The "Sam Son Beach" Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner of Bamboo Airways took off at 4:10 p.m. (Hanoi time) from Noi Bai airport to Dubai (UAE), carrying 61 passengers, including 29 footballers along with coaching staff, and reporters.
This is the most modern and large-scale wide-body aircraft of Bamboo Airways, with 294 seats, comprising 26 business seats, 21 special seats, and 247 economy seats.
This nonstop flight would take 6.5 hours compared to 12 to 30-hour connecting flights with more than one transit. It helps save time and ensure health for Vietnamese players and coaching staff before they enter important matches.
Bamboo Airways enhanced the ground service and gave the team priorities to minimize the check-in time at the airport.
Bamboo Airways strictly follows the guidance of the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control, the Ministry of Health, and the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam during the entire flight.
The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) cooperated with Bamboo Airways to arrange the most convenient seats for all team members.
The General Secretary of VFF, Le Hoai Anh, said that traveling on a private aircraft allowed team members to bring more luggage and equipment for their training.
Vu Thanh Long, captain on the flight to UAE, said: "It’s our honor to conduct this special flight, taking the Vietnam national football team to play in the World Cup qualifiers in Dubai. We wish the team good luck, health, and strength to fight with the Vietnamese pride."
Captain Long has conducted over 20,000 international flight hours on modern Boeing 767, Boeing 777, and Boeing 787-9 aircraft. He is one of the captains that directly operates Bamboo Airways flights to repatriate Vietnamese citizens from Doha, Australia, Belgium, and the United Kingdom.
Le Hoai Anh, the General Secretary of VFF, asserted that Vietnam held the opportunity to enter the third and final round of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
"The support of Bamboo Airways significantly helps VFF and coach staff create the most favorable conditions for Vietnamese players to achieve important goals."
The General Director of Bamboo Airways, Dang Tat Thang, said that the airline was proud to accompany the team on their journey to earn a spot in the World Cup third qualification round.
"In harmony with the vibrant football atmosphere at home, Bamboo Airways and I will follow the team at every step of the journey. I hope that the airline’s support will make a humble contribution to the team’s victory in the UAE," he said.
Bamboo Airways aims to provide 5-star service to the Vietnam national football team from 2021 to 2024 on all domestic and international flights.
Besides, the airline aims to provide excellent experience for football teams to help them achieve the best results at international tournaments such as the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, AFF Suzuki Cup 2022, AFC U23 qualifiers, Sea Game 31, etc.
Bamboo Airways has operated more than 60 routes, carrying over 7.5 million passengers using modern aircraft with constantly updated services.
