Vietnam Airlines has confirmed that it will commence the operation of daily non-stop services between Heathrow and Vietnam from June 23rd, 2016, adding a new Thursday flight to Hanoi to its existing six flights per week schedule. Offering three flights per week to Ho Chi Minh City and four flights to Hanoi, Vietnam Airlines’ increased service follows the successful launch of its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft on all UK routes and new livery, corporate identity and brand image in September 2015.

As part of Vietnam Airlines’ major fleet and service upgrade, the carrier announced the launch of its new Boeing 787-9 non-stop Dreamliner service to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Earlier this month, Breaking Travel News reporter Alice McKeown flew to Vietnam on the new aircraft. Here are her thoughts.

Boeing and Vietnam Airlines have celebrated the first visit to the United States by the head of the ruling Communist Party of Vietnam with a flypast of the airline’s first 787 Dreamliner. The event was witnessed by Nguyen Phu Trong, general Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, during the official state visit.

The first of Vietnam Airlines’ new Boeing B787-9 Dreamliners has rolled out of Boeing’s paint shop at Paine Field in Washington, US, providing a first full look at the national carrier’s new aircraft in its distinctive updated blue and gold lotus livery. Coinciding with a major fleet upgrade - including a total of 19 B787-9s and 14 Airbus A350-900 XWBs - Vietnam Airlines’ brand new livery is part of a comprehensive overhaul of the airline’s corporate identity and brand image.

Vietnam Airlines has begun its daily service from Heathrow Terminal 4 with a direct flight from to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The route frequency will be further increased to a daily service, from the present five times weekly, as Vietnam Airlines benefits from the strong transfer traffic and premium passenger demand that Heathrow attracts.

Vietnam Airlines and Jet Airways have announced a reciprocal codeshare agreement, offering passengers enhanced connectivity and seamless access when travelling throughout the combined networks of both airlines. Under the codeshare arrangement, Jet Airways will place its marketing code on Vietnam Airlines’ flights from Bangkok and Singapore to Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi.