Queen Suthida of Thailand completes first solo flight in a fighter jet

On Thursday, October 8, 2026, Queen Suthida of Thailand became the first woman in the country to fly a Saab JAS 39C Gripen fighter jet solo. The 48-year-old monarch conducted the flight at the Wing 7 military airbase in Surat Thani province, remaining in the air for 41 minutes. Her husband, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, observed both the takeoff and landing, subsequently presenting her with a bouquet and the honorary Gripen Order Golden Patch.

Queen Suthida, a former flight attendant for Thai Airways, has accumulated over 1,180 flight hours throughout her career, which began in 2010. Before this solo mission, she underwent several weeks of simulator training and completed approximately 10 hours of flight experience in a two-seater aircraft. She is known for frequently accompanying the King as a co-pilot on official trips, including challenging landings at Paro Airport in Bhutan. This achievement formalizes her status as Thailand's first female Gripen pilot, marking a significant milestone in her ongoing aviation training within the Royal Thai Air Force.