Vietnam Airlines Business Class Review
Date:
Feb 24, 2025
This was the review I was most excited to write from my 4-flight marathon
aboard Vietnam Airlines.
Welcome to Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport, where we’re departing on VN772 to
Ho Chi Minh City. Unlike my outbound flight in Premium Economy (covered here),
today we’ll be flying in the forward cabin, experiencing perks that could be a
deciding factor for your next long-haul Business Class trip.
Our aircraft, the 6.8-year-old VN-A896 (Airbus A350-900), features Vietnam
Airlines’ long-haul configuration with Cirrus III Business Class seats in a
1-2-1 reverse herringbone layout, plus a dedicated Premium Economy section.
These aircraft primarily serve routes over eight hours, like Paris and San
Francisco.
VN A896
In contrast, the airline’s first four A350s (VN-A886 to VN-A889) feature Stelia
Solstys Business Class seats and Economy-style Premium Economy, mainly used for
shorter routes and select long-hauls.
This long-haul flight, like our inbound from Ho Chi Minh City, featured two
meal services.
Lunch Service:
Shortly after takeoff, menus were distributed, and meal selections were taken.
I started with the Marinated Prawn with Salmon Tarator and Oriental Mayonnaise—a
light, flavorful seafood dish where the salmon stood out as the highlight. The
meal tray included a beverage of choice, a salad with cheese slices, mushroom
soup with croutons, and irresistible garlic bread. So irresistible was this
garlic bread that I had three slices!
For the main course,
I chose Steamed Ling Fillet Chinese-style with Fish Soy Sauce,
Steamed Jasmine Rice,
and Stir-fried Bok Choy—a perfectly steamed,
tender fish dish that paired beautifully with the rice and sauce.
Desserts included fresh fruit,
a very varied cheese-and-cracker selection.
Assorted Cakes with Ice Cream served as the epilogue for an excellent servicethat left me feeling full,
content and ready to take a long nap.
Refreshments Service:
Before landing,
a lighter second meal was served featuring three options:
– Smoked Salmon with Avocado Salad & Bread
“For those unfamiliar,”
“the latter option is what,”
“in Chinese culture,”
“we know as Dim Sum”
“(点心),”
“which actually transliterates to ‘Touching the Heart.””
“The Pork Bun indeed ‘touched my heart””
“as it was steaming hot””
“and perfectly balanced between sweet””
“and savory,””
“complemented by addictive Siu Mai.””
The dumplings packed greens balanced out everything nicely too!”
After finishing up crew offered me another dish choice so I went ahead selected Smoked Salmon again – paired together avocado made perfect light bite before arrival into Ho Chi Minh City right before tackling immigration queues!
Business Class features slightly larger screen than Premium Economy enhancing movie experience system offers Korean Western Vietnamese movies plus music inflight map displaying altitude heading speed While functional features like HUD view external camera would welcome upgrades An IFE remote provided along Vietnam Airlines branded wired headphones Headphones certainly no Sony XM4/XM5 caliber but very suitable item long flights definitely upgrade ones provided Premium Economy
Lavatory Business Class two dedicated lavatories front slightly more spacious than Economy/Premium Economy stocked lotions disposable cups razors Amenity Kit Each Business Class passenger receives Cerruti 1881 kit containing Toothbrush kit earplugs eyeshade sleeping socks Payot moisturizer lip balm foldable comb Stickers e g “Do Not Disturb” “Wake Me Meals” Contents comprehensive cover most essential items may needed hour flight Comfort Seats come soft pillow thick blanket house slippers While warm blanket may feel too thick prone overheating WiFi Surprisingly WiFi unavailable this long haul flight One key element considering options SYD SGN route about options available Routing whilst highly demand served large multitude carriers high frequency point time flights day Vietnam Airlines offering only full service Business Class product available Thereafter one might consider alternatives VietJet Low cost option offering affordable prices fewer perks Jetstar current operator route offer direct flights Summer season based booking platform Photo Caption Ultimately question goes How much willing spend Business Class flight Sydney International Vietnam Airlines’ Business Class passengers entitled visit SkyTeam Alliance Lounge airline operate lounge airport Location SkyTeam Plaza Premium Lounge Upon entering venue guests greeted wall frames containing logos various SkyTeam Airlines fascinating little kid went “Hey China Eastern ” seeing familiar logo Lounge not large however comfortably hold upwards guests given time Buffet spreads available different areas segregated courses salads/appetisers brews pastries mains well bar personally think lounge no brainer option fully utilise given packed Sydney Airport’s regular use facilities cafes/shops daily Space SkyTeam lounge make splendid calming time spectacular apron view whilst awaiting journey town Vietnam Airlines’ long haul As feature Safran Cirrus III Business Class seats reverse herringbone layout angling passengers toward window seat type found Cathay Pacific Delta offers nearly lie flat bed direct aisle access retractable touchscreen IFE Each semi private seat includes coat hook storage bin extendable armrests minibar style space small items Legroom ample meter deep foot cubby personal reading lights sturdy side stowed tray table recline control panel Vietnam Airlines’ signature hospitality full display throughout this Business Class flight While Business passengers receive extra attention cabin crew consistently delivers top tier service rivaling best crew warm welcoming always attentive Notable moments included crew member frequently engaging infant row another offering tea nuts moment woke Small thoughtful gestures like along Chief Purser personally greeting passengers highlight why Vietnam Airlines excels service
