Passengers flying between Melbourne and Bangkok with Thai Airways in October have a short window in which they can buy a business class ticket but enjoy the luxury of a first class suite.

That’s because Thai is switching out its usual Boeing 777s – fitted with business class and economy – for its larger Boeing 747s which offer first class as well, on flights TG466 from Melbourne and TG465 from Bangkok between October 1 and October 25 2016.

As the change is only temporary, the airline won’t be selling first class fares on these flights. Instead, business class passengers may select seats in the Boeing 747’s first class zone to enjoy a more comfortable ride.

Inflight dining (and airport lounge access) will be the same as if you were in business class: this is simply a first class seat with business class service, not a full first class experience as you’d get on Thai’s year-round Boeing 747s from Sydney.

But snag one of those first class suites and you’d be forgiven for blurring the two, with semi-private suites each offering direct aisle access in the modern-feel cabin…

… fully-flat beds and plenty of space to store your gear beside the seat:

A Thai Airways spokesperson confirmed to Australian Business Traveller that first class fares won't be sold on these Melbourne flights, and that business class passengers are welcome to select seats in the first class zone of the jumbo.

However, the spokesperson also noted that as is standard in the airline industry, "there is no guarantee that the 747 will operate on the route (or) that the seat allocation is guaranteed. Customers can request the (first class) seats but final allocation will be subject to airport (control) on the day of departure."

Thai Airways also plans to fly its latest Airbus A350 aircraft to Melbourne from October 30.

Read: Thai delays Airbus A350 on Melbourne-Bangkok to "late October"

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