United Airlines yesterday announced that, following a decision by the government of Vietnam to allow air service between the U.S. and Vietnam via Hong Kong, it intends to implement daily San Francisco-Ho Chi Minh City service via Hong Kong. It will be the first direct Vietnam service by a scheduled U.S. carrier since 1975, when Pan American operated the last scheduled flights out of Saigon before the city fell to North Vietnam
“This newly planned service to Vietnam is an important addition to our global route network,” said Graham Atkinson, United’s senior vice president of worldwide sales and alliances. “Vietnam’s highly charged economy and a growing demand for air service to the U.S. makes Ho Chi Minh City an appropriate market for United’s service.”
United intends to fly the route using a Boeing 747-400 aircraft configured with 14 first class seats, 73 United Business seats and 260 economy class seats.
According to the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam, the country is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. Analysts have forecast Vietnamese GDP growth above seven percent for this year.
The U.S. and Vietnam agreed last year to allow the resumption of direct air services. At that time, service via Hong Kong was deferred until fall of 2005. At United’s urging, Vietnam has agreed to advance that date, allowing an earlier reintroduction of services than was possible under the original schedule.
United says its service will commence as soon as the necessary regulatory procedures have been completed by the relevant Vietnamese and U.S. government agencies. The Vietnamese government’s decision comes ahead of the schedule that the U.S. and Vietnam agreed upon last year.
By: KabirT - 30th April 2004 at 08:50
However there are loads of Vietnamese in the U.S. that can afford to go to Vietnam!
Now thats something i was not aware of… cheers GD1.
By: greekdude1 - 30th April 2004 at 07:05
true…..there most load will come from HK not HCM. I dont think HCM has enough passengers who could afford to goto USA yet.
However there are loads of Vietnamese in the U.S. that can afford to go to Vietnam!
By: KabirT - 30th April 2004 at 04:10
Yes, UA is in financial trouble at the moment, but they are making headway. I don’t think this would classify as a big risk, Kabir. The reason I say this is because United usually has very strong load factors on all of their Asian routes, which is why they were hit so hard by SARS. They depend very heavily on these routes. Suffice it to say that it may be these very routes along with their LHR slots that are keeping them afloat at the moment. Besides, it’s not like they are going to fly there non-stop from, say SFO or ORD, or something. It’s just a continuation flight, in which 2 or 3 HKG flights will be able to feed the one flight from HKG to HCM. I just don’t see these factors as being high risk. Tell me “UA is beginning daily non-stop service into HCM from SFO, LAX and ORD” and then I’d say it would be very high risk.
true…..there most load will come from HK not HCM. I dont think HCM has enough passengers who could afford to goto USA yet.
By: greekdude1 - 30th April 2004 at 03:04
Because UA being in the condition it is at the moment cant afford tot take such big risks.
Yes, UA is in financial trouble at the moment, but they are making headway. I don’t think this would classify as a big risk, Kabir. The reason I say this is because United usually has very strong load factors on all of their Asian routes, which is why they were hit so hard by SARS. They depend very heavily on these routes. Suffice it to say that it may be these very routes along with their LHR slots that are keeping them afloat at the moment. Besides, it’s not like they are going to fly there non-stop from, say SFO or ORD, or something. It’s just a continuation flight, in which 2 or 3 HKG flights will be able to feed the one flight from HKG to HCM. I just don’t see these factors as being high risk. Tell me “UA is beginning daily non-stop service into HCM from SFO, LAX and ORD” and then I’d say it would be very high risk.
By: KabirT - 30th April 2004 at 00:03
Has anybody thought that perhaps this was simply a commercial decision?
Why does everything have to be political?
Because UA being in the condition it is at the moment cant afford tot take such big risks.
By: dartie - 29th April 2004 at 23:03
Not to mention that Vietnam Codeshare with Qantas on flights to Australia
By: BigredMD-11 - 29th April 2004 at 20:49
That is correct. If VN was gonna join any alliance, it should be in oneworld, I believe it’s due to the fact that they codeshare some of the HKG-Saigon routes with CX. It would be very nice to see that bird come here to LAX.
By: greekdude1 - 29th April 2004 at 16:22
Maybe George will get to see those beautiful Vietnam Airlines 777’s at LAX in the near future
Indeed!! 😀 Myself and BigRed included. They have a nice livery. According to BigRed, CX had numberous pax on both of their flights continuing on to Ho Chi Min. The demand is there.
By: Bmused55 - 29th April 2004 at 09:10
Has anybody thought that perhaps this was simply a commercial decision?
Why does everything have to be political?
By: steve rowell - 29th April 2004 at 07:04
Maybe George will get to see those beautiful Vietnam Airlines 777’s at LAX in the near future
By: dartie - 29th April 2004 at 03:42
Good to see this move! But i must wonder if Vietnam Airlines intends to fly to the U.S.A!
By: KabirT - 29th April 2004 at 02:44
I dont think UA is going to get enough load factor from HCM….but we’ll have to wait and watch. i maybe proven wrong.
By: SHAMROCK321 - 28th April 2004 at 21:10
Good news thats for sure.Vietnam Airlines seem to be doing well on their European services.With Vietnam rapidly growing maybe somebody like BA would consider making Vietnam Airlines a partner.BA from a oneworld point of view or maybe Delta from the Skyteam.If what Ive said is a load of crap let me know.
By: greekdude1 - 28th April 2004 at 16:44
I couldn’t tell you, to be honest. Even from a diplomatic standpoint, it’s a pretty good idea I suppose. If the load-factors turn out to be bad, then maybe your question will have been answered. If they have had sufficient pax connecting in NRT or HKG onto other airlines into Vietnam, then perhaps they thought it was time to do service of their own.
By the way, where do you get the wavy flag avatars?
By: KabirT - 28th April 2004 at 16:33
I think this is a diplomatic move more than a move by the airline? What are your thoughts on it GD1?
By: greekdude1 - 28th April 2004 at 16:31
This is good news, as UA does very well on their Asian routes with all business traverlers, and all. Hopefully Vietnam Airlines will be allowed to fly to U.S. now, to reciprocate UA’s service.
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April 28, 2004 at 11:19 am