History of Vietjet Air
Vietjet Air, Vietnam’s first private low-cost airline, was founded in 2007 and began flying in 2011 from Hanoi. It grew quickly by offering cheap tickets, making air travel affordable for many. In 2016, Vietjet went public and became a major airline in Southeast Asia. Today, it operates over 80 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft, serving 99 routes across Vietnam and 13 countries, including Thailand, Japan, and India.
Bikini Controversies and Fines
Do you know Vietjet earned the nickname “Bikini Airline” due to controversial marketing stunts. In 2012, on a flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang, bikini-clad beauty pageant contestants performed an unapproved three-minute show to celebrate the route’s launch. The Vietnam Civil Aviation Authority fined Vietjet 20 million VND (about $1,000 USD) for violating aviation rules.
In 2018, another controversy arose when Vietjet had bikini-clad models on a flight carrying Vietnam’s U23 football team from Changzhou, China, after the AFC U-23 Asian Cup final. The stunt, deemed inappropriate, led to a fine of 40 million VND ($1,760 USD) for Vietjet and 4 million VND ($176 USD) for the chief stewardess for “posing a safety risk.”
Vietjet also faced backlash for a bikini calendar featuring models posing as cabin crew, but no fines were issued for this. These were promotional events, not regular flight features.
Vietjet Today
As of April 2025, Vietjet operates 99 routes, connecting cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang to regional hubs like Bangkok, Seoul, and Sydney. It has orders for 200 Boeing 737 Max and 120 Airbus aircraft, though most are undelivered. Financially, Vietjet faces challenges from a $180 million London High Court ruling in April 2025, ordering payments to FW Aviation for unpaid aircraft leases. Vietjet is appealing, with a hearing scheduled for later in 2025. A fleet grounding could lead to $600 million in refund liabilities, and defaulting on aircraft payments might cost $500 million in advance payments to Airbus and Boeing.
Routes and Crew
Vietjet’s network covers domestic routes and international destinations like Thailand, Cambodia, China, India, and Australia. The cabin crew is known for its friendly, energetic service, aligning with Vietjet’s vibrant brand. Bikini-clad performances were limited to past marketing stunts, and today’s crew provides professional service on no-frills flights.
Vietjet Air has made budget travel popular in Asia, but its bikini marketing stunts in 2012 and 2018 led to fines and criticism. Despite financial and legal challenges, it remains a key player for affordable flights. If you’re looking for cheap tickets and a straightforward experience, Vietjet is a good choice—just check its legal and operational updates before booking.
