Vietjet Thailand has officially become a Boeing 737 MAX operator: on 23 November 2025, the airline received its first Boeing 737 MAX 8 at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. This delivery is the first of 50 MAX aircraft that will go to its Thai unit under a larger $32 billion order held by Vietjet Group.

This marks a major step in Vietjet’s fleet-standardization strategy and gives the carrier access to one of the most capable narrowbodies on the market. The company aims to boost efficiency by building a more harmonized fleet across its operations, and this Boeing delivery signals that ambition is taking off in Thailand.

What We Know About This Deal

Vietjet’s first Boeing 737 MAX 8, registered as HS-VZA, arrived in Bangkok as part of a long-term plan: these 50 aircraft are being transferred to Vietjet Thailand from the group’s total order of 200 Boeing jets. According to Vietjet, the aircraft will begin operating on domestic routes first: the inaugural service is planned for Bangkok–Chiang Mai, followed by a launch on the Bangkok–Cam Ranh (Vietnam) route in December 2025. Following its entry into Thailand, the brand-new Boeing will also be used on international services

In 2026, it will also fly to Japan, South Korea, and China. The Boeing 737 MAX features new-generation LEAP-1B engines, advanced aerodynamics, and a cabin (with a Boeing Sky Interior) designed for comfort. Vietjet highlights the jet’s environmental credentials: it is compatible with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and reduces carbon emissions by 15–20%, while also offering up to 50% lower noise levels, in line with ICAO guidelines, as reported by the Viet Nam News agency. Vietjet Chair Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao said:

“The transfer of 50 modern and efficient Boeing 737-8 aircraft to Vietjet Thailand demonstrates our long-term commitment to sustainable aviation development in the region,”

The Broader Context

The Vietjet Group already took delivery of its first 737 MAX 8 in a September ceremony at Boeing’s delivery center in Seattle. However, it has not yet been operating the type commercially, with its Thai subsidiary set to debut the plane later this year. The remaining aircraft will be delivered gradually over the next three years.

The transfer deal for 50 aircraft to Vietjet Thailand was announced earlier in 2025 and formalized at a ceremony attended by both Vietnam’s and Thailand’s prime ministers. Under this agreement, Boeing is also supporting Thai Vietjet with pilot and engineer training, maintenance services, and other technical support to ensure smooth operations.

The Importance Of This Deal

For Vietjet Thailand, this shift toward Boeing MAX jets is transformational. The new aircraft expands the airline’s capacity, enabling it to scale up both domestic and international operations. The MAX’s greater range (up to 3,547.5 NM / 6,570 km, per Vietjet) opens up new route potential across Asia. Its current plan will see the first MAX-8 flying domestically in Thailand on the Bangkok–Chiang Mai route before launching cross-border service to Vietnam in December 2025.

Additional aircraft from the 50-jet order will arrive through 2028, enabling Vietjet Thailand to start new international services across Asia by early 2026. From a sustainability perspective, utilizing SAF-compatible MAX aircraft helps Vietjet align with global efforts to decarbonize aviation. The fuel efficiency and noise reduction could also enhance the airline’s reputation, and possibly its cost structure, as fuel remains a key cost for low-cost carriers.

At the macro level, this deal is part of a larger geopolitical and economic story. Vietjet’s Boeing order strengthens economic ties between Vietnam, Thailand, and the United States, and signals a significant evolution for Vietjet Thailand, from an all-Airbus low-cost carrier toward a more modern, fuel-efficient Boeing-powered airline poised for regional expansion.