Vietjet named “Asia’s Leading Airline Brand 2026” at the World Travel Awards in the Maldives, adding another international recognition as the Vietnamese carrier expands its network and strengthens its presence in Sri Lanka and other global markets.
Vietjet named “Asia’s Leading Airline Brand 2026” as Sri Lanka network expands
The latest accolade marks another milestone in Vietjet’s development of a globally competitive Vietnamese airline brand. The recognition was announced at the 33rd World Travel Awards, an international programme that recognises organisations across the travel and tourism industry for their products and services.
The award adds to Vietjet’s growing record at the World Travel Awards. The airline previously secured the title of “Asia’s Leading Airline: Customer Experience” for three consecutive years from 2023 to 2025 and was also recognised as “Asia’s Leading Airline Rewards Programme” in 2024.
The latest recognition comes as Vietjet continues to develop its brand across several passenger touchpoints, including fares, products, services and customer experiences. The airline is also transitioning towards a hybrid airline model, expanding its offering beyond the traditional low-cost carrier model as it seeks to serve a broader range of passenger requirements.
Vietjet Chief Executive Officer Nguyen Thanh Son said the airline was entering a new phase of growth, with a focus on developing a wider portfolio of products, services and experiences. He said the carrier aims to connect more destinations while creating additional value and opportunities for passengers internationally.
The award also comes against a period of significant growth in Vietjet’s brand value. According to Brand Finance, the airline’s brand value increased 117% to US$906 million in 2026. This placed Vietjet among the world’s 50 most valuable airline brands for the first time and made it the fastest-growing airline brand globally during the year, according to the company.
The increase in brand value has been linked to Vietjet’s international expansion strategy, which has progressively extended its network beyond the Asia-Pacific region towards longer-distance markets, including Europe. The strategy reflects the airline’s broader ambition to establish a stronger international presence while maintaining its Vietnamese identity.
Vietjet named “Asia’s Leading Airline Brand 2026” at a time when the airline is also rapidly expanding its route network. During the first six months of 2026, Vietjet carried more than 13.4 million passengers on approximately 72,000 flights across 213 routes.
Of those routes, 46 were domestic services and 167 were international routes, highlighting the growing importance of international operations to the airline’s network. Vietjet has continued to add services linking Vietnam with markets including Sri Lanka, Japan, the Philippines, Kazakhstan and the Czech Republic.
For Sri Lanka, the airline’s expansion represents a new direct air connectivity option with Vietnam. Vietjet began operating its direct Colombo–Ho Chi Minh City service on 18 August 2026, creating a direct connection between the two cities for the first time.
The route provides Sri Lankan travellers with direct access to Ho Chi Minh City while also opening a new gateway for Vietnamese visitors travelling to Sri Lanka. Beyond tourism, direct connectivity can support business travel, trade links and wider people-to-people exchanges between the two markets.
The development of the Vietjet Sri Lanka connection forms part of the airline’s broader international expansion strategy. As the carrier adds destinations, the Colombo service places Sri Lanka within an expanding network connecting Vietnam with markets across Asia and beyond.
The World Travel Awards recognition also highlights the importance Vietjet places on brand development as its international operations grow. The airline has sought to combine competitive fares with additional products and services while developing a distinctive identity aimed at reaching passengers across different markets.
The carrier describes its strategy as taking the spirit of Vietnamese innovation to international markets while building an Asian airline brand with a global footprint. Its expanding network and evolving service model are central to that ambition.
Vietjet is a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and holds an IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certificate. The airline has also received recognition from organisations including Skytrax, CAPA and AirlineRatings.com, according to the company.
The latest World Travel Awards recognition therefore comes as Vietjet continues to expand both its physical network and its brand presence. With Sri Lanka now among its newest international destinations, the airline is extending its reach into another South Asian market while continuing its wider international growth strategy.
For Sri Lankan travellers, the Colombo–Ho Chi Minh City service adds a direct link to Vietnam at a time when Vietjet is expanding its network across Asia and into further international markets. The new connection also gives the airline a more visible presence in Sri Lanka as it builds its regional and global footprint.