Summary
- Vietnam Airlines considering Airbus A220 and Embraer E2 Jets for fleet expansion with small narrowbodies.
- Embraer marketing E2 family as small narrowbodies instead of regional jets for broader operations.
- Vietnam Airlines currently has a fleet of 97 relatively young aircraft, targeting further growth with new orders.
Vietnam Airlines is looking to place an order for new planes and the Airbus A220 and Embraer E2 Jets are being considered.
Expanding with small narrowbodies
Since the development of the E2 family of Embraer commercial aircraft, the Brazilian manufacturer has marketed its planes as small narrowbodies instead of regional jets. Typically known as the largest regional jet manufacturer in the world, Embraer wants customers to consider the E190-E2 and E195-E2 for more than regional operations. The E195-E2 has a range of nearly 3,000 miles when carrying a full load of passengers.
![Face-to-face with an Embraer E2 aircraft.](https://static1.simpleflyingimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/shutterstock_1544777921-cropped-1.jpg)
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Improvements include the hard product, avionics, and economics.
Vietnam Airlines is the largest carrier in Vietnam, though it faces serious competition from VietJet. However, unlike VietJet, Vietnam Airlines has a broader long-haul international network, driven by its Boeing 787s and Airbus A350s. Currently, the smallest aircraft in Vietnam Airlines’ fleet is the Airbus A320neo, but the airline is reportedly considering purchasing some smaller narrowbodies.
Photo: InsectWorld | Shutterstock
According to Bloomberg, Vietnam Airlines is considering the Airbus A220 and Embraer’s E2 jets. The outlet reported that the airline is looking at adding about 20 aircraft to its fleet. If an agreement is reached, it will likely take several months, rather than being announced at the Farnborough Air Show in a few weeks. Neither of the manufacturers nor the airline commented on the matter. If Vietnam Airlines purchases the E2s, it will not be the first Asian carrier of the jets, as Air Astana and SCOOT operate the latest planes.
More about the fleet
Vietnam Airlines’ first Airbus A320neo was delivered last week, the first of three expected to be delivered this year. The plane landed in Vietnam on July 7 and was on the ground for four days before operating its first passenger flight. According to the airline website, the Airbus A320neo has 184 seats in a three-three configuration and features business and economy classes.
Photo: Vietnam Airlines
On September 11 last year, Vietnam Airlines signed a memorandum of understanding for 50 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The ceremony was attended by United States President Joe Biden and the Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, as well as Vietnamese government leaders. With the MoU, Boeing will deliver 250 MAX aircraft to Vietnamese carriers in the coming years.
“Southeast Asia is one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, and the 737 MAX is the perfect airplane for Vietnam Airlines to efficiently meet that regional demand. We value our historic partnership with Vietnam Airlines, dating back to 1995 when the airline first leased 767s.” – Brad McMullen, Senior Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing, Boeing
According to data from ch-aviation, Vietnam Airlines currently has 97 aircraft, including six wet-leased ATR 72-500s. Its fleet comprises the Airbus A320neo, A321ceo, and A321neo, Airbus A350-900, Boeing 787-9, and Boeing 787-10. The airline’s fleet is relatively young, with an average age of 7.4 years, positioning it well for expansion with new aircraft orders. The oldest and largest sub-fleet is the A321ceo, which averages 12.2 years. Vietnam Airlines has 41 of the type.