VietJetAir to Transfer 50 Boeing 737-8s to Thai VietJetAir
Vietjet Air has agreed with Boeing to transfer up to 50 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to its Thailand-based subsidiary, Thai Vietjet Air, as part of an aggressive regional expansion strategy. The allocation comes from Vietjet’s existing order for 200 737s, with the first deliveries to Thai Vietjet Air slated for October 2025. By strengthening aviation links between Vietnam and Thailand, the carrier aims to enhance tourism and trade connectivity across Southeast Asia.
Under the deal announced during Thailand’s prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s first official visit to Vietnam in over a decade, Vietjet Air chairwoman Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao reaffirmed the group’s “Three Connects” strategy, which targets integrated supply chains, businesses and localities. Boeing Southeast Asia president Penny Burtt highlighted that the partnership will “connect communities and drive economic development” in one of the world’s fastest-growing air travel markets.
This agreement builds on Vietjet’s landmark 2016 order for Boeing 737 MAX jets, which was expanded by 100 additional aircraft under a 2018 memorandum of understanding at the Farnborough Air Show. In April 2025, Vietjet Air and AV AirFinance secured a US$300 million financing package to support the new fleet, part of over US$4 billion in commitments from leading U.S. financial institutions. Together, these deals back Vietjet’s plan to take delivery of nearly 300 Boeing aircraft by 2027.
By shifting 50 737 MAX 8s to Thai Vietjet Air, Vietjet positions its sister airline to compete head-to-head with established low-cost carriers in Thailand such as AirAsia Thailand, Nok Air and the national carrier Thai Airways. Thai Vietjet Air currently flies an all-Airbus fleet of 18 aircraft—12 A320-200s and six A321-200s—across 33 domestic and international routes linking Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport with destinations in Vietnam, Japan, China, India and Cambodia. Since its launch, the subsidiary has carried over 30 million passengers, boosting ASEAN connectivity.
As part of the transfer, Boeing will provide comprehensive technical support for the new 737s, including pilot, maintenance and engineer training along with tailored product services. Vietjet underscored that these measures will guarantee safe, efficient operations and promote sustainable aviation development in the region. The expansion into Thailand and the recent launch of a Vietnamese subsidiary in Kazakhstan underscore Vietjet’s ambition to become a leading pan-Asian low-cost carrier.
Analysts note that moving existing Boeing 737s to Thai Vietjet Air allows Vietjet to accelerate its footprint without lengthening delivery schedules, leveraging proven MAX 8 performance for fuel efficiency and reliability. The subsidiary will be able to ramp up frequencies on popular leisure and business routes, meeting surging demand for affordable travel within Southeast Asia. The upgraded fleet will also support the growing trend of point-to-point connections, reducing reliance on crowded regional hubs.
Vietjet’s regional expansion coincides with robust air travel growth across Southeast Asia, where tourist arrivals are nearing pre-pandemic levels and low-cost carriers dominate market share. By pooling aircraft orders and cross-border operational expertise, Vietjet and Thai Vietjet Air can optimize network planning and capture emerging travel corridors. The Thai-Vietnam airline partnership thus represents a significant case study in how private budget carriers can harness parent-subsidiary synergies to drive growth.
With the first Boeing 737 MAX 8s arriving in Thailand by late 2025, Vietjet and Thai Vietjet Air will enter a new chapter of rapid network expansion. The move deepens ties between Vietnam and Thailand, strengthens ASEAN aviation integration and sets the stage for future growth across Asia’s low-fare segment. As Vietjet continues to innovate through fleet financing, subsidiary launches and strategic alliances, the carrier is poised to challenge incumbents and reshape the region’s air travel landscape.
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