How to get cheap flights
MethodWhy it worksSavings
Booking directly with airlineOTAs and travel agents often up the price by adding a service fee2% — 10%
Flying on weekday
Weekend flights tend to cost slightly more More →5% — 10%
Group bookingAirlines offer discounts for groups of 9+ travelers More →5% — 20%
Layovers / stopoversNon-direct flights with layovers/stopovers often offer lower fares10% — 20%
Flying early morning
Lower demand for flights departing 1am - 5am15% — 20%
Early booking
As departure day nears, airfares start to rise More →10% — 30%
Flying during low-seasonLess demand = lower prices10% — 30%
Booking round-trip flightsAirlines encourage longer commitment by offering discount10% — 35%
Frequent flyer programsAirlines offer discounts to foster customer loyalty10% — 40%
Sales and promotionsAirlines often offer special promotions to boost demand Promotions →10% — 50%
SuperDealsExpert-picked deals are much cheaper due to insider knowledge SuperDeals →40% — 80%
Air Traveler Club™Free newsletter with airline sales, promotions, and SuperDeals Sign up →40% — 80%

Why is Bamboo Airways so cheap on ATC?

Bamboo Airways can be extremely cheap when you seize opportunities such as ‘mistake fares‘, sudden price drops, sales and promotions or employ strategies like hidden city ticketing. Moreover, Bamboo Airways flights associated with their main Vietnamese hub airportNoi Bai International Airport HAN — are typically priced lower due to the benefits of economies of scale and streamlined operations.

Airline flight super deals
A few examples of SuperDeals sent to ATC subscribers.

Air Traveler Club has a team of experts who diligently monitor for price reductions, promotional offers (often not widely advertised), under-the-radar airline sales, and other potential savings on flights. In the case of Bamboo Airways, we particularly focus on tracking prices for flights originating from their Hanoi hub.

These valuable findings are then promptly relayed to our subscribers as exclusive SuperDeals.

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Bamboo Airways reviews 2023,A.I. summary

We let the A.I. analyze thousands of Bamboo Airways reviews for an averaged, more accurate rating and opinion. Please note: this is an experimental feature.

★★★☆☆ 3/5 decent

Overall rating

Airline services rating
Baggage handling★★★☆☆
Seat comfort★★★☆☆
Food
★★★☆☆
Entertainment★★★☆☆
Crew★★★☆☆
Customer support★★★☆☆

Is Bamboo Airways a good airline?

Bamboo Airlines is generally regarded as a good airline by passengers. They appreciate the streamlined booking and check-in process, along with efficient boarding. Comfortable seating with ample legroom, clean cabins, and seats, and satisfactory food and beverage offerings contribute to a positive flight experience.

The availability of onboard entertainment and Wi-Fi, coupled with a friendly and multilingual crew, enhances passenger satisfaction. Despite some concerns about transfer service and customer support, passengers believe the airline offers good value for money.

Strengths

  • Efficient processes: Passengers have often praised Bamboo Airlines for their efficient booking, check-in, and boarding procedures, which minimize hassle and save time.
  • Comfortable and clean cabins: The airline provides comfortable seats with generous legroom. Additionally, the cleanliness of the cabin and seats has been frequently commended by travelers.
  • Friendly and multilingual crew: Passengers appreciate the enthusiastic, friendly nature of the crew, who also possess strong language skills, ensuring good communication and a pleasant journey.

Weaknesses

  • Transfer service assistance: Some passengers have reported issues with the airline’s assistance.
  • Customer support: Criticisms have been made about the airline’s customer support, with some passengers suggesting they could be more responsive or proactive.
  • Food and beverage quality: While generally satisfactory, the quality of food and beverages could be further improved to enhance the overall passenger experience.

Passenger's experience

Is Bamboo Airways a budget airline?

Yes, Bamboo Airways is a budget airline. Bamboo Airways is referred to as a LCC (low-cost carrier) due to its business model which is focused on offering basic air transportation services at the lowest possible cost.

The low-cost model has a few key characteristics that distinguish Bamboo Airways from traditional full-service carriers (FCC). The Vietnamese airline predominantly operates short to medium-haul flights, and it adopts a high-density seating configuration in its aircraft to maximize passenger numbers and revenue per flight. Bamboo Airways also offers an “unbundled” fare structure, where the base fare usually only includes the seat and a small personal item. Additional services such as checked luggage, seat selection, extra legroom, and in-flight meals may be available but incur extra charges.

These strategies allow Bamboo Airways to keep operating costs low. The savings are then passed on to passengers in the form of lower ticket prices, hence earning it the label of a budget airline.

What can I expect when flying with Bamboo Airways?

Bamboo Airways is a Vietnamese airline that offers a mix of budget and premium features.

You can expect free meals, free checked baggage, and free seat selection on all flights. In-flight entertainment is also available. The airline is still relatively new, so there may be some teething problems. Announcements are made in Vietnamese, so you may want to bring a translation app. You may have to pay extra for things like seat selection and checked baggage.

What are the seating options?

Bamboo Airways seating options include:

Economy Class:

  • Standard: Basic economy seat with a 31-32 inch pitch and reclining feature.
  • Extra Legroom: Seats with more legroom, 36-38 inch pitch.
  • Bulkhead: Seats at the economy cabin front with extra legroom, a footrest, and a 38-40 inch pitch.

Premium Economy Class:

  • Seats are wider (19 inches) with a longer pitch (38 inches) and equipped with a personal entertainment system (15.6-inch touchscreen).
  • Amenities: amenity kit, noise-canceling headphones, blanket, and pillow

Business Class:

  • Features lie-flat seats, priority boarding, and premium amenities.
  • Pitch: 78 inches / Seat width: 21 inches
  • In-seat entertainment: 16-inch touchscreen
  • Amenities: amenity kit, noise-canceling headphones, blanket, pillow, slippers, welcome drinks, à la carte dining, and more

Is Bamboo Airways economy comfortable?

Bamboo Airways’ economy class is typically considered comfortable. Seat pitch, an indicator of legroom, is usually generous, and the seats themselves are noted to be well-padded and reclining, allowing for a decent amount of rest. A notable perk is the provision of free meals and drinks, enhancing the overall flight experience.

How to get an extra legroom seat on Bamboo Airways plane?

Securing an extra legroom seat on a Bamboo Airways plane requires some planning and flexibility, but you can easily score one of these seats by familiarizing yourself with the cabin layout and checking in for your flight early. You may also consider paying for an upgrade to a seat with ample legroom and enhanced comfort.

As the location of the extra legroom seats varies depending on the aircraft, we recommend visiting the SeatGuru website. By simply entering your Bamboo Airways flight number, you can access a detailed seat map specific to your flight. Hover over individual seats to identify those with ample legroom. They are often found in exit rows, bulkhead rows (the first row in each cabin section), or other designated areas that offer additional legroom.

Due to their desirable features, the preferred seats are in high demand. They are often limited in number and typically incur additional fees. Seats with extra legroom located in front and exit rows ("hot seats") are priced higher. However, for medium– and long–haul flights, the additional cost of $10-$50 may be worth the increased comfort. Hot seats typically provide at least 36 inches of legroom (4-6 inches more than standard economy seats), wider seat pitch, and may also have adjustable footrests and recline further back.

Paying for an extra legroom seat is usually a more affordable option than upgrading to a Premium Economy.

What is the baggage allowance?

Bamboo Airways offers different baggage allowances depending on the class of travel:

  • Economy Class: passengers are allowed 20 kg (44 lb) of checked baggage and 7 kg (15.4 lb) of hand baggage.
  • Premium Economy Class: the allowance increases to 30 kg (66 lb) for checked baggage, with the same 7 kg (15.4 lb) allowed for hand baggage.
  • Business Class: passengers can bring 40 kg (88 lb) of checked baggage and have a hand baggage allowance of 2 pieces, each weighing up to 7 kg (15.4 lb).

It’s important to note that any baggage exceeding these weight or size limits will incur additional charges. This also applies to excess hand baggage.

Does Bamboo Airways have Wi-Fi?

Yes, Bamboo Airways does offer in-flight Wi-Fi on select flights. The Wi-Fi service is called Bamboo Sky Internet and is available on all Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The service is not yet available on all Airbus A321neo aircraft.

The Wi-Fi service is not free and prices vary depending on the plan you choose. You can purchase the Wi-Fi service onboard the aircraft or in advance through the Bamboo Airways website.

Does Bamboo Airways have refundable tickets?

Bamboo Airways provides refundable tickets, but the conditions vary based on fare class:

  • Bamboo Eco fares are non-refundable.
  • Bamboo Plus fares can be refunded up to 4 hours before scheduled departure, but a 5% processing fee of the ticket price will apply.
  • Bamboo Business fares can be refunded up to 3 hours before departure time, subject to a 3% processing fee of the ticket price.

How do I obtain my Bamboo Airways boarding pass?

Bamboo Airways boarding pass is a travel document that contains crucial information about your flight, confirms your seat and allows you to board the plane. It includes the passenger’s name, flight number, boarding time, boarding zone, gate number, seat number, and other essential flight details. The Bamboo Airways boarding pass can be in paper or electronic format. The boarding pass is issued during check-in — online on the airline's website (usually available 24 hours before the flight), its mobile app (mobile boarding pass) or at the airport. You can print your boarding pass at home or use a mobile app to store the digital boarding pass on your smartphone. Alternatively, you can check in at the airport, where the airline's representative will issue the boarding pass for you.

How to check Bamboo Airways flight status?

If you have the flight number at hand, you can conveniently check the Bamboo Airways flight status on the airline’s website. Visit the flight status page to get the reliable information regarding the scheduled and actual departure and arrival times.

There are several online platforms where you can check the status of Bamboo Airways flight: FlightRadar24, FlightStats, or FlightAware. They offer comprehensive information about any flight (regardless of the airline) – including real-time flight tracking.

Alternatively, input your flight number directly into Google's search bar. Drawing data from diverse sources (including the airlines themselves), Google will provide you with all the crucial flight information right on the search results page.

Bamboo Airways profile

Airline profile
Full nameBamboo Airways JSC
IATA codeQH
CountryVietnam
Commenced operations2019
Typelow-cost
Cabin classesEconomy, Premium Economy, Business
Subsidiaries
Subsidiary of
Airline alliancenone
Frequent flyer programBamboo Club
HubsNoi Bai International Airport HAN, Tan Son Nhat International Airport SGN, Noi Bai International Airport UIH
Main destinations
China, Germany, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, United Kingdom, Vietnam
Fleet size30
Aircraft

Airbus A320-200, Airbus A320neo, Airbus A321-200, Airbus A321neo, Boeing 787-9, Embraer E190

Official Websitehttps://www.bambooairways.com/

Bamboo Airways shortcuts

Essential links to Bamboo Airways official website.

Bamboo Airways flight booking

Search Bamboo Airways flights and book your Economy, Premium Economy, Business class ticket online.

Online check-in

How to check-in and receive your Bamboo Airways boarding pass?

Bamboo Airways baggage policy

Learn about checked and hand luggage regulations on Bamboo Airways flights.

Flexible tickets

Want to change your flight? Bamboo Airways flexible booking offer and policies.

Refunds and cancellations

Guidelines on returning a Bamboo Airways ticket and getting your money back.

Bamboo Airways help & support

Get in touch with the airline: customer service numbers, call centers, offices, and more.

Bamboo Airways tips

How to ensure smooth transit between Bamboo Airways connecting flights

Before your trip, research your connecting airport. Familiarize yourself with its layout, terminals, amenities, and the location of your connecting gate. This will save you time and stress during your layover. Every airport has a minimum connection time — make sure your layover is longer than this minimum time.

Additionally:

  • You may need to move between terminals if you have a connecting flight with a different airline or separate point-to-point tickets with Bamboo Airways. Each flight may require individual check-in procedures and an additional pass through security. As your luggage may not be automatically transferred to your final destination, you’ll need to retrieve your bags and check them in again for your subsequent flight.
  • When flights are booked on separate tickets, Bamboo Airways is not responsible if you miss your connection due to a delay with the first flight. Allow plenty of buffer time between flights to account for any potential delays.
  • Gate assignments can change. Regularly check the flight information boards to ensure you’re in the right place.
  • If your airport connection is tight (1-hour layover or less), pick a set near the front of the plane. It can shave 5–10 minutes off your deplaning time, especially on larger planes. Consider purchasing “hot seats” if available on your plane — they cost extra, but it may be worth it.
  • When flying domestically, try not to book the last flight out of your connecting airport. In case of a cancellation, the airline will put you on its next flight, but it will require an overnight stay and arrival a day later.
  • Flights can be delayed or canceled. Have a backup plan in case you miss your connecting flight. Know your rights and the Bamboo Airways policy on missed connections.

Booking group flights with Bamboo Airways

Flights are cheaper when purchased in bulk rather than as individual tickets. Booking group flights with Bamboo Airways can be a cost-effective option for a school trip, family reunion, or corporate group traveling to a conference.

To qualify for the special group rate, the group must usually have at least 10 passengers. Discounts depend on the group size and travel dates and typically range from 5% to 20% off the regular airfare.

Bamboo Airways website typically limits automatic group bookings to 9 passengers. This limit reflects the complexity of managing larger groups, which require personalized service and more time to coordinate. To get the price quote for your group, you’ll need to contact the airline directly.

A travel agent may be better if you want more personalized service. Travel agents may have access to discounted group rates for Bamboo Airways and can help with logistics and scheduling.

Bamboo Airways Premium Economy vs Economy

Bamboo Airways offers a Premium Economy Class as a middle ground between Economy and Business Class. Seats in Premium Economy cabin are wider, with more generous legroom and recline than standard economy seats. They also come with exclusive amenities, a wider selection of complimentary meals and beverages, and priority boarding. Depending on the route, Premium Economy passengers may be given a higher baggage allowance.

Premium Economy Class fares typically range from 25% to 80% more than Economy tickets on the same flight. However, this is just an estimate — airfares can vary depending on travel season, demand, and time of booking.

When booking closer to the departure date, Premium Economy is generally only 10–30% more expensive than Economy fare. Bamboo Airways might offer discounted upgrades at check-in if premium seats aren’t filled.

Is the Bamboo Airways Premium Economy worth the extra cost? This decision hinges on your priorities. It may be a worthwhile investment, ensuring you arrive rejuvenated — especially if you’re heading for a medium– or long–haul flight. If your journey consists of two or more connecting flights, opting for a premium seat on just one leg can still provide a superior journey compared to the standard economy throughout.

However, if the price gap for Premium Economy appears too steep, consider another viable alternative: hot seats.