Sun PhuQuoc Airways Launches Vietnam’s Most Ambitious Fleet Plan To Welcome Waves Of Long‑Haul Tourists

Sun PhuQuoc Airways Launches Vietnam’s Most Ambitious Fleet Plan To Welcome Waves Of Long‑Haul Tourists

Sun PhuQuoc Airways Launches Vietnam’s Most Ambitious Fleet Plan To Welcome Waves Of Long‑Haul Tourists

Phu Quoc, Vietnam is a step closer to welcoming more long‑haul holidaymakers after start‑up carrier Sun PhuQuoc Airways agreed a landmark order for up to 40 Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliners, a move that many in the local tourism community see as a bold vote of confidence in the island’s future as a world‑class beach destination. The deal which observers estimate to reach 22.5 billion USD at list prices represents Vietnam’s biggest widebody aircraft acquisition ever according to industry experts who view it as a major strategic commitment by the Sun Group-backed airline.

Biggest widebody order in Vietnam, signed in Washington

The agreement for up to 40 787‑9s was formalised at a signing ceremony in Washington, DC on 18 February 2026, attended by Vietnam’s General Secretary To Lam alongside senior US officials and executives from Boeing and Sun Group. Commentators noted that the event was part of a wider package of Vietnam–US commercial announcements, including aircraft purchases and financing deals worth about 30 billion USD that underline deepening trade ties between the two countries.

National flag‑carrier Vietnam Airlines has separately confirmed an 8.1 billion USD order for 50 Boeing 737‑8s, while further 737 agreements involving Vietjet were announced in parallel, signalling strong confidence in Vietnam’s medium‑term passenger growth. Analysts said these orders highlight both Vietnam’s booming aviation market and a strategic pivot towards long‑haul connectivity that could significantly reshape travel flows to and from the country.

Resort aviation: bringing the world to Phu Quoc

Sun PhuQuoc Airways positions itself as Vietnam’s first true resort airline, designed to complete Sun Group’s premium Fly – Stay – Play ecosystem on Phu Quoc by integrating flights with high‑end resorts, attractions and experiences across the island. The carrier describes its concept as a resort in the sky, promising a seamless journey where the holiday feeling begins on board and continues directly into the group’s hotels, theme parks and leisure complexes on the ground.

As the first Vietnamese airline named after an island, Sun PhuQuoc Airways is being developed around a hub‑and‑spoke network centred on Phu Quoc International Airport, connecting the island to major domestic and international tourism and economic hubs through nonstop services and coordinated ground experiences. Tourism planners suggest that this strategy could help position Phu Quoc alongside destinations such as Bali and Phuket, with direct links that reduce travel times and make combined flight‑resort packages more attractive for high‑value travellers.

From Airbus narrowbodies to intercontinental Dreamliners

Founded by Sun Group and awarded its Air Operator Certificate in late 2025, Sun PhuQuoc Airways launched commercial operations in November 2025 with Airbus A320-A321 family aircraft on domestic and short‑haul international routes. The airline currently operates a modern narrowbody fleet including A321ceo and A321neo jets, initially linking Phu Quoc with Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang and regional markets, while planning new services to destinations such as South Korea and Taiwan from 2026.

The newly announced 787‑9s will form the backbone of the airline’s future widebody fleet, enabling non‑stop services from Phu Quoc to North America, Europe and other long‑haul markets once deliveries begin. Travel industry experts have remarked that the 787‑9’s combination of long range, fuel efficiency and cabin comfort makes it well suited to premium leisure routes, where travellers often seek lie‑flat seats, quieter cabins and modern inflight entertainment to start their beach escape the moment they board.

Building an air bridge and a 100‑aircraft fleet

Sun Group’s leadership has framed the Boeing order as a strategic step towards creating an air bridge connecting Phu Quoc with major cities across five continents, turning the island into an independent international gateway on the world’s aviation map. The group has outlined plans for Sun PhuQuoc Airways to operate around 100 aircraft by 2030, with more than 60 Airbus narrowbodies complemented by up to 40 Boeing widebodies as the carrier scales both regional and intercontinental operations.

According to forecasts cited by the partners, Vietnam is expected to be the fastest‑growing aviation market in Southeast Asia, with passenger traffic projected to expand by nearly 8 percent annually to 2030, driven by rising incomes, tourism promotion and liberalised air‑service agreements. Tourism strategists argue that a Phu Quoc‑centred fleet of narrowbody and widebody aircraft gives the island a rare chance to capture this growth directly, rather than routing most international visitors through other hubs.

Tourism and traveller experience at the heart

Beyond the aircraft order, Sun PhuQuoc Airways is investing in digital tools and services aimed at making trip planning and airport formalities easier for leisure travellers, including an official website, mobile app, online check‑in and integrated access to the wider Sun Group ecosystem. The airline promotes an “all‑in‑one” experience where travellers can book flights, manage services and connect to resort and attraction bookings in a single journey, a design that tourism marketers believe could strengthen Phu Quoc’s reputation for hassle‑free holidays.

The 787‑9 deal represents an aircraft purchase to local tourism workers and hospitality partners because they view it as a future commitment which will bring more families and couples and long‑haul travelers from all over the world to Phu Quoc who will arrive via non‑stop Dreamliner flights to experience the island’s warm seas and white sands and vibrant resort life.

Image Credit: Sun PhuQuoc Airways

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