Vietjet Air recently revealed its partnership with Pratt & Whitney, an international leader in the production and servicing of aircraft engines, to supply its 44 Airbus A320neo airliners with Geared Turbofan (GTF) engines. This new order brings the total number of GTF-powered aircraft ordered by Vietjet to 137.
The new order comprises 24 A321neo and 20 A321XLR aircraft. The first batch of deliveries is slated to begin in July 2026. Besides supplying the GTF engines, Pratt & Whitney has pledged to offer Vietjet engine maintenance services under a 12-year EngineWise comprehensive maintenance plan.
“The GTF engine is powering our growth with industry-leading operating economics and fuel efficiency of up to 20% lower than earlier aircraft,” commented Vietjet’s managing director Nguyen Thanh Son.
In 2018, Vietjet received its initial A321neo aircraft. Currently, the airline operates 42 A321neo aircraft, all powered by GTF engines. The airline’s future plans include outfitting a total of 93 aircraft in its fleet with this specific engine variant.
Rick Deurloo, the president and chief commercial officer of Pratt & Whitney, acknowledged that the latest order would allow Vietjet to fully leverage the merits of one of the most efficient engines for single-aisle aircraft. He also reiterated Pratt & Whitney’s enduring commitment to assisting the airline’s network expansion.
Compared to previous-generation engines, the GTF engine slashes fuel consumption by up to 20% and noise levels by 75%. To date, over 2,600 GTF-powered aircraft have been delivered to more than 90 customers around the world.
Vietjet currently manages an extensive Asia-Pacific network, connecting Vietnam and Thailand with locations in Australia, India, Kazakhstan, China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. The airline has plans for a steady expansion towards Europe.
What is the significance of the new order with Pratt & Whitney?
The new order will allow Vietjet to achieve maximum fuel efficiency and reduced noise levels, making it one of the most efficient engines for single-aisle aircraft.
What are the future plans of Vietjet regarding the use of GTF engines?
Vietjet intends to equip a total of 93 aircraft in its fleet with GTF engines, extending the benefits of fuel efficiency and reduced noise levels across its operations.
How does the GTF engine compare to previous generation engines?
Compared to its predecessors, the GTF engine can reduce fuel consumption by up to 20% and noise levels by 75%, making it a more efficient and environmentally friendly option.
