Emirates to put A350 on all Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City flights

Emirates will use the Airbus A350 on all four of its daily flights between Dubai and Vietnam's two largest cities by 1 December 2026, according to AeroTime. The airline announced the change on 28 October 2026. It affects passengers flying to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Phased rollout from November

AeroTime reports that the first step comes on 1 November 2026, when Emirates adds a second daily A350 service between Dubai International (DXB) and Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat International (SGN). This operates as flights EK364/365.

From 1 December 2026, the A350 will take over both daily Dubai to Hanoi (HAN) services, operating as EK394/395 and EK388/389. According to the report, this will be the type's debut in Hanoi and will bring Emirates' Premium Economy cabin to the Vietnamese capital for the first time.

Emirates' comments

AeroTime quotes Wahid Albalooshi, Country Manager of Emirates Vietnam, as saying Vietnam "continues to be an important market for Emirates". He noted that the airline launched flights to Da Nang in 2025, giving it three gateways in the country. He also said the move would give travellers a more consistent experience, including on other cities served by the A350.

What the A350 offers

AeroTime describes the A350 as the newest type in Emirates' all-widebody fleet. It seats 298 passengers in three cabins.

• Business: a 1-2-1 layout with direct aisle access for every passenger, fully lie-flat seats, a personal minibar, wireless charging and a snack area at the rear of the cabin.
• Premium Economy: leather reclining seats with extra legroom, adjustable headrests, in-seat charging and a 13.3-inch screen.
• Economy: 13.3-inch 4K touchscreens for the ICE inflight entertainment system.

What this means for travellers

From December, passengers on all four daily Emirates flights between Dubai and Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City should expect the A350 cabin, so seat choice and cabin class will differ from previous flights. Travellers in Hanoi will be able to book Premium Economy on Emirates for the first time, and Ho Chi Minh City gets a second daily A350 from 1 November. Check the aircraft type and seat map when booking, as the sources do not say how schedules might change.

AeroTime also notes that Vietnamese passport holders may be eligible for a UAE visa on arrival if they hold a valid residence permit from the US, UK, an EU member state, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan or South Korea. A valid US, UK or Schengen visit or tourist visa, or a US Green Card, may also qualify. Conditions apply, and Emirates advises checking the latest UAE entry requirements before travelling.

Sources: AeroTime