The Arrival of the First Boeing Aircraft

In 1992, Vietnam Airlines leased its inaugural two Boeing 767 aircraft from Ansett, Australia, marking the beginning of its collaboration with the American aircraft manufacturer. Over time, the Boeing 767 fleet expanded to seven aircraft by 2006, catering to both domestic and international routes that included France, Germany, Russia, Australia, and Japan.

As the need for long-range aircraft became apparent following the acquisition of medium-range planes, Vietnam Airlines received its first wide-body Boeing 777 aircraft in April 2003. To ensure proficiency in operating this aircraft, Vietnam Airlines embarked on an ambitious mission to train its pilot teams. In 2003, with the assistance of Boeing, Vietnam Airlines sent six delegations to the United States and China to acquire the requisite expertise for managing the B777 aircraft.

At its zenith, Vietnam Airlines operated a fleet of 10 Boeing 777 aircraft, piloted by nearly 200 professionals.

Modernizing the Aircraft Fleet

In 2015, Vietnam Airlines successfully introduced the latest generation of cutting-edge aircraft, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. At that time, Vietnam Airlines became the first airline in the region to operate the Boeing 787. Currently, Vietnam Airlines boasts a fleet of 15 aircraft (comprising 11 Boeing 787-9 and four Boeing 787-10). These aircraft are predominantly deployed on long domestic routes such as Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, as well as extended international routes covering the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, China and Australia.

Vietnam Airlines’ Boeing 787 aircraft are outfitted with GEnx engines manufactured by GE Aerospace, USA. GEnx engines remain at the forefront of jet engine technology, crafted from next-generation materials and featuring a design that reduces weight, enhances power, and minimizes maintenance requirements.

Notably, GE Aerospace selected Vietnam as the host for the GEnx Working Together Team Meeting on September 11-12, 2023, featuring participation and knowledge exchange with Vietnam Airlines.

The introduction of the new-generation GEnx engines has bolstered the performance of Vietnam Airlines’ Boeing 787 fleet, facilitating greater operational efficiency, an expanded flight network, and improved service quality.

Boeing 787 is also the aircraft that Vietnam Airlines operated on the regular non-stop direct flight route between Vietnam and US since 2021.