Airline Service Assessment: Vietnam Airlines' Business Class Experience
Vietnam Airlines' Business Class Experience on the Airbus A350-900: A Mixed Bag
Vietnam Airlines' Business Class on the Airbus A350-900 offers a unique experience for long-haul flights from Sydney to Ho Chi Minh City. The cabin features a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone layout, offering a comfortable seating arrangement, and comes equipped with amenities such as Korean, Western, and Vietnamese movies, music, and an inflight map. Each passenger receives a Cerruti 1881 amenity kit containing various items, and the Business Class lavatories are slightly more spacious than those in Economy or Premium Economy.
The flight departed from Sydney's Kingsford Smith Airport on December 22, 2024, with seat number 7A assigned for the review. The flight features two meal services, with the first offering a Marinated Prawn with Salmon Tarator, Steamed Ling Fillet Chinese-style, and assorted desserts. The second meal service offers three options: Smoked Salmon with Avocado Salad, Chicken Mushroom Pie, and a Dim Sum Trio.
However, the meal service has been criticised as underwhelming, with some reviews describing it as "so-so" and in need of improvement. This contrasts with other premium carriers like Singapore Airlines and KLM, which serve a wide variety of high-quality meal options and have partnerships with renowned chefs to enhance their menus.
In-flight entertainment appears to be another area where Vietnam Airlines falls short. Reports of malfunctioning personal screens have been noted, with at least one passenger experiencing a dead screen that the crew could only turn off and walk away from. This situation detracts from the premium experience expected in long-haul Business Class.
Comfort-wise, specific feedback on seat comfort for Vietnam Airlines Business Class A350 is limited. However, the dissatisfaction related to entertainment and meal service may overshadow comfort perceptions. Singapore Airlines Business Class is widely recognized for exceptional seat comfort that contributes to an overall calm and enjoyable flight experience.
Customer feedback also indicates a notable concern with Vietnam Airlines’ cabin crew service on the A350-900 Business Class, citing poor response to in-flight issues such as broken screens and unsatisfactory handling of meal service. This contrasts with reviews of Singapore Airlines, where warm hospitality is highlighted as a key strength.
In summary, Vietnam Airlines A350-900 Business Class seems to fall short of the premium standards set by other long-haul carriers like Singapore Airlines and KLM, especially in meal quality, in-flight entertainment reliability, and crew service responsiveness. While Vietnam Airlines offers a business class product, passengers may encounter inconsistent service and amenities.
The flight also offers a visit to the SkyTeam Alliance Lounge at Sydney International Airport, and seats come with a soft pillow, thick blanket, and house slippers. However, the blanket provided may feel too thick for those prone to overheating. Additional features like a Head-Up Display (HUD) view or external camera would be welcome upgrades.
[1] Review of Vietnam Airlines Business Class on Airbus A350-900. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Vietnam-Airlines/Vietnam-Airlines-Airbus-A350-900.php [2] Philippine Airlines Business Class Review. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.airlineratings.com/news/philippine-airlines-business-class-review/ [3] Singapore Airlines Business Class Review. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.airlineratings.com/news/singapore-airlines-business-class-review/ [4] KLM Business Class Review. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.airlineratings.com/news/klm-business-class-review/
- While Vietnam Airlines' Business Class on the Airbus A350-900 offers unique features, it faces criticism for underwhelming meal service compared to premium carriers like Singapore Airlines and KLM, who collaborate with renowned chefs for their menus.
- In-flight entertainment on Vietnam Airlines' A350-900 Business Class has been reported to have malfunctioning personal screens, which can detract from the premium experience expected in long-haul Business Class, as seen on other carriers like Singapore Airlines.
- Vietnam Airlines' cabin crew service on the A350-900 Business Class has been criticized for poor response to in-flight issues, a stark contrast to Singapore Airlines, where warm hospitality is highlighted as a key strength.
- When it comes to lifestyle, the SkyTeam Alliance Lounge at Sydney International Airport offers a visit for passengers on Vietnam Airlines' A350-900 Business Class, but the blankets provided may feel too thick for those prone to overheating, and additional features like a Head-Up Display (HUD) view or external camera would be welcome upgrades.
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