Detailed Assessment of Vietnam Airlines' Premium Economy Class Experience
Taking the Sky with Vietnam Airlines: Flight VN773 from Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) to Sydney (SYD) in Premium Economy
Got a hankering for a flight that'll knock your socks off? Look no further than Vietnam Airlines, the quietly mighty giant of Southeast Asia's skies.
Historically, this carrier has shone brightest on domestic routes, thanks to Vietnam's 101-million-strong population and 1,000 weekly flights. But don't let that fool you – these past few years have seen Vietnam Airlines flex its long-haul muscles, showcasing Southeast Asian hospitality on the world stage.
On this occasion, we're buckling up for an 8-year-old Airbus A350-900, registration VN-A891, which hit the runway for Vietnam Airlines back in December 2016. Alongside the 787-9 Dreamliner, the A350-900 has formed the backbone of VN's long-haul fleet, jetting off to destinations such as San Francisco and Paris, while also handling medium-haul routes to cities like Seoul, Sydney, and Shanghai.
Vietnam Airlines' A350-900 fleet boasts 14 planes, with two Premium Economy configurations. Four aircraft sport a 3-3-3 layout, offering passengers a "Forward Economy" experience, and are generally used on shorter and medium-haul trips. Meanwhile, the remaining 10 aircraft feature a more generous 2-4-2 layout, solely deployed on long-haul flights like our Sydney-bound Flight VN773, lasting 8 hours or more.
Sliding into seat 14G, I found myself surrounded by ample legroom (38 inches), width, and a nifty 15-degree seat recline with a raisable footrest. The seat came equipped with a sturdy, stowable tray table hidden in one of the two armrests, and call lights and personal reading lights were conveniently located up above. Unfortunately, no personal air vents were provided on this aircraft, but then again, maybe that's a common A350 feature.
On this flight, I was lucky enough to have an empty seat next to me, resulting in extra wiggle-room and a spacious sensation throughout. Let's face it – who doesn't love a little personal space up in the clouds?
The Exceptional Hospitality
As you might expect from an Asian carrier, the stewardesses on Vietnam Airlines were warm and welcoming from the moment we boarded the aircraft. Their professionalism shone through during every interaction – meal service, seat changes, or any other tiny gestures.
One instance that stood out to me was when a larger-sized passenger seated behind me requested to move to a bulkhead seat for additional legroom. The crew promptly took note and, after the seatbelt signs were turned off, arranged for the passenger to make the switch. This thoughtful gesture undoubtedly improved their comfort.
Another personal highlight for me involved a similar act of consideration. I had requested to move to a window seat during takeoff and landing for recording purposes. Due to a slight language barrier, my request may not have been fully understood at first, and I remained in my original seat. However, after the seatbelt signs were turned off, the stewardess returned to offer the seat change, impressing me with her diligence.
These small but significant gestures made me realize that Vietnam Airlines' customer service and hospitality truly set it apart. The crew's dedication to ensuring each passenger has the best possible experience is unmatched, making for a world-class service worth flying for.
One aspect that I deeply appreciated was the crew's diligent provision of hand towels – I can be a clean-freak at times, and I was pleasantly surprised by this service before boarding, pre-meal, and even after awakening from my nap.
Meals and More
When it comes to meals in Premium Economy, the offerings typically fall into one of two categories: Business Class meals or Economy-class meals, mirroring the ticket price.
Passengers on this flight were served two meals: one shortly after departing Ho Chi Minh City and another before arrival in Sydney. For the first meal, passengers were given two options:
- Vietnamese Braised Pork with Galangal and Fish Sauce, Steamed Rice, Mixed Asian Vegetables
- Buttered Spaghetti with Chicken Meatballs in Tomato Sauce and Vegetables
Feeling slightly adventurous, I opted for the Western selection – a rare choice for me, as I almost always favor the Oriental Asian options on Asian airlines. I came to appreciate this meal, relishing every bite, though it didn't quite reach the heights of a Business-class feast.
Each meal tray included a warm bread roll, fresh fruit slices, and a choice of soft drinks, juices, or alcoholic beverages.
For breakfast, passengers were offered two options:
- Vietnamese Sticky Rice with Mashed Mung Bean, Roasted Chicken, Coconut, and Five-Spice
- Frittata with Bell Peppers and Potatoes, Grilled Pork Sausage, Sautéed Spinach, and Grilled Tomato
I opted for the second choice, and found the frittata to be deliciously savory, with the potatoes stealing the show. The pork sausages and grilled tomato added subtle flavors, rounding off a satisfying start to the day.
Entertainment and Amenities
Each of the 36 Premium Economy seats on the aircraft featured a 10.6-inch entertainment screen, an IFE remote located below the armrest, a personal power outlet, and USB ports for charging handheld devices. The range of entertainment selections was extensive, with a wide variety of local Vietnamese content and international movies and music available.
While the in-flight map was suitably filled with necessary flight information (2D geographical map, cruise speed, altitude, etc.), I definitely think the addition of a Heads-Up Display or perhaps even live cameras would turn Vietnam Airlines' IFE offering from great to absolutely world-class.
The Premium Economy lavatories were separate from those in other cabins and were kept impeccably clean throughout the flight. Amenities such as razors, toothbrushes, and hand cream were readily available in the lavatory compartments for passengers to use at any time during the flight.
Not all of Vietnam Airlines' flights are equipped with Wi-Fi, and that was the case for my flight today. I was more than happy to spend the time watching movies and getting some much-needed rest, but for those who need to stay connected, be sure to check if Wi-Fi is available on your specific flight.
Worth every Penny
Perhaps the most critical aspect of this review: price. Let's start by looking at the market for the SGN-SYD route. Vietnam Airlines is the only full-service carrier operating non-stop flights on this route, competing with low-cost carriers like VietJet Air and Jetstar.
As an FSC, Vietnam Airlines' pricing is often comparable to the premium classes of its budget competitors – SkyBoss from VietJet and Business from Jetstar. However, given the limited market for direct flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Sydney, ticket prices for any class can soar dramatically during peak travel seasons, such as the Tet holiday period in January and February.
Overall, looking at pricing throughout the year, the Vietnam Airlines Premium Economy product is a great value.
All in all, Vietnam Airlines is absolutely worth it on long-haul travel. Its customer service and hospitality is top-notch, setting a high standard for future flights on full-service carriers. If it continues to evolve, Vietnam Airlines has the potential to join the ranks of the Middle Eastern carriers and Singapore Air – and I, for one, can't wait to witness its continuous improvement.
Cheers to more golden lotus flights!
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Sources:[1] - Philippe Lopez - AFP via Getty Images "Vietnam Airlines to grow fleet, boost Airbus orders" - Reuters, July 14, 2020[2] - "Singapore Airlines News" - Singapore Airlines, December 1, 2020[3] - "Booking.com Travel Sentiment Index Flush With Opportunity for Destinations Worldwide" - BusinessWire, February 23, 2021[4] - "Vietnam Airlines Business Class" - Airlines, August 1, 2021
- The world-class service and exceptional hospitality offered by Vietnam Airlines in Premium Economy are major considerations when choosing a long-haul airline, setting it apart from competitors.
- The airline's financial strategy, focusing on long-haul routes and expanding its fleet, marks its ambition to join the ranks of top-tier airlines and offer a world-class aviation experience.
- The increased competition in the transportation industry, with airlines like Vietnam Airlines seeking to offer more than just transport by catering to passengers' lifestyle needs, signals a shift towards prioritizing customer experience and hospitality within the finance-driven aviation sector.
