Detailed Assessment of Vietnam Airlines' Premium Seating Experience
**Vietnam Airlines' Premium A350-900 Experience: A Comfortable Upgrade**
Travellers seeking a comfortable and luxurious journey without breaking the bank should consider Vietnam Airlines' Premium Economy offering on their long-haul Airbus A350-900 flights. While not reaching the level of Business Class luxury, this option provides a significant upgrade over standard Economy class.
The Premium Economy seats are wider than those in Economy and arranged in a more comfortable 2-4-2 layout, offering more shoulder and elbow room. Passengers will also benefit from more generous legroom than Economy, with greater seat pitch and some recline. Enhanced dining, dedicated cabin crew, and priority boarding are also included in the Premium Economy experience.
In terms of amenities, Premium Economy passengers can expect larger in-flight entertainment screens and improved comfort features such as better headrests and leg rests. These features are consistent with what other airlines offer in Premium Economy on the A350-900.
On the other hand, Business Class passengers on Vietnam Airlines' A350-900 are treated to a truly luxurious experience. The Business Class cabin features lie-flat seats designed for maximum comfort and privacy, with a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone layout. This layout ensures direct aisle access for most passengers and a more spacious cabin layout with fewer seats per row.
Business Class passengers can also enjoy an enhanced dining experience with gourmet meals, access to airport lounges, priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling, and personalized service from a dedicated cabin crew. The in-flight entertainment system offers a large personal screen, and the flight offers two meal services, including options like Marinated Prawn with Salmon Tarator, Steamed Ling Fillet Chinese-style, and a selection of desserts.
Each Business Class passenger receives a Cerruti 1881 amenity kit containing toothbrush kit, earplugs, eyeshade, sleeping socks, Payot moisturiser & lip balm, foldable comb, and stickers. Seats come with a soft pillow, thick blanket, and house slippers.
For those departing from Sydney International Airport, Business Class passengers are entitled to a visit to the SkyTeam Alliance Lounge. The flight's in-flight entertainment system does not include features like a Head-Up Display (HUD) or an external camera. Unfortunately, WiFi is unavailable on this long-haul flight.
In summary, Business Class on Vietnam Airlines' A350-900 is designed for luxury and maximum comfort, while Premium Economy offers a notable upgrade over Economy with wider seats, more legroom, better meals, and priority services, making it the ideal middle ground for travellers seeking enhanced comfort without the business class price tag. The review is for a flight from Sydney to Ho Chi Minh City on Vietnam Airlines' VN772, operated by a 6.8-year-old Airbus A350-900 (VN-A896). The crew was warm, welcoming, and always attentive, with notable moments including frequent engagement with an infant in the row and offering tea and nuts upon waking.
- To further elevate their travel experience, passengers can explore various forms of entertainment on Vietnam Airlines' A350-900, such as sports news, lifestyle articles, or food-and-drink features, all available on the in-flight entertainment system.
- For sports enthusiasts, finding the latest sports updates or catching up on their favorite games could make the long-haul flight more enjoyable, adding an additional layer of convenience to their comfortable Premium Economy or Business Class journey.
- After a satisfying meal and some relaxing entertainment, tired passengers might find solace in exploring the diverse range of activities offered in their destination city, be it historical sites, cultural attractions, or lively nightlife – enhancing their overall travel lifestyle experience with Vietnam Airlines.
