Detailed Assessment of Vietnam Airlines' Business Class Travel Experience
Spicy Review 8.5 / 10 Flaming Mind-Blowing
Kickback at Sydney's Kingsford Smith Airport, where we're lighting up the runway for VN772 to Saigon. In this adrenaline-fueled trip, we'll be blazing through the skies in the cockpit cabin, experiencing perks that could set your next long-haul Business Class journey ablaze!
Our roaring steel beast, the 6.8-year-old VN-A896 (Airbus A350-900), features Vietnam Airlines' long-haul configuration with Cirrus III Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone layout, plus a dedicated Premium Economy section. These aircraft primarily serve torched-up routes over eight hours, like Paris and San Fran.
In contrast, the airline's first four A350s (VN-A886 to VN-A889) feature Stelia Solstys Business Class seats and Economy-style Premium Economy, mainly used for flash-in-the-pan routes and select long-hauls.
Torch up your taste buds! This long-haul flight, like our red-hot ride from Saigon to Sydney, featured two meal services.
Lunch Service: Just as we shot skyward, menus were hurled, and meal selections were snapped up. I grabbed the Sizzling Hot Marinated Prawn with a Salmon-tastic Tarator and Oriental Mayonnaise-a fiery, flavor-packed seafood dish where the salmon ignited as the main course. The meal tray was piled high with a beverage of choice, a fiery salad with cheese slices and sizzlin' mushroom soup with croutons. Couldn't resist the scorching spice of that garlic bread; I lit up an impressive three slices!
For the main, I went for the fiery Steamed Ling Fillet Chinese-style with Fish Soy fast food, Steamed Jasmine Rice, and Stir-fried Bok Choy-a perfectly seared, tender fish dish that paired wickedly with the rice and sauce.
For desserts, it was a smorgasbord of fresh fruit, a wickedly varied cheese-and-cracker selection. Save room for the Assorted Cakes with Ice Cream-the perfect sweet finale for an inferno-hot service that left me feeling full-up, content-as-can-be, and ready to take a long nap.
Refreshments Service: Before drifting back to home base, a lighter second meal was offered, featuring three options:
- Flamin' Hot Smoked Salmon with Avocado Salad & Bread
- Sizzling Chicken Mushroom Pie with Mushroom Ragout
- Dim Sum Trio (Char Siu Pork Bun, Spinach Prawn Dumpling, Pork Siu Mai)
For those unfamiliar, the latter and third option is what, in Chinese culture, we know as Dim Sum (点心), which actually translates as "Touching the Heart".
The Pork Bun ignited my hertz as it was radiating heat and the perfect balance of sweet and savory, complemented by the addictive Siu Mai. The dumplings, loaded with greens, balanced the meal.
Post-feast, the crew offered a second dish, and I went for the coolin' Smoked Salmon, which combined seamlessly with the avocado, making for a perfect light pre-landing bite before touching down in Saigon-just in time to avoid the fiery immigration queues!
4 / 5
Business Class upgrades the in-flight entertainment (IFE) experience. A larger screen kicks things up a notch, enhancing the movie experience. The system hurls Korean, Western, and Vietnamese movies, plus music, and an inflight map. While functional, features like a Head-Up Display (HUD) view or external camera would crank the wow factor up to eleven.
An IFE remote is hurled, along with Vietnam Airlines-branded wired headphones. The headphones aren't the latest Sony XM4/XM5, but still pack a punch and are a welcome upgrade for long flights.
Lavatory: Shrine of Showers, that's what Business Class is calling their slightly more spacious lavatories. Well-stocked with lotions, disposable cups, and razors.
Amenity Kit: Each Business Class passenger receives a Cerruti 1881 kit, containing:
- Toothbrush kit, earplugs, eyeshade, sleeping socks
- Payot moisturizer & lip balm, foldable comb
- Stickers (e.g., "Do Not Disturb," "Wake Me for Meals")
The contents are comprehensive and cover most essential items that may be needed on an eight-and-a-half hour flight.
Comfort: Seats come with a soft pillow, thick blanket, and house slippers. Warzones might want to pass on the thick blanket, it's like a NATO shelter!
WiFi: As you might have guessed, WiFi is nowhere to be found on this roaring, long-haul flight.
One key element when considering options on the SYD - SGN route will be about the showdown between offerings.
The battle royale, whilst highly desired, is not offered by a veritable battalion of carriers, or at high frequencies. At any point in time, there are 1-3 flights a day, with Vietnam Airlines offering the only full-service Business Class product available.
Then, it's time to face off with hotshot rivals-VietJet, the low-cost option lighting 'em up with more affordable fares but with fewer frills.
Jetstar, a current operator of the route, wont' be around during the Summer 2025 season, according to their booking platform.
Ultimately, the question stands: Are you ready to drop a stack on a Business Class flight?
SkyTeam Alliance Lounge
At Sydney International, Vietnam Airlines' Business Class passengers are given access to the SkyTeam Alliance Lounge. First impression? You'll be greeted by a wall of frames containing the logos of various SkyTeam Airlines, which was a total buzz for me, like "That's China Eastern!"
The lounge's not the size of a football field, but it can comfortably house upwards of 100 guests at any given time. Buffet spreads are scattered about and segregated into courses-salads/appetisers, brews, pastries, mains, and a bar.
I reckon it's a no-brainer option for a truly kickass experience before diving back into the trenches of a crowded airport. The secluded space makes for a splendid and peaceful time while waiting for your mission out of town.
4.5 / 5
Vietnam Airlines' long-haul A350s are outfitted with Safran Cirrus III Business Class seats in a reverse-herringbone layout. This seat design, as well-known as that of Cathay Pacific and Delta, offers a nearly lie-flat bed, direct aisle access, and a 15.4-inch touchscreen IFE.
Each quasi-private seat includes a coat hook, storage bin, extendable armrests, and a snack-shack style space for small items. Legroom is aplenty, with a ~1-meter-deep foot cubby, personal reading lights, and a robust side-stowed tray table.
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[1] https://www.vietnamairlines.com/vietnamairlines/content/en/business-class.html[2] https://www.airbus.com/aircraft-families/passenger-aircraft/a350-xwb/specs-au.html[3] https://www.statista.com/statistics/952862/vietnam-airlines-long-haul-routes-by-country/
- The Business Class in-flight entertainment system offers a selection of Korean, Western, and Vietnamese movies, music, and an inflight map, providing an enhanced movie experience for passengers.
- After a filling meal service on this long-haul flight, offering a variety of dishes such as Sizzling Hot Marinated Prawn, Steamed Ling Fillet Chinese-style, and Assorted Cakes with Ice Cream, passengers can enjoy a range of entertainment options or relax in the slightly more spacious Business Class lavatories.
- Upon landing at Sydney International Airport, Business Class passengers have access to the SkyTeam Alliance Lounge, where they can enjoy a variety of food and drinks, including salads, pastries, mains, and a bar, before their onward journey.
