About Bamboo Airways
Bamboo Airways (IATA: QH, ICAO: BAV) is a Vietnamese private airline headquartered in Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh Province, Vietnam. The airline was founded in 2017 by FLC Group and commenced commercial operations on 16 January 2019, making it one of the youngest carriers in Vietnam's growing aviation market. Bamboo Airways holds an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) and is licensed to operate scheduled domestic and international passenger services. The airline markets itself as a hybrid carrier, offering both full-service amenities and competitive economy fares to appeal to a broad range of travellers.
Airline Overview and History
Since its inaugural flight in January 2019, Bamboo Airways has grown rapidly to become a significant player in Vietnamese aviation. Key milestones in the airline's development include:
- 2017 – Bamboo Airways is established by FLC Group, a Vietnamese real estate and tourism conglomerate.
- January 2019 – The airline launches its first commercial flights with a focus on domestic Vietnamese routes.
- 2019–2020 – Rapid network expansion across Vietnam, connecting major cities and secondary tourist destinations.
- 2021 – Bamboo Airways introduces wide-body Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft and launches its first international long-haul routes.
- 2022–2023 – Fleet restructuring begins; the airline moves to optimise costs by focusing on narrow-body Airbus A320 family aircraft.
- 2023 – New leadership appointed and a strategic pivot towards domestic and regional short-haul operations.
Bamboo Airways' primary hub is Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), with a secondary hub at Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN). The airline's mission is to deliver a warm, hospitable Vietnamese flying experience that reflects the country's renowned hospitality culture.
Fleet and Aircraft
Bamboo Airways operates a modern, predominantly narrow-body fleet suited to its domestic Vietnamese network and short-to-medium-haul regional routes. The current operational fleet consists of:
- Airbus A320-200 – The workhorse of the domestic network, configured in a single Economy class layout.
- Airbus A321-200 / A321neo – Used on higher-demand domestic trunk routes such as Hanoi–Ho Chi Minh City.
- Embraer ERJ-190 – Deployed on thinner regional routes requiring smaller capacity aircraft.
All aircraft in the Bamboo Airways fleet are maintained in accordance with CAAV requirements and international airworthiness standards. The airline has previously operated Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners for long-haul services but has since returned or parked those aircraft as part of its fleet optimisation strategy.
Top Flight Routes
Bamboo Airways focuses primarily on connecting Vietnamese cities, with the Hanoi–Ho Chi Minh City trunk route being its most popular. Malaysian travellers looking to connect through Vietnam or visit Vietnamese destinations can book on Traveloka. Key routes include:
- Kuala Lumpur to Hanoi – A popular route for business and leisure travellers between Malaysia and Vietnam's capital. Book on Traveloka: Kuala Lumpur – Hanoi
- Kuala Lumpur to Ho Chi Minh City – Vietnam's commercial hub is a top destination for Malaysian travellers. Book on Traveloka: Kuala Lumpur – Ho Chi Minh City
- Kuala Lumpur to Da Nang – The gateway to Hoi An and central Vietnam beaches. Book on Traveloka: Kuala Lumpur – Da Nang
- Kuala Lumpur to Nha Trang – A favourite coastal resort destination. Book on Traveloka: Kuala Lumpur – Nha Trang
- Kuala Lumpur to Phu Quoc – Vietnam's island paradise, increasingly popular with Malaysian holidaymakers. Book on Traveloka: Kuala Lumpur – Phu Quoc
- Penang to Da Nang – A growing route linking two of Southeast Asia's most-loved food and heritage cities. Book on Traveloka: Penang – Da Nang
Baggage Allowance and Policies
Bamboo Airways operates a tiered baggage policy depending on fare class. Passengers should verify their specific allowance at the time of booking as policies can vary by route and ticket type.
- Cabin Baggage (all classes): 1 piece up to 7 kg, maximum dimensions 56 cm × 23 cm × 36 cm (L × W × H). Passengers in Bamboo Business class may bring 2 items with a combined weight up to 14 kg (max 7 kg each).
- Checked Baggage – Bamboo Eco: No free checked baggage included; must be purchased separately.
- Checked Baggage – Bamboo Plus: 1 piece up to 20 kg free.
- Checked Baggage – Bamboo Business: 1 piece up to 30 kg free.
- Maximum weight per checked piece: 32 kg. Maximum combined dimensions: 203 cm (L + W + H).
- Excess baggage: Can be purchased in increments of 5 kg, 10 kg, 15 kg, 20 kg, 25 kg, 30 kg, 35 kg, and 40 kg. Purchasing in advance (at least 3 hours before departure) offers significant savings compared to airport rates.
Prohibited items follow CAAV and ICAO regulations. Lithium batteries, flammable liquids, and sharp objects must not be placed in carry-on or checked baggage beyond permitted limits.
Check-in Guide
Bamboo Airways offers multiple check-in options to help passengers start their journey smoothly:
- Airport Counter Check-in: Counters typically open 3 hours before departure for international flights and 2 hours before for domestic flights. Passengers should complete check-in at least 45–60 minutes before scheduled departure.
- Online Check-in: Available via the Bamboo Airways website or mobile app. Online check-in generally opens 24 hours before departure and closes 1 hour before the flight. Passengers can select seats and download their boarding pass digitally.
- Self-Service Kiosks: Available at select airports in Vietnam for faster processing.
Always carry a valid photo ID or passport when proceeding to the boarding gate, regardless of check-in method used.
Cabin Classes and In-Flight Experience
Bamboo Airways offers two main cabin experiences on most of its flights:
- Bamboo Eco (Economy): Standard economy seating with the option to purchase meals, extra baggage, and seat selection. Seat pitch is typical of narrow-body aircraft economy configurations.
- Bamboo Plus (Premium Economy): Enhanced economy experience with increased baggage allowance and priority services on select routes.
- Bamboo Business: Available on select routes, offering lie-flat or recliner seats depending on aircraft type, along with complimentary full-service meals and premium amenity kits.
In-flight meals are available for purchase on Economy class fares. Business class passengers receive complimentary meals. Bamboo Airways offers Vietnamese-inspired meals as well as standard international options. Halal and vegetarian meal options may be requested in advance through the airline's customer service channels.
Passenger Policies and Special Services
Bamboo Airways has the following policies for specific passenger categories:
- Children (aged 2–11): Must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or above. Children travel on a child fare and are counted as a full seat passenger.
- Infants (under 2): Infants travel on a lap infant fare and do not occupy a separate seat. Only one infant is permitted per accompanying adult.
- Unaccompanied Minors: Children aged 5 and above may travel unaccompanied on Bamboo Airways with prior arrangement and the completion of an Unaccompanied Minor (UM) form. Additional fees apply.
- Pregnant Passengers: Passengers up to and including 32 weeks of pregnancy may travel without a medical certificate. From 28 weeks onwards, a doctor's certificate confirming fitness to fly is required. Passengers beyond 32 weeks of pregnancy are not accepted for carriage. Passengers should always consult their physician before flying.
- Special Assistance: Wheelchair assistance, stretcher service, and medical oxygen are available upon advance request. Passengers requiring special medical equipment should contact Bamboo Airways at least 48 hours before departure.
Reschedule, Cancellation, and Refund Policy
Bamboo Airways' change and refund policies depend on the fare type purchased. Passengers who book through Traveloka can manage their itineraries directly within the app.
- Rescheduling: Fare-dependent. Flexible fares allow changes with a fee; promotional and economy fares may restrict changes or impose higher change fees. To reschedule via Traveloka, go to My Bookings, select the flight, and follow the reschedule prompts.
- Cancellation and Refund: Non-refundable fares may be eligible for a partial travel credit depending on how far in advance the cancellation is made. Refundable fares are processed back to the original payment method within the airline's standard processing timeline.
- Processing Time: Refunds for eligible tickets are typically processed within 7–30 business days depending on payment method and airline processing schedules.
- Flight Cancellations by Airline: If Bamboo Airways cancels a flight, passengers are entitled to a full refund or re-routing at no additional cost in accordance with CAAV passenger rights regulations.
Why Book Bamboo Airways Flights on Traveloka
- Best Price Guarantee: Traveloka searches across multiple fare classes to bring you competitive Bamboo Airways ticket prices in RM.
- Easy Payment: Pay using credit/debit cards, online banking, Touch 'n Go eWallet, Boost, GrabPay, or ShopeePay — all in one checkout.
- Instant E-Ticket: Receive your booking confirmation and e-ticket immediately after payment. No need to print — your mobile boarding pass is accepted.
- Manage Bookings Anytime: Use the Traveloka app to reschedule, add baggage, or choose seats at any time before your flight.
- 24/7 Customer Support: Traveloka's customer support team is available to assist with any booking issues or flight changes around the clock.
- Bundle and Save: Combine your Bamboo Airways flight with a hotel booking on Traveloka for additional savings on your Vietnam trip.
Tips for Finding Cheap Bamboo Airways Flights on Traveloka
- Book Early: Fares on popular routes like Kuala Lumpur–Ho Chi Minh City or Kuala Lumpur–Hanoi are cheapest when booked 4–8 weeks in advance.
- Fly Midweek: Tuesday and Wednesday departures are often cheaper than Friday or Sunday flights.
- Use Price Alert: Set a price alert on Traveloka for your preferred route and receive notifications when fares drop.
- Travel Off-Peak: Avoid Vietnamese and Malaysian public holidays such as Tet (Lunar New Year) and Hari Raya for better fares.
- Choose Bamboo Eco Fares: If you travel light, Bamboo Eco fares (without checked baggage) offer the lowest base prices.
- Check Promo Pages: Traveloka regularly features flash sales and exclusive promo codes — check the Promos page before every booking.
How to Book Bamboo Airways Flight Tickets on Traveloka
- Open the Traveloka app or visit www.traveloka.com on your browser.
- Select the Flight tab and choose One Way or Round Trip.
- Enter your departure city (e.g., Kuala Lumpur) and destination (e.g., Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City).
- Select your travel date and the number of passengers, then tap Search.
- Filter results by airline and select a Bamboo Airways flight that suits your schedule and budget.
- Choose your preferred fare class (Bamboo Eco, Bamboo Plus, or Bamboo Business).
- Add optional extras such as checked baggage, seat selection, or travel insurance.
- Enter passenger details accurately, including full name as per passport/MyKad.
- Select your preferred payment method — credit/debit card, Touch 'n Go eWallet, Boost, GrabPay, or ShopeePay.
- Complete payment and receive your e-ticket instantly via email and in the Traveloka app.