HCMC – Vietnam Airlines’ maiden direct flight from Vietnam to the United States landed at the San Francisco International Airport today, November 29.
Flight VN98, departing from HCMC on the evening of November 28, carried passengers on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
The first Vietnam-U.S. direct flight conducted by the national flag carrier signifies an important development in Vietnam’s aviation sector and Vietnam Airlines as the country’s first airline to operate scheduled direct flights to the United States.
It also recognizes the 20-year effort of Vietnam Airlines since the establishment of its representative office in San Francisco to lay the foundation for the direct air services between the two countries.
President and CEO of Vietnam Airlines Le Hong Ha said the first commercial direct flight to the United States marked a new milestone for Vietnam Airlines, especially Vietnam’s aviation, as the scheduled air link between Vietnam and the United States has been opened.
“We are honored to be the first airport in the United States to offer nonstop regular flights to Vietnam. We are grateful to Vietnam Airlines for making San Francisco their first U.S. destination,” said Director of San Francisco Airport Ivar C. Satero.
Initially, Vietnam Airlines will have two flights per week from HCMC to San Francisco using the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350.
The airline aims to scale up to seven flights per week after the Covid-19 pandemic is brought under control and plans to open a new route connecting Los Angeles to Hanoi and HCMC.
