Vietnam Airlines (VN, Hanoi Noi Bai International) is reportedly seeking to lease twenty to twenty-five A321-200N aircraft to support a return to the low-cost market as early as 2027, Bloomberg reported on October 16 citing unnamed sources familiar with the plans.
The flag carrier has approached lessors about supplying the narrowbodies in a 240-seat configuration. However, no agreements have been finalised, and the launch timetable remains uncertain.
The plans come as Vietnam Airlines continues efforts to divest its entire stake in Pacific Airlines (BL, Ho Chi Minh City), its existing low-cost subsidiary. Pacific Airlines suspended operations in March 2024 and subsequently resumed flights using aircraft provided by its parent.
It remains unclear whether Vietnam Airlines intends to retain Pacific Airlines for the proposed expansion or establish a separate budget operation. At its June 2026 annual general meeting, the airline said Pacific Airlines and VASCO - Vietnam Air Services (0V, Ho Chi Minh City) continued to serve different price segments within the group.
Separately, Vietnam Airlines has committed to dry leasing nineteen B737-8s for delivery in 2028 and has fifty additional aircraft of the type on firm order from Boeing, scheduled for delivery between 2030 and 2032.
Vietnam Airlines operates a fleet of 94 aircraft, comprising one A320-200, three A320-200Ns, thirty-nine A321-200s, twenty A321-200Ns, fourteen A350-900s, six B787-10s, and eleven B787-9s. Meanwhile, Pacific Airlines operates three A321-200s.
