Quantcast

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

Travelers are taking extreme measures and using hacks to avoid airline baggage fees
Wizz Air becomes first airline to operate P&W-powered Airbus A321XLR jet
Hawaiian Airlines’ new ‘no show’ policy may make travel more expensive
BLIMP-SE OF THE FUTURE Luxury zeppelins of the future from ‘flying bum’ world’s largest aircraft to Google billionaire’s ‘impossible’ airship
Swiss Startup SmartFlyer Develops Hybrid-Electric Trainer
San Francisco-based entrepreneur takes a trip on India's worst-rated airline, his reaction will surprise you
First-Time Flyer at 81: A Grandmother's Memorable Journey
Ryanair forecasts fare rebound as consumers recover from interest-rate hit
Global Airlines Launches Inaugural Flight, Aiming to Revive 'Golden Age of Travel'
Winning routes: American Airlines adds more than 22,000 seats for football fans following release of 2025–2026 pro schedule
Boeing scores Middle East plane deal during Trump visit
Air travel will be ‘worse’ this summer, lawmakers warn — as FAA gives infuriating update on system fixes, staffing issues
United Airlines CEO Reassures Passengers About Newark Airport Safety
American Testing Tech to Help Passengers Make Connecting Flights
British Airways to use AI in efforts to improve operations
American Airlines Tests New Tech to Help Passengers With Tight Connections During Summer Rush
Flight Diverted After Pregnant Woman on Board Goes into Labor and Delivers Her Baby: Report
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby says "this is the most optimistic I've been in my entire career about finally getting the FAA fixed"
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Unveils Plan to Build Brand New, State-of-the-Art Air Traffic Control System
Passenger rushing for next flight can't believe what woman next to her does
Why fuel price crash won’t make flying cheaper
Kristi Noem says travelers without Real ID will still be able to fly after deadline
Frontier Airlines Announces New Routes Launching This Summer, Connecting Baltimore With Chicago O’Hare and Trenton, N.J. With Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Airlines in North America prioritize investments in cyber, AI
The evolution of the airline uniform — a cross check
Global Airlines & HiFly Operate 1st Passenger Airbus A380 Flight Between Barcelona And Berlin
American Airlines unveils ritzy new plane suites launching this summer
Airline Stocks To Keep An Eye On - April 28th
Gatwick Airport Faces Potential Strikes
50 New Routes Starting In May 2025
Vietnam Airlines operates world’s rarest Airbus A350 routes in 2025
Policy
Webp 2
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.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

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.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Flying Food Group, Inc. has announced the recipients of its 2025 scholarships, with all five applicants receiving awards this year.

Oct 23, 2025

Dnata, a global provider of air and travel services, has entered into a joint venture with Azerbaijan’s Silk Way Group to launch ground handling and cargo operations at Alat International Airport, located in the Alat Free Economic Zone in Baku.

Oct 22, 2025

Delta Air Lines has announced the release of version 7.5 of its mobile app, introducing new features aimed at making travel planning and management easier for customers during the holiday season.

Oct 22, 2025

The Fair Work Commission has ruled that a former employee of dnata Airport Services was unfairly dismissed and awarded $36,468.39 in compensation.

Oct 22, 2025

The 13th Annual Breast Care International Walk for the Cure took place in Kumasi, Ghana, drawing around 30,000 participants, including survivors, healthcare professionals, students, traditional leaders, and advocates.

Oct 22, 2025

The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has announced the closure of Terminal 5 to allow for a significant redevelopment.

Oct 22, 2025