A United Airlines Boeing 737-800 sits at a gate after arriving at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., June 5, 2019. Photo by Reuters
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has officially welcomed United Airlines’ inaugural flight UA820 on the Los Angeles – Bangkok route, marking the first direct service by a U.S. carrier to Thailand in over 11 years.
The arrival, celebrated at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Oct. 26, highlights the success of TAT’s “Airline Focus” strategy aimed at revitalizing Thai tourism through expanded international flight connections. TAT has set a target of welcoming 1.09 million visitors from the U.S. by the end of this year.
The welcoming ceremony was attended by U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Robert F. Godec, TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool, United Airlines executive Marcel Fuchs, and senior Thai aviation officials.
The TAT Governor stated that expanding flight networks and capacity through the “Airline Focus” strategy is a key strategy to Thailand’s tourism recovery plan. By partnering with international carriers, TAT aims to align growing travel demand with long-term economic development goals in the tourism sector.
The UA820 departed Los Angeles International Airport with 257 passengers, made a stop in Hong Kong, and arrived in Bangkok to a traditional water salute. Passengers were greeted with Thai hospitality, receiving handmade fabric elephant dolls and a cultural welcome featuring traditional Thai attire and khon performances.
The new route will operate daily in both directions, reflecting growing travel demand between Thailand and the U.S.
The U.S. market remains one of Thailand’s strongest long-haul segments, driven by high purchasing power and strong interest in cultural and leisure travel.
From January to October 2025, more than 808,000 Americans visited Thailand, a 5% year-on-year increase. TAT expects arrivals from the U.S. to reach 1.09 million by year’s end, generating an estimated 62 billion THB (US$1.9 billion) in tourism revenue.
The renewed connection is also expected to benefit from heightened interest in Thailand, partly driven by the filming of “The White Lotus” Season 3, which has inspired more travelers to experience the country firsthand.
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