From the end of this month on the Melbourne route, Vietnam Airlines will replace one of the world’s most advanced passenger aircraft with another, just as advanced, rival aircraft.
The two planes are the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the Airbus A350.
From 29 July 2018 to the end of October 2018 Vietnam Airlines’ new Airbus A350 will replace its B787 Dreamliner aircraft travelling to and from Melbourne.
“This is the first time the new aircraft will be available to Australian passengers travelling with Vietnam Airlines,” the airline confirmed yesterday.
The switch is to cater for an increase in demand on the Melbourne to Ho Chi Minh City route, the airline said.
The crunch is this: the Airbus A350 gives Vietnam Airlines 10% more seats.
The airline conceded that both aircraft were similar – long range, wide-bodied with two engines – but the crucial difference was the fact that the A350 can carry an additional 29 passengers each way.
“The Airbus A350 boasts a 212 ft 5 in (64.75m) wingspan, which is 15 ft (4.75m) wider than the Boeing 787,” general manager of Vietnam Airline’s branch office in Australia, Hung Truong, explained.
“It is great to see an increase in demand from our Australian travellers and Vietnam Airlines is delighted to announce the upgrade to some of the current fleet to the new Airbus.”
Vietnam Airlines A350
The airline said its A350 also offered more legroom “and increased passenger mobility, with Premium Economy on the Airbus featuring near-flat reclining seats, a bountiful 38 in (96.5cm) pitch and recline up to 8 in (20cm). Passengers will be able to enjoy the latest in entertainment on 10.6 in (27cm) private screens”.
In 2015, Vietnam Airlines became the first airline in the world to successfully operate both new-generation aircraft: the Boeing Dreamliner 787-9 and Airbus A350-9XWB.
Written by Peter Needham
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