Thai Airways International vs Vietnam Airlines
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Researched and checked: 11 Oct 2026
Thai Airways International and Vietnam Airlines are the flag carriers of Thailand and Vietnam. Both are full-service airlines in a global alliance, and travellers compare them for Bangkok to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City trips and for Southeast Asia connections to Europe and Australia.
Quick verdict
Both are full-service carriers, so the choice mostly comes down to where you are starting from and where you want to connect. Thai suits travellers using Bangkok as a hub and those who collect Star Alliance miles. Vietnam Airlines suits travellers heading to or through Vietnam, and those who want premium economy with detailed seat specifications or SkyTeam benefits. Check the fare rules for baggage on either airline.
Choose Thai Airways International if…
- You want to connect through Bangkok Suvarnabhumi to Europe, Asia or Oceania.
- You collect Star Alliance miles, or use Royal Orchid Plus.
- You want Royal Silk business class with 2 x 32 kg checked baggage on newer tickets.
Choose Vietnam Airlines if…
- You are flying to or via Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang, with a dense Vietnam network.
- You collect SkyTeam miles, or use Lotusmiles.
- You want lie-flat business or premium economy on the A350 and 787, with 38–42 in premium economy pitch and seatback screens.
At a glance
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Key differences
Network and hubs
Thai is built around Bangkok Suvarnabhumi. As of January 2026 it served 51 international and 9 domestic destinations in 29 countries, focused on Europe, Asia and Oceania (Wikipedia). A return to North America is under discussion.
Vietnam Airlines runs two main hubs, Hanoi Noi Bai and Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat, with Da Nang as a secondary hub. Long-haul flights reach Europe, Australia and the United States (Wikipedia).
Fleet and cabin plans
Thai had 84 aircraft as of 30 June 2026, with 89 on order, including 42 Boeing 787-9s and 31 Airbus A321neos. TTG Asia (25 September 2026) reports a cabin overhaul planned for 2027, so seats on older aircraft may change.
Vietnam Airlines operates 97 aircraft, per Wikipedia in 2026. Its long-haul flying uses the A350-900 and Boeing 787-9 and 787-10.
Cabins and seats
Vietnam Airlines business is lie-flat in a 1-2-1 layout on the 787 and A350, and a 2-2 recliner with 45 in pitch on the A321. Premium economy (38–42 in pitch) is only on the A350 and 787-9. Economy pitch is 31–32 in, with seatback screens on widebodies.
Thai offers Royal Silk business, Premium Economy and Economy, depending on aircraft. Seat details vary by aircraft, so check your flight's seat map before booking.
Baggage
On Europe and Australia routes, Vietnam Airlines allows 1 x 23 kg in Economy, 2 x 23 kg in Premium Economy and 2 x 32 kg in Business. Economy cabin baggage is 12 kg in total. Japan routes differ.
Thai allows one 7 kg hand-carry bag. On tickets issued from 25 November 2025 for travel from 2 March 2026, Economy Saver and Standard include 1 x 23 kg and Royal Silk 2 x 32 kg (HappyFares). Older tickets keep the weight-based allowance.
Meals and loyalty
Thai serves meals on international flights, with Thai and international dishes that can be pre-selected up to 72 hours before departure. Vietnam Airlines serves refreshments on flights over 90 minutes and hot meals on flights over two hours.
Thai is a founding member of Star Alliance and runs Royal Orchid Plus, with Royal Orchid and Royal Silk lounges. Vietnam Airlines joined SkyTeam in June 2010, and its Lotusmiles programme earns miles on SkyTeam partners.
Reliability and safety
Cirium reported 79.29% on-time arrivals for Thai in June 2025.
Thai received EU third-country operator certification in December 2015 and has had no fatal accidents in recent years. Vietnam Airlines has been IOSA-registered since 2006. Both airlines have past incidents, including fatal ones.
Frequently asked questions
Is Thai Airways better than Vietnam Airlines?
Neither is better overall. Both are full-service flag carriers. Thai is stronger for Bangkok connections and Star Alliance, and Vietnam Airlines for Vietnam itineraries and SkyTeam.
Which airline has more legroom?
Vietnam Airlines offers 31–32 in in Economy and 38–42 in in Premium Economy. Thai's seat pitch varies by aircraft, so check the seat map for your flight.
Do Thai and Vietnam Airlines include checked baggage?
Generally yes. Thai Economy Saver and Standard include 1 x 23 kg on newer tickets. Vietnam Airlines Economy includes 1 x 23 kg on Europe and Australia routes. Allowances vary by route and fare, so check your ticket.
About Thai Airways International Read more
Overview
Thai Airways International is the flag carrier of Thailand. According to Wikipedia, it was founded in 1960 as a joint venture with Scandinavian Airlines and began operating in its current form in 1988 after merging with Thai Airways Company. The Ministry of Finance holds 42.94% of the shares, and the airline is listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Its headquarters are in Chatuchak, Bangkok. Thai is a founding member of Star Alliance. Its regional subsidiary Thai Smile was merged back into the mainline carrier from 2023.
Network and hubs
The main hub is Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. As of January 2026 the airline served 51 international and 9 domestic destinations in 29 countries, with a network focused on Europe, Asia and Oceania. A return to North America is under discussion, according to Aviation A2Z (July 2026).
Fleet
Wikipedia lists a fleet of 80 aircraft as of January 2026, with a large order book (see the fleet page). In July 2026 Aviation A2Z reported a Boeing 787 fleet of 45 aircraft, including those on order. TTG Asia (25 September 2026) reports that long-haul flying will rely on the Airbus A350-900, Boeing 777-300ER and Boeing 787 family as older wide-bodies retire. It also reports that the Airbus A321neo fleet will grow from nine to 15 by the end of 2026, with a target of 32. The fleet is to be streamlined to four types, with a cabin overhaul planned for 2027.
On board
- Cabins: Royal Silk (business), Premium Economy and Economy, depending on aircraft. Royal First is listed in some baggage tables.
- Meals: Thai and international dishes, which vary by route and month. Pre-selection is available up to 72 hours before departure.
- Seat pitch, entertainment and Wi-Fi: not confirmed in the sources reviewed, and these vary by aircraft. Check the airline before booking.
Good to know
- Cabin baggage: Thai's official page allows one hand-carry bag of up to 7 kg.
- Checked baggage: third-party sources such as HappyFares report a piece-based allowance for tickets issued from 25 November 2025 for travel from 2 March 2026. Economy Saver and Standard include 1 x 23 kg, and Royal Silk includes 2 x 32 kg. Older tickets keep the weight-based allowance. Check the official site for your fare.
- Punctuality: Cirium reported 79.29% on-time arrivals for June 2025.
- Lounges: Royal Orchid and Royal Silk lounges. The loyalty programme is Royal Orchid Plus.
About Vietnam Airlines Read more
Overview
Vietnam Airlines is the flag carrier of Vietnam. According to Wikipedia, it traces its origins to Vietnam Civil Aviation, founded on 15 January 1956. It is headquartered at 200 Nguyen Son in Hanoi's Long Bien district and is the parent of the low-cost carrier Pacific Airlines and of Vietnam Air Services Company (VASCO). A 2026 outlook report describes the government as the controlling shareholder, with Japan's ANA Holdings as a strategic partner. The airline joined the SkyTeam alliance in June 2010 and is listed on the Ho Chi Minh City stock exchange.
Network and hubs
The main hubs are Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi and Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. Da Nang is a secondary hub, and Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are focus cities. Wikipedia lists 65 destinations and, in the body text, 117 routes across 19 countries, excluding codeshares. Long-haul services reach Europe, Australia and the United States, alongside a dense network in Northeast and Southeast Asia.
Fleet
Wikipedia gives a fleet of 97 aircraft in 2026 (retrieved October 2026). The outlook report describes a mainline fleet of Airbus A321ceo and A321neo narrowbodies, A320neo aircraft, and widebody Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 787-9 and 787-10 aircraft. Turboprops are operated under the VASCO brand. The same report mentions plans for up to 30 more widebodies for delivery between 2028 and 2030.
On board
- Business: lie-flat seats in a 1-2-1 layout on the 787 and A350; 2-2 recliner seats with 45 in pitch on the A321.
- Premium Economy: 38–42 in pitch, only on 787-9 and A350 aircraft, with hot meals on every flight.
- Economy: 31–32 in pitch and 32 in seat width.
- Meals: refreshments on flights over 90 minutes, and hot meals on flights over two hours.
- Entertainment: seatback screens on the A350 and 787, and streaming to personal devices on the A321neo.
Wi-Fi details were not confirmed in the sources reviewed.
Good to know
- Checked baggage: on Europe and Australia itineraries, the airline's baggage page lists Economy at one 23 kg piece, Premium Economy at two 23 kg pieces and Business at two 32 kg pieces. Allowances vary by route, notably for Japan.
- Cabin baggage: the hand baggage rules allow Economy 12 kg in total, made up of one piece of up to 10 kg plus an accessory.
- Loyalty: the Lotusmiles programme is free to join. Miles can be earned on Vietnam Airlines Group, SkyTeam and partner airlines.
- Safety: Wikipedia, citing the Aviation Safety Network, records six accidents or incidents since 1951, three of them fatal.
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