VietJet Goes Big: 120 Airbus Jets Signal Long-Haul Ambitions

‍PARIS — Vietnam’s VietJet Air (VJ) has placed one of the largest aircraft orders during the second trading day at the 2025 Paris Air Show after firming an order for 100 Airbus A321neo, with 50 additional options, and finalizing a deal for 20 A330-900s. The order positions the low-cost Vietnamese carrier to expand well beyond its current footprint and into long-haul markets.

“Today, at the 2025 Paris Air Show, we are honored to announce the next milestone: an order for 100 A321neo aircraft with 50 additional options, bringing the total to 150 — one of the largest orders of this year’s event.” Nguyễn Thị Phương Thảo, CEO, VietJet Air, said during the press conference.

The A321neo fleet, including possible XLR variants, would open new city pairs such as Hanoi–Perth or Ho Chi Minh City–Dubai — point-to-point routes not viable with the current fleet. On the other hand, the A330-900s are part of VietJet's broader plan to strengthen its global network over the next decade.

Global Expansion, Airline Group Launch

VietJetAir is preparing to stretch its network from dense intra-Asia routes to long-haul corridors connecting Vietnam with Europe, the Middle East, and Australia. Likely new markets include Ho Chi Minh City to Frankfurt, Paris, and Melbourne, as well as Hanoi to London, Tokyo, and Istanbul — markets currently dominated by full-service carriers.

Thao hinted that VietJet isn’t just aiming to grow one airline, but rather to develop a group or holding company structure with multiple airline brands or subsidiaries. This could mean launching or acquiring other airlines under the VietJet umbrella. “This large fleet ambition is part of our strategy to build an aviation group with multiple airlines, across multiple jurisdictions,” she said.

VietJet’s expansion comes amid sustained recovery in Southeast Asia, the world’s fastest-growing aviation region. IATA reports 21.8% year-over-year traffic growth for Asia-Pacific airlines in January 2025, with load factors exceeding 86%, driven by resurgent demand and constrained capacity.

In a region experiencing explosive growth in air travel, VietJet’s bold fleet expansion and network diversification not only demonstrate confidence in sustained demand but also underscore its intent to set a new benchmark for emerging carriers aiming to leap from regional players to global contenders.

Stay tuned for Airways' #PAS2025 coverage, bringing you the latest developments live from Paris this week.