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 comfortable way to travel between the USA and Asia in economy class.
Vietnam Airlines To Launch Nonstop Flights Between Ho Chi Minh City And San Francisco
Vietnamese flag carrier Vietnam Airlines will edge out Bamboo Airways to become the first carrier to operate nonstop service between Vietnam and the USA. In a press conference at the Sheraton Hanoi, CEO Le Hong Ha unveiled the news on Tuesday.
The new flight will begin on November 29th and operate 3x weekly using a Boeing 787-9 and operating between Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) and San Francisco (SFO). But there’s a twist.
Due to payload restrictions on both this aircraft and the Airbus A350-900 (the other longhaul aircraft in Vietnam Airlines’ fleet), the carrier will operate at roughly only 2/3 capacity, meaning close to 100 of the seats onboard will be blocked.
The good news: plenty of room to spread out, even in economy class. I can’t think of a more comfortable way to travel between the USA and Vietnam or other parts of Asia if 1/3 of the seats are guaranteed to be empty.
The bad news: a prestige route that likely would have unprofitable even with a full load will now lose even more money.
That’s my analysis, of course, and I wish Vietnam Airlines all the best. In fact, I am excited for this flight. But what is Vietnam Airlines thinking? Most of Asia is still locking foreigners out. Even Vietnam is.
On the other hand, if yields can rise due to limited flights and dual citizenship makes travel in both directions possible, with a healthy cargo load maybe the losses will not be as bad as they appear.
As it stands, the 787-9 will operate with:
- 28 business class seats
- 35 premium economy class seats
- 211 economy class seats
As of press time, these flights were not loaded into the system or bookable, but will lock in at 13 hours, 50 minutes eastbound and 16 hours, 40 minutes westbound.
CONCLUSION
For more than 15 years Vietnam Airlines has explored service to the USA. It appears now it is finally happening. As the world remains in the grips of a global pandemic with much of the region off-limits to tourism, it admittedly seems like a strange time to start a new ultra-long haul route. Even so, Vietnam Airlines has proclaimed that nonstop service will finally launch between Vietnam and San Francisco, with Los Angeles and Houston potentially to follow.
> Read More: Vietnam Airlines A350 Business Class Ho Chi Minh City to Frankfurt Review
Will you fly Vietnam Airlines between the USA and Asia?
images: Vietnam Airlines
Do you think I could book to Vietnam then onward to oz as one ticket? Is Vietnam air in an alliance?
They are in Skyteam. I do believe they sell tickets from Europe to Australia, so it’s possible they will also do it from the USA. Having said that, they don’t tend to match the LH/LX aggressive business class pricing from CDG to the East, so there isn’t much reason to fly them when originating from Europe (unless of course it’s an award ticket).
More comfortable than flying on ANA’s new first or business class? Or Cathay Pacific’s first class?
I mean, I get why economy would be more comfortable, but even in business class?
gotta have some kind of click-bait headline. VN’s business class is pitiful compared to SQ, CX, JL, or basically any other flagship asian carrier.
Not the seat, but the food is.
So sad that a country with some of the world’s best food would serve, well, basically crap.
Why on earth would the Dreamliner and A350 be weight restricted? UA flies its Dreamliner all the way to SIN from SFO with no such weight restrictions? SQ flies its regular A350 between SIN and SFO too without a weight penalty. Last time I check, SIN is farther out from SFO than SGN. What gives?
Very good question. I wondered the same thing.
Have to assume that the aircraft as ordered from SQ were done with specific weight alterations for these distances. I have not been on that flight but I believe it’s very premium heavy so less passengers as well.
Or, given the large move to manufacturing in Vietnam these days they currently see more opportunity for additional cargo.
I’m just guessing….
https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/fewer-vs-less
UA’s SIN routes are actually weight restricted. They won’t sell to capacity westbound in winter, and the capacity can be different every day and non-revs can see the numbers (to decide whether they have a chance).
Similar to US-Central America Christmas flights which may have excess baggage embargoes, VN may be like PR with ex-US pax bringing more luggage year-round, but a factor for fuel concern during winter.
I never found Saigon that interesting but it’s a good flight to get in the Vietnam door. I do remember crawling through the Cu Chi tunnels and shooting an AK47 there. That was cool. But Hanoi and Ha Long Bay much more interesting if can get a cheap flight from Saigon. It’s been a few years but I remember short haul flights to/from Saigon to be expensive for that area. But maybe it was just crossing over to Cambodia, Thailand, and area.
Good to know another option to get over there.
Vietnam is my favorite country in Asia.
This is great actually, will make for a much easier flight to try the Taco Bell in Ho Chi Minh City.
I’m looking forward to it. And a steak at the Park Hyatt. 😉
The thing is that you are actually serious about eating steak there. There are so many good restaurants within walking distance of the Park Hyatt.
I was actually joking.
Back in the day, I ate a few big steaks in Saigon and Vinh Long but they were always pretty tough.
I found out later that it was water buffalo but at the time I did not care. Chicken with the head still connected was the big favorite.
I think Matthew will agree that whenever someone uses the winking emoji, it means that they are being sarcastic…certainly, I picked up that Matthew was joking.
I am happy to have been mistaken in this case.
https://liveandletsfly.com/an-impressive-brazilian-steak-on-united-airlines/
https://liveandletsfly.com/lufthansa-first-class-steak/
https://liveandletsfly.com/us-airways-steak/
https://liveandletsfly.com/ana-jal-steak/
https://liveandletsfly.com/aer-lingus-food/
https://liveandletsfly.com/top-airline-meals-2020/
https://liveandletsfly.com/10-best-airline-meals-2019/
Oh, I do love steak…no shame in admitting that. But I actually love Vietnamese food.
Even though VN is a SkyTeam member, it does not have codeshare agreement with DL yet. Therefore, not sure how passengers can make connection in SFO (unless buy 2 separate tickets). Inconvenience schedule, VN does not even have a toll-free number so good luck trying to call to reschedule… It will end this service shortly.
Why SFO and not LAX? With a larger Vietnamese population closer to LAX, that would make more sense. But he weight limitations on flying one more hour to LAX must be severe.
UA can utilized a Boeing 787-9 to fly nonstop from SFO to Singapore. How come Vietnam Airlines’ 787 is having trouble flying nonstop from SFO to Saigon, a flight which is more than 500 miles shorter?
They probably carry more illegal cargo on each route, it much more profitable I guess!
So I have to think that the seat caps are to enable them to lift more cargo which is how they plan for this flight to make money.
Because while it might make sense to launch a route that you expect to lose money initially in the hopes of growing a market it makes little sense to launch a route that will never ever be profitable.
VN is very underrated.