PARIS, France — Vietnam Airlines has taken another major step toward expanding its long-haul fleet after signing a memorandum of understanding with Airbus for five A350-900 wide-body aircraft, with deliveries planned for 2033 and 2034.
But the five-aircraft agreement may be only the beginning.
Vietnam’s national flag carrier has identified the acquisition of 30 additional wide-body aircraft beyond 2030 as a strategic priority, signaling that the latest Airbus agreement could form part of a much broader effort to strengthen Vietnam Airlines’ position on international routes.
The value of the proposed five-aircraft deal was not disclosed.
Vietnam Airlines and Airbus Sign New A350 Agreement in Paris
The memorandum of understanding was signed during Vietnamese leader To Lam’s visit to Paris, where Vietnam and France announced several new agreements during the International Space Summit.
Airbus said the A350-900’s combination of long-range capability and operational efficiency could support Vietnam Airlines as it expands its international network in the coming years.
The latest agreement is particularly significant because Vietnam Airlines is already an established A350 operator. According to the airline’s fleet information, it had 14 Airbus A350-900 aircraft as of December 31, 2025, alongside 17 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, giving it a total of 31 wide-body passenger aircraft.
That means the proposed five additional A350-900s would further strengthen one of the airline’s existing long-haul aircraft families rather than introduce an entirely new type.
The Bigger Question: Is This the Start of a 30-Jet Expansion?
Vietnam Airlines had already made clear that it was looking at a much larger wide-body expansion.
In September 2025, the carrier announced plans to acquire or lease 30 additional wide-body aircraft, with the Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 787-9 identified as the models under consideration.
Earlier plans had pointed to deliveries beginning between 2028 and 2030, while the newly announced Airbus agreement schedules five A350-900 deliveries for 2033 and 2034.
The difference in timelines suggests Vietnam Airlines’ fleet strategy could extend well beyond a single procurement program, with the airline building capacity in stages as it prepares for longer-term international growth.
Why the Airbus A350-900 Matters for Vietnam Airlines
The Airbus A350-900 is designed for long-haul operations and is already used by Vietnam Airlines on major international services.
For airlines expanding intercontinental networks, maintaining a larger fleet of the same aircraft type can also offer operational advantages, including common pilot training, maintenance procedures and fleet planning.
Vietnam Airlines has outlined an ambitious strategy for its future fleet, with long-haul operations continuing to play a central role in connecting Vietnam with major markets in Europe, Australia, Northeast Asia and North America.
Its 2025 annual fleet information showed a total fleet of 103 aircraft, including:
- 14 Airbus A350-900s
- 11 Boeing 787-9s
- 6 Boeing 787-10s
- 66 narrow-body aircraft
- 6 ATR72-500 regional aircraft
The airline’s long-term fleet strategy also points toward continued modernization and expansion as international air travel demand develops.
Vietnam-France Aviation Ties Gain Momentum
The Vietnam Airlines agreement was part of a broader series of aviation and industrial discussions between Vietnam and France.
Reuters reported that France and Vietnam were also moving closer to completing an agreement involving three NH90 helicopters from Airbus Helicopters.
Meanwhile, another Vietnamese aviation development emerged during the Paris meetings: Vietravel Airlines signed a letter of intent involving 20 Airbus A220 aircraft and 30 Airbus A321 aircraft, with deliveries expected to begin from 2029.
The announcements highlight growing aviation ties between Vietnam and Airbus as Vietnamese carriers prepare for significant future fleet growth.
Airbus Continues to See Strong Wide-Body Demand
The Vietnam Airlines development also comes as Airbus works to increase aircraft production and responds to continuing demand for wide-body jets.
Airbus reported strong commercial activity in 2026 and remains focused on increasing production while airlines worldwide seek additional capacity and more modern aircraft.
For Vietnam Airlines, however, the latest announcement is about more than simply adding five aircraft.
It provides another indication that the carrier is preparing for a much larger transformation of its international fleet in the years ahead.
What Happens Next?
The current agreement is a memorandum of understanding, meaning the five A350-900 aircraft are not yet equivalent to a final firm order.
The key questions now are whether the agreement will be converted into a binding purchase contract and how the five Airbus jets will fit into Vietnam Airlines’ wider plan to secure up to 30 additional wide-body aircraft.
With deliveries not scheduled until 2033 and 2034, Vietnam Airlines still has time to reshape its broader fleet strategy.
But one thing is becoming increasingly clear: Vietnam Airlines is looking far beyond its current fleet—and the battle for its next generation of long-haul aircraft may be far from over.
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