Vietnam Airlines: The A350 Fleet, the Two Hubs and the Crisis of Family Low-Cost Carrier Pacific Airlines

History and positioning

Fleet modernization and joining SkyTeam in 2010 have over the years strengthened the international connectivity of Vietnam's majority state-owned flag carrier, while the low-cost subsidiary Pacific Airlines went through financial difficulties until effectively suspending operations in 2024, returning its leased aircraft and leaving Vietnam Airlines as the dominant force on the domestic routes formerly served by that subsidiary. The airline operates a dual hub at Hanoi Noi Bai and Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat, positioning itself as the full-service counterpart to Vietnam's fast-growing low-cost sector led by VietJet.

The fleet

Long-haul is built on the Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 787-9/787-10, two latest-generation widebody families that have progressively replaced older aircraft, while short and medium haul is covered by the Airbus A321, including the more efficient neo variants; the regional subsidiary VASCO operates smaller turboprops on thinner-demand domestic routes that would not justify a narrowbody.

Routes and network

The dual-hub structure supports a dense domestic network plus long-haul links to Europe, Australia, Japan, Korea and other East Asian markets, reinforced by SkyTeam codeshare connectivity for international onward connections to destinations that Vietnam Airlines does not serve directly.

On board

Full-service cabin standards in Economy, Premium Economy and Business on long-haul widebody sectors are noticeably different from the experience offered by the older aircraft still found in some competing regional fleets, with onboard service and meal choices consistent with its flag-carrier positioning.

What passengers say

• Widebody comfort appreciated on long-haul sectors operated with the A350 and 787.
• Wide SkyTeam connectivity for international onward connections.
• Domestic network strengthened after Pacific Airlines left the market in 2024.

What they flag as limits

• Fares less competitive than VietJet's on short domestic legs.
• Consistency of service judged more variable on routes operated with older narrowbodies.
• Occasional disruptions linked to the broader restructuring of the low-cost subsidiary.

Vietnam Airlines remains the best choice for international long-haul to and from Vietnam, especially on sectors operated with the A350 and 787, and for domestic links now that Pacific Airlines' exit in 2024 has narrowed the field. VietJet is still more competitive on a single short domestic leg if price is the only criterion. When booking a domestic segment combined with an international Vietnam Airlines itinerary, it is worth checking the aircraft type, because some former Pacific Airlines routes are now operated with different equipment than before the subsidiary's shutdown in 2024.