A few weeks ago, I traveled with the family to Vietnam. I took this opportunity to try out the new Air France Business Class cabin on the A350 flying into Ho Chi Minh City. On the way back to Europe, we tried out the Business Class cabin on the A350 of Vietnam Airlines. The new Business Class of Air France on the A350 was fantastic. So I was curious to see how Vietnam Airlines Business Class on the A350 would compare. Please read my review and find out if you should consider flying Vietnam Airlines Business Class on their A350.
Business Class Cabin A350
Our A350 Vietnam Airlines flight was taking us from Hanoi to Paris CDG. We first had to take a domestic flight from Danang to Hanoi and this meant we had to change terminals in Hanoi. That does involve getting out of the airport, taking a shuttle bus, and then going back through customs and security. This whole process could take more than an hour depending how busy it is. So definitely something to consider if you transfer in Hanoi.
After a quick visit to the Vietnam Airlines lounge, it was time to board the plane. And I immediately noticed that the seats in the Vietnam Airlines A350 Business Class cabin, are almost the same as the seats KLM is using in their Business Class cabin; the Safran Cirrus seats. And unfortunately if you’re my size (6ft4 or 1m93), that’s not a good thing. These seats have an incredibly small footwell and in a lie-flat position it’s very hard to find a comfortable position. In fact, I think these are the worst modern lie-flat business class seats that are on the market these days. So it’s a shame Vietnam Airlines has opted to use these seats in their Business Class cabin.
Service & Amenities
What is positive is that upon boarding, a clean matras topper is provided. Even though it’s not very thick, it does provide a bit more comfort and it’s just a nice feeling to have a fresh, clean matras topper on top of your seat.
Before departure, crew is also coming by with a choice of juice, water or champagne. And that’s also a good time to check out the amenity kit which has everything you would expect from a business class amenity kit. It also comes with some stickers you could stick on your seat indicating if you want to be woken up for a meal or tax-free shopping… I wouldn’t think on board tax-free shopping is that critical to be woken up for, but apparently I’m wrong…
No menu is provided, instead the flight attendant comes by with a menu. Since this is a late evening flight and I already enjoyed a fantastic pork noodle dish on my domestic flight to Hanoi, I skip the dinner and instead opt for the Pho for breakfast.
During the flight, service is great and the crew is making sure the toilets are spotless every time I want to use them. That’s really appreciated since I’m also using the toilets to change into my Etihad pyjamas and back! Vietnam Airlines isn’t providing any pyjamas in business class.
Breakfast
Shortly before arrival breakfast is served. The noodle soup with the fresh fruit looks great and also tastes very good. I’m not disappointed and this is exactly the kind of dish you’re hoping to get when you’re flying Vietnam Airlines. Having said that, the pork noodle dish on the domestic flight from Danang to Hanoi tasted even better!
Conclusion
I started my review with the question whether you should consider flying Vietnam Airlines Business Class on the A350. The answer is a definite yes! Even though the seats are not the best when you’re my size, and the hard product cannot compete with Air France’s new Business Class in the A350, Vietnam Airlines definitely has some great positives. Service and food is good and you’re getting some amenities like the matras topper, you’re not getting with a lot of other airlines in business class.
And on which airline can you enjoy a nice Pho for breakfast?
Please also have a look at my YouTube video I made of this flight which also shows the fantastic pork noodle dish I had on my flight into Hanoi! Don’t forget to like the video and subscribe to the channel if you haven’t done so yet!
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