New direct flights to Bangkok from Manchester Airport

The inaugural flight of the North’s only direct service to Bangkok departed from Manchester Airport.

The new service operated by Norse Atlantic Airways means hundreds of thousands of passengers from the North will benefit from direct flights to the world’s most visited city.

Last year, 230,000 people from Manchester Airport’s catchment area traveled to Thailand’s capital – either on connecting flights or from a London airport.

But this new weekly service on a Boeing 787-9 means those passengers will save time and money by going direct.

Manchester Airport Commercial Director Stephen Turner said:

“Here at Manchester Airport, we are proud to connect the North to the world – and that means making sure we offer direct flights to the places the region’s travelers want to visit.

“We’ve been working hard to secure a route to Bangkok for some time, so it was a huge moment to see the inaugural flight of our new service with Norse Atlantic Airways take off last night.

“Bangkok is one of those real bucket-list destinations for so many people because it’s such a vibrant and exciting place – that’s why so many people go there every year, making it the world’s most visited city.

“And now people in the region can do that directly from Manchester Airport – the UK’s global gateway in the North.

“It also opens our region up for people coming here from Thailand – from our amazing cities and stunning scenery to our cultural scene and our football clubs, which we know are very popular among Thai fans.

“I’m very much looking forward to seeing this route become a huge success and hearing more about people’s experiences.”

Bjørn Tore Larsen, CEO of Norse Atlantic Airways, said:

“We don’t just follow demand — we unlock it. This route has been waiting to happen, and we’re proud to be the ones making it a reality.

“Manchester is a key gateway to the North of England, and Bangkok is a magnet for adventure, business, and culture. Connecting the two cities is a natural next step for Norse as we continue to disrupt and expand in the long-haul space.”

The flight departed from Manchester Airport’s brand new £1.3bn Terminal 2, which is almost complete after a 10-year transformation programme. All Manchester Airport’s airlines except Ryanair now operate from the award-winning new terminal.

With 32.4m visitors in 2024, Bangkok was the world’s most-visited city according to the Global Tourism Forum.

Its popularity is driven by its rich culture, nightlife, and good value for money – as well as being a good starting or endpoint for traveling around the wider region.

The new service will run weekly through the winter until March 2026. Bangkok is most popular over the winter months as the summer is monsoon season.