February 4, 2006: India 's largest private carrier Jet Airways has launched two new international flights from Delhi and Kolkata to Bangkok. The carrier will fly seven days a week from the two Indian metros and the 14 direct flights to Thailand will be operated by Boeing 737-800s.

"Bangkok is the 50th destination on our network and our third destination within the ASEAN region. The strengthening of economic ties between the two nations will see a marked increase in both business and tourist traffic and hence this is our effort to provide travellers with convenient connections," Jet Airways chief executive officer Wolfgang Prock-Schauer said.

The airline has introduced special return airfares starting at Rs 6,500 on the Kolkata route and Rs 13,500 on the Delhi route as part of its inaugural offer. However, taxes are not included in the fares.

The return airfare for club premiere on Delhi-Bangkok sector ranges from Rs 28,500-38,000, while on the Kolkata-Bangkok sector it is around Rs 18,500-Rs 26,000. The carrier has also announced a companion free offer for club premiere passengers on the Delhi-Bangkok-Delhi sector till March 31, 2007.

The 'club premiere' tickets has to be purchased on or before February 15 for travel until March 31, 2007.

On the Delhi-Bangkok sector, the flight 9W 064 departs from Delhi at 0045 hours daily, arriving at Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi International Airport at 0635 hours. The return flight, 9W 063 departs from Bangkok at 1805 hours and arrives in Delhi at 2105 hours.

While on the Kolkata-Bangkok route, flight 9W 065 departs from Bangkok at 0920 hours, arriving in Kolkata at 1020 hours. The return flight, flight 9W 066 departs from Kolkata at 1155 hours and arrives at Bangkok at 1615 hours.

The Boeing 737-800 aircraft flown on these sectors have 24-seat Club Premiere and 126-seat Economy seating configuration. It is also equipped with an in-flight entertainment system that offers iXplor, the in-flight tracking system. Travellers would also be able to select from specially chosen Thai audio/video in-flight entertainment.

The airline is also offering Thai cuisine on board that would be served by in-flight crew of Thai nationality.

At present, Jet Airways operates over 330 daily flights to 50 destinations in the country. The carrier also operates flights out of Indian borders, including London, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Colombo, Bangkok and Kathmandu.

The carrier has plans to extend its international operations to North America, Europe, Africa and Asia, for is inducting wide-body aircraft into its fleet this year.

Meanwhile, Jet Airways has appointed M&C Saatchi India to handle its $11 million creative account. M&C Saatchi bagged the contract, triumphing over Contract and Leo Burnett and replacing local firm Network Advertising.