Bamboo Airways on 5-star roadmap

Inspired by its founder’s dream of exploring the sky at the age of 19, Bamboo Airways was established as the torchbearer leading Vietnamese airline service to the next level. Hence, the international 5-star rating has become Bamboo Airways’ ultimate goal since its earliest days.

Bamboo Airways adheres to its target of quickly updating service quality and getting 5-star certification by 2023. Therefore, the airline has entered into official cooperation with Yates and Partners, the world’s premier aviation and hospitality consultancy with the most experience in 5-star service consultation and guest experience design. Bamboo Airways has taken drastic actions in achieving its initial goal, even during this period of turmoil for both domestic and international aviation.

Only 10 airlines have achieved the international 5-star rating in the world, accounting for roughly 4 percent. That number demonstrates the level of difficulty in reaching the 5-star rating as encountered by every airline, even in countries with the most developed aviation industry.

Each carrier will identify and promote one or several decisive strengths. Qatar Airways takes the top spot in the "World's Best Business Class" category. Singapore Airlines leads in the "World’s Best Cabin Crew" and the "World's Best First Class." Meanwhile, Hainan Airlines is rated the "World's Best Business Class Amenities" airline.

Bamboo Airways has identified two of its initial goals on the 5-star roadmap, which are "the airline with the best customer service" and "airline with best business lounges."

Bamboo Airways sets strict and comprehensive standards for flight attendants from the selection round. Photo by Bamboo Airways.

"5-star human" resources

In the roadmap towards a international 5-star rating, numerous strict flight attendant requirements are mapped out regarding standard TOEIC score, appearance, BMI (Body Mass Index), female attendant number, etc.

Bamboo Airways has selected and provided standardized training courses for its very first cabin crew, passing numerous criteria like communication skills, English proficiency, customer service, first aid...

Flight attendants must reach a height above 1.7 meters (for male), and above 1.6 meters (for female) with an arm reach of at least 2.12 meters. The airline also focuses on criteria for appearance, customer interaction, problem-solving skills, taking women’s tenderness as the basic standard for customer service on each flight.

"Bamboo Airways always prioritizes the sense of hospitality and responsibility when selecting its 'sky ambassadors'. As Bamboo Airways aims to provide "more than just a flight" experience, its flight attendants need to provoke passengers’ feelings of trust, being secured and cared for through words, actions and professional problem-solving skills," said Le Dang Khoa, captain of Bamboo Airways’ cabin crew.

A hand on the heart with a broad smile has become the symbol of Bamboo Airways at every customer touchpoint, from ticket offices, waiting rooms to boarding gates.

First Vietnamese private airline to operate business lounges

In addition, Bamboo Airways has put its business lounge system into operation. In 2020, Bamboo Airways became the first Vietnamese private airline to launch a business lounge at Noi Bai International Airport and Con Dao Airport.

The business lounge is a crucial customer touchpoint at airports for not only carriers but also business enterprises. Now, more and more leading banks in Vietnam aim to operate business lounges at airports to provide customer services for VIP guests.

The business lounge of Bamboo Airways. Photo by Bamboo Airways.

Acknowledging the importance of this customer touchpoint, Bamboo Airways has standardized its 5-star oriented business lounge service at airports. It offers first-class amenities and services, from restaurant-quality dishes, smoking and working areas to stunning runaway views.

Despite the demanding period for the aviation industry, Bamboo Airways has constantly developed and expanded its lounge system at numerous domestic airports such as in Quy Nhon, Phu Quoc, etc. to provide consistent 5-star oriented services to customers.

Even in the process of fleet expansion, the customer experience factor remains Bamboo Airways’ priority when choosing aircraft, apart from other factors that control the exploitation of resources.

For instance, Bamboo Airways is a pioneer in utilizing Embraer jets in Vietnam. Built by the world’s third-largest manufacturer of civil aircraft, Embraer 190 and 195 not only attribute to Bamboo Airways’ monopoly on routes connecting Con Dao but also turns the airline into the first and only carrier to provide business class services to Con Dao.

Bamboo Airways has made substantial investments in fleet expansion and pilot training courses to achieve excellent service quality. In 2019, Bamboo Airways welcomed the first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner to its fleet, becoming the first Vietnamese private carrier to operate wide-body aircraft.

Besides modern narrow-body aircraft like the A320NEO and A321NEO, Bamboo Airways expanded its fleet to 30 aircraft with the constantly upcoming Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, aiming to increase capacity and service quality.

Business class service on a wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner operated by Bamboo Airways. Photo by Bamboo Airways.

Highly evaluated core value and service mindset

According to aviation experts, passenger expectations regarding an airline service derives from the carrier’s prestige.

In cooperation with Bamboo Airways, the chairman of Yates and Partners highly evaluated the airline’s core value and service mindset, which are important factors for any carrier in the path towards the international 5-star rating.

Consultants of Yates and Partners will accompany Bamboo Airways on a long-term roadmap, supporting the airline in setting international 5-star service standards at all customer touchpoints, including standards for business and economy class services, F&B strategies, catering services on each flight, personnel training for staff and cabin crew on domestic and international flights.