Air India Express now flies non-stop to Bangkok from two Indian cities it did not serve before: Kochi, four times a week from 25 October 2026, and Visakhapatnam, twice a week since its first flight landed at Suvarnabhumi on 27 October. Explera DMC Thailand explains what the two routes give agents in Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, and how to build programmes around their timings.
Explera handles ground arrangements as a Thailand DMC for travel agents. Its Thai company, Explera DMC Co., Ltd., holds TAT licence 14/05119, the Tourism Business Licence issued by the Department of Tourism, and the group is IATA TIDS-registered (96215733) and a member of ASTA (900408341). Write to b2b@explera.co.th.
What did Air India Express launch?
Two routes under the airline's Winter Schedule 2026. Kochi–Bangkok began on 25 October with four flights a week, reported to leave Kochi on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, late in the evening, and to land in Bangkok at about 03:55 the next morning; the return leaves Bangkok at about 04:55. Reports name a Boeing 737 on the route. One trade report gives a departure an hour earlier than the others, so reconfirm the time on the ticket.
Visakhapatnam–Bangkok followed. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) says the first flight landed at Suvarnabhumi on 27 October and that the route runs twice weekly: IX0904 leaves Visakhapatnam at 11:35 and arrives at 16:00, and IX0903 leaves Bangkok at 02:10 and arrives at 03:55, all local times. TAT's release does not give the operating days, so check them before you promise a date.
Why do tier-2 cities matter for Thailand?
TAT says it plainly. "India's growing regional cities offer significant opportunities for Thailand to reach new traveller segments," said Patsee Permvongsene, its Executive Director for the ASEAN, South Asia and South Pacific Region. TAT counts 1,896,058 Indian arrivals from 1 January to 26 October 2026, and its profile of the market shows 65.77% first-time visitors, 70.70% travelling independently and an average stay of 6.98 nights. A direct flight from a home airport removes the connection through Delhi, Mumbai or Bengaluru that kept many first-time buyers in these cities away. Our Thai Airways winter India frequencies post covers the other new seats this season.
What should agents in Kerala and Andhra Pradesh package?
Build around the clock, not just the city. The Kochi flight lands before dawn, so a client needs a met arrival and either an early check-in or a day room, and the return at about 04:55 means leaving the hotel in the middle of the night. Our transport team runs night transfers, and our hotel bookings team can hold an early check-in or a late check-out for you. The Visakhapatnam flight lands in the afternoon and leaves at 02:10, which suits a first night in Bangkok and a last evening of shopping before the airport.
For first-time families and friends' groups, Bangkok plus Pattaya over five or six nights remains the simplest sell; a Thailand DMC can split it into two hotels and one road transfer. Quotes come as one package price; on request we split it into hotel and land arrangements. The rest of what we handle is on our Thailand DMC services page, and our India market page explains how we work with agencies in India.
What entry rules apply to Indian passport holders?
Since 15 September 2026 Indian passport holders are in Thailand's 30-day visa-exemption group, which covers a normal holiday on either route. Our 30-day visa exemption guide sets out the rules. Ask clients to reconfirm with the Thai mission or their airline before travel, because entry rules can change.
Next steps
Send us your Kochi or Visakhapatnam dates, flight numbers and group sizes through our contact page. The trade desk replies within 24 hours, and as your Thailand DMC we will match transfers and rooms to the actual arrival time.
Sources
- TAT Newsroom: TAT welcomes Air India Express' inaugural Visakhapatnam–Bangkok flight
- BW Travel: Air India Express begins four weekly flights between Kochi and Bangkok
- TTR Weekly: Air India Express flies direct Kochi-Bangkok route
Frequently asked questions
When did the Kochi–Bangkok flight start?
On 25 October 2026, with four flights a week. It is reported to leave Kochi late in the evening on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays and to land in Bangkok at about 03:55. Reconfirm the departure time, which one report gives an hour earlier.
How often does the Visakhapatnam–Bangkok flight operate?
Twice a week. TAT says the first flight landed at Suvarnabhumi on 27 October 2026, with IX0904 arriving at 16:00 and IX0903 leaving Bangkok at 02:10. The operating days were not in TAT's release, so check them with the airline.
Do Indian clients need a visa for Thailand?
Not for a normal holiday. Since 15 September 2026 Indian passport holders are in Thailand's 30-day visa-exemption group. Clients should still reconfirm the rules before travel.
How do we handle a 03:55 arrival?
Book a met transfer and either an early check-in or a day room, so the client is not waiting in a lobby until the afternoon. Tell us the flight number and we will time the transfer and the room to it.
