Vietnam Airlines is now the second carrier to operate the A350 XWB, following Qatar Airways last year.
The new aircraft, acquired through a lease via AerCap, is now operating short-haul flights between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh in order to facilitate crew familiarisation.
Vietnam Airlines will then launch the A350 XWB to Paris from September 30. Flight VN019 will depart Hanoi at 2355 and arrive in Paris at 0700 the following day. The return flight, VN018 will then take off from the French capital at 1400, and touch back down in Hanoi at 0550 the next day.
The A350 XWB is configured with a three-class layout, with 29 seats in business, 45 in premium economy, and 231 in economy.
Business class is arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, with Vietnam Airlines having chosen to go for the Sogerma Solstys seat by EADS. Customers that have flown with Iberia, Emirates or Etihad will be familiar with the design.
Meanwhile, premium economy is arranged in a 2-3-2 layout and offers a 42-inch seat pitch and a 10.6-inch IFE screen. Finally, economy seats on both aircraft have been arranged in a 3-3-3 layout. Personal televisions are available on all seats in coach.
Vietnam Airlines is set to acquire 14 A350 XWBs, including 10 directly ordered from Airbus, and four from lessors.
For more information, visit vietnamairlines.com
Clement Huang
