IceTrojan
Jun 10, 06, 5:26 am
NRT-SGN, VN 951/JL 5113
Tail number VN-A145
Flight Time: ~5h30m
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PIC LINKS
Aircraft - 777-200ER - VN-A145 (http://www.quancam.net/VN-A145.jpg)
Seat Map (http://www.quancam.net/VN772ERseatmap.jpg)
Y Seat (http://www.quancam.net/VNSeat.jpg)
Y Meal (http://www.quancam.net/VNmeal.jpg)
----------------------
BEFORE DEPARTURE
I flew on an AA all-partner award ticket. Technically a JL award ticket, my flight was nonetheless operated by VN as a codeshare with JL. Their 772s are 2-class, J and Y.
Before the flight at NRT, we proceeded to the D checkout counters (as per the big departures board), where VN was located. Upon arriving, we were told to go down to the K counters for JL checkin. I wanted to be sure this was correct, so I asked someone else, and they said "K". So be it I guess... we hiked back down the concourse (where our hotel shuttle actually dropped us off anyway). We passed through their security x-ray for checked luggage, and reached the counter. I requested exit or bulkhead, and they gave us Seats 11 D/E which she claimed were bulkheads, and she also claimed that the exit rows were no longer available. She also asked if we had previous flights, and I said YES, we arrived from the US yesterday. I suspect that this was to increase our baggage allowance, though technically I was on separate tickets (my business partner was not).
At the gate, the GAs handling the boarding were JL agents, and they handled it with their typical efficiency. They announce J boarding, then Y boarding within 2 minutes. (I love the fact they maintain the F/J lines separate from the Y lines, which allows any-time boarding for the F/J pax... now if only I ever get to use it...). For Y, it was all rows, but this wasn't a full flight (around 50%), so not much of the typical josteling to stand in line.
NRT has those dual jet-bridges, so the J and Y pax and their own entrances (J through 1L, Y through 2L).
SEATING
EDIT: Note that the seat map is only valid for VN-A145. According to the crew, while the seating config is the same on VN's 772s, the numbering is different, so be sure to check with whoever is printing your tix.
(note: I didn't come prepared with a tape measure, so I don't have any true estimates... my only frame of reference is an AA 772... sorry!)
Y is arranged in the 3-3-3 configuration (ABC-DEG-HJK). My business partner and I sat in Exit Row 33A and C (assigned A and B, but the flight was 1/2 full). I plopped down into my seat... and hit a metal bar! Turns out that there's only about 1" of cushion, so it was not very comfortable and lumpy (FAs looked at me weird when I took the cushion off). It took 2 pillows and a blanket (plenty laying around, sealed in plastic) to make it as comfortable as AA's cushions. There were adjustable headrests with wings, and also that disposable headrest cover which just makes it that much more hygienic. The recline was quite generous on these seats... it was a bit further than AA's 772 Y seats.
The exit row seats (Rows 11 and 33) had immense amounts of room. Even at window seats, where the slide sticks out, it wouldn't keep but the tallest pax from stretching out their legs, as the seats are set pretty far back. The middle section bulkheads (Rows 10 and 32, DEG) have ample room as well, which also makes them popular places for other pax to cross across the cabin. NOTE: While the bulkhead seats were available at the counter (JL codeshares are actually handled by JL agents, but the same is true at the VN counters in past experience), exit row seats were only available from the GAs. Don't be afraid to ask! (and to add... the GAs gave us Row 11D&E claiming they were bulkhead... they were just regular seats. Glad we asked for exit rows!)
Since this was a 6-hour flight after a 10-hour flight, I was REALLY bored, I also made a seat map for the Y cabin (sorry, no J cabin, since they actually did a good job of preventing class crossings :)). Here are some highlights:
-Row 10 DEG (no outboard seats) are bulkhead seats with tons of room, but are popular places for other pax to cross the cabin. They are also close to the lavs.
-Row 11 ABC and KJH is by far the best exit row seating I've ever seen in Y. You're first off the plane, there's tons of legroom (even with the FA sitting in the jumpseat), and there's even a real window to boot! The slide will only bother the tallest of pax.
-Row 18 A&H are missing windows.
-Row 24 A&H, you'll have to lean to look out the window.
-Row 31 are the last seats in the front Y cabin, so they have some restricted recline due to the closet/lavs behind.
-Row 32 DEG (no outboard seats) are bulkhead seats with tons of room, but are popular places for other pax to cross the cabin. They are also close to the lavs.
-Row 33 is an exit row with tons of room, even when the FA is sitting in the jumpseat. However, there is no real window, just the one on the door.
-Rows 32-45, on the outboard seats (ABC and HJK), there is 1-2" less pitch than other seats. (I noticed this when the rows started to mismatch, so I measured with a string).
-Rows 40-45, on the outboard seats, will seem a little tighter, due to the curvature of the aircraft.
-Rows 44-45 DEG are pretty close to the galleys and lavs.
-Row 45 ABC & HJK have slightly restricted recline, due to the lavs behind these seats.
-Row 46 DEG is REALLY close to the galleys and lavs, and pax have a tendency to congregate in your area. There is also slightly restrict recline, due to the galley behind these seats.
SERVICE
The drink service started shortly after takeoff, with the typical offerings (sodas, water, juices), plus "Vietnamese instant coffee," Japanese green tea, Vietnamese jasmine tea, and beer/wine gratis.
Then the meal service consisted of a choice between beef (rolled around asparagus with a sauce w/ sticky rice) or seafood (shrimp, scallop, and squid stir-fried with rice), warm roll + butter, cold Japanese noodles, fresh fruit, and sushi + accessories. I had the beef, which was pretty good (though the asparagus was a little overdone for my tastes), and my business partner liked her seafood offering.
All throughout, when there was cart service, there were 6 carts for Y, 3 in each aisle... as a result, the service was always prompt and choreographed (in stark contrast on my AA LAX-NRT flight, where the exit row (in front of my seat :mad: ) was used to house carts several times, while they played musical carts).
Another drink service quickly followed the meal being served. Afterwards, the FAs checked on the pax and offered more drinks at least every 30-45 minutes (in talking to an FA, the VN requirement is at least every hour). There were also always drinks available in the galleys.
The crew themselves were quite the friendly bunch, quite chatting and smiling all the time. I hung out in the galley quite a bit, with my wanting to ask as much about them as they wanted of me (let's just say, the U.S. legacy FAs would NOT be too keen on the crew assignment system at VN ;))
Superb job on the service, all in all. ^ I'm trying to find a way to let VN know what a great service experience it was... I just hope it makes it way to the crew themselves.
(Note: Besides the obviously Vietnamese speaking crew, there were also 2 Japanese crew members, and all of them could at least speak a bit of English).
LAVATORIES
There are a generous 8 lavs available for Y pax. The middle starboard lav is the roomy one for disabled pax. On our specific aircraft, the middle port lavs smelled horrendous and was out of soap.
Seems like the rear most lavs are the least used ones.
IFE
VN shows programming and movies on several cabin screens, but there are no individual screens. Audio consists of at least 24 channels of a mixed variety (news, music, etc.) in different languages (English, Viet, Japanese).
There's also a nosecam for takeoff and landing. ^
ARRIVAL
We arrived into SGN about 20 minutes early. Still quite a sight to behold when you see the delapidated USAF hangers, relics from an old war. You also pass by the new, Japanese-designed international terminal that's still under construction (the old terminal building will become an all-domestic terminal).
SGN also has the dual jetbridges, and deplaning was super efficient, as the port aisle pax used 2L, and the starboard pax walked through J and used 1L, resulting in no bottleneck.
FINAL THOUGHTS
-VN has come into its own, at least on international routes. Sure, they should have F, but it doesn't matter to me :) If only I could have the AA Y seats with VN's Y configuration and service, I would be great. I can only hope VN starts direct LAX-SGN service, as AA (and I) can only benefit from that codeshare.
-A moment of comedy... after the safety briefing (which ended on "How to Use Your Lifevest"), all the FAs did this "fire drill" thing and quickly disappeared into the lavs! My partner and I were quite perplexed. When I asked, one of the FAs explained that it was not proper to disrobe in front of the customers, so that's why they had to go into the lavs to take off the life vests! :eek: Understandable of course... but very different.
Tail number VN-A145
Flight Time: ~5h30m
----------------------
PIC LINKS
Aircraft - 777-200ER - VN-A145 (http://www.quancam.net/VN-A145.jpg)
Seat Map (http://www.quancam.net/VN772ERseatmap.jpg)
Y Seat (http://www.quancam.net/VNSeat.jpg)
Y Meal (http://www.quancam.net/VNmeal.jpg)
----------------------
BEFORE DEPARTURE
I flew on an AA all-partner award ticket. Technically a JL award ticket, my flight was nonetheless operated by VN as a codeshare with JL. Their 772s are 2-class, J and Y.
Before the flight at NRT, we proceeded to the D checkout counters (as per the big departures board), where VN was located. Upon arriving, we were told to go down to the K counters for JL checkin. I wanted to be sure this was correct, so I asked someone else, and they said "K". So be it I guess... we hiked back down the concourse (where our hotel shuttle actually dropped us off anyway). We passed through their security x-ray for checked luggage, and reached the counter. I requested exit or bulkhead, and they gave us Seats 11 D/E which she claimed were bulkheads, and she also claimed that the exit rows were no longer available. She also asked if we had previous flights, and I said YES, we arrived from the US yesterday. I suspect that this was to increase our baggage allowance, though technically I was on separate tickets (my business partner was not).
At the gate, the GAs handling the boarding were JL agents, and they handled it with their typical efficiency. They announce J boarding, then Y boarding within 2 minutes. (I love the fact they maintain the F/J lines separate from the Y lines, which allows any-time boarding for the F/J pax... now if only I ever get to use it...). For Y, it was all rows, but this wasn't a full flight (around 50%), so not much of the typical josteling to stand in line.
NRT has those dual jet-bridges, so the J and Y pax and their own entrances (J through 1L, Y through 2L).
SEATING
EDIT: Note that the seat map is only valid for VN-A145. According to the crew, while the seating config is the same on VN's 772s, the numbering is different, so be sure to check with whoever is printing your tix.
(note: I didn't come prepared with a tape measure, so I don't have any true estimates... my only frame of reference is an AA 772... sorry!)
Y is arranged in the 3-3-3 configuration (ABC-DEG-HJK). My business partner and I sat in Exit Row 33A and C (assigned A and B, but the flight was 1/2 full). I plopped down into my seat... and hit a metal bar! Turns out that there's only about 1" of cushion, so it was not very comfortable and lumpy (FAs looked at me weird when I took the cushion off). It took 2 pillows and a blanket (plenty laying around, sealed in plastic) to make it as comfortable as AA's cushions. There were adjustable headrests with wings, and also that disposable headrest cover which just makes it that much more hygienic. The recline was quite generous on these seats... it was a bit further than AA's 772 Y seats.
The exit row seats (Rows 11 and 33) had immense amounts of room. Even at window seats, where the slide sticks out, it wouldn't keep but the tallest pax from stretching out their legs, as the seats are set pretty far back. The middle section bulkheads (Rows 10 and 32, DEG) have ample room as well, which also makes them popular places for other pax to cross across the cabin. NOTE: While the bulkhead seats were available at the counter (JL codeshares are actually handled by JL agents, but the same is true at the VN counters in past experience), exit row seats were only available from the GAs. Don't be afraid to ask! (and to add... the GAs gave us Row 11D&E claiming they were bulkhead... they were just regular seats. Glad we asked for exit rows!)
Since this was a 6-hour flight after a 10-hour flight, I was REALLY bored, I also made a seat map for the Y cabin (sorry, no J cabin, since they actually did a good job of preventing class crossings :)). Here are some highlights:
-Row 10 DEG (no outboard seats) are bulkhead seats with tons of room, but are popular places for other pax to cross the cabin. They are also close to the lavs.
-Row 11 ABC and KJH is by far the best exit row seating I've ever seen in Y. You're first off the plane, there's tons of legroom (even with the FA sitting in the jumpseat), and there's even a real window to boot! The slide will only bother the tallest of pax.
-Row 18 A&H are missing windows.
-Row 24 A&H, you'll have to lean to look out the window.
-Row 31 are the last seats in the front Y cabin, so they have some restricted recline due to the closet/lavs behind.
-Row 32 DEG (no outboard seats) are bulkhead seats with tons of room, but are popular places for other pax to cross the cabin. They are also close to the lavs.
-Row 33 is an exit row with tons of room, even when the FA is sitting in the jumpseat. However, there is no real window, just the one on the door.
-Rows 32-45, on the outboard seats (ABC and HJK), there is 1-2" less pitch than other seats. (I noticed this when the rows started to mismatch, so I measured with a string).
-Rows 40-45, on the outboard seats, will seem a little tighter, due to the curvature of the aircraft.
-Rows 44-45 DEG are pretty close to the galleys and lavs.
-Row 45 ABC & HJK have slightly restricted recline, due to the lavs behind these seats.
-Row 46 DEG is REALLY close to the galleys and lavs, and pax have a tendency to congregate in your area. There is also slightly restrict recline, due to the galley behind these seats.
SERVICE
The drink service started shortly after takeoff, with the typical offerings (sodas, water, juices), plus "Vietnamese instant coffee," Japanese green tea, Vietnamese jasmine tea, and beer/wine gratis.
Then the meal service consisted of a choice between beef (rolled around asparagus with a sauce w/ sticky rice) or seafood (shrimp, scallop, and squid stir-fried with rice), warm roll + butter, cold Japanese noodles, fresh fruit, and sushi + accessories. I had the beef, which was pretty good (though the asparagus was a little overdone for my tastes), and my business partner liked her seafood offering.
All throughout, when there was cart service, there were 6 carts for Y, 3 in each aisle... as a result, the service was always prompt and choreographed (in stark contrast on my AA LAX-NRT flight, where the exit row (in front of my seat :mad: ) was used to house carts several times, while they played musical carts).
Another drink service quickly followed the meal being served. Afterwards, the FAs checked on the pax and offered more drinks at least every 30-45 minutes (in talking to an FA, the VN requirement is at least every hour). There were also always drinks available in the galleys.
The crew themselves were quite the friendly bunch, quite chatting and smiling all the time. I hung out in the galley quite a bit, with my wanting to ask as much about them as they wanted of me (let's just say, the U.S. legacy FAs would NOT be too keen on the crew assignment system at VN ;))
Superb job on the service, all in all. ^ I'm trying to find a way to let VN know what a great service experience it was... I just hope it makes it way to the crew themselves.
(Note: Besides the obviously Vietnamese speaking crew, there were also 2 Japanese crew members, and all of them could at least speak a bit of English).
LAVATORIES
There are a generous 8 lavs available for Y pax. The middle starboard lav is the roomy one for disabled pax. On our specific aircraft, the middle port lavs smelled horrendous and was out of soap.
Seems like the rear most lavs are the least used ones.
IFE
VN shows programming and movies on several cabin screens, but there are no individual screens. Audio consists of at least 24 channels of a mixed variety (news, music, etc.) in different languages (English, Viet, Japanese).
There's also a nosecam for takeoff and landing. ^
ARRIVAL
We arrived into SGN about 20 minutes early. Still quite a sight to behold when you see the delapidated USAF hangers, relics from an old war. You also pass by the new, Japanese-designed international terminal that's still under construction (the old terminal building will become an all-domestic terminal).
SGN also has the dual jetbridges, and deplaning was super efficient, as the port aisle pax used 2L, and the starboard pax walked through J and used 1L, resulting in no bottleneck.
FINAL THOUGHTS
-VN has come into its own, at least on international routes. Sure, they should have F, but it doesn't matter to me :) If only I could have the AA Y seats with VN's Y configuration and service, I would be great. I can only hope VN starts direct LAX-SGN service, as AA (and I) can only benefit from that codeshare.
-A moment of comedy... after the safety briefing (which ended on "How to Use Your Lifevest"), all the FAs did this "fire drill" thing and quickly disappeared into the lavs! My partner and I were quite perplexed. When I asked, one of the FAs explained that it was not proper to disrobe in front of the customers, so that's why they had to go into the lavs to take off the life vests! :eek: Understandable of course... but very different.