VietJet finally gets 1st Boeing 737 MAX, adds new A330-300 ahead of A330neo deliveries
September 16, 2025
VietJet is set to take delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 aircraft this weekend, more than nine years after placing its initial order for the type. The delivery marks a significant milestone in the Vietnamese low-cost carrier’s fleet expansion plan.
As reported by Reuters, the aircraft will be handed over at Boeing’s delivery center in the US during a high-profile ceremony attended by senior executives and government officials, including Vietnam’s President Lương Cường.
VietJet first announced its order of 100 737 MAX back in 2016. However, deliveries were repeatedly postponed due to a combination of the global MAX grounding, the COVID-19 pandemic, and shifting network priorities.
The long-awaited handover marks the first introduction of Boeing aircraft to the VietJet fleet, which has historically been dominated by Airbus aircraft. VietJet currently operates a fleet of 121 aeroplanes with an average age of just over 8 years. They include narrowbody Airbus A320-family aircraft and Airbus A330 widebody planes, as well as COMAC ARJ21 and De Havilland Dash-8.
The new Boeing planes will support the airline’s expansion both domestically and across Asia-Pacific, especially on medium-haul leisure routes.
A historic Boeing 737 MAX order, signed in Hanoi
VietJet first announced its Boeing 737 MAX order during a historic signing ceremony on May 23, 2016, in the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, during the state visit of then–US President Barack Obama.
Witnessed by Vietnam’s President Trần Đại Quang, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc, and senior government delegations from both nations, VietJet President and CEO Nguyễn Thị Phương Thảo signed a landmark deal for 100 Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 aircraft with Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Ray Conner.
The agreement, valued at approximately $11.3 billion at list prices, was the largest single commercial airplane purchase in Vietnam’s aviation history.
“Vietjet is efficiently operating a fleet of narrowbody airplanes. Our investment in a fleet of B737 Max 200 will accommodate our strategy of growing Vietjet’s coming international route network, including long-haul flights,” said President & CEO of Vietjet Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao at the signing ceremony. “Through this Agreement, Vietjet will contribute to increasing bilateral trade turnover between Vietnam and the United States, as well as contribute to the integration and development of the aviation industry in Vietnam.”
At the time, the aircraft were scheduled for delivery from 2019 through 2023, with the intention of boosting VietJet’s fleet to over 200 aircraft by the end of 2023.
Airbus A330-300 joins VietJet fleet ahead of new A330neo deliveries
VietJet also recently took delivery of a leased 12-year-old Airbus A330-300 to bolster its long-haul network as the airline heads into the busy year-end travel season. The widebody jet, registered VN-A820, was officially welcomed on September 14 and immediately entered service on routes to Australia, Kazakhstan, India, Japan, and Europe.
Earlier this year, VietJet placed a new order for 20 Airbus A330-900(A330neo) aircraft to support its strategic expansion over the next decade. This new contract doubles VietJet’s firm A330neo orders to 40 aircraft.
The agreement was signed in Hanoi on May 26, 2025, by VietJet Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Phương Thảo and Wouter van Wersch, President of Airbus International, during an official visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to Vietnam. Vietnam’s President Lương Cường witnessed the ceremony.
“VietJet has established itself as one of the fastest-growing airlines in the world, bringing low fares with warm Vietnamese hospitality,” said van Wersch. “We are proud that the carrier has selected the A330neo as its widebody aircraft of choice to build on its success.”
Nguyễn Thị Phương Thảo said: “These modern Airbus aircraft, with the latest levels of efficiency and lower fuel consumption, have accompanied VietJet’s growth and will continue to support VietJet’s global flight network expansion. Our long-term investment in a modern, environmentally responsible fleet reflects our commitment to strengthening economic and technological ties between Vietnam and France.”
The airline also has 96 A320neo-family single-aisle aircraft on order to support growth on its short- and mid-haul routes.
