Bamboo Airways has suspended all scheduled commercial flights effective 1 August 2026, with the airline’s final scheduled service set for 22 August. The collapse follows the imprisonment of founder Trinh Van Quyet for fraud and the broader unravelling of parent company FLC Group, signalling the end of Vietnam’s youngest full-service carrier after a six-year operational period.
Background: Why Bamboo Airways Collapsed
Bamboo Airways launched in 2019 as part of the FLC Group’s diversification strategy, positioning itself as a premium domestic and regional carrier. The airline had expanded to operate services across Southeast Asia, including routes to Thailand, South Korea, and Japan. However, the stability of FLC Group deteriorated sharply following founder Trinh Van Quyet’s arrest on fraud charges related to land deals and financial misconduct. This triggered a cascade of financial stress across all FLC subsidiaries, with Bamboo Airways unable to sustain operations without its parent company’s backing. By early August 2026, the airline ceased all scheduled services and filed for insolvency.
Who Is Affected
Any passenger holding a Bamboo Airways reservation on a domestic or international service in August 2026 is affected. Routes that have been removed from the booking engine include:
- Domestic: Hanoi (HAN), Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), Da Nang (DAD), Nha Trang (NHA), Phu Quoc (PQC), and all regional airports
- International: All Bamboo international services, including routes to Bangkok, Seoul, and Tokyo
If you have a Bamboo Airways booking — whether made directly, through a travel agent, or via an OTA — treat it as cancelled. Paid tickets are not automatically honoured by competing carriers, so immediate action is required.
Rebooking Options and Timeline
Bamboo Airways has announced that refunds are being processed, but due to the insolvency filing, wait times are significantly extended—some passengers report processing delays of 60+ days. For travellers with immediate departures, alternative carriers should be contacted at once:
- Vietnam Airlines (VN) operates the most comprehensive network, covering all major domestic routes and international connections. As Vietnam’s flag carrier, it offers the best coverage for rerouting displaced passengers.
- VietJet Air (VJ) provides budget-friendly alternatives on most domestic routes, including the heavily-travelled Hanoi–Ho Chi Minh City corridor.
- Vietrail Air (VR) serves secondary routes including Hai Phong, Thanh Hoa, and coastal cities, though with lower daily frequency than VietJet or Vietnam Airlines.
Rebooking on an alternative carrier is not automatic—you must initiate contact yourself. Provide your Bamboo Airways confirmation number and travel dates. Airlines may offer standby seats or waitlist positions on full flights, so booking as soon as possible is critical during peak travel season.
For flights into Hanoi, use our Hanoi airport transfer guide once you have a confirmed rebooking. For southern arrivals, our Ho Chi Minh City airport transfers guide covers all options from the international terminal.
Refund and Dispute Process
Contact Bamboo Airways directly at bambooairways.com or through your original booking channel. However, expect extended response times as the airline manages an insolvency process. Priority is being given to refund processing, but with hundreds of thousands of affected bookings, expect a timeline of 30–90 days.
For credit card purchases, consider filing a dispute (chargeback) with your card issuer if Bamboo Airways does not process refunds within 30 days of your original travel date. Most card providers cover airline insolvencies and may reimburse passengers while the airline’s refund processing is ongoing. Contact your bank immediately with your booking reference and credit card transaction.
Travel insurance may also provide protection if your policy includes airline insolvency coverage—review your policy and contact your insurer if applicable.
Planning Around the Suspension
For up-to-date schedules on alternative carriers and for planning the rest of your trip, see our practical guide to flights to Vietnam. Domestic prices may temporarily increase across Vietnam Airlines and VietJet due to reduced capacity, so booking alternative flights promptly is advisable.
This situation is still developing. We will update as more information becomes available about Bamboo Airways’ refund timeline and any additional airline updates.