Thanks for the info Banu, but I don't think ALT will be getting the UL-livery anytime soon, since its close to the middle of September and painting an aircraft takes around 2 weeks (estimate), UL probably wants to avoid delays so its likely she wont be having a livery when she lands at CMB and she'll probably be put into service as soon as she arrives, same as 4R-ABS and will possibly get her livery at a later date. Someone told me that UL is waiting on ALT to be delivered so UL could paint UL and ABS together? (Someone please confirm?)

UL will probably be retrofitting them with UL interiors and seat configs, or UL would instead be keeping the original interiors and seat configs like 4R-ABS and 4R-ABT, but i'm not sure if it is gonna apply to widebodies, but hopefully UL will be retrofitting them. (Please someone correct me if im wrong)

Given the global supply chain issues with seats, and the need to get these aircraft in service as soon as possible, it seems unlikely that the interiors will be retrofitted. At the most it will be UL upholstery over the existing seats? If ALT has its original Thai Airways layout, especially in Business Class, it won't be competitive on long-haul routes against the likes of QR and EK - no direct aisle access and angled lie-flat seats in J class.

Typical Nationalised airline story. They will take their time to get things done while foreign airlines keep taking our market share away. I hope they dont send these aircraft on LH routes to NRT, MEL,SYD,LHR,CDG,FRA. the social media influencers will have a banger of a day further damaging UL reputation.

Ex. TG seats are fine for the time being on regional routes. I have done them a few times and it was good for the uptown 5 hrs flights.

Are we due for more A320??? remember the tender was for 5 A/C???

I believe those routes NRT,MEL,SYD,LHR,CDG,FRA will be served by our current a330s we have in the fleet and then routes like SIN,BKK,MLE and RUH will be served by the upcoming a330-300s from Thai.

Yes, I agree with what you are saying, UL needs to step up their game in order to take back the market share taken by Emirates and Qatar airways, UL has to be competitive in this sector as it is picking up pace (Middle east and India), UL cannot miss this opportunity. UL also has to transition away from the a330 (ceos) in the next 10 years, not saying its bad that UL is still using a330s but im saying that the a330s (ceos) are becoming older and dated as time goes on (A330 ceo production has already stopped) and UL must renew their fleet (ie. A330-900s or A350-900) But given the airplane shortage I don't think this will be happening any time soon.

UL has to step up their game. The only thing that is keeping them afloat from bad reviews is the hospitality of the crew, they cannot rely on that, they have to work on the hard product as well. but some people also do prefer the soft product. They have to be competitive as the tourism industry relies on UL.

As far as i am aware, I believe that UL is due for more a320s, not sure but I heard someone talking about UL being due for more a320s. Will get back to you if I find more info about the topic.

Thanks!!

Getting away from fleet planning any ideas about future codeshare partners in planning?? not the interline with Flydubai. Do we have plans to work with BA/ AA and CX??? Being in Oneworld and not working with these airlines does not make sense. BA/AA and CX codes on UL flights will be icing on the cake.

UL does codeshare with AA to Miami, LA, Dallas, NY and Chicago from their European destinations. But I agree that more code shares - even with non OneWorld partners like Delta would be beneficial for UL.
UL also needs to have a consistent product across its long haul and short haul fleets. A recent flight review on YouTube showed an A320 (4R-MRE) where the interior is literally falling apart. Even if the reviewer was being sensationalist, it was clear that the whole cabin was in bad condition and the seat covers were dirty and stained,. There's not much an outstanding crew can do to offset a hard product like that. Hopefully MRE will leave the fleet soon.

UL has its codeshare on AA, but we dont have BA/AA/CX codeshare on UL flights... That needs to happen as these airlines have the customers that "spend regardless" on their flights and their codes on our flights can benefit us directly and indirectly.

Thank you for sharing the photo and update with us! Do you know if any cabin refurb done for this aircraft by Tarmac Aerosave? They did 4hrs test flight on the 03-Sep as TEV to TEV. Will it do any more test flights / engine run before delivery? Seems the both engines are covered, so wondering if all the work have been completed by Tarmac Aersave and the aircraft waiting for to be collected and delivered to UL.

Wow nice to see another Pic. I think UL might take her full white as it's a short term lease?

is 4R-ALR doing engine ground testing?