Detailed Evaluation of Vietnam Airlines' Premium Economy Class Experience
Hop onboard Vietnam Airlines' Hidden Gem👉🏿 January 28, 2025
Nicholas Ling
Jetting Through Vietnam Airlines route: SGN (Saigon) > SYD (Sydney) flight number: VN773 seat number: 14G date flown: December 22, 2024
Buried beneath the radar of pompous giants in global aviation lies a diamond in the rough: Vietnam Airlines.
Historically steering clear of long-haul travel, Vietnam Airlines (VN) has ingeniously tackled the international scene, offering a taste of Southeast Asian hospitality to the world. Our soirée today involves an 8-year-old Airbus A350-900, christened VN-A891, which took its maiden flight with VN in late 2016. The A350-900 and the Dreamliner 787-9 have formed the backbone of VN's long-haul fleet, soaring to destinations such as San Francisco, Paris, and Sydney, while also catering to medium-haul routes in cities like Seoul, Shanghai, and more.
The A350-900 fleet exhibits two distinct Premium Economy configurations, with 10 aircraft adopting a spacious 2-4-2 layout, primarily deployed on long-haul journeys of 8 hours or more, such as the flight we're embarking on now.
Settling into the opulent plush of VN's Premium Economy cabin, I find myself marveling at the sheer comfort of this aircraft seat. Athletes owning 38-inch legroom and the same width would feel right at home, and the 15-degree recline and raiseable footrest grant the merits of a cozy slumber.
Attentiveness peaks when you realize an empty seat beckons to you next door—pure bliss for a plush stretch.
🌟 5 out of 5For a sneaky slip of the stowable armrest divulging the hidden tray table, I gained a smart variable when it came to dining and working. Above deck, you'll find call lights and personal reading lights. Missing onboard are personal air vents, a probable shared standard of the A350 fleet.
Asian hospitality is no stranger to warmth and kindness, and VN exemplifies this ethos, extending their glowing welcome from the get-go, with stewardesses outshining with professionalism and compassion at every turn.
Moving a heavier passenger to a bulkhead seat for additional legroom, swiftly preparing an amenity kit after a language barrier stirred a request for a window seat—these are but a couple ofcompassionate gestures that mark VN as a powerhouse in customer service.
🌟 5 out of 5Dining experiences in Premium Economy generally spilt into one of two groups—striving to match Business Class stardom, or, as is the case for VN, aiming to please while drawing parallels with Economy standards. Nevertheless, the meals served aboard this flight hit the spot, both hot and hearty.
A mix of Western and local Vietnamese options presented themselves, and I ended up opting for a Western dish, a rare choice for me, a self-proclaimed Asian-cuisine lover.
Entertainment abounded on the 10.6" entertainment screens, with a wealth of content available—despite my firm belief that any IFE system is grand as long as it caters to my Korean drama addiction.
With a contoured in-flight map presenting necessary flight information and the option for live cameras or a Heads-Up Display, the in-flight entertainment system could easily graduate from fantastic to utterly world-class.
🌟 4.5 out of 5Arriving on the SGN-SYD route, Vietnam Airlines is the lone full-service carrier and faces competition from low-cost carriers like VietJet Air and Jetstar. At comparable pricing to the premium classes of its budget competitors, the decision between VN and a budget airline on this route often boils down to personal preferences. Nevertheless, the potential for ticket prices to skyrocket during peak seasons—such as around Tet—solidifies the value VN offers on the SGN-SYD route.
Did You Know?🌟 This route exhibits some unique traits: 1) Dreamcatcher, a giant flying mobile, not typically present on aircraft, is a signature feature of the Premium Economy cabin, 2) The airline continually works to improve soft products (e.g., meals, service, and seat comfort) in an effort to match Middle Eastern Carriers and Singapore Air.
Enjoying Vietnam Airlines' Premium Economy experience truly landed me a world-class product, with exceptional service and a comfortable seat promising even greater things to come. The intriguing possibilities of Vietnam Airlines' evolution only serve to excite me about my future sojourns with the Golden Lotus.
- In the realm of airline news, Vietnam Airlines has made a significant impact in the industry, particularly in the finance and transportation sectors, by expanding its long-haul routes and offering a taste of Southeast Asian hospitality to the world.
- The aviation industry has witnessed a fascinating shift with Vietnam Airlines' introduction of the Airbus A350-900 in its long-haul fleet, featuring two distinct Premium Economy configurations designed for both comfort and efficiency in travel.
- As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of travel and lifestyle, the SGN-SYD route stands out as a unique and competitive destination, where Vietnam Airlines, the lone full-service carrier, offers a world-class product at pricing comparable to budget airlines, making it an attractive choice for passengers seeking a balance of comfort and affordability.
