The first of national carrier Vietnam Airlines' Boeing B787-9 Dreamliners has completed final assembly ahead of its launch this summer. Newly released pictures show the aircraft in the final stages of assembly and rolling out of Boeing's factory, and provide a tantalising first glimpse of the tailfin of Vietnam Airlines' brand new livery – part of a comprehensive overhaul of the airline's corporate identity and brand image which will coincide with the launch of the new aircraft

Vietnam Airlines will ultimately have a total of 19 Boeing B787-9s, as part of a major fleet upgrade which also includes the addition of 14 Airbus A350-900 XWBs. The SkyTeam member will be the first airline in Asia to operate both Boeing and Airbus' latest next-generation aircraft at the same time.

Vietnam Airlines will also be the first airline to operate the new B787-9 Dreamliner nonstop between Southeast Asia and Europe, with Heathrow becoming the first international destination on the Vietnam Airlines network to be served by the new aircraft. Frequencies will rise from four flights to five or six flights per week between Heathrow and Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City following the deployment of the Dreamliners, before increasing to a daily service for Summer 2016.

The B787-9 Dreamliner is the latest extension to Boeing's super-efficient 787 family. The new aircraft can fly farther, and with more passengers and more cargo, than the B787-8 - but with the same exceptional environmental performance: 20 per cent less fuel usage and 20 per cent fewer emissions than the aircraft it will replace. The new aircraft will feature in-flight WiFi and fully flat beds in Business Class, and passengers will also benefit from larger windows and stow bins, modern LED lighting, higher humidity and cleaner air, lower cabin pressure and a smoother, quieter ride.

Return fares from Heathrow to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City currently start from £423 or £426 per person respectively, inclusive of taxes. For further information and reservations visit www.vietnamairlines.com.

Notes to editors

As the national flag carrier of Vietnam, headquartered in Hanoi, Vietnam Airlines operates 96 routes to 21 domestic and 29 international destinations with more than 300 daily flights. Operating a young fleet of 81 modern aircraft mainly comprising Boeing 777s, Airbus A330s and Airbus A321s, the airline will expand its fleet with new and modern aircraft including Airbus A350XWBs and Boeing 787-9s. Vietnam Airlines officially joined the SkyTeam Alliance on 10 June 2010, becoming the first representative of the alliance in the South East Asia region. Website: www.vietnamairlines.com. Vietnam Airlines® - Reach further.

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