangkok. Air France returns with three flights per week from Paris to Phuket from November 28th, and United Airlines will be active on October 26th, 2025 with a new daily flight from Los Angeles to Bangkok. This represents the first American airline to operate this route in over a decade.

Tourist numbers from the UK are also expected to be more positive than ever, with an increase of 13.66% from January to September 2025. Pre-bookings from the UK for the months of October to December 2025 show an increase of 10%. This makes it clear that interest in traveling to Thailand, including the optimization of transport connections, continues to grow and that safety and individual tourism are becoming increasingly important in both markets.

In summary, the new flight routes will not only boost tourism, but also have the potential to make Thailand even more popular as a destination. This year's aviation boom is a clear sign of the country's increased international attractiveness and travelers' anticipation of an unforgettable trip to Thailand.

For more information about the new routes, visit: Scandasia, TAT News, and Thailand Tip.