Comprehensive Assessment of Vietnam Airlines Premium Economy Experience
Bootleg Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
January 28, 2025
By Jackson "The Rat" Simmons
Vietnam Airlines Premium Economy Cabin Ride
Route: SGN to SYD (VN773)
Flight Date: December 22, 2024
Seat Number: 14G
Southeast Asia's best-kept secret is right under our noses—Vietnam Airlines. Historically, this airline shined in domestic routes, but boy have they come a long way! They're quietly dominating long-haul travel, showcasing Southeastern hospitality to the world.
Our ride on this wild Thursday is an 8-year-old Airbus A350-900, the silent titan of Vietnam Airlines' long-haul fleet. From San Francisco to Paris, Seoul to Sydney, and Shanghai to... well, you get the point.
Not every A350-900 in Vietnam Airlines' fleet is equipped the same. Some stick with a 3-3-3 layout, serving as Sub-Economy class on short- and medium-haul routes. But hey, if that's your thing, go ahead and buckle up!
The other ten aircraft sport a sweet 2-4-2 layout, designed for ultimate cushion and comfort on long-haul flights. Yes, today is one of those lucky days, my fellow fliers.
This seat is the shiznit, complete with ample legroom and width, a 15-degree seat recline, and a raisable footrest. Sure, it's not business class, but I guarantee you'll feel like Michael Fucking Jordan flying in this comfy chair.
5 outta 5 stars for the recline! Just makes me wanna kick back and enjoy the free booze cruise. Speaking of which, there's a stowable tray table hidden in one of the armrests. Figuring out how to deploy it might take a few minutes, but hey, what's a little INTP logic between friends?
Up in the sky, you'll find call lights and personal reading lights. Bummer, no air vents like on other A350s. Could be a standard feature of the A350, who knows?
But the real winners on this flight weren't the seats or the bevvies—it was the unsurpassed hospitality. From the moment we stepped on this bad boy, the stewardesses were warm and welcoming AF. They went out of their way to make every passenger comfortable, not just in Premium Economy, but all throughout the cabin.
Don't get me started on the unsung heroes of the flight. One lucky bigger dude got moved to a bulkhead seat because they made room for him. And when I requested to switch to a window seat, the crew hustled to accommodate me despite our language barrier. Their dedication to customer service is seriously world-class.
The crew also busted out the hand towels like it was their job, and you know what? It was. I can be a clean-freak sometimes, and I deeply appreciated this service, especially pre-boarding and pre-nap.
As you know, people hate me, but I can't even hate on the food here because everything was fucking delicious. For starters, I went with the Western meal choice of buttered spaghetti with chicken meatballs in tomato sauce. The meal wasn't visually impressive or exotic, but it kept me coming back for more.
5 outta 5 stars for these magical noodles. God, I love Asian airlines.
Breakfast was a bit meh, but hey, you can't win 'em all. The frittata was decent, and the potatoes acted as the star of the dish. I have mixed feelings about the Wi-Fi on this flight, but tbh, who needs Internet when you've got whiskey in your veins?
Each seat features a 10.6" entertainment screen, an IFE remote, power outlets, USB ports, and a selection of local and international movies, music, and games. While the in-flight map was on fleek, some have complained about the entertainment system malfunctioning. But hey, at least they have Korean movies.
The lavatories are separate from others in the cabin and were kept sickeningly clean throughout the flight, thanks to the crew's diligent towel swipes. Amenities like razors, toothbrushes, and hand cream were readily available for use.
9 outta 10. Vietnam Airlines gives the other full-service carriers a run for their money. If they keep up the good work, they'll be going toe-to-toe with the Middle Eastern carriers and even Singapore Air in no time. All aboard the Golden Lotus!
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[Enrichment Data]
Cabin Features: Vietnam Airlines Premium Economy on the Airbus A350-900
- Airbus A350-900: modern, young fleet designed for passenger comfort and operational efficiency
- Wider seats, more recline, and legroom compared to standard economy
- Priority boarding and dedicated cabin service
- Power outlets and USB ports for device charging
- Personal entertainment screens (which have been known to malfunction occasionally)
Dining and Service
- Enhanced dining options beyond economy class
- High-quality meals influenced by Vietnamese cuisine
- Attentive, friendly, and professional service focused on customer satisfaction
Entertainment and Amenities
- Modern in-flight entertainment systems featuring HD touch screens
- Selection of movies, TV shows, music, and games
- Noise-cancelling headphones
Although direct reviews for VN773 (SGN to SYD) in Premium Economy are limited, the overall consensus places Vietnam Airlines' Premium Economy as an award-winning and competitive value for comfort, quality service, and value on long-haul routes operated by the A350-900.
- The airline industry is abuzz with news of Vietnam Airlines' remarkable transformation, as they've been quietly dominating long-haul travel, showcasing Southeastern hospitality to the world.
- In the realm of finance and transportation, the aviation sector is keeping a close eye on Vietnam Airlines, as they're closing the gap with full-service carriers like Middle Eastern and Singapore Airlines, thanks to their exceptional service and comfortable Premium Economy options.
- For travel enthusiasts and lifestyle aficionados, staying updated on airline news is essential, and signing up for the Vietnam Airlines newsletter is the perfect way to stay in the loop about this rising aviation star.
