Thai Airways 45 Years Of Service At Sydney

[Grahame Hutchison]

Congratulations Thai Airways

Today Thai Airways are celebrating 45 Years of operations into Sydney Airport, a fantastic achievement. This was Thai's first intercontinental route,
linking Bangkok and Sydney via Singapore. The first service was operated by one of the airline's Douglas DC-8s, which were leased from Scandinavian
Airways who owned 30% of Thai at the time. The livery on this aircraft was the same as the current Retro Boeing B744 HS-TGP. Over the following
years we have seen Thai operate the DC-10, B747, B777 and A340 into Sydney.

Throughout the past 45 years, memorable Special Liveries include "Retro Thai International", "Amazing Thailand", "Star Alliance", "The Kings 72nd
Celebration", "Apec Thailand 2003" & "Apec".

Thai are also celebrating another milestone today, 20 years of Boeing B777 operations.

Here is a snapshot covering most of the past 45 years.

DC-10 HS-TGQ Runway 16 (not Right back then) in July 1981


DC-10 HS-TGQ on Taxiway Alpha in July 1981


B742 HS-TGA about to touchdown on Runway 25 18/11/1982


B742 HS-TGC rolling on Runway 16 while Concorde holds short on Taxiway Foxtrot


HS-TGD


HS-TGD


HS-TGD


HS-TGL


HS-TND


HS-TND


HS-TND


HS-TND


HS-TJT


HS-TJT


HS-TJR

[Grahame Hutchison]

HS-TJT



Here are some of the special liveries we have seen over the years

HS-TGP This was the livery on the first Thai Airways DC-8 service from Bangkok to Sydney via Singapore


HS-TGJ


HS-TGW


HS-TGZ


HS-TGJ


HS-TGH


HS-TGO


HS-TGW


B744 HS-TGG operated the final service of the 45th Year


B744 HS-TGZ operated the first service of the 46th Year this morning


Passengers for Thai Airways B744 VH-TGZ return service to Bangkok this morning, were greeted with Thai coloured balloons, flowers, and Check-In
monitors recognizing the 45 Years of operation at Sydney Airport.

[Paul F]

Monitors show Australia 45 years not Sydney

[Grahame Hutchison]

Didn't notice that one Paul, good pickup, however Sydney was their first intercontinental destination.

[Nigel C]

Thai used to fly passenger MD-11's to Sydney too.

[Grahame Hutchison]

Yep Nigel, but unfortunately I never shot any images of them. Would love to have had a Thai DC-8 image, I have Air New Zealand, Flying Tigers and Kerry Packers.

I was also told that Thai operated the A300/A310 into Sydney via Bali, but apparently it was only for a very short time.

[Terence W]

Brilliant photo history Grahame - thanks for sharing!

[Greg Hyde]

Nice shots, Grahame

Brings back good memories.

My first international flight was on a Thai DC-10 (HS-TGA) in 1977 to Singapore

[James R]

Yep - MD-11 used to operate the second daily service TG993/994 when it went via MEL outbound.

[Neil L]

Thanks Grahame for sharing your photo display on Thai.

Some great shots.

Remember travelling on their DC-8-63 SYD-BKK-THR-FCO-LHR in 1974.

Long flight but memorable.