Vietnam airline Bamboo Airways has marked its inaugural flight from London Heathrow.

The airline is new to the UK market and offers an affordable option direct to Hanoi, Vietnam.

It operates Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners on the route in economy or business class.

The flight will operate weekly flying inbound and outbound on Sundays, all year round.

“As demand begins to recover, we’re delighted to welcome Bamboo Airways to the Heathrow family. The frequent direct flights from the UK’s hub airport to Vietnam will give British businesses access to a fast-growing market, ”said Heathrow Chief Commercial Officer, Ross Baker.

Already well-established in Asia, Bamboo Airways’ foray into the UK market is part of the company’s international expansion roadmap, which targets 40 international routes this year.

Dang Tat Thang, CEO of Bamboo Airways said: “We are delighted that we can now fly passengers from London Heathrow direct to Hanoi, at an affordable rate. Our goal is to expand across Europe, the US, Australia, and Asia and by 2022 we aim to have 40 international routes in place.”