Jetstar to fly from Sydney, Melbourne to Ho Chi Minh City
By David Flynn, January 23 2017
Jetstar is looking to break the monopoly on flights to Ho Chi Minh City (also known as Saigon) from Sydney and Melbourne with the launch of direct flights from mid-May.
Qantas' low-cost offshoot will go up against national flag-carrier Vietnam Airlines on the route, with both airlines flying the advanced Boeing 787 on the eight-hour journey.
However, Vietnam Airlines will have the edge in frequency thanks to its daily flight schedule; would-be Jetstar passengers will need to tailor their schedule to suit one of the three days a week for flights out of Melbourne (commenting May 10) and four from Sydney (from May 11).
Vietnam Airlines also offers a better experience at the pointy end, with business class based on the familiar Zodiac Cirrus design popularised by Cathay Pacific, which convert into fully-flat beds and pffer direct aisle access for every passenger.
Jetstar's Boeing 787 business class offers an appropriately low-cost take, with a 2-3-2 layout for reclining seats which are closer to premium economy in nature.
Review: flying business class on Jetstar's Boeing 787 Dreamliner
In related news, the Vietnamese government has proposed a US$860 million (A$1.14 billion) upgrade for Ho Chi Minh City's congested Tan Son Nhat International Airport which would see two new terminals built by 2020.
This would boost Tan Son Nhat's capacity to 45 million passengers per year. The airport was designed to handle 25 million passengers, a peak it expected to reach by 2020, but a surge in travellers saw capacity overloaded at 28 million passengers in 2016.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
21 Apr 2012
Total posts 3006
What a monopoly busting move! Oh Jetstar you've done it again!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Jul 2014
Total posts 143
And you can earn QFF points and Status on both airlines so no matter what it's a win-win for QF customers.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Sep 2014
Total posts 84
Where are Jetstar getting a spare aircraft from to launch this route? Somewhere else must be being dropped or having frequencies reduced.
28 Nov 2012
Total posts 93
They are dropping Melbourne to Tokyo
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Nov 2011
Total posts 121
The Wuhan flights also ended too
03 Aug 2015
Total posts 58
and Brisbane to Hawaii
China Airlines - Dynasty Flyer
01 Sep 2016
Total posts 1
I thought Sydney and Melbourne to Ho Chi Minh City was 9.5hrs not 12
13 Sep 2016
Total posts 14
Looking forward to a review of Vietnam Airlines' Boeing 787 business class if you guys at AusBT have one coming up. The seat is a winner, can't go wrong with that. The Sydney Skyteam lounge is okay, would hope the lounges in Vietnam would be 'flagship' grade. All VN needs to do is get the in-flight meals and service right.
10 Aug 2015
Total posts 113
I can only comment on the VN domestic lounge in HCMC ... it is rather basic, spacious and bright yes, lovely staff but from a food and amenities perspective the lounge is of a low standard.
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