Vietnam Airlines Business Class Experience on Short-Haul Flights Reviewed

Take a wild ride with me as I share my stellar experience on board Vietnam Airlines' business class! On the cozy VN651 from Saigon to Singapore, the flight hit all the right spots with just the right amount of perks. So buckle up, and let's dive into the details of why this short-haul option is worth every penny.

Our adventure began at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, one of the region's bustling hubs, where we embarked on our A321 journey. What sets Vietnam Airlines apart from the rest? Let's outline the flight details for our VN651 as we explore the wonders of this aircraft.

This flight sees Vietnam Airlines turning to their time-tested A321 workhorses, with a fleet of 62 aircraft, including the A321neo and A321ceo variants. Today, we'll be gracing the cabin of VN-A601, a 12-year-old A321-200, equipped with 16 Business Class seats and 168 Economy seats.

Compared to the plush Cirrus long-haul Business Class seats we encountered on our previous flight (you can find the deets here!), the Recliner Business Class seats on our A321 might not be the ultimate in luxury, but they more than suffice for a cozy short-haul experience.

From the spacious 45 inches of seat pitch, to the 10 inches of recline, and the extendable foot and leg rests, these seats offer plenty of room to stretch out. I personally appreciated the seat width, allowing lots of wiggle room for a comfortable flight. A control panel on the side of the seat allows passengers to adjust various functions during the flight, while a sturdy tray table under the armrest takes care of meals. The downside? No in-flight entertainment screens-but hey, let's face it, meal service and takeoff/landing phases take up most of the two-hour flight anyway.

The dedicated service from the Vietnam Airlines crew is something truly special. Despite their busy schedules and numerous passengers, they always deliver friendly, top-notch customer service. Case in point? Minh Chau, the stewardess serving me on this journey, who went above and beyond expectations, offering me an extra meal to sample the alternative option! Humanity at 40,000 feet is a rare and precious commodity, and it doesn't get better than this.

On the meal front, we were served an early lunch shortly after the aircraft reached 10,000 feet. With the Oriental Fish being a tried-and-true favorite of mine on Vietnam Airlines, I couldn't resist the temptation. The meal, featuring a casserole of fried rice with peas and carrots, prawns, and fish, and tender eggplant coated in a rich sauce, was nothing short of scrumptious. A fruit bowl for dessert, garden salad with assorted greens, and a selection of breads with butter and jam rounded out the meal, with refreshments galore to choose from, including alcoholic beverages.

As we reached cruising altitude, Business Class passengers were treated to a complementary pre-flight drink, with both alcoholic and honey-based options on offer. Being a teetotaler, I opted for the latter, and it was like nectar from the gods. The coffee and tea service that followed was the perfect way to wind down, enjoying the passing clouds and reflections on the plane window.

While Vietnam Airlines' A321s lack traditional in-flight entertainment screens, passengers can still access entertainment via a mobile-based system by connecting to LotuStar WiFi. The wide variety of content typically available on seatback screens is at your fingertips! The lavatory on the A321 is clean and tidy, with Business Class passengers benefitting from extra privacy. Each passenger is gifted a warm blanket, ideal for a short flight like this.

The round-trip Business Class package on the high-demand Singapore-Ho Chi Minh City route comes in at approximately SGD 727, a good value considering the full-service benefits of a Vietnam Airlines Business ticket. For those looking for an alternative, Vietnam Airlines faces stiff competition from Singapore Airlines and low-cost carrier Scoot. Ultimately, choosing the right airline for your short intra-Asia journey depends on your priorities and wallet!

At Tan Son Nhat, Vietnam Airlines maintains two Lotus Lounges offering complimentary access to Business Class passengers, SkyTeam Alliance First/Business passengers, and LotusMiles Gold/Platinum/Million Miler members. The lounge's natural furnishings, spacious layout, and serene atmosphere create the perfect pre-flight retreat. Though the food selection is basic, it hits the spot before boarding.

In short, Vietnam Airlines' regional Business Class on the A321 outshines many other short-haul options, with comfortable seats, quality meal service, exceptional crew, and lots of amenities to keep you entertained. So the next time you find yourself in need of a cozy flight to Singapore, consider Vietnam Airlines-you'll thank me later!

The transportation industry's finance sector considers Vietnam Airlines' A321 flights as a worthy investment, given their excellent short-haul service. This airline's Business Class offers more than just comfort with its spacious seats, quality meal service, and dedicated crew. In terms of aviation news, travel enthusiasts looking for an affordable yet full-service experience on the Singapore-Ho Chi Minh City route might find the Vietnam Airlines' Business Class package quite appealing.