Vietnam Airlines Plans 50 Boeing 737 MAX Orders, 170 Jets by 2035

Vietnam Airlines Plans to Purchase 50 Narrowbody Jets by 2025

HANOI – Vietnam Airlines (VN), the national flag carrier of Vietnam, is gearing up to issue requests for proposals (RFPs) to aircraft manufacturers in the first half of 2025. The airline intends to purchase 50 new narrowbody jets, as announced by CEO Le Hong Ha on November 13, 2024. This strategic move will shape the future of Vietnam Airlines’ fleet and enhance its operational capabilities in a competitive market.

The announcement follows a provisional agreement with Boeing for 50 737 MAX jets, which is still pending finalization. As Vietnam Airlines explores its options, the bidding process remains open, allowing a variety of manufacturers to compete for the contract.

Vietnam Airlines New Order Opportunity

During an Association of Asia-Pacific Airlines event in Brunei, Ha stated, "In Vietnam, we must go through a bidding process, so the door is still open to all." This means that while Boeing is a strong contender, Airbus and its A320neo family will also vie for the airline’s business. Additionally, the Chinese manufacturer COMAC is looking to enter the market with its C919 aircraft, bringing more competition to this significant order.

Vietnam Airlines currently operates an all-Airbus narrowbody fleet, but the airline anticipates a demand for 170 new aircraft by 2035, indicating substantial expansion plans. The upcoming RFPs will allow COMAC’s C919 to compete directly with established players like Airbus and Boeing.

China’s interest in the Vietnamese aviation market is growing, as evidenced by a recent meeting between Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and a senior COMAC official. This engagement highlighted Vietnam’s potential as a key market for aircraft manufacturers.

Current Fleet Overview

At present, Vietnam Airlines operates a fleet comprised entirely of Airbus narrowbody aircraft, alongside a mixed fleet of Airbus and Boeing widebodies. According to data from Planespotters.net, the airline’s total fleet includes 93 aircraft: 63 narrowbody and 30 widebody planes.

The airline recently welcomed its first Airbus A320neo and plans to add two more by the end of the year. These aircraft feature a two-class configuration with a total of 182 seats, enhancing passenger comfort and capacity.

Historically, Vietnam Airlines operated Boeing 737-300 aircraft, but that was over 30 years ago for a brief period. The airline has maintained a positive relationship with Boeing, having previously operated widebody models like the Boeing 767 and 777, and currently using the 787 Dreamliner.

Here’s a breakdown of Vietnam Airlines’ fleet by aircraft type:

• 1 Airbus A320neo
• 42 A321-200
• 20 A321neo
• 14 Airbus A350XWB
• 11 Boeing 787-9
• 5 Boeing 787-10

The airline, a proud member of the Skyteam Alliance, is also set to receive its sixth Boeing 787-10 in the upcoming months. As of November 2024, Vietnam Airlines connects travelers to 35 international and 22 domestic destinations.

Conclusion

Vietnam Airlines is at a pivotal point in its growth trajectory, with plans to significantly expand its fleet in the coming years. The forthcoming RFPs will not only influence the airline’s operational strategy but also shape the competitive landscape of the aviation industry in the region.

We invite readers to share their thoughts on Vietnam Airlines’ upcoming plans or explore related articles to learn more about the evolving aviation market.