Founded in 2017, Bamboo Airways is a Vietnamese airline that was created by a construction company, FLC Group. Bamboo Airways' first service took place on 29th December 2018. The airline flies from its hub airport at Quy Nhon's Phu Cat Airport (UIH) to several domestic destinations within Vietnam. Bamboo Airlines' route network is currently focused on destinations that the FLC group has invested in and has long-term plans to operate over 30 routes connecting all major cities and popular tourist destinations in Vietnam. Bamboo Airlines received its air operator certificate on 9 July 2018 and additionally received its certification from Vietnam's Civil Aviation Authority.
The airlines started operating flights in January 2019, with a leased Airbus A320 linking Ho Chi Minh City with Hanoi. It currently flies to over 20 domestic destinations within Vietnam and over 10 international destinations to the US, Japan, Macau, South Korea, and Taiwan. Overall, the Bamboo Airways fleet consists of 29 aircraft ranging from Boeing, Airbus and Embraer.
In November 2021, Bamboo Airways hoped to further expand its international route network to operate direct flights to the US and Europe. In October 2022, Bamboo Airlines launched its flight operations to London Gatwick, but will no longer be operating flights to London Heathrow.
Looking for flights within Vietnam? Bamboo Airways operates private charter and scheduled passenger flights to destinations in Vietnam.
Baggage allowance for different fare type varies, details are as follow:
No matter your Economy ticket fare, the complimentary cabin baggage allowance is 7kg/15lbs + one personal item.
No matter your Economy ticket fare, the complimentary cabin baggage allowance is 7kg/15lbs + one personal item.
For all Business passengers, the complimentary cabin baggage allowance is 2 x 7kg/lbs + one personal item.
All carry-on baggage must fit in the overhead locker or under the seat, with a maximum dimension of 56cm x 36cm x 23cm (22" x 14" x 9"). Examples of personal items are a laptop, a handbag, a camera and a purse. Personal item must not exceed 40cm x 30cm x 10cm (15" x 11" x 4"). Young children under the age of 2 are not permitted to bring carry-on baggage onboard. Please note that any carry-on that exceeds Bamboo Airways baggage policy will be regarded as checked baggage. No prohibited items are allowed onboard including any fluid exceeding 100ml.
Please note that the following information only applies to domestic flights. On international flights, your checked baggage allowance may be greater, but this will depend on the route being operated and will be confirmed during the booking process.
Economy Saver Max: None
Economy Saver: 15 kg / 33 lbs
Economy Smart: 20 kg / 44 lbs
Economy Flex: 20 kg / 44 lbs
Bamboo Premium: 30 kg / 66 lbs
Bamboo Airways Business class: 40 kg / 88 lbs
Passengers are also entitled to check one golf set that doesn't weigh over 23kg/51lbs. Any passenger wishing to buy excess baggage can do so during the Alternative Airlines' booking process. Any checked baggage exceeding 32kg/70lbs or larger than 203cm/80in in the sum of three dimensions will not be accepted.
Bamboo Airways officially operates 3 cabin classes - Economy, Premium and Business. Each class offers a different experience, read below to find out more.
In Economy Class passengers are offered a light meal, snacks and hot and cold beverages. In-flight magazines are also offered, "Bamboo Inspiration" and "FLC Spotlight" are quality magazines designed to keep passengers entertained.
Economy Class offers comfortable seats reclining at your desired comfort along with adjustable armrests.
Premium passengers are offered a light meal, snacks and hot and cold beverages. In-flight magazines are also offered, "Bamboo Inspiration" and "FLC Spotlight" are quality magazines designed to keep passengers entertained. The onboard experience will be similar to Economy, with the addition of extra baggage allowance and priority boarding.
Premium Class offers comfortable seats reclining at your desired comfort along with adjustable armrests. Premium Flex passengers can pre-book their seats for free.
Business Class passengers can enjoy an executive meal as well as hot and cold beverages to their liking. In-flight entertainment is also offered. Prior to boarding Business Class passengers are offered a lounge service as well as priority check-in before your flight.
With Bamboo Airways Business Class you can enjoy comfort at another level, more legroom, reclining seat. You are also given a blanket and a small pillow.
Bamboo Sky is an onboard entertainment system, enabling passengers to use their devices (laptops, tablets, smartphones) to connect directly to Bamboo Airways’s entertainment library. Passengers can enjoy more than 100 exciting movies, TV series, or video games and listen to their favourite music during the flight.
Please be aware that this service is subject to international routes only, and is not currently available on domestic routes.
Onboard WiFi is not currently available, although, on international routes, passengers can use their digital devices to connect to Bamboo Airways’s entertainment library. You can experience wireless in-flight entertainment by watching movies on your own personal devices.
Online and airport check-in is available for Bamboo Airways flights. Opening and closing times vary.
Bamboo Airways online check-in opens 24 hours before and closes 1 hour before the established departure time and can be done via the airline website. Passengers must prepare the ticket details and travel document details in order to proceed with check-in. Once the boarding pass is obtained, passengers travelling without checked baggage can report directly to security at the airport.
Passengers who need assistance at the airport, travelling with infants or have a Bamboo Airways booking with more than nine passengers must check-in at the airport.
At Alternative Airlines, we recommend passengers arrive two hours before the scheduled departure time. Proceed to the designated check-in area when arriving at the airport. The location of the check-in area should be clearly marked at the airport and shown on the departure information board.
Bamboo Club is the airline's loyalty program. Bamboo Club has four rewarding membership tiers: Emerald, Gold, Diamond and First. Each tier has been designed to enable loyal passengers to unlock exclusive benefits on services offered by Bamboo Airline. It is free to register. Ensure you select 'Bamboo Club' as your chosen loyalty program during the Bamboo Airways booking process to ensure you collect your points.
If you require special assistance during your time of travel, Mobility Aid Services should be booked at least 24 hours before your flight departure time. Bamboo Airways are always here to help - staff use high lift cars, loading bridges and other specialized facilities to help passengers who are less able to have an easy and pleasant flight journey.
Bamboo Airways provides pet travel services as checked or carry-on. Please contact the airline as soon as possible and let me know that you will be travelling with a pet. In order to travel with a pet you must ensure to have all the relevant travel documents e.g. health certificates, vaccination certificates and more. You'll need to arrive at the airport early enough to complete all the necessary procedures before your flight departure. Please note that extreme weather during transportation can often affect your pet's health - in some cases Bamboo Airways will not allow pet transportation during uncertain weather conditions.
As of May 2022, Bamboo Airways flies to a number of domestic destinations within Vietnam, including Đồng Hới, Ha Long, Hanoi, Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City, and Nha Trang.
If you're looking to fly within Vietnam, our guide to domestic flights within Vietnam offers lots of helpful information, including an airline guide and FAQs.
Bamboo Airlines currently operates international flights to destinations in Japan, South Korea, Macau Taiwan and more. More recently Bamboo Airways now operates flights to/from London Gatwick Airport.
The airline can also operate private charter flights to the following destinations: Macau (Macau International Airport); Fukushima (Fukushima Airport) and Omitama (Ibaraki Airport) in Japan; and Taiwan (Tainan Airport).
Please click on the logos below to find out more about airlines that fly similar routes:
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As of August 2022, the airline has an extensive fleet of over 25 aircrafts, including Airbus A319ceo, Airbus A320ceo/neo, Airbus A321ceo/neo, Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, and Embraer E190.
Phù Cát Airport (UIH) is an airport in Phù Cát District serving the region of Qui Nhon and is the hub airport for Bamboo Airlines. The airport is used for domestic services by airlines such as Pacific Airlines, VietJetAir, Pacific Airlines and Vietnam Airlines and domestic and international services for Bamboo Airways. Phu Cat Airport is also used by the Vietnam Air Force.
The airport was built in 1967 to be used during the Vietnam war. In 2003, a small passenger terminal with two airport gates and six check-in counters was built and commercial flights were launched the following year. In 2017, the terminal at Phù Cát Airport went under renovation and the new terminal was finished in 2018, doubling its passenger capacity from 1.5 million to 2.4 million passengers per year.
Did you know? You can buy Bamboo Airways flight tickets today and pay at a later date. With Alternative Airlines you can pay for flights in instalments using one of our many payment plan providers at checkout such as Klarna, Afterpay, Affirm and more. The payment plan provider available to you will depend on the country you reside in. For more information check out our Bamboo Airways - Fly Now Pay Later page.
2nd November 2022
Bamboo Airways has arrived at London Gatwick Airport, after launching a direct route from Vietnam’s capital Hanoi on 30 October 2022. It will add a direct service between Gatwick and Ho Chi Minh City all year round. This route will be carried out using the airline's Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner equipped with three cabin classes (Economy, Premium Economy and Business). The London to Ho Chi Minh City route service from Heathrow Airport has been terminated since the launch from Gatwick Airport took place.
25th October 2022
Bamboo Airways is a Vietnamese fast-growing airline, looking to join a global airline alliance. But which alliance would best fit Bamboo Airways? Bamboo Airways was founded in 2017 and has been growing ever since at a fast pace. The airline already has roughly 30 planes, including brand-new Airbus A320neos and Boeing 787-9s. Although the Coronavirus pandemic slowed down the carrier's growth, Bamboo Airways is looking to continue expanding in long-haul markets.
Which alliance should Bamboo Airways join? The three global airline alliances are Oneworld, SkyTeam, and Star Alliance. The airline has grown super fast, it will be great to see Bambo Airways develop any partnerships.
10th October 2022
Bamboo Airways has recently taken delivery of a brand new Airbus A321neo increasing its current fleet size from 29 to 30. The aircraft, manufactured in Hamburg, is the newest aircraft in the narrow-body, single-aisle A320 family. This particular aircraft has the 'Cabin Flex' modification, allowing an increase in the jet's maximum certified capacity to 244 seats without having to compromise the quality of seating in the cabin.