Vietjet Launches First Long-Haul Budget Flights Into Europe
By Airline Ratings Tue May 26, 2026
Vietjet Air will launch its first scheduled long haul service into Europe this October, marking a major milestone for the Vietnamese low cost carrier as it expands its budget model beyond Asia.
From October 10, Vietjet will operate twice weekly flights between Hanoi and Prague using the Airbus A330, with a technical stop in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The new route makes Prague the airline’s first scheduled destination in Europe, following previous charter operations to Russia and Kazakhstan.
While Vietjet has long operated A330 aircraft on routes to destinations such as Australia, India and Kazakhstan, offering a value-driven mix of low cost style business class seating and economy fares, the airline is now rapidly scaling up its ambitions. With more than 120 aircraft already in service and an order book exceeding 400 jets, Vietjet is positioning itself as one of Asia’s fastest growing airline groups, as well as an ambitious competitor to established low cost long haul operators such as Scoot and AirAsia X.
To celebrate the launch, Vietjet is offering promotional Eco-class fares including taxes and fees from US$405 one-way, while all-inclusive Deluxe fares start from US$459 one-way, inclusive of 40kg checked baggage, 10kg carry-on baggage, onboard hot meals, complimentary seat selection, and flexible flight changes. Flights will depart Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport at 08:25, arriving at Prague’s Vaclav Havel Airport at 18:55 local time. The return service leaves Prague at 20:55 and arrives back in Hanoi at 16:20 the following day. Flights will operate every Tuesday and Saturday.
Vietjet Chief Executive Mr Nguyen Thanh Son said: “This is an important milestone in Vietjet’s strategy to become a global aviation group. He also added that the airline plans to launch additional European routes in the near future to further connect Vietnam and Thailand with the continent.
The Prague announcement also forms part of a much broader long haul expansion strategy. During the 2025 Paris Air Show, Vietjet placed an order for 100 Airbus A321neo aircraft and secured options for another 50. That followed a separate commitment for 20 additional Airbus A330-900neo widebodies, doubling the airline’s total A330neo order to 40 aircraft.
The A330neo, with a range of up to 13,300 kilometres, is expected to play a key role in Vietjet’s future European growth plans. The aircraft’s extended range will eventually allow the carrier to operate nonstop services deeper into Western Europe, eliminating the need for technical refuelling stops along the way.
Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao described the fleet expansion as part of a broader national ambition to strengthen Vietnam’s role in global aviation. “I have a vision and the determination to make Vietnam a regional aviation hub for passenger transportation,” she said.
Prague Airport is also expecting strong demand for the new route. According to airport chief executive Jiri Pos, more than 75,000 passengers travelled between Prague and Hanoi in both directions during 2025, driven largely by the sizeable Vietnamese community living in the Czech Republic.
Head to https://www.vietjetair.com/en to
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