Boeing Proposes New 16-Widebody Deal to Vietnam Airlines

Vietnam Airlines has signed a memorandum of collaboration with Boeing which could see the airline ordering Boeing 787-10s and 777-8Xs.

The airline and Boeing signed the memorandum of collaboration, which proposes the companies work together toward the goal of Vietnam Airlines’ fleet replacement and expansion and for it to place an order for eight 787-10s and eight 777-8Xs, on July 6 at Washington Reagan National Airport.

On July 6, 2015, Vietnam Airlines’ first Boeing 787-9 makes the final, tight right-hand turn on short final to Washington Reagan National Airport, after making the well-known ‘River Approach’ which follows the course of the Potomac River to the airport. The twisting approach is required because a straight-in approach would see aircraft flying through the restricted airspace over Washington, D.C. and fly low directly over the White House

Vietnam Airlines acknowledged Boeing’s offer at the signing of the memorandum, which was witnessed by H.E. Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

The Vietnamese flag carrier’s first Boeing 787-9 served as a backdrop, Boeing flying the aircraft in to Washington Reagan National Airport (IATA code DCA) specially for the ceremony. Widebody aircraft aren’t normally allowed to take off from or land at DCA.

Boeing had previously flown the aircraft on display at DCA on July 6 to the Paris Air Show, where it took part in the daily flying displays. The 787-9 is scheduled to be delivered to Vietnam Airlines later this month.

The signing event was attended by more than 200 delegates, ministers and ambassadors from Vietnam and the United States, as well as other invited guests.

Vietnam Airlines’ first Boeing 787-9 touches down at Washington Reagan National Airport to be present for a July 6, 2015 ceremony marking the signing of a memorandum of collaboration between the airline and the manufacturer

The memorandum of collaboration calls for Boeing and Vietnam Airlines to work together and report to government authorities before coming to official cooperation agreements in the future.

Vietnam Airlines operates more than 360 flights a day with a fleet of Airbus A321s and A330-200s, ATR 72-500s and Boeing 777-200ERs

The Hanoi-based airline will continue to expand its fleet with new aircraft, which will include 13 more Airbus A350 XWBs to add to one it received last week, as well as the 18 additional 787-9s it has on order.

Vietnam Airlines became an official member of SkyTeam Alliance in 2010 and was the first representative of the alliance in the Southeast Asia region.