Australian low-cost carrier Jetstar has begun flying two new routes to Ho Chi Minh City, making it the only low-cost carrier travelling direct between Australia and Vietnam.
The new routes will connect Ho Chi Minh City directly with both Melbourne and Sydney. Jetstar will fly three times a week from Melbourne (JQ63/JQ64) and four times a week from Sydney (JQ61/JQ62), though flight times for the latter vary on its Sunday/Monday flights.
“Vietnam is one of the fastest growing holiday destinations in South East Asia, and until now has been the largest country in the region without a low-cost direct link to Australia,” said Jetstar CEO for Australia and New Zealand, Dean Salter.
“There is enormous potential for Vietnam to become one of the most popular destinations for Australian travellers thanks to its wonderful year-round climate and great beaches, food and culture.”
While Jetstar is promoting the route for its leisure options, business travellers are not being ignored, as evidenced by the airline’s deployment of its Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners on both new routes. Jetstar’s B787-8s have 21 business class seats out of a total 335 seats.
Passengers on these flights also will be able to connect to 15 other destinations within Vietnam from Ho Chi Minh City on Jetstar Pacific flights.
Details of the new routes are as follows (all times local):
Melbourne (MEL)-Ho Chi Minh City (SGN):
| Flight No. | From | To | Departs | Arrives | Days |
| JQ63 | MEL | SGN | 1515 | 2105 | Mon, Wed, Sat |
| JQ64 | SGN | MEL | 2235 | 1035+1 |
Sydney (SYD)-Ho Chi Minh City (SGN):
| Flight No. | From | To | Departs | Arrives | Days |
| JQ61 | SYD | SGN | 1520 | 2105 | Tue, Thu, Fri |
| 1915 | 0100+1 | Sun | |||
| JQ62 | SGN | SYD | 2235 | 1015+1 | Tue, Thu, Fri |
| 0230 | 1410 | Mon |
