Kenya Airways and Vietnam Airlines Strengthen Their Codeshare Partnership

Kenya Airways and Vietnam Airlines have renewed their codeshare partnership, following the resumption of flights to Thailand by Kenya Airways in November 2023. The codeshare partnership will allow customers to enjoy seamless connections between Africa and Vietnam via Bangkok and Nairobi. The partnership will also enhance the customer experience and the loyalty benefits for both airlines.

The Codeshare Partnership Between Kenya Airways and Vietnam Airlines

The codeshare partnership between Kenya Airways and Vietnam Airlines was first established in 2015, as part of their membership in the SkyTeam Global Airline Alliance. The partnership enables the two airlines to offer their customers more travel options and flexibility, by sharing their flight codes and schedules on selected routes.

According to the renewed partnership, customers travelling to Vietnam can connect to Hanoi and Saigon easily via Kenya Airways’ services in Bangkok and onwards on Vietnam Airlines. Customers travelling to Africa can connect to destinations such as Johannesburg, Cape Town, Dar es Salaam, Kisumu, Entebbe, Kigali, and Mombasa, among others, via Kenya Airways’ services in Nairobi and onwards on Vietnam Airlines.

The codeshare partnership also offers customers the convenience of booking single-ticket itineraries for their entire trip, and the advantage of hassle-free flight benefits, such as the baggage allowance and the bag check-through to the final destination. In addition, the codeshare partnership allows frequent flyers to earn miles on both airlines, while Elite Plus travellers benefit from SkyPriority services.

The Resumption of Flights to Thailand by Kenya Airways

Kenya Airways resumed its flights to Bangkok on November 21, 2023, after suspending them in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The airline operates three flights per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, using its popular B787-8 Dreamliner aircraft. The flights depart from Nairobi at 23:50 and arrive in Bangkok at 14:10 the next day. The return flights depart from Bangkok at 01:35 and arrive in Nairobi at 06:25.

The resumption of flights to Bangkok is part of Kenya Airways’ recovery strategy, as the airline seeks to rebuild its network and reconnect with its key markets. Bangkok is a strategic destination for Kenya Airways, as it serves as a gateway to Southeast Asia and a hub for its codeshare partner, Vietnam Airlines. The resumption of flights to Bangkok also reflects the increasing demand for travel between Africa and Asia, as the two regions recover from the impact of the pandemic.

The Benefits of the Codeshare Partnership for Both Airlines

The renewal of the codeshare partnership between Kenya Airways and Vietnam Airlines is expected to bring mutual benefits for both airlines, as well as for their customers and stakeholders. Some of the benefits are:

• Increased connectivity and accessibility: The codeshare partnership will expand the network and the reach of both airlines, by offering more destinations and frequencies for their customers. The partnership will also improve the accessibility and the convenience of travelling between Africa and Vietnam, as well as other points in Southeast Asia.
• Enhanced customer experience and loyalty: The codeshare partnership will enhance the customer experience and the loyalty of both airlines, by providing a seamless and consistent service across their flights. The partnership will also offer customers the opportunity to enjoy the products and the amenities of both airlines, such as the aircraft, the lounges, the in-flight entertainment, and the catering. The partnership will also reward customers with the loyalty benefits of both airlines, such as the mileage accrual and the redemption, and the priority services.
• Improved operational efficiency and synergy: The codeshare partnership will improve the operational efficiency and the synergy of both airlines, by optimizing their resources and their costs. The partnership will also enable both airlines to leverage their strengths and their expertise, and to share their best practices and their knowledge. The partnership will also foster a closer collaboration and a coordination between the two airlines, as well as with their alliance partners and their regulators.

The codeshare partnership between Kenya Airways and Vietnam Airlines is a testament to the strong and the long-standing relationship between the two airlines, as well as between the two countries. The partnership is also a reflection of the commitment and the vision of both airlines, to offer their customers the best travel experience and the best value for their money.