Play continued to flow from end-to-end until the game's defining moment after 18 minutes when Paul Lovering was shown a straight red card following an over-the-top challenge on Craig Sives.
Thistle didn't take long to take advantage of the extra man and they took the lead on 21 minutes when Mark Roberts headed home a Scott McCulloch corner from close range.
Two minutes later Roberts had a chance to double Thistle's advantage when they were awarded a penalty. Howeve, his spot-kick was easily saved by the Airdrie 'keeper.
Thistle did go two ahead on 30 minutes when Graham Gibson's run and cross was met on the six-yard line by Simon Donnelly and he easily tapped-in giving the Airdrie 'keeper no chance.
The Jags continued to dominate the game and went further ahead on 50 minutes when Graham Gibson again played in Donnelly and his clever flick was met by Jimmy Gibson who fired home from six-yards.
With Airdrie offering very little it was no surprise when the home side went four up on 56 minutes when a McCulloch free-kick was met by Darren Brady and his looping header from 12-yards sailed high in to the far corner.
At this point Thistle seemed to switch-off and they allowed Airdrie to come back into the game. They scored what appeared to be a consolation goal on 57 minutes when Stephen McKeown was brought down in the box, he got up and gave Kenny Arthur no chance from the resulting penalty.
Airdrie weren't finished, however, they pulled back another on 88 minutes when slack Thistle defending allowed substitute Stuart Taylor to prod home from three-yards.
Thistle hung on from here and claimed three points which leaves them joint -top of the League. In contrast Airdrie are still searching for their first points of the season.