Air Premia-Thai Airways target growing India-US transit demand through South Korea

South Korea’s hybrid carrier Air Premia announced on Thursday that it has entered an interline agreement with Thailand’s flag carrier Thai Airways. The partnership, which takes effect on March 30, will enable joint ticketing and coordinated flight schedules between the two airlines, creating a seamless travel option for passengers moving between Southeast Asia, India and the United States via Incheon International Airport.

No Direct Connection Between Thailand and the U.S.

Under the agreement, Air Premia’s long‑haul services from Incheon to several U.S. gateways – Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Honolulu and a planned service to Washington, D.C. – will be linked with Thai Airways’ extensive regional network. Thai Airways, which operates eight domestic routes and 54 international services from its Bangkok Suvarnabhumi hub, will be able to offer its customers access to Air Premia’s trans‑Pacific flights without the need for separate bookings.

The collaboration targets transit demand from travelers in Thailand, neighboring Southeast Asian nations and India who are heading to the Americas. At present, no airline provides a direct connection between Thailand and the United States. By routing passengers through Incheon, the two carriers hope to fill that gap and capture a share of the growing market for long‑haul travel originating in the region.

Key features of the partnership include:

Joint ticketing – Passengers can purchase a single itinerary that combines legs on both airlines, simplifying check‑in and baggage handling.

Increased frequency – On the Incheon‑Bangkok corridor, both airlines already operate flights, with Thai Airways adding three daily services. The added capacity is intended to provide greater flexibility for connecting travelers.

Extended destination reach – Through Air Premia, Thai Airways customers gain access to U.S. cities, while Air Premia passengers can connect to Thai domestic hubs such as Phuket and Chiang Mai, as well as major Southeast Asian cities including Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Jakarta and Hanoi, and Indian metros like New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai.