Vietnam Airlines Aims for a Green Future with Sustainable F&B Solutions

Vietnam Airlines is committed to implementing various solutions aimed at reducing the environmental impact of its operations and business activities. Among these, the provision of food and beverages (F&B) is an area the airline places particular emphasis on.

The airline prioritizes the use of local ingredients, regional specialties, and seasonal foods. This not only ensures the quality of the meals but also supports local farmers and reduces carbon emissions associated with transportation.

By selecting food items that meet stringent quality standards, Vietnam Airlines also ensures that these products adhere to sustainability criteria. The producers involved fulfill their environmental and social responsibilities throughout the entire food production value chain.

Additionally, the airline works closely with its in-flight catering suppliers to find solutions that minimize environmental impact during production and business operations.

On its flights, Vietnam Airlines leads the way in reducing single-use plastic utensils by switching to eco-friendly materials that can be reused multiple times, such as wooden or stainless steel cutlery, straws, and stirrers.

At the same time, the airline has implemented electronic menus and pre-order meal services (available in Business Class on certain routes) to reduce paper waste and offer meals that more closely align with passengers' needs, reducing food waste.

After each flight, Vietnam Airlines follows a strict procedure for collecting and reusing dry products and disposable utensils that are still in good condition, helping to minimize unnecessary waste. Suitable dry foods are donated to VietHarvest, a food rescue partner, to help those in need in society. This initiative, which was researched, tested, and successfully implemented in 2023, has helped rescue over 50 tons of food waste. As a result, Vietnam Airlines was awarded the "Boldest Move" title in the 2023 Sustainable Flight Challenge by SkyTeam for its strong contribution to sustainable solutions.

The airline is also actively collaborating with various partners to find solutions for reducing and enhancing the recycling of post-flight waste.

In addition to its green F&B solutions, Vietnam Airlines has implemented several other specific measures to promote sustainability, including:

• Gradually transitioning to environmentally friendly materials for in-flight packaging, such as fully biodegradable paper and plastic;

• Refining product standards to offer higher-quality items, extending product lifecycles, and reducing the amount of waste (such as Y-class blankets);

• Focusing on product design to create highly functional items that passengers can reuse after the flight, such as Business Class personal bags;

• Applying technological solutions to provide enhanced services to passengers while minimizing environmental impact (such as electronic newspaper services).

These efforts have resulted in significant outcomes, receiving positive feedback from passengers and recognition from the international community. Moving forward, Vietnam Airlines will continue researching and implementing new solutions to further reduce its environmental impact and aim to become a leading airline in sustainable development.