Quantcast

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

Tycoon unveils £25 billion rival Heathrow expansion plan
Proposals for commercial planes to operate with one pilot shelved after critical EU report
Air Travel Fatalities Up 300% in 2024, According to Shocking Global Report
Boeing Halts Strike Talks Amid $36 Billion Deal & Union Dispute
FAA’s Broader Runway Safety Push Builds on EMAS Legacy
Ryanair CEO says aviation sustainability targets are 'dying a death'
US FAA funds system to prevent accidents involving runaway airplanes
Exclusive: Korean Air makes airline's biggest-ever Boeing jet order amid Trump-Lee summit
Boeing Stock Jumps on Massive Korean Air Order
FAA EMAS: Proven Safety Wins Since 1996
Air Canada flight attendants try to build on US gains on unpaid work
Cathay Pacific warns of declining fares and cargo uncertainty, shares fall
Clear intentions, cloudy path: aviation's ongoing ESG challenge
Turkish Airlines is preparing binding offer for Spain's Air Europa, executive says
Air Canada flight attendants approve strike mandate
US criticizes use of AI to personalize airline ticket prices, would investigate
Ethiopian Airlines' annual revenue rises as it draws more passengers, adds routes
Major strike action to hit 12 Spanish airports that have Ryanair flights
JetBlue, United partnership gets go-ahead from U.S. Transportation Department
United-JetBlue partnership gets US DOT approval
Air India Warned Over Crew Fatigue and Training Failures Following Fatal Crash
Heathrow Chief Defends £50–60 billion Third Runway Amid Rising Costs Debate
New UK airline with cheap US fares is ‘parked’ after just TWO flights – with people fearing it’s been scrapped for good
US carriers shamed in surprising new list of the world’s ‘cleanest’ airlines
Air Force Pilot Wasn't Alerted to Collision Course with Passenger Jet Before Scary Near Miss, Says Official
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy may deny flights from Mexico over broken aviation agreement
Plane Makes Emergency Landing After ‘Unruly’ Passenger Attempts to Open Exit Door Mid-Flight
American Airlines Launches Ultra‑Long‑Haul DFW–Manila Flights
Thousands of flights canceled or delayed across America's busiest airports
Summer flight delays to be 'worst ever' this year - what to do if affected
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

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

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

Oct 22, 2025

The SFO Facility recently hosted a Breast Cancer Awareness Day, which was deemed a success by organizers.

Oct 22, 2025

Flying Food Group, Inc. recently held an appreciation event at its SFW facility to honor its employees.

Oct 22, 2025

Flying Food Group has announced that it contributes all of its taxable income annually to the Chicago-based Sue L. Gin Foundation Trust, which supports healthcare, education, legal aid, and immigration rights.

Oct 21, 2025