scorecardA Vietnamese airline made history by launching the first-ever commercial nonstop flight from Vietnam to the US
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A Vietnamese airline made history by launching the first-ever commercial nonstop flight from Vietnam to the US

Taylor Rains   

A Vietnamese airline made history by launching the first-ever commercial nonstop flight from Vietnam to the US
Vietnam Airlines' historic flight from Ho Chi Minh City to San Francisco.Vietnam Airlines
  • Vietnam Airlines launched its historic nonstop flight from Ho Chi Minh City to San Francisco on Sunday.
  • The airline has waited 20 years to become the first-ever regularly scheduled operator between the two nations.

Vietnam Airlines made history on Sunday when it flew the first-ever regularly scheduled, nonstop passenger flight from Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam to San Francisco in the US.

Vietnam Airlines made history on Sunday when it flew the first-ever regularly scheduled, nonstop passenger flight from Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam to San Francisco in the US.
Vietnam Airlines' historic flight from Ho Chi Minh City to San Francisco.      Vietnam Airlines

The company launched the inaugural flight using a Boeing 787-900 Dreamliner configured with 28 lie-flat business class seats, 35 premium recliners, and 211 regular economy seats.

The company launched the inaugural flight using a Boeing 787-900 Dreamliner configured with 28 lie-flat business class seats, 35 premium recliners, and 211 regular economy seats.
Vietnam Airlines' historic flight from Ho Chi Minh City to San Francisco.      San Francisco International Airport

The airline also plans to use the Airbus A350 on the route. However, neither plane will depart at full capacity due to weight restrictions, leaving about 100 seats open.

The airline also plans to use the Airbus A350 on the route. However, neither plane will depart at full capacity due to weight restrictions, leaving about 100 seats open.
Vietnam Airlines Airbus A350-900 aircraft.      viper-zero/Shutterstock

According to Flight Aware, the Boeing 787 jet made the trek across the Pacific in 12 hours and 52 minutes, departing Ho Chi Minh City at 8:40 p.m. and arriving in San Francisco at 6:41 p.m. local time the same day. The aircraft had a maximum altitude of 40,000 feet.

According to Flight Aware, the Boeing 787 jet made the trek across the Pacific in 12 hours and 52 minutes, departing Ho Chi Minh City at 8:40 p.m. and arriving in San Francisco at 6:41 p.m. local time the same day. The aircraft had a maximum altitude of 40,000 feet.
Vietnam Airlines' historic flight from Ho Chi Minh City to San Francisco.      Vietnam Airlines

Source: FlightAware

"Today, we are very pleased to announce the success of the inaugural commercial direct flight to the country, marking a new milestone for Vietnam Airlines in particular and Vietnam's aviation in general," Vietnam Airlines CEO Le Hong Ha said at ceremony for the inaugural flight.

"Today, we are very pleased to announce the success of the inaugural commercial direct flight to the country, marking a new milestone for Vietnam Airlines in particular and Vietnam
Vietnam Airlines CEO Le Hong Ha spoke in Hanoi on November 16.      Vietnam Airlines

"This new service truly makes San Francisco Airport the premier United States gateway airport," San Francisco Airport director Ivar C. Satero said. "We are grateful to Vietnam Airlines for making San Francisco their first US destination, and we are confident this new service will be a success."

"This new service truly makes San Francisco Airport the premier United States gateway airport," San Francisco Airport director Ivar C. Satero said. "We are grateful to Vietnam Airlines for making San Francisco their first US destination, and we are confident this new service will be a success."
Vietnam Airlines' historic flight from Ho Chi Minh City to San Francisco.      San Francisco International Airport

Onboard, passengers were treated to a special cuisine crafted for the inaugural flight, which was made up of American-made foods paired with California wine, including Washington apples, California grapes, cheese, and raisins, and US-made dried blueberries, pecans, and almond milk.

Onboard, passengers were treated to a special cuisine crafted for the inaugural flight, which was made up of American-made foods paired with California wine, including Washington apples, California grapes, cheese, and raisins, and US-made dried blueberries, pecans, and almond milk.
Vietnam Airlines' historic flight from Ho Chi Minh City to San Francisco.      Vietnam Airlines

The cuisine was made in partnership with the US Embassy and Consulate in Vietnam, the Department of Agriculture in Vietnam, and United Tastes.

The cuisine was made in partnership with the US Embassy and Consulate in Vietnam, the Department of Agriculture in Vietnam, and United Tastes.
Vietnam Airlines' historic flight from Ho Chi Minh City to San Francisco.      Vietnam Airlines

Passengers were also served meat and veggie dishes...

Passengers were also served meat and veggie dishes...
Vietnam Airlines' historic flight from Ho Chi Minh City to San Francisco.      Vietnam Airlines

And specially made cakes for the maiden journey.

And specially made cakes for the maiden journey.
Vietnam Airlines' historic flight from Ho Chi Minh City to San Francisco.      Vietnam Airlines

The plane started its 15-hour and 48-minute return journey at 11:52 p.m. local time on Monday and is scheduled to land at 6:40 a.m. local time on Wednesday, according to FlightAware.

The plane started its 15-hour and 48-minute return journey at 11:52 p.m. local time on Monday and is scheduled to land at 6:40 a.m. local time on Wednesday, according to FlightAware.
Vietnam Airlines' historic flight from Ho Chi Minh City to San Francisco.      Vietnam Airlines

Source: FlightAware

For now, the flight will operate twice-weekly with plans to operate seven times a week when COVID-19 is under control. In addition, the airline plans to launch additional routes from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Los Angeles.

For now, the flight will operate twice-weekly with plans to operate seven times a week when COVID-19 is under control. In addition, the airline plans to launch additional routes from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Los Angeles.
Vietnam Airlines' historic flight from Ho Chi Minh City to San Francisco.      Vietnam Airlines

The company has been working for decades to make the flight happen but was not granted permission to fly the route because Vietnam did not meet international safety standards.

The company has been working for decades to make the flight happen but was not granted permission to fly the route because Vietnam did not meet international safety standards.
Vietnam Airlines' historic flight from Ho Chi Minh City to San Francisco.      Vietnam Airlines

However, that changed in 2019 when the Federal Aviation Administration cleared Vietnam as a Category 1 country, meaning it could finally conduct flights to the US. On November 16, the FAA presented Vietnam Airlines with its foreign air carrier certificate at a ceremony in Hanoi.

However, that changed in 2019 when the Federal Aviation Administration cleared Vietnam as a Category 1 country, meaning it could finally conduct flights to the US. On November 16, the FAA presented Vietnam Airlines with its foreign air carrier certificate at a ceremony in Hanoi.
Vietnam Airlines accepts its foreign air carrier certificate from the FAA in Hanoi on November 16.      Vietnam Airlines

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