Specifically, Vietnam Airlines flight VN98 departed from Tan Son Nhat airport at 8:57 p.m. on November 28 and landed at San Francisco airport at 7:42 p.m. the same day local time (ie 10:42 a.m. on November 29 Vietnam time). The non-stop flight from Ho Chi Minh City to San Francisco (California) took a total of 13 hours and 45 minutes.
The flight was performed by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner - one of the most modern wide-body aircraft in the world from the American aircraft manufacturer Boeing.
To date, Vietnam Airlines is the first and only Vietnamese airline to operate a regular direct flight to the US, which means that VN98 is the first regular flight in history to open a direct route between Vietnam and the US operated by a Vietnamese airline.
Vietnam Airlines General Director - Mr. Le Hong Ha said that a year ago, this airline operated a direct flight from Vietnam to San Francisco airport to bring Vietnamese citizens back to the country: "We are very happy and proud that today's flight is also a direct flight and landed at San Francisco airport but has a completely new meaning, marking a big step forward for Vietnam Airlines and a historical milestone for Vietnamese aviation with the official establishment of a regular flight route between Vietnam and the US."
Mr. Ivar C. Satero - Director of San Francisco International Airport also expressed his honor that Vietnam Airlines has chosen San Francisco as its first destination in the US. He also said that this event has created a big step forward to make San Francisco airport "the leading gateway in the US for passengers from Vietnam to access areas in the San Francisco Bay Area".
Passengers on the first scheduled flight to the US.
On the flight lasting more than 13 hours, in addition to two main meals and a regular snack, passengers are also served special meals, which are high-quality, nutritious specialties produced and processed in the US such as: wine, cheese, California grapes, Washington apples, blueberries and American pecans.
Special meals for passengers on flight VN98.
According to Vietnam Airlines, starting November 28, the airline will operate two regular flights per week between Ho Chi Minh City and San Francisco. In addition, after the epidemic is controlled and the Vietnamese Government officially allows the reopening of regular international flights, the number of flights will be increased to seven flights per week.
During this period, Vietnam Airlines is also continuing to research to open new routes to the US such as between Los Angeles and Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
