Thailand’s winter tourism is set for a major revival as leading European airlines—including Norse Atlantic, Air France, KLM, British Airways, ITA Airways, Austrian Airlines, and Condor—significantly expand their services to Bangkok and Phuket for the 2025/26 IATA winter season. This surge in connectivity includes five brand-new routes and increased flight frequencies on eleven existing routes, reflecting rising demand from European travelers seeking warm-weather escapes. The strategic expansions not only reinforce Thailand’s position as a premier winter destination but also signal strong confidence in the country’s tourism rebound and infrastructure readiness to welcome a wave of international visitors.
Thailand to Experience Major Travel Surge This Winter with Influx of New Routes and Flight Expansions from Europe
Thailand is gearing up for a significant boom in winter tourism as a host of European airlines roll out new routes and increase flight frequencies to the Southeast Asian country. This strategic expansion, centered around Bangkok Suvarnabhumi and Phuket International Airports, is poised to position Thailand as one of the most sought-after winter destinations for European travelers during the 2025/26 IATA winter season.
The latest developments bring a wave of connectivity upgrades that are expected to attract millions of tourists escaping Europe’s cold winter months for Thailand’s tropical warmth and renowned hospitality.
Norse Atlantic Airways Leads the Expansion to Thailand
Low-cost long-haul carrier Norse Atlantic Airways is at the forefront of this winter expansion. While the airline is scaling back its transatlantic operations—dropping routes such as London Gatwick to Las Vegas and Berlin/Oslo to Miami due to softened demand—it is simultaneously doubling down on Thailand.
Here’s a detailed look at Norse Atlantic’s new and expanded Thailand services:
| Route | Start Date | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| London Gatwick – Bangkok | Oct 26, 2025 | 4x weekly |
| Manchester – Bangkok | Nov 26, 2025 | 1x weekly |
| Oslo – Phuket | Dec 8, 2025 | 1x weekly |
| Stockholm – Phuket | Dec 4, 2025 | 1x weekly |
| Oslo – Bangkok (increase) | Dec 3, 2025 | From 3 to 4 weekly |
| Stockholm – Bangkok (increase) | Dec 5, 2025 | From 2 to 4 weekly |
This aggressive move marks a strategic pivot for Norse Atlantic, signaling confidence in Thailand’s appeal and demand among European leisure travelers.
Air France Returns to Phuket
A notable highlight this winter is the return of Air France to Phuket. The French national airline will reconnect Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) with Phuket through three weekly nonstop flights starting November 27, 2025. This route will allow French and European travelers greater access to one of Thailand’s most famous beach destinations, just in time for peak holiday travel.
Surge in Frequencies from Europe to Thailand
Norse Atlantic’s expansion is part of a larger trend, as multiple European airlines are ramping up their Thailand services for winter. From France and Germany to the UK and Italy, several carriers are boosting frequencies to meet rising demand.
Below is a comprehensive overview of the upcoming flight frequency increases for the winter 2025/26 season:
| Airline | Route | Current | New Frequency | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aircalin | Paris CDG – Bangkok | 2x weekly | 3x weekly | Nov 17, 2025 |
| Air France | Paris CDG – Bangkok | 13x weekly | 14x weekly | Nov 27, 2025 |
| Austrian Airlines | Vienna – Bangkok | 7x weekly | 14x weekly | Dec 3, 2025 |
| British Airways | London Gatwick – Bangkok | 3x weekly | 6x weekly | November 2025 |
| Condor | Frankfurt – Bangkok | 5x weekly | 7x weekly | Oct 26, 2025 |
| Condor | Frankfurt – Phuket | 5x weekly | 7x weekly | Nov 2, 2025 |
| ITA Airways | Rome FCO – Bangkok | 5x weekly | 7x weekly | Dec 1, 2025 |
| KLM | Amsterdam – Bangkok | 7x weekly | 11x weekly | Oct 28, 2025 |
These expanded services reflect a strong rebound in travel confidence and the growing allure of Thailand as a safe, scenic, and vibrant winter destination for European travelers.
Turkish Airlines Expands into Southeast Asia with New Cambodia Route
Adding to the excitement is the strategic partnership between Thai Airways International and Turkish Airlines, which will further enhance connectivity between Istanbul and Bangkok. The collaboration will bring the combined total weekly frequencies to 42 on this route, offering passengers more choices and convenience.
The most groundbreaking announcement from Turkish Airlines is the launch of a new route starting December 10, 2025, linking Istanbul–Bangkok–Phnom Penh with three weekly flights (Wednesday, Friday, Sunday). This marks Turkish Airlines’ debut in Cambodia, making it the seventh country served by the carrier in Southeast Asia.
This addition underscores Turkish Airlines’ commitment to solidifying its global network and offering new connections to emerging tourism markets in the region.
Why Thailand?
Thailand’s enduring popularity stems from its diverse tourism offerings—pristine beaches, ancient temples, lush landscapes, vibrant cities, and warm hospitality. As many travelers prioritize affordability, wellness experiences, and cultural authenticity, Thailand’s appeal has only grown stronger post-pandemic.
With Phuket catering to beach lovers and Bangkok serving as a bustling urban gateway, this winter’s airline expansion will be a major catalyst for Thailand’s tourism recovery and economic momentum.
The Thai government has also supported aviation and tourism collaboration, facilitating route approvals and marketing partnerships to reignite international interest.
Winter 2025/26 Thailand Route Expansions by Major European Airlines
| Airline | Route | Start Date | Type | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norse Atlantic | London Gatwick – Bangkok | Oct 26, 2025 | New Route | 4x weekly |
| Norse Atlantic | Manchester – Bangkok | Nov 26, 2025 | New Route | 1x weekly |
| Norse Atlantic | Oslo – Phuket | Dec 8, 2025 | New Route | 1x weekly |
| Norse Atlantic | Stockholm – Phuket | Dec 4, 2025 | New Route | 1x weekly |
| Norse Atlantic | Oslo – Bangkok | Dec 3, 2025 | Frequency Increase | From 3x to 4x weekly |
| Norse Atlantic | Stockholm – Bangkok | Dec 5, 2025 | Frequency Increase | From 2x to 4x weekly |
| Air France | Paris CDG – Bangkok | Nov 27, 2025 | Frequency Increase | From 13x to 14x weekly |
| Air France | Paris CDG – Phuket | Nov 27, 2025 | New Route | 3x weekly |
| KLM | Amsterdam – Bangkok | Oct 28, 2025 | Frequency Increase | From 7x to 11x weekly |
| British Airways | London Gatwick – Bangkok | Nov 2025 | Frequency Increase | From 3x to 6x weekly |
| ITA Airways | Rome FCO – Bangkok | Dec 1, 2025 | Frequency Increase | From 5x to 7x weekly |
| Austrian Airlines | Vienna – Bangkok | Dec 3, 2025 | Frequency Increase | From 7x to 14x weekly |
| Condor | Frankfurt – Bangkok | Oct 26, 2025 | Frequency Increase | From 5x to 7x weekly |
| Condor | Frankfurt – Phuket | Nov 2, 2025 | Frequency Increase | From 5x to 7x weekly |
The collective expansion by European airlines and growing regional partnerships positions Thailand to experience one of its strongest winter seasons in recent years. With enhanced air connectivity and new markets being served for the first time, the outlook is bright for both inbound tourism and international travelers seeking winter warmth.
Thailand’s winter tourism is poised for a strong comeback as major European airlines expand routes and boost flight frequencies, responding to growing demand for tropical getaways. Carriers like Norse Atlantic, Air France, KLM, and others are leading the charge, reconnecting Europe with Bangkok and Phuket for the 2025/26 season.
From Paris to Phuket, Manchester to Bangkok, and Istanbul to Phnom Penh, this extensive airlift strategy will not only support Thailand’s travel industry but also reinforce its global reputation as a premium tourist destination during the cooler months.