Vietnam Airlines Adds Sixth Weekly Flight for New Winter Schedule from Heathrow

Flag carrier's new Dreamliner to fly nonstop three times per week each to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

Following the successful launch of its brand new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft on UK routes in September, national carrier Vietnam Airlines has announced its new schedule for winter 2015-2016 – including a new additional weekly nonstop flight to Ho Chi Minh City. From 25 October 2015 Vietnam Airlines will operate a total of six nonstop flights per week - three each to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City – and remains the only airline to offer direct flights between the UK and Vietnam. Departure times from Heathrow have also been brought forward to 1100hrs, improving options for onward flight connections within Vietnam and Indochina.

The new schedule has been confirmed as follows:

Vietnam Airlines' check-in desks at Heathrow are located in Zone G, Terminal 4, and open four hours prior to departure. All of Vietnam Airlines' nonstop services between Heathrow and Hanoi / Ho Chi Minh City are now being operated by the new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft - making it the first airline to operate the new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner nonstop between Southeast Asia and Europe. Flight frequencies from Heathrow are planned to increase to a daily service for Summer 2016, to meet demand.

In August 2015 Vietnam Airlines became the first Asian airline to operate both Boeing and Airbus' modern next-generation aircraft at the same time. A total of 19 Boeing 787s will be delivered to Vietnam Airlines by early 2019, as part of a major fleet upgrade programme which also includes 14 Airbus A350-900 XWBs. The new aircraft will replace the airline's entire fleet of widebody aircraft, dramatically enhancing its product offering while also maintaining its cost-effectiveness on long-haul and intercontinental routes.

The latest extension to Boeing's super-efficient 787 family, the B787-9 Dreamliner can fly farther, and with more passengers and more cargo, than the B787-8 - but with the same exceptional environmental performance: 20 per cent less fuel usage and 20 per cent fewer emissions than the aircraft it will replace. The new aircraft will feature fully flat beds in Business Class, with in-flight WiFi services also set to be introduced. Passengers in all three cabin classes will benefit from larger windows and stow bins, modern LED lighting, higher humidity and cleaner air, lower cabin pressure and a smoother, quieter ride.

Return fares from Heathrow to Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi currently start from £400 or £430 per person respectively, inclusive of taxes. For further information and reservations visit www.vietnamairlines.com.

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Notes to editors

As the national flag carrier of Vietnam, headquartered in Hanoi, Vietnam Airlines operates 94 routes to 21 domestic and 29 international destinations with more than 360 flights daily. Operating a young fleet, mainly comprising Boeing 777s, Airbus A330s and Airbus A321s, the airline is expanding its fleet with next-generation aircraft such as Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Airbus A350-900 XWBs. An official member of the SkyTeam Alliance since 10 June 2010, Vietnam Airlines was also the first representative of the alliance in South East Asia. Website: www.vietnamairlines.com. Vietnam Airlines® - Reach further.

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