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Experience on Vietnam Airlines' Short-Haul Business Class: Insights and Opinions

Enjoying an exceptionally comfortable flight, my recent return trip to Singapore on Vietnam Airlines' regional Business Class was absolutely ideal. It offered the ideal blend-neither too much nor too little, but just the right amount of comfort. Today, I'll delve into the many conveniences of...

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Enjoying an exceptionally comfy flight ride on Vietnam Airlines' regional Business Class, my recent...
Enjoying an exceptionally comfy flight ride on Vietnam Airlines' regional Business Class, my recent trip back to Singapore was nearly perfect. It expertly negotiated the balance – avoidance of excessive extravagance yet avoidance of excessive sparseness, achieving a satisfactory median. In this post, I'll elaborate on the comforts this flight offers and why it's an excellent choice for short-haul travels.

Experience on Vietnam Airlines' Short-Haul Business Class: Insights and Opinions

Casual Flyer Review 9/10

23 December, 2024

Nick Ling

Vietnam Airlines Business Class

Flight from Saigon to Singapore

Flight Number: VN651Seat: 3A

Man, this flight was swell! It wasn't too much, not too little, just the right amount of coziness to make it an ideal experience. Today, I'll spill the deets about flying Vietnam Airlines' regional Business Class - find out why it's the perfect short-haul pick for you.

We kick off our journey early in Ho Chi Minh City's bustling Tan Son Nhat International Airport. Today, we'll be jetting on one of Vietnam Airlines' A321s - a reliable workhorse for their domestic and regional routes. With a fleet of 62 of these babies, they've got both A321neo and A321ceo variants in their stable.

Our bird for this trip is VN-A601, a 12-year-old A321-200. She's been with Vietnam Airlines since 2013, under a lease, and carries 16 Business Class seats in a 2-2 layout, along with a whopping 168 Economy seats in a 3-3 arrangement.

Now, you might have seen these A321s on many domestic and short-haul Vietnam Airlines flights. The Business Class seats on our A321 won't match the fancy long-haul Cirrus seats we had on our previous flight (check the review here!), but hey, these are meant for shorter regional hops.

Each of the 16 Business Class seats offers a generous 45 inches of legroom, around 10 inches of recline, and extendable footrests, providing ample space to stretch out. I loved the seat width, too, allowing plenty of room to move around comfortably. A control panel on the side lets passengers adjust various functions during flight, and a sturdy, stowable tray table is tucked away under the armrest.

One noticeable omission on VN's A321s? No in-flight entertainment (IFE) screens - not even in Business Class. But, given the meal service and takeoff/landing times, I didn't find this to be a major issue.

I especially appreciated the crew's exceptional service on this flight. The stewardess, Minh Chau, who worked my side, was nothing short of amazing. The fantastic customer service and our interactions during mealtime made this flight something special.

For this short hop, passengers are served an early lunch shortly after we reach 10,000 feet. I opted for the Oriental Fish option - a favorite on Vietnam Airlines - which featured a tasty casserole of fried rice with veggies, a simple seafood medley of fish and shrimp, and a hearty sauce. The meal came with a fresh salad, a fruit bowl for dessert, and a selection of breads with butter and jam. Choose from soft drinks, juices, or booze to complement your meal.

Extra Beverages

Before takeoff, as the crew prepped the plane for our two-hour trip to Singapore, Business Class passengers were treated to a traditional pre-flight drink - choose from booze or a honey-based concoction. Not a fan of alcohol? The honey drink, trust me, was a delightful choice to kick things off.

The Perfect Ending

To cap off the excellent meal service, the crew provided a coffee and tea service. As I settled in to relax before our approach into Singapore's Changi Airport, the warm beverage hit the spot. There's nothing like enjoying the view from 40,000 feet with a cup of coffee and the clouds rolling by.

Mobile IFE

Since no traditional IFE screens are available, passengers can access in-flight entertainment via a mobile-based system by connecting to the LotuStar WiFi. This lets you browse a dedicated portal offering similar content you'd find on seatback screens.

Lavatory

The lavatory on VN's A321 is clean, tidy, and basic - fitting for a short-haul aircraft. Business Class passengers enjoy access to a private lavatory, enhancing their premium experience.

Each passenger is handed a warm blanket, ideal for those chilly cruising heights or to use as a makeshift pillow.

Vietnam Airlines faces tough competition on the high-demand Singapore-Ho Chi Minh City route. The airline offers a return Business Class package for around SGD 727 - a decent price for the full-service advantages of a Vietnam Airlines Business ticket.

Passengers flying Business with Vietnam Airlines can choose between two fare categories:

  1. Business Classic, with standard perks.
  2. Business Flex, offering frequent flyers extra mileage benefits (roughly 33% more miles) and reduced fees for cancellations, refunds, and ticket modifications.

The airline's main rival on this route is Singapore Airlines (SIA), which offers a comparable Business Class experience but at a slightly higher cost.

Other competitors include:

  • Scoot, a low-cost carrier that only offers Economy Class on this route.
  • VietJet's SkyBoss, an offering similar to Premium Economy but not truly comparable to Business Class.

Ultimately, comparing prices and benefits across airlines will guide you in choosing the best option for this short intra-Asia journey.

At Vietnam Airlines' Tan Son Nhat Hub, the airline operates two separate lounges, granting complimentary access to Business Class passengers, SkyTeam Alliance First/Business passengers, and LotusMiles Gold/Platinum/Million Miler members. I particularly dig the lounge naming convention - simply 'Lotus Lounge 1' and 'Lotus Lounge 2'.

I was impressed by the lounge's interior design, which highlights Vietnamese culture. The relaxed ambiance, open layout, and serene atmosphere create the perfect atmosphere before departure.

Food and Beverage

While the food selection isn't Earth-shattering, it's just enough for a pre-flight bite. Options include cereals, fresh fruit, local pastries, and hot dishes like sauteéd potatoes and glass noodles.

The lounge offers conveniences such as shower facilities, a fantastic view of the airport, and an array of beverages - from morning coffee to soft drinks and even alcohol - though I'm not sure if it's ever too early for a drink at 8:30 a.m.!

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  1. With Vietnam Airlines offering a pleasant business class experience on their A321s for short-haul flights, the airline's regional Business Class seats provide an ideal recreational environment for travelers, making it a suitable choice for those interested in home-and-garden tips, lifestyle discussions, or airline news.
  2. A well-earned break from work or a relaxing vacation starts with a comfortable flight – Vietnam Airlines' Business Class cabin is the perfect choice for those seeking pampering on their travel journey, offering the perfect combination of comfort, service, and in-flight amenities, ideal for readers of travel magazines.

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