Vietnam Airlines Business Class

[helenaparis]

Does anyone know what Vietnam Airlines Business class is like? I have read mostly negative reviews, but there are some good ones out there, so I wondered what AFF members thought.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Does anyone know what Vietnam Airlines Business class is like? I have read mostly negative reviews, but there are some good ones out there, so I wondered what AFF members thought.

The major issue for VN is the seating - they're not even angled lie flats, but rather angled-angled seats (the sleeping surface is not flat). But all that will change for Europe flights with the introduction of the 787 and A350 - both of which will be full flat.

For short-regional - their seating is generous 2+2 with extra legroom over what you'd find on QF or AA domestic J/F.

I sent some friends on VN and they said it was just fine. The food was ok, the service good. The trip reports for long haul VN business class actually look good food wise - combine that with full flat beds and it'll be a good product.

If you are flying business class ex Asia VN has some really good deals (around the AUD2100 mark). If you are flying to/from paris that even allows you to take the Air France operated VN code-share. The downside is that Air France is operating the old angled beds to SGN (but would be preferable until such time as VN gets full flats)

 

[helenaparis]

Thanks. Yes it would be ex-Shanghai and the fare is very cheap. I think the space factor alone is worth it whether or not the bed is flat although of course that is my preference. I guess the 787 and the A350 will be coming into play next year?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks. Yes it would be ex-Shanghai and the fare is very cheap. I think the space factor alone is worth it whether or not the bed is flat although of course that is my preference. I guess the 787 and the A350 will be coming into play next year?

the 787/350 are already in the timetable for oct for Europe (which is when I sending some more friends!). Don't know how much earlier they actually start. Are you flying Shanghai to Australia or to Europe? Be aware that if you have a flight which involves a domestic sector (between HAN and SGN), you may need a visa.

 

[Mark3000]

I flew Mel-SGN return J last year and thought it was fine. It's not Singapore Airlines but I had no problems. I will see if I can find some pics. That trip brought me up to QF Gold though so that made me happy. Be careful though from memory not all flights at the time had QF flight numbers available

 

[Mark3000]

 

[Mark3000]

 

[Mark3000]

 

[a330j]

I've flown business with VN domestically in Vietnam on a number of ocassions and short haul international to SIN and HKG, including on its 777 and A330 product. I am by no means an expert on business class flying but I would describe it as being OK, better than economy, but don't expect something comparable to Cathay or Qantas business. There was no IFE on any of the planes I flew. Food is OK and service is almost always good. If you snag an A350 or 787 fitout may be better. Plenty of legroom.


Edit: Going on those pictures, long haul is a completely different product to domestic VN.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Mark3000 - thanks for the pics... that looks sort of ok!?

Edit: Going on those pictures, long haul is a completely different product to domestic VN.

Unless you score the a330/777 on domestic flight between SGN and HAN - international is a different story. For regional/domestic, VN offers a pretty good product in terms of seating compared to QF/AA domestic (same wide seat, but extra leg-room over the other two).

 

[bobe]

I flew Mel-SGN return J last year and thought it was fine. It's not Singapore Airlines but I had no problems. I will see if I can find some pics. That trip brought me up to QF Gold though so that made me happy. Be careful though from memory not all flights at the time had QF flight numbers available

Hi ,just a query,how did you get the SCs for QF when VN aren't in Oneworld? Thanks

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi ,just a query,how did you get the SCs for QF when VN aren't in Oneworld? Thanks

QF codeshares on VN services between Australia and Viet Nam. Booking the QF flight number will earn as per Qantas rates.

 

[Mark3000]

Hi ,just a query,how did you get the SCs for QF when VN aren't in Oneworld? Thanks

Yes MelTraveller is exactly right. Just make sure you book with a QF flight number

 

[RooFlyer]

Thanks. Yes it would be ex-Shanghai and the fare is very cheap. I think the space factor alone is worth it whether or not the bed is flat although of course that is my preference. I guess the 787 and the A350 will be coming into play next year?

VN 787? At which point this clip needs another airing

 

[helenaparis]

I am flying to Shanghai from Australia on Singapore Airlines then on to Paris (which does go via HAN I believe) and back to Shanghai again. Thanks for your help.

 

[sail0r]

Anyone flown recently? I am looking at SYD-SGN in J, but not likely to go that way if they don't even go flat. Can anyone confirm if they have flown flat out of Oz on VN?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Anyone flown recently? I am looking at SYD-SGN in J, but not likely to go that way if they don't even go flat. Can anyone confirm if they have flown flat out of Oz on VN?

The 787s and A350s are primarily on the European routes (these are already in operation, friends flew with them in Oct/Nov last year). Those are the only ones with full flat beds.

SYD-SGN is still (currently) showing as a 777-200 - angled seats (more like generous recline rather than flat angled). Same on the A330.

 

[Sheenaec7]

Anyone flown recently? I am looking at SYD-SGN in J, but not likely to go that way if they don't even go flat. Can anyone confirm if they have flown flat out of Oz on VN?

I love this forum Was just contemplating booking a J ticket on VN, MEL-SGN-PNH. It's a 0005 flight out of MEL and I will be looking to sleep asap so Y is out of the question. A generous angled seat has got to be better than economy any day. Nice to see it's worth QFF points as well.

No matter what my question for the forum is, it's usually already been asked

 

[Flymeanywhere]

I love this forum Was just contemplating booking a J ticket on VN, MEL-SGN-PNH. It's a 0005 flight out of MEL and I will be looking to sleep asap so Y is out of the question. A generous angled seat has got to be better than economy any day. Nice to see it's worth QFF points as well.

No matter what my question for the forum is, it's usually already been asked

Be careful you don't book as a VN flight as it's not worth QFF points. It has to be a Qantas booked flight with a Qantas flight number, even if it is code-share.

 

[Sheenaec7]

Be careful you don't book as a VN flight as it's not worth QFF points. It has to be a Qantas booked flight with a Qantas flight number, even if it is code-share.

I ended up going with Air Asia instead. The VN flight was $2,828.00 in J and I'd done all the online booking when there was an error when I hit the final booking confirmation. So, taking it as a sign I did a quick search on Air Asia and got the flight for $966.00 (inc booking fee) in J with Premium flatbed. So, all good