After finally obtaining U.S. regulatory approval, Vietnam Airlines will launch its first nonstop flight to the United States later this month…with a twist that virtually ensures this flight will be a huge money loser, but also perhaps the most...
Vietnamese Carriers Race For Direct USA Flight
Bamboo Airways and Vietnam Airlines have both announced renewed intentions to serve the United States “direct” from Vietnam. Let the race begin! Vietnam Airlines and Bamboo Airways Race For Direct USA Service Bamboo Airways, a 2019 start-up, has ordered...
Vietnam Cleared For USA Flights
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has upgraded Vietnam’s safety rating, finally giving airlines in Vietnam the chance to serve the United States and codeshare with U.S. carriers. Vietnam has been trying to break into the U.S. market for years, but...
A321 with 200 Passengers Lands on Unfinished Runway, Now Trapped
A Vietnam Airlines A321 with over 200 passengers onboard landed on a wrong, unfinished runway. Civil aviation authorities are now questioning how and why. From the Telegraph: Vietnam Airlines Flight VN7344 from Ho Chi Minh City touched down on a...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: February 25, 2018
Hello from the American Express Lounge at San Francisco International Airport. I’m on my way home from FTU after a great weekend in Seattle. It was an honor to meet many readers. Remember, there are four upcoming Frequent Traveler...
Review: Vietnam Airlines A350 Business Class Ho Chi Minh City to Frankfurt
Vietnam Airlines offers impressive onboard service and a great business class seat onbroad its new A350s. Even so, the soft product was disappointing. After arriving in Ho Chi Minh City from Doha, I proceeded to the transit counter and...
Review: Vietnam Airlines Lotus Business Class Lounge Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)
After arriving from Doha at 1pm, I had nine hours until my 10pm flight to Frankfurt. With a full day’s work ahead, I headed straight for the Vietnam Airlines Lotus Lounge, the designated business class lounge for longhaul passengers....
Vietnam Airlines Wants to Fly to the USA
Vietnam Airlines is studying the resumption of service to the USA as early as next year. In a remarkably candid interview, CEO Duong Tri Thanh told CNBC that the state-run carrier doesn’t expect to make money on the route, but...
First Impressions of Vietnam Airlines A350 Business Class
I’m back in Europe after a 13hr flight onboard a brand-new Vietnam Airlines A350 aircraft. What is Vietnam Airlines like in long-haul business class? Vietnam Airlines has taken delivery of 10 A350 aircraft since 2015. The first five were...
Booked: Vietnam Airlines A350 Business Class
Last week I asked you how I should get home from Ho Chi Minh City. Votes were fairly divided between JAL, Korean Air and Vietnam Airlines/Virgin Atlantic. After weighing the options, I decided to try Vietnam Airlines in business...
How Shall I Get Back to LA from Ho Chi Minh City?
My Qatar Airways 777-3ooER Qsuite flight is right around the corner. But I have nothing booked home… This is a review trip and I’m not planning on spending any time in Ho Chi Minh City. It’s a lovely city...
Review: Vietnam Airlines A321 Economy Class Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City
My unexpected flight on Vietnam Airlines gave me a positive first impression of the Vietnamese flag carrier. In case you missed my intro post, I wound up on this flight after I was denied boarding on VietJet for lack...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: October 29, 2017
Hello from Singapore…where I’m laying in bed sick. I’ll keep this brief. You’ll find a review of the week’s top stories below. Let me stress: take care of yourself. Don’t overdo it. But at the same time, take every...
Aborted Landing, Near Diversion on My Vietnam Airlines Flight
It’s never a good sign when the captain says, “Ladies and gentleman, due to poor weather in Ho Chi Minh City we are going to have to divert.” I just cannot seem to escape drama on this trip. After...
