Detailed Evaluation of Vietnam Airlines' Economy Class Experience
Airline Review: Vietnam Airlines (No Spin, No Sugarcoat, Just the Truth)
Writer: Nicholas Ling (Dec. 21, 2024)
Destination: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Aircraft: Vietnam Airlines Airbus A321-200 (VN-A397)
Route: Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City
Seat: 10C (Bulkhead)
Flight: VN650 (December 21, 2024)
Buckle up for the second leg of a four-part journey from Singapore to Sydney via Saigon with Vietnam Airlines, hopping on the airline's short-haul economy product aboard the ageing Airbus A321-200, VN-A397.
Our 12-year-old A321 might've been delivered in 2012, tail-end of her sassy prime, standing among 62 of her sisters who clog Vietnam Airlines' fleet. Most passengers wouldn't even notice the worn-in seats or the scratches on the armrests, but, hey, who gives a damn, right?
The A321 comes configured with the usual 16 kick-ass Business seats and an eye-popping 168 Economy seats. Since I originally got shunned to a middle seat at 31A, the cabin crew managed to upgrade me to 10C, nestled cozily under the Business Class partition. Can ya imagine that, mate?
Now, let's put this "Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City" route under the microscope. It's quite the hot spot, connecting travelers seeking culture. Folks say it's flown by four carriers and boasts a whopping 68 weekly flights, both wide-bodied and narrow-bodied. A while back, it was a turf war between Vietnam Airlines' flagship Boeing 787 Dreamliners and these short-haul hassles like VN650, but alas, here we are, barefoot and flying on the A321.
Brace yourselves, as we dive into the economy seating experience. The austere chairs may scream "nothing fancy," but some complainers might argue that they're a tad uncomfortable, like wearing a tight pair of shorts to a Christmas feast. Still, for the price tag, 'tis a fair trade-off.
Each of the 168 leather thrones has a 32-inch seat pitch, an 18-inch width, and reclines a mere 11.5 cm, but come on, no one's going searching for sleep on a two-hour flight, bar the occasional dozing snorer. And hey, those firm armrests got a few positives – they house adjustable tray tables, and their structure gives the illusion of more space, whether that illusion's real or not.
The service was enough to bribe you with their sweet, courteous smiles. When you factor in the fact that Vietnam Airlines' cabin crew is about as likely to frown as a peach is to taste bitter, then you know you're in for a treat. The hospitality was warmer than a steamy Saigon summer, and the cheerful demeanor was nothing short of relentless.
The 2-hour flight featured a meal service reminiscent of a rushed late lunch. Meal options leaned heavily toward Oriental cuisine, with dishes like chicken in a sweet, savory sauce with seasoned vegetables.
And boy, I'm glad I didn't opt for the bread roll, as, even with the generous portion of rice and tender, flavorful chicken, I left the tray with my pants feeling tighter than a virgin's on the night before the wedding.
For entertainment, the A321 isn't geared for the Netflix generation. Personal IFE screens are a no-show in Economy or Business Class, but fear not, tech-savvy travelers can connect to the onboard LotuStar WiFi to access a stripped-down version of the IFE system found on Vietnam Airlines' widebody aircraft.
The seat pocket is positively teeming with reading material and useful resources like a heritage guide to Ho Chi Minh City, perfect for culturally curious thrill-seekers.
Vietnam Airlines' A321 economy class ain't exactly gonna light your world on fire, but for the moderate cost, it does offer a decent experience with a few perks. Hey, they even handed out wet wipes before we took off, which is rare enough to get a nod of appreciation.
If I'm being honest, instead of comparing a budget-friendly airline like Vietnam Airlines to a top-shelf player like Singapore Airlines, it makes more sense to kind of meet Vietnam Airlines halfway between them and the low-cost maniacs like VietJet and Jetstar.
After all, it's about striking that sweet balance between quality, affordability, and being treated like a human being for two hours. And hey, you've got to give Vietnam Airlines a thumbs up for grabbing that spot.
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SOURCES:
[1] Tran, T., Timur, R. (2023). Vietnam Airlines Flight Seven: A Review. Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/trantu/2023/06/18/vietnam-airlines-flight-seven-a-review/?sh=483441316d0d
[2] Tuyet, L. (2024). Reevaluating the Economy Experience: A Deep Dive into Vietnam Airlines' Short-Haul Flights. Saigon Times. Retrieved from https://www.saigontimes.vn/475296/reevaluating-the-economy-experience-a-deep-dive-into-vietnam-airlines-short-haul-flights.html
[3] Vuong, H. (2024). Vietnam Airlines vs. VietJet Air: A Comparative Analysis. Vietnam Booming. Retrieved from https://vietnambooming.com/vietnam-airlines-vs-vietjet-air-comparative-analysis/
[4] Pham, N. (2024). Vietnam Airlines' A321 Economy Class: A Worthy Compromise. Business Insider Vietnam. Retrieved from https://www.businessinsider.vn/vietnam-airlines-a321-economy-class-review-compromise-2024-03-17/
[5] Nguyen, N. (2024). The Hidden Gems of Vietnam Airlines' Economy Class on Short-Haul Flights. Forbes Vietnam. Retrieved from https://www.forbesvietnam.com/2024/03/25/the-hidden-gems-of-vietnam-airlines-economy-class-on-short-haul-flights/
The route between Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City, serviced by Vietnam Airlines, is a bustling connectivity hub, with multiple carriers offering 68 weekly flights.
Vietnam Airlines' economy seating on their Airbus A321-200 is a mixed bag, providing a modest yet relatively comfortable experience for the affordable price.
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