Vietnam Airlines
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London
Programs: British Airways Silver, Tesco, BA Amex, Kris Flyer
Posts: 533
Vietnam Airlines
Apologies for this slightly off topic question, I'm looking to book a flight from Sin-Lon at Christmas and I wondered if anyone had any experience of this airline?
I'm trying in my mind to justify the extra S$700 to fly BA and the reviews online for VN Airlines are pretty awful (although how many people rate an airline if it's just been 'ok')?
Any real long haul experiences (at the back of the plane) appreciated.
Thanks in advance
I'm trying in my mind to justify the extra S$700 to fly BA and the reviews online for VN Airlines are pretty awful (although how many people rate an airline if it's just been 'ok')?
Any real long haul experiences (at the back of the plane) appreciated.
Thanks in advance
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: back to my roots in Scotland!
Programs: Tamsin - what else is there to say?
Posts: 47,843
Perhaps asking in the other Asian airlines forum might be a better option than asking on a board about another airline, which is based on a different continent?
#3
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: London
Programs: BAEC gold, Marriott gold, Hilton gold
Posts: 1,923
Have flown domestic in business (Saigon-Da Nang) and flight was fine. Lounge was a bit grim as was SGN airport.
VN might be a good idea if you want to explore HCMC (Saigon) for a day or two. The airport is about 15-20 minutes from the centre of the city. You can walk around for a few hours, visit the Presidential Palace and Museum of war or if you have half a day to spare take a tour off Cu Chi tunnels (tour cost from hotel was about £15).
You will need a visa but I believe these are available on arrival for tourism only. However, you should check.
Vietnam is a fascinating place which doesn't want to forget their recent horrendous war and yet at the same time wants to move on and progress.
VN might be a good idea if you want to explore HCMC (Saigon) for a day or two. The airport is about 15-20 minutes from the centre of the city. You can walk around for a few hours, visit the Presidential Palace and Museum of war or if you have half a day to spare take a tour off Cu Chi tunnels (tour cost from hotel was about £15).
You will need a visa but I believe these are available on arrival for tourism only. However, you should check.
Vietnam is a fascinating place which doesn't want to forget their recent horrendous war and yet at the same time wants to move on and progress.
#6
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges and Environmentally Friendly Travel
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 22,212
Moving over to the Other Asian, Australian, and South Pacific Frequent Flyer Programs forum.
Prospero
Moderator: BAEC forum
Prospero
Moderator: BAEC forum
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: SEA(sia)
Posts: 5,181
#8
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: QF, VN, SQ, SPG, IHG PG
Posts: 453
VN is improving overall and this is showing, I have flown countless flights with VN, domestically, short-haul and long-haul, they are perfect for short haul flights, on par with their neighbours (accept their staff may need abit more help but overall good and pleasant) with new aircrafts and clean cabins and comfortable seats. Long Haul, they can be a hit and miss, majority of the flights have been pleasant, mostly I have been on their newer A332's and they are great to fly on with new and comfortable seats in both C/J and Y.
Some of their 772's are just awful, dirty and cramped and need major refurbishment, although if your lucky you might end with their newer retro-fitted 772's (VN-A141 & VN-A142) which have the latest product. Also keep in mind that VN has recently changed their LGW schedules, some flights now funnel through FRA or CDG, just check your dates.
You can also clock some ST miles with VN sometimes if your lucky VN might just bump you up to Deluxe Economy!
Some of their 772's are just awful, dirty and cramped and need major refurbishment, although if your lucky you might end with their newer retro-fitted 772's (VN-A141 & VN-A142) which have the latest product. Also keep in mind that VN has recently changed their LGW schedules, some flights now funnel through FRA or CDG, just check your dates.
You can also clock some ST miles with VN sometimes if your lucky VN might just bump you up to Deluxe Economy!
#9
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Hsinchu (Taiwan), Saigon, London
Programs: EVA (diamond), A3, BMI, VN
Posts: 2,960
I flew AF and VN a few times on CDG/SGN a few years back (in C) and whilst AF was better, VN stood up very well. Comparing EVA on TPE/SGN in C, EVA better. Comparing TG on BKK/SGN, TG better. But in both cases, VN was reasonable and probably better than LCC alternatives.
Years ago they had a 767 flying SGN/HAN. 1-2-2 configuration and 81" pitch in C. (I think it also flew internationally.) That was a bargain.
#10
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Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: SEA(sia)
Posts: 5,181
I wouldn't fly them internationally unless their fare is at least 30-40% cheaper than the other major carriers, however domestically within Vietnam there arent many options.
#11
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: TK*G (E+), IHG Plat Ambassador
Posts: 7,884
I'm trying in my mind to justify the extra S$700 to fly BA and the reviews online for VN Airlines are pretty awful (although how many people rate an airline if it's just been 'ok')?
Any real long haul experiences (at the back of the plane) appreciated.
Thanks in advance
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London
Programs: British Airways Silver, Tesco, BA Amex, Kris Flyer
Posts: 533
Many thanks for the feedback.
I was largely concerned about whether VN would have an entertainment system / provide reasonable food/alcohol? One of my friends has just experienced United and told me of the horror of no personal entertainment system (down the back of the plane)!
That said, the VN flight is $700 cheaper than BA - same price as an IPAD. So maybe that is the answer, take the cheaper flight and get a free IPAD?
I was largely concerned about whether VN would have an entertainment system / provide reasonable food/alcohol? One of my friends has just experienced United and told me of the horror of no personal entertainment system (down the back of the plane)!
That said, the VN flight is $700 cheaper than BA - same price as an IPAD. So maybe that is the answer, take the cheaper flight and get a free IPAD?
#13
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 527
VN Airlines connections through SGN and HAN are subjected to tropical weather, i.e. unexpected delay. There is no IFE and the food is Asian and subpar compares to SQ, CX, JL, etc. If your connection is less than 5 hours I would not even think about leaving the airport. I have a home in VN and go there often, mostly by CX and JL. VN flights are cheap but then you get what you paid for.
#14
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: SGN
Programs: AA EXP, AS MVP 75k, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 149
Vietnam Airlines
After earning over 70k miles in only 8 months with VN on just about every route imaginable, i can honestly say their service, product and pricing are a) not consistent, b) not to the same standard as TG, much less SQ (THE gold standard), and c) only worth a look if saving several hundred dollars is important to you and you do not have intentions to accrue pts/mileage with their program or ST.
Not to scare you or anything, last year I flew my wife, 16-month old son and myself from LAX-TPE-SGN where TPE-SGN was VN operated on an A330. I requested for a bassinet 3 months well in advance--never got it even though I'm elite plus on BOTH DL and VN plus I had purchased full Y fares...and just my kind of luck we finally got our seats in the tail along with the rest of the 10 screaming babies. My son's seat had electrical wires coming from the armrest. Apparently my armrest had no padding and my wife's seat was visibly warped as she couldn't lay back. Throughout all this the FAs simply said the flight was full and apologized for the inconvenience. Needless to say it was a tortuous 4 hrs....
Not to scare you or anything, last year I flew my wife, 16-month old son and myself from LAX-TPE-SGN where TPE-SGN was VN operated on an A330. I requested for a bassinet 3 months well in advance--never got it even though I'm elite plus on BOTH DL and VN plus I had purchased full Y fares...and just my kind of luck we finally got our seats in the tail along with the rest of the 10 screaming babies. My son's seat had electrical wires coming from the armrest. Apparently my armrest had no padding and my wife's seat was visibly warped as she couldn't lay back. Throughout all this the FAs simply said the flight was full and apologized for the inconvenience. Needless to say it was a tortuous 4 hrs....