Vietnam Airlines will restore six domestic routes from September 9th. The airline paused these routes due to the second wave of COVID-19, but, with Vietnam passing that, the airline recorded an increase in travel interest that is promoting these six routes.
Vietnam Airlines reinstates six domestic routes
Vietnam Airlines is reinstating the following domestic routes:
- Hanoi (HAN) to Chu Lai (VCL) with one roundtrip per day on weekdays
- Hanoi to Tuy Hoa (TBB) with three roundtrips per week on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays
- Vinh (VII) to Buon Ma Thuot (BMV) with four roundtrips per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays
- Hai Phong (HPH) to Dien Bien (DIN) with three roundtrips on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays
- Vinh to Da Lat (DLI) with three roundtrips per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays
- Hue (HUI) to Da Lat (DLI) with three roundtrips per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays
The latter of these six routes will start on September 10th, while the former will begin from September 9th.
Vietnam’s air market
Vietnam was one of the first markets to rebound back in June. Once the country got past its first wave with plenty of success, there was a lot of demand for domestic travel, and Vietnam Airlines matched that demand quite eagerly.
However, in August, Vietnam was hit by a second wave of COVID-19 with a resurgence in Da Nang. As part of that, the country made quick moves to close of Da Nang, evacuate tourists, and get some control on the second resurgence. Now, with that second wave well-controlled with, according to data from the New York Times, only 11 new cases in the last week, it appears that Vietnamese citizens are ready to travel again. Vietnam is also preparing, from September 15th, to reopen commercial air travel links to Japan and South Korea.
Vietnam Airlines will continue to thoroughly clean and disinfect its aircraft with passengers required to wear masks, undergo temperature screenings, and acknowledge a health declaration. Onboard, the airline has streamlined service to minimize crew-passenger interactions and reduce the opportunity for viral spread.
What aircraft will Vietnam Airlines use?
Depending on the route, Vietnam Airlines will use one of two aircraft that it commonly uses on domestic routes. On the following routes, Vietnam Airlines will use an Airbus A321:
- Hanoi to Chu Lai
- Hanoi to Tuy Hoa
- Vinh to Buon Ma Thuot
- Vinh to Da Lat
The A321s come in three configurations. One has 16 recliner-style business class seats in a 2-2 configuration followed by 162 economy class seats in a 3-3 configuration for a total of 178 seats. Another has the same configuration and number of business class seats with six additional economy class seats for a maximum capacity of 184 passengers. Lastly, another configuration has eight recliner-style business class seats with 195 coach seats for a maximum capacity of 203.
Two routes will operate using ATR turboprops that have an all-economy 2-2 layout of 66 seats according to a map at SeatGuru.
ATR 72
- Hai Phong to Dien Bien
- Hue to Da Lat
In addition to these planes, for long-haul operations, Vietnam Airlines also has the Boeing 787-9 and 787-10 and Airbus A350-900. Soon, the airline will also take its first Airbus A320neo.
Will you fly on any of these reinstated routes on Vietnam Airlines? Let us know in the comments!
