VietJet Eyes Europe: Widebody Expansion Rolls Out By 2026

(HANOI) VietJet Air will open its first routes to Europe before the end of 2025 and is preparing direct, nonstop flights for 2026 using newly ordered Airbus A330neo aircraft, marking the low‑cost carrier’s most ambitious move yet into long‑haul service. The plan, confirmed through a string of 2025 milestones, positions VietJet as a head‑to‑head competitor with Vietnam Airlines on Europe–Vietnam traffic while deepening air links between Vietnam and key European markets.

Timeline and fleet plan

VietJet’s timeline is clear and phased:

• The airline will use its current fleet of seven A330‑300s in late 2025 to start European service while regulatory work continues.
• From 2026, VietJet will shift to the A330‑900 (Airbus A330neo) for nonstop operations.
• The A330neo, powered by Rolls‑Royce Trent 7000 engines, can fly up to 13,300 km, enabling nonstop routes between Vietnam and major European cities under study (the Czech Republic, France, Germany, and the UK).

Jay L. Lingeswara, VietJet’s Vice President for Commercial, called Europe the airline’s “ultimate focus for 2025,” noting multiple destinations are under evaluation and that one‑stop options via Kazakhstan remain on the table as the carrier explores fifth‑freedom rights.

2025 aircraft orders and diplomatic context

Two major orders in 2025 underpin the expansion:

• May 26, 2025: VietJet signed a firm deal for 20 additional A330‑900s, doubling its A330neo backlog to 40. The Hanoi signing was attended by French President Emmanuel Macron and Vietnamese President Luong Cuong, underlining diplomatic and trade ties.
• June 17, 2025: VietJet placed an order for 100 A321neo aircraft, with options for 50 more — supporting dense regional routes feeding the long‑haul network.

Airbus executive Benoît de Saint‑Exupéry praised the pace of VietJet’s expansion, framing the partnership as a platform for the carrier’s global reach.

What VietJet Air has confirmed for 2025–2026

• European launch in 2025: Initial flights will use A330‑300s while regulatory work continues and before A330neo deliveries ramp up.
• Nonstop Europe services in 2026: The A330neo will enable direct flights from Vietnam to Europe once deployed.
• Target markets: The airline is weighing entry into the Czech Republic, France, Germany, and the UK; schedules will follow pending permits.
• Fifth‑freedom exploration: VietJet is studying one‑stop routings via Kazakhstan, based on open‑skies arrangements that could allow traffic pick‑up and drop‑off.
• Fleet modernization, range, and fuel burn: The A330neo’s efficiency and range support the Europe plan. Airbus notes the type can run with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) today, with a goal of 100% by 2030. VietJet links that capability to its sustainability plan and passenger comfort upgrades, including improved business class and larger overhead bins.
• Network context: VietJet already flies long‑haul to Australia, India, and Kazakhstan, and will add Auckland in September 2025 with four weekly services (initially routing via Australia). The European push fits into this broader long‑haul buildout.
• Delivery and deployment: First A330neo deliveries are expected to begin in late 2025, with fuller Europe deployment in 2026 as more aircraft arrive.

Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao has repeatedly tied the airline’s global strategy to modern Airbus aircraft, citing range, fuel savings, and a cleaner profile.

Industry backers, including Airbus and Rolls‑Royce, have publicly welcomed VietJet’s orders as a sign of long‑term commitment to efficient widebodies and lower emissions.

Market impact and competition

From a market perspective:

• New capacity on Vietnam–Europe city pairs should add price pressure and more choice.
• Analysts expect sharper competition with Vietnam Airlines across both nonstop and one‑stop options.
• Passengers may gain more flight times and clearer point‑to‑point travel options, particularly benefiting Vietnamese communities in Europe and European holidaymakers to Southeast Asia.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, low‑cost long‑haul growth often spurs legacy carriers to rethink fares and connections, especially when newcomers add capacity on popular visiting‑friends‑and‑relatives routes.

Practical implications for travelers and migrants

More flights do not change visa rules, but they can change lives by making trips possible that were once too costly or time‑consuming. Students, workers on assignment, family visitors, and tourists still need the right entry documents for Europe.

For official Schengen short‑stay visa information, see: Schengen visas – European Commission.

Practical points for prospective passengers:

• Check visa timing early: Consulates can be busy, especially before holiday peaks. Allow extra time for supporting documents.
• Mind the route type: In 2025, early Europe flights may be one‑stop or operated by A330‑300s; from 2026, the A330neo will allow more nonstop options — this affects travel time and comfort.
• Transit rules on one‑stop flights: If VietJet uses a Kazakhstan stop with fifth‑freedom rights, confirm whether a transit visa is required and whether bags are checked through. Rules differ by passport and transit airport.
• Baggage and seat info: VietJet says its new widebodies will feature larger overhead bins and upgraded cabins. Check fare classes closely; low‑cost long‑haul often unbundles services.
• Price competition: Promotional fares often appear when a new carrier enters a market. Watch for sales once permits are issued and schedules are loaded.
• Check travel insurance and refunds: New long‑haul routes can shift as aircraft deliveries and permits finalize; flexibility helps if dates change.

Regulatory and operational considerations

• VietJet must secure foreign air carrier permits and comply with each country’s safety, consumer, and tax rules before ticket sales and launch.
• Sales campaigns are expected to target both the Vietnamese diaspora and European leisure demand, aiming to fill seats year‑round rather than just peak seasons.
• The airline must decide which European cities can support year‑round traffic versus seasonal peaks; one‑stop flexibility helps build scale when nonstop demand is uneven.

Geopolitics and trade links

The May A330neo signing highlighted how air links and state relations often move together. The presence of President Macron and President Luong Cuong at the Hanoi ceremony signaled deeper trade ties and the importance both governments place on aviation as a bridge.

Direct connections can mean:

• Smoother corporate travel
• Quicker shipping of high‑value goods in belly holds
• Greater flexibility for families spread across continents

VietJet’s fleet and hub strategy

By mid‑2025, VietJet’s fleet includes 115 single‑aisle Airbus aircraft plus seven A330‑300s. The long‑haul push started with Australia and India and is now expanding to Europe. The twin 2025 orders — A330neos for long‑haul and A321neos for short‑ and medium‑haul — point to a hub strategy that feeds long flights with dense regional spokes.

Table: Key fleet figures (mid‑2025)

Commercial model and trade‑offs

Low‑cost long‑haul models depend on tight cost control and high utilization. On Europe sectors this requires:

• Careful scheduling and disciplined turnaround times
• Lean ground staffing
• Predicting which European cities can support year‑round traffic, not just summer peaks

One‑stop routing via a Central Asian stop (e.g., Kazakhstan) offers flexibility if nonstop demand is uneven early on.

Sustainability considerations

Sustainability is shaping choices in Europe. Airports and corporate buyers increasingly ask about SAF usage, carbon intensity, and noise footprints. VietJet’s A330neo fleet and stated support for higher blends of SAF align with these demands and help address environmental concerns from European partners and travelers.

Traveler tips for early passengers

• Watch the launch window: Europe services are slated for late 2025, with more nonstop options in 2026 as more A330neos arrive.
• Compare total journey time: A cheap fare may come with a longer one‑stop routing during the early phase. If time matters, look for A330neo nonstop options when available.
• Confirm entry rules: Airlines check visas at departure. Use official sources and allow buffer time. The EU Schengen page linked above is a starting point.
• Be flexible with bookings: New long‑haul routes can adjust as deliveries and permits finalize.

What to watch next

Key milestones to follow:

1. First A330neo deliveries in late 2025.
2. Official announcements of initial European city pairs.
3. Evidence of fifth‑freedom approvals if a Kazakhstan stop is used.
4. Opening of ticket sales once permits and aircraft allocations are finalized.

For passengers, the bottom line is simple: more ways to fly between Vietnam and Europe are coming, with VietJet Air betting that efficient widebodies and a sharp fare strategy can win over cost‑conscious travelers without giving up too much on comfort.