Thai Airways on-ground experiences taking off

Uplifting experience: (Left) A customer entering a Boeing A380 simulator and (below) a woman taking a souvenir photo in a flight-themed restaurant at the Thai Airways head office in Bangkok. — AP

HAVE you ever imagined piloting a plane into world airports? Do you miss airline meals or want a taste of first-class food? Thai Airways has found a way to offer those experiences despite being grounded by Covid-19 and landing in bankruptcy court under crippling debt.

The airline is selling time on its flight simulators to wannabe pilots while its catering division is serving meals in a flight-themed restaurant complete with airline seats and attentive cabin crew.