As released by Vietnam News Agency in London, the representative office of Vietnam Airlines in the United Kingdom announces that the flag carrier of Vietnam – Vietnam Airlines will have the first flights operated from Heathrow Airport from 31 March, 2015.

Passengers traveling with Vietnam Airlines will do check-in procedures and get boarding at Terminal 4 of Heathrow Airport, instead of Gatwick Airport as before.

Apart from moving its operation to Heathrow Airport, Vietnam Airlines will have 5 flights every week. Indeed, there are 3 flights between Hanoi and London and 2 flights between Ho Chi Minh City and London. It is estimated that the frequency of flights will be on the rise in 2016.

Heathrow Airport is the first international destination to be operated with B787 aircraft by Vietnam Airlines.

It is released that Vietnam Airlines will be the first carrier in Asia to operated 2 brand new aircrafts B787 and A350 from the second quarter of 2015. Furthermore, it is equipped with 4-star service quality and upgraded with brand new operation system.

“After nearly 4 years operating direct flights between Vietnam and United Kingdom, Vietnam Airlines will have an opportunity to experience with overwhelming services brought by the modern airplanes at Heathrow Airport – one of the most important and busy airport in the world”, said Mr. Pham Ngoc Minh – the General Manager of Vietnam Airlines.

He also releases that Vietnam Airlines will replace its current fleets with 2 types of modern airplanes; i.e., Airbus A350 and Boeing 787-9. This is a significant turning point for Vietnam Airlines to modernize its aircrew and service quality. Moreover, it contributes to make Vietnam Airlines reach its long-term target as the leading carrier in South East Asia.

Mr. John Holland-Kaye, CEO of Heathrow Airport, approves of operating Dreamliner 787 by Vietnam Airlines. He remarks this action will guarantee the rising frequency of direct flights between the two country because Vietnam is considered as an important market to British enterprises.


According to the statistic supplied by the representative office in the UK, the number of passengers travelling from the UK to Vietnam has been on a sharp rise since the direct flights between Vietnam and the UK was open in 2011. Indeed, the number of passengers from the UK to Vietnam is increasing from 37.020 in 2011 into 76.958 in 2014. Meanwhile, the total number of passengers travelling with Vietnam Airlines between the two countries is 90.803.