18 July 2018 

VIETNAM AIRLINES RECEIVED 4-STAR AIRLINES CERTIFICATION FROM SKYTRAX FOR THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR

Vietnam Airlines has been certified with a 4-star airline rating by prestigious international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. This is the third consecutive year that Vietnam Airlines has achieved this accolade as the airline continues to deliver an outstanding flying experience for all its customers.

The Skytrax rating is based on comprehensive evaluation programmes conducted across Vietnam Airlines services. The flag carrier has been undergoing a significant transformation to develop every aspect of the business- from on-ground to inflight services. Achieving Skytrax 4-star international rating places Vietnam Airlines in esteemed company alongside many of the world's premium airlines, including Air France, Air New Zealand, British Airways, Emirates, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, KLM and Qantas. The thorough Skytrax evaluation provide the airline a foundation to continue to invest and meet customers' expectations throughout every aspect of the business.

This year, Vietnam Airlines is taking great strides to focus on service quality as the core feature of the business, in order to meet the increasing requirements of customers. Vietnam Airlines also prides itself on the cultural touchpoints which are deeply embedded in all the flag carrier's products and services. From the celebrated national dish, “Pho”, to distinctive seasonal fruits such as lychee and longan, Vietnamese cuisine is a hallmark on all Vietnam Airlines flights. Additionally, newly-designed Business Class tableware for Japanese meals on all Japan routes represents a harmonious combination of Japanese and Vietnamese culture, with the familiar “Lotus” brand image and pink Lotus appearing on each piece.

Earlier this year, Vietnam Airlines appointed celebrity chef, Luke Nguyen, as its Global Cuisine Ambassador. Together with Vietnam Airlines' culinary team, Luke will reimagine the in-flight menus, drawing inspiration and influences from the rich Vietnamese culture and cuisine around the world. Luke will create eight regional dishes for the Business Class menu inspired by his travels across Vietnam. This partnership comes from a shared ethos of respecting cultural values by designing, preparing and presenting authentic Vietnamese flavors in harmony with on-board dishes.

Vietnam Airlines also continues to provide enhanced service standards across all cabin types, and dedicated check-in counters for priority passengers. The airline has implemented separate check-in counters for Business Class and Premium Economy passengers and LotuSmiles members. Premium Economy is available on routes between Vietnam and Japan, Australia and Western Europe, while Business Class is offered on international flights to the UK, France, Germany, Australia and Russia, with new pajamas, blankets and bed linen, providing extra comfort and a luxurious experience for long-haul journeys. Enhancements to the airline's duty free shopping have also contributed greatly to improving the customer experience.

Customer satisfaction is Vietnam Airlines' greatest source of pride. The airline's efforts to enable innovation and development have been recognized by international and national communities through a series of prestigious awards. In 2017, Vietnam Airlines was awarded the 'Asia Pacific Airline of the Year' by CAPA; as well as 'World's Leading Airline – Premium Economy Class' and 'World's Leading Cultural Airline' in the World Travel Awards.

-ENDS-

Notes to editors

Vietnam Airlines

Vietnam Airlines is the flag carrier of Vietnam and the major carrier in the Mekong sub-region, operating 90 routes to 20 domestic and 29 international destinations with an average of 400 flights per day. Vietnam Airlines has been certified as a 4-Star Airline for 2 consecutive years by the prestigious Skytrax, the world's leading airline and airport rating organization. During 22 years of development at a 2-digit annual growth rate, Vietnam Airlines has achieved a remarkable advancement to become a major airline in Asia's aviation market. In June 2010, Vietnam Airlines joined SkyTeam Alliance, affirming the carrier's new position on the global aviation map as a strategic partner of the alliance in Southeast Asia region. In 2015, Vietnam Airlines became the first airline in the world to operate both next-generation aircraft- Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner & Airbus A350-9XWB- at the same time. Positioning itself as a modern carrier whose brand is characterized by Vietnam's rich culture and national identity, Vietnam Airlines is striving to become one of the most favorable carriers in the Asia-Pacific region.

For further information and reservations visit www.vietnamairlines.com or speak to a travel agent.

About Skytrax

Skytrax was established in 1989 and is based in London, United Kingdom. Introduced in 1999, Certified Airline Rating is the international rating system that classifies airlines by the quality of their front line product and staff service standards. Skytrax Star Ratings are recognised as a global benchmark of airline standards around the world, and use a quality scale from 1-Star through to the exclusive 5-Star Airline award. Ratings are based on evaluation of product and service standards for both the onboard and airport environments, using a unified and consistent rating system.

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