A Vietnam Airlines aircraft at Nội Bài International Airport in Hà Nội. - VNA/VNS Photo Huy Hùng

HÀ NỘI – The national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines in June was certified with a 4-star airline rating by the international air transport rating organisation Skytrax.

The rating was granted at the Paris Air Show 2019, one of the world’s largest aviation exhibitions. Vietnam Airlines had been certified for three straight years.

Vietnam Airlines was recognised for its efforts to improve the quality of services to meet the increasing requirements of passengers and markets.

This year, Skytrax rated Vietnam Airlines based on 1,840 ground and air service criteria, up by 214 criteria compared to 2018. On a scale of 1-5 stars, Vietnam Airlines met 85 per cent of the 4- and 5-star criteria.

The airline’s 4.5-5 star criteria increased by 16 per cent against 2016 when it received the 4-star certificate for the first time.

With this outcome, Vietnam Airlines continued affirming its products and services on par with those of leading international airlines such as Air France, British Airways, Emirates, and Korean Air.

Since 2015, Vietnam Airlines has expanded its wide-body fleet of 14 super aircraft Airbus A350-900 XWB and 11 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.

This year, it plans to receive first Boeing 787-10 aircraft and upgrade the narrow-body fleet of 20 Airbus A321neo to bring new experiences to passengers.

Regarding ground services, the airline pioneers in implementing telephone check-in and expanding the scope of in-town check-in, kiosk check-in and online check-in procedures.

The totally new service “Meet and Greet” will provide practical assistance for passengers who need special instructions and priority to use ground services at airports.

The wireless-streaming entertainment programmes will be continuously updated to bring enjoyable experiences for passengers, especially during long-haul flights.

Passenger will have more food choices on both domestic and international air routes. 

The years 2018 and 2019 also marked the efforts of Vietnam Airlines in coordinating with businesses and localities to promote Vietnamese products to tourists at home and abroad.

The comprehensive investment from the service system and flight team to the highly specialised human resources is considered an important foundation for Vietnam Airlines to win the 5-star rating after 2020, becoming one of the most popular airlines in the Asia-Pacific region. – VNS