Bamboo Airways has suspended flights to South Korea, following advice given by the Vietnam government to help combat the coronavirus epidemic.

What are the details?

The Prime Minister of Vietnam has implemented a new directive to airlines operating between Vietnam and South Korea. The directive limits their routes to prevent further spread of the deadly coronavirus that is impacting travel in Asia. 

Bamboo Airways, which has two daily routes between Incheon (ICN), Da Nang (DAD) and Nha Trang (CXR) with Airbus A321neo aircraft, has decided to temporary suspend services from the 26th of February 2020.

"Bamboo Airways is very sorry for the inconvenience and hopes to receive the support, sympathy and understanding of dear passengers." - Statement on the Bamboo Airlines Facebook page.

Bamboo Airways will be working with passengers who have booked flights after this cancelation date, either refunding the money or trying to book them on an earlier flight.

"Bamboo Airways will announce the cancellation as well as optimal options to assist passengers who have booked tickets during the operation suspension period of flights to South Korea. All passengers, especially Vietnamese citizens or Korean visitors planning to come back to their hometown on Bamboo Airways' flights, should proactively arrange the return schedule before the above-mentioned deadline."

It is not clear when flights will resume, or how long the flight ban will remain in place between Korea and Vietnam. Other countries, such as Israel, are quickly implementing their own Korean coronavirus embargos. 

What is the normal operation like?

Between the three cities, Bamboo Airways operates the Airbus A321neo. These aircraft can carry up to 198 passengers in two classes. The front of the aircraft has two rows of business with recliner seats. They have 38 inches of legroom and are 21 inches wide.

Behind that is the economy cabin that has the standard 3-3 layout with 30 inches of legroom (although there are some seats in exit rows that move up to 36 inches). There is streaming entertainment onboard to your device but no seatback screens. There is a full complimentary meal onboard.

Bamboo Airways will announce the time to re-operate flights to Korea until the epidemic is under control. Once again, Bamboo Airways does sincerely apologize and wish all dear passengers to join hands to prevent the epidemic.

Currently, there is no news that other flights and airlines from Vietnam are about to stop, such as Vietnam Airlines, but this has yet to be seen. Bamboo Airlines has so far not made moves to restrict flying to other destinations apart from China and Korea.

What do you think about this news? Did you plan to fly between the two countries? Let us know in the comments.