Southeast Asian Flag Carrier Adds Boeing 787 Full-Flight Simulator

Thailand – Thai Airways International is adding a new Boeing 787 full-flight simulator supplied by aviation training and simulation provider CAE, expanding the carrier's widebody pilot-training capability. The investment adds access to dedicated 787 simulation capacity as THAI increases its Dreamliner fleet and prepares for further aircraft deliveries under its long-term fleet renewal programme.

• The 787 development is the second new widebody simulator acquisition involving CAE and Thai Airways announced during 2026. AFM previously reported in February that THAI had acquired a CAE 7000XR Series Airbus A350 FFS, extending a relationship that CAE described at the time as spanning 14 years.
• As of August 24, 2026, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand's active FSTD register listed five Level D full-flight simulators and one FTD operated by Thai Airways:
  • one Airbus A380-800,
  • one Boeing 777-300ER,
  • one Boeing 777-200/300,
  • one Airbus A340-600,
  • one Airbus A330-200 and
  • one A330-300 Level 1 FTD.
• THAI operates 84 aircraft comprised of 58 widebodies and 26 narrowbodies. Its current fleet plan targets 102 aircraft by year-end, comprising 67 widebodies and 35 narrowbodies.
• The airline took delivery of three Boeing 787-8s and one 787-9 during the first six months of 2026. Its latest fleet plan calls for 10 additional 787-8 deliveries and four 787-9 deliveries during 2026, alongside the planned phase-out of two 787-8s during the fourth quarter.
• Beyond near-term leased aircraft additions, Thai Airways has a firm order with Boeing for 45 Boeing 787-9s. Boeing announced the order in February 2024 as part of THAI's longer-term widebody fleet renewal and network expansion strategy.

Source: CAE