Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the UAE, and Vietnam Airlines have officially launched a frequent-flyer partnership, allowing loyalty members from both airlines to earn and redeem miles across their combined networks from 1 July 2025.
The agreement between Etihad’s “Etihad Guest” and Vietnam Airlines’ “Lotusmiles” follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed in October 2024. It marks a strategic step toward deepening collaboration and enhancing customer benefits across both carriers’ services. According to Etihad’s leadership, this partnership enhances the member experience by offering access to a wider range of destinations, including North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Vietnam’s domestic network.
Nguyen Sy Thanh, Director of Lotusmiles, emphasized that the collaboration opens up greater opportunities for members to earn and redeem miles across an extensive global network and underlines both airlines’ commitment to delivering world-class service.
In addition to the loyalty program alliance, Etihad Airways is set to launch a new direct route from Abu Dhabi to Hanoi, beginning 2 November 2025. This forms part of Etihad’s 2025 global network expansion strategy, which includes 16 new routes. The Hanoi route will serve as a vital link connecting Vietnam and the UAE, fostering closer tourism and business ties.
The direct flight will operate six times a week using Boeing 787-9 aircraft and will cover the journey between the two capitals in just over six hours.
This new partnership not only expands travel options for frequent flyers but also strengthens bilateral relations and enhances regional connectivity. With loyalty rewards and new routes, both airlines are creating added value for passengers while contributing to the growth of international air travel and tourism between the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
