Queen makes first solo flight in Gripen fighter jet
PUBLISHED : 8 Oct 2026 at 16:48
Her Majesty the Queen made her first solo flight in a Gripen fighter jet in Surat Thani on Thursday.
Before the flight, Her Majesty received His Majesty the King at Wing 7 in Phun Phin district of the southern province at 10am. A briefing on the flight plan was then held.
The royal couple then went to the parking bay of the single-seat JAS 39 C Gripen jet, where the Queen checked the plane before taking it to Runway 22 for takeoff.
After the solo flight, His Majesty presented a bouquet and the Gripen Order Golden Patch to Her Majesty the Queen.
The Queen first became a pilot on May 13, 2010, when she flew a Cessna T-41D of Fleet 604 at Wing 6 in Bangkok. She has since accumulated 1,188.48 flying hours in a variety of aircraft:
- 315.33 hours in a Cessna T-41
- 38.35 hours in a CT-4E Airtrainer
- 105.59 hours in a Pilatus PC-9
- 98.40 hours in a Mooney M20M
- 137.50 hours in a Piper PA-34 Seneca
- 27.09 hours in a Boeing 737-400
- 453.11 hours in a Boeing 737-800
- 10.13 hours in a twin-seater Saab JAS 39D Gripen.
Her Majesty has been a co-pilot for His Majesty on domestic and international flights for royal duties. Their Majesties admirably landed a royal plane at Paro airport, known as one of the world’s most difficult airports for pilots, in Bhutan in April last year.
His Majesty the King joins Her Majesty the Queen as she prepares for her solo flight in the fighter jet.
His Majesty the King presents a bouquet to Her Majesty the Queen.
His Majesty the King presents a Gripen Order Golden Patch to Her Majesty the Queen.
Source – Bangkok News
