Manchester Airport will launch a new direct service to Bangkok starting in November 2025, making it the only UK airport outside London to offer a non-stop connection to the Thai capital.
A new weekly long-haul flight between Manchester and Bangkok is set to begin this November, operated by Norse Atlantic Airways. The new route positions Manchester Airport as the sole UK airport outside of London to offer a direct connection to Thailand’s bustling capital, reflecting both growing demand and broader ambitions to enhance regional connectivity.
The service will be flown using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, providing travelers in northern England with direct access to one of the world’s most visited cities. Bangkok, which welcomed 32.4 million international visitors in 2024 according to the Global Tourism Forum, continues to attract global interest thanks to its dynamic blend of culture, affordability, and vibrant urban life.
Running weekly through the winter season until March 2026, the route is being promoted as a convenient option for leisure travelers seeking to escape the colder months in the UK, as well as for business passengers and Thai nationals visiting the region. It also comes at a strategic time as Manchester Airport nears the completion of its £1.3 billion redevelopment plan, which includes the transformation of Terminal 2.
The expanded terminal, expected to be fully operational later this year, will accommodate about 70 per cent of the airport’s total passenger traffic. The facility has already received international attention, earning the Prix Versailles award for architectural design. The Bangkok route adds further value to the terminal’s offerings as part of Manchester’s efforts to cement its role as a major international hub in the north of England.
The launch follows another recent milestone for the airport: the introduction of its only direct service to Mumbai, operated by Indian carrier IndiGo.
The announcements were made by Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe and Norse Atlantic Airways CEO Bjørn Tore Larsen. Their comments, published in regional media including the Northwich Guardian, emphasized the strategic importance of the new route for both tourism and business travel.
