• Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
Live and Let's Fly
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
Home » Vietnam Airlines » Vietnam Airlines Will Be The Most Comfortable Way To Travel Between The USA And Asia
Vietnam Airlines

Vietnam Airlines Will Be The Most Comfortable Way To Travel Between The USA And Asia

Matthew Klint Posted onNovember 17, 2021November 14, 2023 28 Comments

a group of people standing on a stage

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.

a man standing at a podium with microphones

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.

a blue and white airplane on a runway

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

Get Daily Updates

Join our mailing list for a daily summary of posts! We never sell your info.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Previous Article Taco Bell In Bangkok…
Next Article My Singapore Transit Was Not What I Expected

About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

Related Posts

  • Vietnam Airlines A321-200 Economy Class Review

    Review: Vietnam Airlines A321-200 Economy Class

    December 6, 2024
  • a room with tables and chairs and plants

    Review: Vietnam Airlines Lotus Business Class Lounge Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)

    December 5, 2024
  • a plane taking off from a runway

    Vietnamese Carriers Race For Direct USA Flight

    March 31, 2021

28 Comments

  1. Mick Reply
    November 17, 2021 at 6:42 am

    Do you think I could book to Vietnam then onward to oz as one ticket? Is Vietnam air in an alliance?

    • PM Reply
      November 17, 2021 at 10:16 am

      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).

  2. Aaron Reply
    November 17, 2021 at 7:06 am

    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?

    • Tony Reply
      November 17, 2021 at 9:17 am

      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.

      • Matthew Klint Reply
        November 17, 2021 at 10:50 am

        Not the seat, but the food is.

        • Sam Reply
          November 17, 2021 at 5:48 pm

          So sad that a country with some of the world’s best food would serve, well, basically crap.

  3. Ron Reply
    November 17, 2021 at 7:23 am

    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?

    • Sam Reply
      November 17, 2021 at 9:25 am

      Very good question. I wondered the same thing.

    • Stuart Reply
      November 17, 2021 at 9:58 am

      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….

      • cargocult Reply
        November 17, 2021 at 1:14 pm

        https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/fewer-vs-less

    • HkCaGu Reply
      November 17, 2021 at 7:59 pm

      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.

  4. Fathiss Reply
    November 17, 2021 at 7:58 am

    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.

  5. Santastico Reply
    November 17, 2021 at 9:47 am

    Vietnam is my favorite country in Asia.

  6. Stuart Reply
    November 17, 2021 at 10:05 am

    This is great actually, will make for a much easier flight to try the Taco Bell in Ho Chi Minh City.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      November 17, 2021 at 10:49 am

      I’m looking forward to it. And a steak at the Park Hyatt. 😉

      • cargocult Reply
        November 17, 2021 at 1:31 pm

        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.

        • Matthew Klint Reply
          November 17, 2021 at 1:34 pm

          I was actually joking.

          • Larry Trenary
            March 2, 2022 at 4:51 pm

            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.

        • Alex Conway Reply
          November 17, 2021 at 3:42 pm

          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.

          • cargocult
            November 17, 2021 at 7:33 pm

            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/

          • Matthew Klint
            November 17, 2021 at 10:55 pm

            Oh, I do love steak…no shame in admitting that. But I actually love Vietnamese food.

  7. T Reply
    November 17, 2021 at 10:57 am

    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.

  8. JohnC Reply
    November 17, 2021 at 1:34 pm

    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.

  9. Tony Reply
    November 17, 2021 at 2:24 pm

    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?

    • Samehere Reply
      November 18, 2021 at 2:53 am

      They probably carry more illegal cargo on each route, it much more profitable I guess!

  10. 121Pilot Reply
    November 18, 2021 at 11:39 am

    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.

  11. emercycrite Reply
    November 28, 2021 at 4:17 am

    VN is very underrated.

  12. Pingback: Vietnam Airlines to launch service to San Francisco, its first U.S. destination – Credit cards

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Search

Hot Deals for May

Note: Please see my Advertiser Disclosure

Capital One Venture X Business Card
Earn 150,000 Miles Sign Up Bonus
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Earn 100,000 Points
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Earn 75,000 Miles!
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Earn 75,000 Miles
Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Earn $750 Cash Back
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Earn 120,000 Membership Reward® Points

Recent Posts

  • Turkey Fine Passengers Unbuckle
    Impatient Flyers, Beware: Turkey Will Fine You For Standing Up Too Soon May 28, 2025
  • Korean Air First Class Lounge ICN Review
    Review: Korean Air First Class Lounge Seoul (ICN) May 28, 2025
  • a group of people in blue uniforms
    United Airlines’ Uniforms Get A Facelift—And A Political Filter May 28, 2025
  • Dog Diversion Delta
    Delta Flight Diverts To Care For Sick Dog. Justified? May 28, 2025

Categories

Popular Posts

  • United Airlines Polaris Lounge Chicago Review
    Review: United Polaris Lounge Chicago (ORD) May 1, 2025
  • United Airlines Refresh Polaris Lounge Chicago
    First Look: United Airlines Reopens Renovated Polaris Lounge In Chicago (ORD) April 29, 2025
  • a hand holding a blue card
    Chase Sapphire Preferred 100K Bonus Offer Ending Soon May 2, 2025
  • Aegean Airlines Feast
    A Feast Fit For A King On Aegean Airlines May 23, 2025

Archives

May 2025
M T W T F S S
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031  
« Apr    

As seen on:

facebook twitter instagram rss
Privacy Policy © Live and Let's Fly All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Live and Let's Fly with appropriate and specific directions to the original content.