Vietnam Airlines’ premium economy passengers will find their experience a touch more ‘premium’ under recent improvements rolled out on flights between Sydney, Melbourne and Vietnam.
It starts with access to Australian airport Express Path facilities for fast-tracked security screening and passport control.
On board, that's followed by welcome drinks of orange juice, apple juice and purified water before take-off – as pre-departure drinks were previously a business-class-only affair.
AusBT review: Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787 business class, Sydney-Hanoi
Tweaks to the meal service also find the economy-style plastic cutlery sets replaced with silverware, although hot meals continue to be served in foil containers, rather than on crockery as with some other airlines.
Premium economy amenity kits now appear on Australian flights, too: offering a toothbrush and toothpaste, ear plugs, socks and an eye mark – plus, from the business class cabin, slippers and a premium blanket, complemented by business class toiletries in the lavatories.
Before the journey home, priority check-in and boarding remain available, although priority security screening continues to be reserved for business class guests. SkyTeam Elite Plus frequent flyers can take the faster Sky Priority queue at Vietnamese passport control, however, but not premium economy passengers without that shiny frequent flyer card.
Vietnam Airlines flies daily from both Sydney and Melbourne to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) using its Boeing 787 aircraft, with three-times-weekly Hanoi-Sydney-Hanoi services as well.
Also read: Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787 premium economy review, Ho Chi Minh City-Sydney
Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Dec 2011
Total posts 95
It would be interesting to compare this with China Airlines Y+ to LGW. Airbus v's Boeing, similar prices to UK, different seat shell seats on CA, recline on VN, 3hr and 5hr layover with CA, while VN have 4hr and 12hr layover(I think). I think it would be the service that would make the difference.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
27 Jul 2016
Total posts 57
That would make an interesting story. I've looked at their PE and J products, but booked J on China Airlines for August SYD-LGW and looking forward to it (will also check out their PE as it looks very good). Good connections and club access everywhere is a real attractions. I'm QF Platinum and this is my first venture in a long time to the Dark Side, so at half the price it will make an interesting comparison.
23 May 2014
Total posts 119
Great option to Europe (prob more for personal travel) with a good product and interesting stop over. Had no idea re Qantas earn - thanks for the heads up! Do the FF benefits extend to lounge access? Assume not or you would have mentioned..
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2441
Unfortunately it seems that Vietnam Airlines' codeshare agreement with Qantas has now ended, so we've removed that information from the article.
02 Feb 2018
Total posts 1
I keep searching the internet to see if Vietnam Airlines will start a BNE-SGN service soon. Have been flying via Singapore for years and with our 2nd runway coming soon, hopefully they'll consider it.
04 Apr 2018
Total posts 2
Hi CHRIS :) we’ve just booked pe with Vietnam airlines for Europe trip in July. How does fast track at Sydney airport work for pe?
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2441
Use the priority check-in lines, and the staff there will provide you with further directions and an Express Path card.
04 Apr 2018
Total posts 2
Thanks so much CHRIS, this info has been not only hugely helpful, but has given me more than we were expecting with the upgrades they have done to pe
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