I thought we had it made with our direct Thai Air flight from JFK (New York) to Bangkok, Thailand and then a short flight into Hanoi. A direct flight would be so wonderful for families traveling to bring their children home; and even better on the way home if said child isn't too thrilled about flying!

Vietnam Airlines set to begin first ever direct flights to US


Vietnam Airlines plans to start its first direct flight to the US by year-end, its vice general director, Pham Ngoc Minh, said Thursday.


The national flag carrier, which is seeking approval from the government and relevant agencies for the service, is ready for security and safety checks on its airplanes and facilities.

For trans-Pacific flights, an ETOPs-180 (extended twin-engine operations) certificate is needed. A twin-engined aircraft should be able to fly on just one engine with a full load for 180 minutes to get the certificate.

The carrier is set to come up against intense competition from US airlines which offer many benefits and discounts to passengers and manage to retain the loyalty of their American clientele.

Twelve airlines fly on the Vietnam-US sector but all of them transit in Hong Kong or other nearby places.

Minh said, therefore, Vietnam Airlines’ direct flights would be a major attraction.

The carrier also plans to sign code-sharing deals with US airlines.

On Thursday it received the second of the 10 Airbus A321 aircrafts it has ordered. Five more will arrive this year and the rest in 2008 and 2009.

This year it plans to begin operations on new international routes like Hanoi-Pusan (Korea), Hanoi-Nagoya (Japan) and Hanoi-Luang Prabang (Laos)-Ho Chi Minh City.

Reported by Xuan Toan – Translated by Tuong Nhi


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