The partnership aims to improve air connectivity between the two countries, offering passengers a broader flight network and smoother services. The two airlines will coordinate schedules, jointly operate selected routes, and offer interline check-in services, allowing passengers to receive boarding passes for up to three connecting flights from their departure point.

Frequent flyer members of both carriers will also enjoy added benefits such as priority check-in, extra baggage allowance and priority boarding.

Nguyen Quang Trung, head of planning and development department at Vietnam Airlines, said the venture marks a new chapter in the relationship between the two airlines and aims to bring greater convenience and value to passengers as a contribution to both countries’ socio-economic growth.

Zhang Dongsheng, Deputy Director General of the Commercial Steering Committee at China Southern, called the venture a key milestone in the airline’s international expansion strategy.

The two carriers began cooperating in 2010 through codeshare flights and signed a comprehensive partnership agreement in 2022, extending collaboration to areas such as technical support, ground services and commercial activities. They will also work together to improve connectivity and operations at their respective transit hubs.

China Southern currently operates up to 111 weekly flights from multiple Chinese cities to Vietnam, while Vietnam Airlines runs over 50 weekly flights between the two countries.

Vietnam Airlines to relocate all domestic flights to Tan Son Nhat's Terminal T3

Ho Chi Minh City-based Tan Son Nhat International Airport announced on May 14 that it has reached an agreement with Vietnam Airlines to move all remaining domestic flight operations to the new Terminal T3 starting from May 17.