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Vietnam Airlines operates world’s rarest Airbus A350 routes in 2025

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Vietnam Airlines operates world’s rarest Airbus A350 routes in 2025
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Le Hong Ha, CEO | Vietnam Airlines

Vietnam Airlines is operating some of the rarest scheduled Airbus A350 flights in 2025, with all such routes listed this year being operated by the Vietnamese flag carrier. The airline owns 14 A350-900s within its 96-aircraft fleet, but five of these widebodies are currently parked.

The rarest routes include flights between major Asian and European cities. Only one scheduled A350 flight connects Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport and Beijing Capital Airport in each direction this year. Both airports are among the busiest in their respective countries, serving as major political and business centers. Vietnam Airlines' decision to use an A350 for such a short route is notable since the aircraft is typically designed for long-haul operations.

According to available data, the airline often opts for its more numerous narrowbody Airbus A321s on shorter international sectors, as it has 48 of those jets. The limited deployment of the A350 on short routes may be influenced by traffic density or operational considerations.

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Another pair of rare flights includes Hanoi to Busan’s Gimhae International Airport and back, again with only one departure scheduled in each direction this year. The use of a widebody like the A350 on these medium-range routes could be due to sporadic spikes in demand or operational requirements, although no official reason has been given by Vietnam Airlines.

The same pattern appears on Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) to Busan (PUS) and return flights—both served only once by an A350 this year. SGN is Vietnam's busiest airport with over 40 million annual passengers, while PUS handles over 15 million travelers per year and faces congestion issues due to its geographic constraints.

One-off long-haul deployments also appear: Tokyo Narita Airport sees a single Vietnam Airlines A350 service to Da Nang International Airport; London Heathrow receives just one outbound flight to Hanoi; and Frankfurt International hosts one departure from Ho Chi Minh City using an A350 during 2025. These longer missions allow the aircraft to operate closer to its optimal performance range.

Operational factors behind these infrequent deployments include ongoing cabin upgrades and reported engine maintenance challenges for the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84 engines that power Vietnam Airlines’ A350s. Reuters previously reported similar engine durability issues affecting other airlines such as Cathay Pacific.

Vietnam Airlines’ preference seems tilted towards using Boeing 787 Dreamliners—of which it has 17—instead of its smaller pool of active A350s. This shift may reflect both current maintenance needs and broader strategic decisions about fleet utilization.

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