Every so often, an airline places an order so large it makes the industry stop and take notice. Vietjet’s latest move — worth nearly $29 billion — is one of those moments.

Led by billionaire Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, the Vietnamese carrier has signed a deal for 100 Airbus A321neo jets, alongside a separate agreement with Rolls-Royce for engines and maintenance. For a budget airline that started little more than a decade ago, this is nothing short of extraordinary.

The Airbus Deal: More Than Numbers on Paper

Vietjet’s new order brings its A321neo total to 280 aircraft, with an option to purchase 50 more. That’s not just an expansion; it’s a declaration of intent.

“This is not merely a commercial contract,” said Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, “but a symbol of trust, aspiration, and a shared vision for sustainable development and global connectivity.”

Behind the polished press statements lies a strategy years in the making. According to Bloomberg, the agreement — including investments in maintenance and training — is worth about $25 billion. By deepening its partnership with Airbus, Vietjet is ensuring it stays in the sky longer, faster, and more efficiently.

Rolls-Royce: Powering the Long Haul

The Airbus deal isn’t happening in isolation. Vietjet has also signed a $3.8 billion contract with Rolls-Royce for 92 Trent 7000 engines and long-term service agreements.

The engines will power the airline’s A330neo widebody jets—aircraft that can carry Vietjet beyond Asia and into nonstop European routes in the near future. Earlier this year, Vietjet ordered 20 additional A330neos, bringing its total to 40.

For Rolls-Royce, it’s another chance to showcase its engineering pedigree in a rapidly growing market. For Vietjet, it’s the technological backbone of a new era in long-haul travel.

Riding the Wave of Recovery

Airlines around the world are still adjusting to the post-pandemic landscape, but Vietjet appears to be thriving in it. The low-cost carrier reported a 65% increase in pre-tax profit, reaching 1.7 trillion dong ($63 million) in the first half of the year.

That success has been driven by a surge in regional travel and the airline’s agility in adjusting routes and pricing. While competitors were scaling back, Vietjet doubled down — adding destinations, updating aircraft, and investing in service.

It’s a strategy that’s paying off handsomely.

From Controversy to Credibility

Vietjet wasn’t always seen as a symbol of Vietnamese pride. When it first launched in 2011, its marketing campaigns — featuring flight attendants in bikinis — caused global controversy. Critics called it gimmicky; supporters called it bold. Either way, the world noticed.

By the time Vietjet went public in 2017, raising $170 million on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange, the brand had evolved from a novelty into a serious player. Today, it’s Vietnam’s largest airline by fleet size and market reach.

Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, now worth an estimated $4.5 billion (Forbes), has emerged as one of Asia’s most influential business leaders—a woman who built an empire in an industry few dared to enter.

A Broader Vision for Vietnam

The latest orders of Vietjet are not only significant from the perspective of accounting but also from the point of view of the country’s confidence in the global trade and tourism market, which is rapidly coming up.

Vietjet, with the collaboration of Airbus and Rolls-Royce, is getting ready not only to compete with the regional airlines such as AirAsia and Scoot but also to take on the full-service majors on long-haul routes. It is going to be in the forefront of the industry with its green policy and modern fleet plus global connectivity.

In a way, the airline company has been following Vietnam’s pattern — moving along from regional importance to global impact.

The Sky’s the Limit

When asked about her airline’s relentless growth, Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao once said, “We want to make flying a part of everyone’s life.” It’s a simple idea but one that underpins everything Vietjet does.

From low-cost domestic routes to transcontinental ambitions, the company has built a model that balances affordability with aspiration. And with $29 billion worth of new aircraft and engines on the way, Vietjet isn’t slowing down any time soon.

The skies over Vietnam have never looked busier — or brighter.