Hamburg, 15 November, 2018- Vietnam Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321neo in Hamburg, Germany. This is the first of 20 A321neos ordered by the airline, reaffirming its commitment to providing the highest level of customer experience.

A321neo is the largest member of the A320 family with wider aisles and seats, accommodating 203 passengers in a two-class configuration, with 8 seats in Business and 195 seats in Economy.

Vietnam Airlines has been consistently upgrading its fleet, boasting one of the youngest and most modern in Asia. The arrival of the new fleet is a significant step in the flag carrier’s narrow-body fleet strategy.

Duong Tri Thanh, President and CEO of Vietnam Airlines, said: “Vietnam Airlines appreciates the exceptional efficiency of Airbus A321neo with 20% reduced fuel burn and outstanding comfort. Especially, wireless in-flight entertainment system on Airbus A321neo will bring the flying experience to the new level. Delivery of this aircraft is a momentous occasion that marks Vietnam Airlines' ongoing efforts to upgrade our narrow-body fleet as well as our 4-star service quality. We are confident that the Airbus A321neo fleet will further offer passengers high levels of comforts on growing domestic routes of Vietnam and Asia.”

Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer, said: “The A321neo will be a great enabler for Vietnam Airlines’ continuous expansion in the Asian market and its positioning as one of the world’s leading carriers. The A321neo delivers 15% reduced fuel burn and fitting seamlessly into its existing fleet of nearly 60 A321ceos, it’ll add a competitive edge to Vietnam Airlines’ operations.”

Vietnam Airlines is the first airline in Vietnam to incorporate industry leading technology called wireless streaming entertainment, providing an array of movies and music selection that are previously installed on the wide bodies Boeing 787 / Airbus 350. Passengers can use personal electronic device (tablets, smartphones, laptops) on flight mode to connect to the onboard network and enjoy complimentary entertainment system. Vietnam Airlines will launch A321neo’s wireless streaming on flights from 1 December 2018. New generation engines and Sharklets wing tip also allow the aircraft to achieve unbeatable fuel efficiency and lower noise and CO₂ emissions, reducing the environmental impact.

A321neo joins an existing Airbus fleet at Vietnam Airlines that currently includes 58 A321ceos, 3 A330s and 12 wide body A350-900s. The carrier will have a total of 110 aircrafts by 2020.

About Vietnam Airlines:

Vietnam Airlines is the national flag carrier of Vietnam and the major carrier in the South East Asia, operating 94 routes to 21 domestic and 29 international destinations with an average of 400 flights per day, connecting the world’s major cities to mesmerizing travel destinations in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar.

Vietnam Airlines became a member of SkyTeam - a global airline alliance whose 20 members provide access to an extensive global network of 16,609 daily flights to 1074 destinations in 177 countries – in 2010, reaffirming the carrier’s position on the global aviation map. In 2015, Vietnam Airlines became the first airline in the world to successfully operate both next-generation aircraft Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and Airbus A350-900 XWB at the same time.

Vietnam Airlines has established itself as one of the region’s leading airlines thanks to its modern fleet and commitment to innovation and development, earning recognition from international and national communities through a series of prestigious awards. In 2017, Vietnam Airlines was named “Asia Pacific Airline of the Year” by CAPA; and “World’s Leading Airline – Premium Economy Class” and “World’s Leading Cultural Airline” in the World Travel Awards 2017. Skytrax - the world’s leading airline and airport rating organization - has ranked Vietnam Airlines as a 4-Star Airline for three consecutive years. This achievement is the result of the carrier’s tireless dedication to providing the highest quality across a range of products and services.

Vietnam Airlines has spearheaded Vietnam’s aviation market - one of the fastest-growing domestic markets in the world - throughout 20 years of development at a double-digit annual growth rate. Positioning itself as a modern carrier with an internationally recognisable brand characterised by Vietnamese traditional culture, Vietnam Airlines aims to achieve 5-star status and become a major airline in Asia.

For more information, please contact:

Vietnam Airlines Public Relations

200 Nguyen Son St, Long Bien District, Hanoi, Vietnam

Hotline: +84903242577

Email: public-relations@vietnamairlines.com