Bamboo Airways Stops Scheduled Flights: Refunds, Timeline and Vietnam Alternatives

Bamboo Airways flights have stopped. On 1 August 2026, the Vietnamese airline’s booking site showed no flights on its main domestic routes, and its last scheduled flights ran around 22 August. The airline that once flew 44 aircraft is down to three, with just one Airbus A321 still flying charters to Macau.

If you hold a Bamboo ticket, this guide explains how to get a Bamboo Airways refund, what happened to the airline, whether it may return, and the best alternatives for Vietnam domestic flights. Facts are checked against the sources listed at the end.

Bamboo Airways Suspended: At a Glance

Detail	What you need to know
Scheduled ticket sales	Stopped on 1 August 2026
Last scheduled flights	Around 22 August 2026
Fleet	Three aircraft (one A321ceo, one A320neo, one A320ceo), with one flying
Peak fleet	44 aircraft before 2022, including Boeing 787-9s
Current flying	Private charters, such as Da Nang to Macau
Refunds	eVoucher in 7–14 business days or cash in up to 90 business days
Future	The airline says it is working on a restructuring and revival plan

What Happened to Bamboo Airways?

The airline’s problems built up over several years. It was founded in 2017 by FLC Group, one of Vietnam’s large property developers, and made its first commercial flight in 2019. It grew fast, flying up to 44 aircraft, including Airbus A319, A320 and A321 jets and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners for long-haul routes.

In 2022, the airline’s founder, who was linked to FLC Group, was arrested, and the airline began a long restructuring. It was separated from FLC in 2023, cut its fleet and dropped its long-haul flights to Europe and Australia. In September 2025, it returned to FLC management.

By the end of 2025, the fleet had shrunk to eight aircraft, according to Tuoi Tre. In mid-2026, reports described difficulties with aircraft lessors over late payments and debts, and the fleet fell to three, with only one or two aircraft flying at a time.

Timeline of the Bamboo Airways Shutdown

Date	Event
2017	Bamboo Airways founded by FLC Group
2019	First commercial flight
2022	Founder arrested; restructuring begins
2023	Airline separated from FLC Group
September 2025	Airline returns to FLC management
June 2026	725 flights operated, 241 delayed (about 33%), according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam
28 July 2026	Airline apologises for repeated cancellations and delays, including Da Nang to Macau
1 August 2026	Booking site shows no flights on major domestic routes
Around 22 August 2026	Last scheduled flights; A321 VN-A227 due to finish its last charter rotation
24 August 2026	Airline says it plans to restart scheduled flights after restructuring

How to Get a Bamboo Airways Refund

The airline has said passengers affected by cancellations are entitled to refunds. How you claim depends on where you bought your ticket:

How you booked	How to claim	Expected timing
Directly with Bamboo, eVoucher	Request through official channels	7–14 business days
Directly with Bamboo, cash refund	Request by email with full documents	Up to 90 business days after documents are received
Through a travel agent or booking site	Claim through the original point of sale	Depends on the agent

Requests are handled in the order they arrive, and the airline has warned that high volumes could slow things down. Passengers have reported unanswered calls and messages, so keep a written record of everything you send.

Step-by-Step Refund Checklist

1. Gather your documents: booking reference, e-ticket number, payment receipt and passport details.
2. Decide between an eVoucher and cash: an eVoucher is faster but is only useful if the airline flies again. Cash is slower but safer.
3. Submit your request in writing: use the official channels shown on the airline’s website, and keep a copy.
4. Note the date: record when you sent your request so you can follow up.
5. Follow up regularly: if you hear nothing, send polite reminders with your original request attached.

If Your Refund Does Not Arrive

If your Bamboo Airways refund does not arrive within the promised time, you still have options:

• Card protection: if you paid by credit or debit card, ask your card issuer about a chargeback for a service that was not provided. Card issuers set time limits, so act quickly.
• Travel insurance: some policies cover airline failure or scheduled airline failure. Check the wording and claim if you are covered.
• Travel agents: if you booked through an agent, they should chase the refund for you. Travel agents in Vietnam have reported tens of billions of dong in ticket deposits held by the airline.
• Regulator: the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has chaired meetings on the airline’s unpaid obligations, although no agreement had been reached at the time of reporting.

Is Bamboo Still Flying Anywhere?

Only on charters. During the pause, the airline flew limited private charter flights, including Da Nang to Macau, using its one active Airbus A321, registration VN-A227. These flights are chartered by travel companies or partners that hire the whole aircraft, so they are not sold to the public.

Reports said that aircraft was due to stop flying after its last charter rotation around 22 August 2026. The other two aircraft, an A320neo and an A320ceo, were not in regular use.

Will Bamboo Airways Fly Again?

The airline says it will. On 24 August 2026, spokesperson Le Thi Ngoc Hanh said the airline was actively working on a restructuring and revival strategy, with plans to rebuild the network step by step and win back passenger trust. No date has been given for ticket sales to restart, and no routes have been named.

Restarting an airline is difficult. It needs aircraft, cash to pay lessors and suppliers, staff, and approval from the regulator. Until the airline announces a schedule and starts selling tickets again, plan your trips around other airlines.

If a restart is announced, it is sensible to wait for clear signs of stability before booking far ahead. Look for a published schedule that runs for several months, aircraft actually flying those routes, and news that refunds owed to earlier passengers are being paid. A gradual restart on a few domestic routes is more likely than a sudden return to the full network. Paying by credit card and choosing flexible fares would also limit your risk while the airline rebuilds. Until then, the safest approach for anyone planning travel within Vietnam is to book with established airlines and keep an eye on official announcements for any change.

Where Bamboo Used to Fly

At its peak, Bamboo Airways flights linked Vietnam’s main cities with domestic resorts and international destinations. It was known for a full-service style at fares between Vietnam Airlines and VietJet, with free checked bags on many fares.

• Domestic: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Phu Quoc, Nha Trang (Cam Ranh), Quy Nhon and other cities.
• Asia: regional flights to destinations such as Taiwan, South Korea, Japan and Macau at different times.
• Long haul: Boeing 787 flights to Australia and Europe, including Melbourne, Sydney, Frankfurt and London, which ended during the restructuring.

Quy Nhon, home to FLC’s resort developments, was an important part of its network, with direct flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

The Best Alternatives for Vietnam Domestic Flights

Vietnam has a busy domestic market, so there are plenty of other ways to fly between the main cities:

Airline	Type	Good to know
Vietnam Airlines	Full service	Checked bags included on most fares, SkyTeam member
VietJet Air	Low cost	Low base fares, pay extra for bags and seats
Vietravel Airlines	Hybrid	Smaller network of domestic and regional routes

The busiest domestic routes, such as Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to Da Nang, have many flights a day, so finding a replacement is usually easy. Smaller routes, especially to Quy Nhon, may have fewer options. Compare the total price including bags, because a low base fare can become expensive once extras are added.

Tips for Booking Vietnam Domestic Flights

• Book early for Tet: flights around the Lunar New Year sell out and fares rise sharply.
• Check the airport: Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat has separate domestic and international terminals.
• Allow time for connections: if you are connecting to an international flight, leave a generous gap.
• Pay by card: it gives you extra protection if an airline fails.
• Watch baggage rules: low-cost fares often include only a small carry-on bag.

Popular Vietnam Domestic Flights and Flight Times

If you need to replace a cancelled booking, these are some of the busiest routes in the country. Flight times are approximate and vary by airline and aircraft:

Route	Approximate flight time	Frequency
Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City	About 2 hours 10 minutes	Many flights a day
Hanoi to Da Nang	About 1 hour 20 minutes	Many flights a day
Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang	About 1 hour 20 minutes	Many flights a day
Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc	About 1 hour	Several flights a day
Hanoi to Phu Quoc	About 2 hours 10 minutes	Several flights a day
Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang (Cam Ranh)	About 1 hour	Several flights a day

On the trunk route between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, one of the busiest domestic routes in Asia, you can usually find a seat at short notice, although fares rise close to departure and at holiday times.

Getting Around Vietnam Without Flying

Flying is the fastest way to cover Vietnam’s long north to south distances, but it is not the only option. If you would rather not book another airline straight away, or fares are high, consider these alternatives:

• Train: the North–South railway links Hanoi, Hue, Da Nang, Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City. The full journey takes well over a day, but sleeper berths make shorter sections comfortable and scenic.
• Sleeper bus: long-distance sleeper buses are cheap and cover most tourist routes, although journeys are long.
• Private car: for shorter trips, such as Da Nang to Hoi An or Hue, a car with a driver is convenient and good value for groups.
• Ferry: islands such as Phu Quoc and Con Dao can also be reached by boat from nearby mainland ports.

How to Protect Yourself When Booking Any Airline

The collapse of an airline is rare, but it happens often enough that a few precautions are worth taking every time you book:

1. Pay with a credit card: it usually offers the strongest protection if a service is not delivered.
2. Buy travel insurance early: cover bought soon after booking protects you for longer, and some policies include airline failure.
3. Keep your documents: save confirmation emails, receipts and screenshots of the booking.
4. Check the news: before you book with a smaller airline, look for recent reports of cancellations or financial trouble.
5. Think about timing: for an airline in difficulty, book closer to your trip rather than months ahead.

What This Means for Vietnam’s Airline Market

The loss of the airline leaves Vietnam with fewer competitors on domestic routes, which may mean higher fares on some routes, especially in peak seasons. Vietnam Airlines and VietJet already carry most domestic passengers, and both have been adding aircraft. Newer airlines are also trying to grow, but they are much smaller.

For travellers, the practical lesson is to compare fares carefully, book peak trips early and choose payment methods that protect you if something goes wrong.

Airports are also changing. Long Thanh International Airport, a large new airport for the Ho Chi Minh City region, is designed to relieve crowding at Tan Son Nhat, and several regional airports are being expanded. More airport capacity should eventually allow more flights and more competition, which is good news for fares on the busiest routes. In the meantime, planning ahead and comparing airlines is the best way to keep travel costs down and avoid disruption when an airline changes its schedule at short notice.

Lessons From Other Airline Failures

Airline failures are not new. When an airline stops flying, passengers with future bookings often find refunds slow or hard to get, and many end up relying on card protection or insurance. A few simple habits can protect you:

• Watch the warning signs: repeated cancellations, long delays and shrinking schedules can signal trouble.
• Avoid paying far in advance: if an airline is in difficulty, book closer to your travel date.
• Spread the risk: for important trips, consider a refundable fare or a stronger airline.

Why Airlines Run Into Trouble

Airlines are expensive to run and work on thin margins. Most do not own their aircraft but lease them, paying monthly rent to leasing companies. When an airline falls behind on payments, lessors can take their aircraft back, which shrinks the fleet and makes it even harder to earn money. That cycle is a common feature of airline failures around the world.

Other pressures include fuel prices, currency swings that make dollar-priced leases and fuel more expensive, competition from larger airlines with lower costs, and global shortages of aircraft and engines. Rapid expansion can also leave an airline with too many routes and aircraft when demand slows.

What to Do If You Are Stranded

If your flight is cancelled at short notice and you are already travelling, act quickly, because seats on other airlines can fill up:

• Book the next available flight: check other airlines on the same route straight away, using their apps or a flight search site.
• Consider nearby airports: a flight to a different city with an onward train or car can sometimes be quicker.
• Keep receipts: save receipts for new tickets, hotels, meals and transport, as you may be able to claim them from your insurer or card issuer.
• Contact your accommodation: let hotels know if you will arrive late or need to change dates.
• Ask your embassy for help if needed: foreign travellers in serious difficulty can contact their embassy or consulate.

7 Essential Steps for Bamboo Ticket Holders

1. Check your booking status: look at the airline’s website and your email.
2. Request a refund in writing: keep copies of everything you send.
3. Contact your travel agent: if you booked through one, the refund goes through them.
4. Choose cash if you can wait: an eVoucher is faster but depends on the airline flying again.
5. Talk to your card issuer: ask about a chargeback if the refund does not arrive.
6. Check your travel insurance: look for airline failure cover.
7. Book a replacement flight: do not wait for a restart for an important trip.

Our Bamboo Airways guide will be updated if Bamboo Airways flights restart. You can compare fares on the FlightSelects flight search.

Bamboo Airways FAQs

Facts checked in October 2026 against InsideFlyer on Bamboo halting scheduled flights, Tuoi Tre on the shrinking operation, Tuoi Tre on cancellations and refunds and Travel Extra on the comeback plan. The situation may change, so check with the airline or your travel agency.