Vietnam’s Bamboo Airways now aims to launch service to the United States “at the end of December 2021.” The carrier previously indicated a goal of Q3 2021, but still awaits approval from the US Department of Transportation to operate flights to the USA.
The airline previously filed an application with the US Department of Transportation to offer service to five US cities on its own aircraft, with service potentially launching in Q3 2021. Obviously that target was missed.
The original application sought permission to operate between Ho Chi Minh City and Los Angeles and San Francisco in third quarter 2021, with 4-7 weekly frequencies. The flights will include a stop en route, via an intermediate point at Taipei, Osaka, or Nagoya. At least that’s what the application specifies. The carrier had been rumored to be considering non-stop flights from Vietnam to the US with its 787-9 fleet.
The revised application comes as a result of shifting ownership stakes in the company. While the DOT requires notification of such changes it should not affect the application approval process.
Bamboo Airways’ Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner can carry a maximum of 294 passengers, including a 26 business class seats, 21 premium economy seats and 247 economy seats.
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Wonder if one can get a ride on the “trial” flights before regular schedule service for not much $.
I don’t think there are any “trial” flights in the works. There was a charter flight a couple weeks back for repatriation, I believe, but otherwise I expect that they’ll just show up and be ready to go.