Thorough Examination of Vietnam Airlines Premium Economy Experience
Takeoff on an A350 Premium Economy
Ø 8 out of 10 Stars, Nicholas Ling's Review
28 January, 2025
Step into the hidden gem of Southeast Asia's sky-soaring scene: Vietnam Airlines. Historically concentrated on domestic routes, this carrier has snuck its way into long-haul travel stardom, flaunting Southeast Asian hospitality worldwide. Today's flight on an 8-year-old Airbus A350-900, VN-A891, will demonstrate why.
Since 2016, the A350-900, along with the 787-9 Dreamliner, has been the A-team of Vietnam Airlines' long-haul fleet, tackling destinations such as San Francisco and Paris while also proving mighty on medium-haul routes like Seoul, Sydney, and Shanghai.
Vietnam Airlines' A350-900 fleet boasts two distinct Premium Economy layouts: a cramped 3-3-3 layout (with seating similar to economy) on shorter and medium-haul routes, offering a "Forward Economy" experience, and a more comfortable 2-4-2 layout reserved for long-haul journeys lasting 8 hours or more. Guess which we have for today's Sydney ride?
Our roomy 2-4-2 seat comes with a generous 38-inch legroom, ample width, a 15-degree recline, and a raisable footrest, ensuring maximum comfort during those cozy 8.5-hour red-eyes.
Discovering stowable trays hidden in the armrests took a few minutes, but once unlocked, the table proved sturdy and ideal for in-flight dining or work. Above us are call lights and personal reading lights, minus the pesky air vents commonly found on other A350s.
Luck was on our side, as I shared my row with an empty seat, providing extra wiggle room that transformed the cabin experience.
Service and Hospitality: Heart of the Airline
A hallmark of Asian carriers – and Vietnam Airlines in particular – is their warm, welcoming demeanor from boarding to deplaning. Stewardesses exude professionalism and kindness, months of training duly evident in every interaction.
One unforgettable moment involved a larger-sized passenger behind me requesting a bulkhead seat for added legroom. The crew responded without hesitation, helping to swap seats after takeoff, ensuring extra comfort for all passengers onboard.
Another kindness moment for me came when language barriers initially delayed a seat switch for a window preference during takeoff and landing. But after the seatbelt signs were turned off, the stewardess returned to offer the seat change, impressing me with her dedication to my comfort.
Small, yet thoughtful, moments like these illustrate Vietnam Airlines' world-class customer service and hospitality, a commitment to a better passenger experience.
Frequent hand towel service was another highlight. As a clean-freak, I deeply appreciated this attention to detail, particularly during meal service and rest periods.
Delectable Meals: A Balance of flavors
On this flight, we were offered two meals: a late dinner (Vietnamese Braised Pork or Buttered Spaghetti) after departure from Ho Chi Minh City and a breakfast (Vietnamese Sticky Rice or Frittata) before arrival in Sydney.
Feeling adventurous, I went with the Western selection for the first meal. While the offering didn't reach Business-class standards, it was satisfying and kept me coming back for more.
Breakfast was equally delightful, with a savory frittata-packed Bel Peppers, Potatoes, Grilled Pork Sausages, Sautéed Spinach, and Grilled Tomato-winning me over.
Entertainment: Keep up with the clouds
The A350 boasts a 10.6" entertainment screen, IFE remote, personal power outlet, and USB ports for charging devices. The selection was immense, including local Vietnamese content and a nice variety of international movies and music.
It's minor improvements like adding a Heads-Up Display or live cameras that could propel Vietnam Airlines' IFE offering into world-class territory.
Lavatories were impeccably clean, with amenities like razors, toothbrushes, and hand cream readily available for use.
WiFi was unavailable for this red-eye flight, but that was easily compensated for with a comfortable seat and the perfect opportunity to catch up on movies and snooze away my jet lag.
Cost: Worth the Price of an Exceptional Flight
As the sole FSC operating non-stop flights on the SGN-SYD route, Vietnam Airlines offers the most suitable product for long-haul travel between Ho Chi Minh City and Sydney at prices comparable to the premium classes of budget competitors like VietJet Air's SkyBoss and Jetstar's Business.
Pricing fluctuates based on season and availability, with sky-high costs during peak travel seasons like Tet. However, Premium Economy remains a great value for long-haul travelers seeking a soothing and satisfying flight experience.
Overall: Vietnam Airlines is an exceptional choice for long-haul flights, with plenty of room to improve while maintaining a winning combination of comfort, service, and affordable prices.
- The aviation industry recognized Vietnam Airlines for its remarkable growth, as the carrier successfully established itself in long-haul travel stardom, particularly in the finance sector.
- Despite being concentrating mainly on domestic routes, the airline's investment in modern aircraft like the A350-900 has catapulted it into the global transportation landscape, offering a unique blend of lifestyle attitudes and Southeast Asian hospitality to travelers worldwide.
- A key differentiator among Asian carriers is the heartfelt service and hospitality provided by Vietnam Airlines, which goes beyond the standard industry norms, reflecting the emphasis on the integration of premium finance and transportation with an exceptional travel experience.
