Vietnam Airlines Review: Flying with the Airbus A321 and Boeing 787

My friends invited me on an international trip and highly recommended Vietnam Airlines, so I recently flew with them, experiencing two of their aircraft: the Airbus A321 and the Boeing 787.

As with any travel experience, a few surprises came up along the way. If you’re curious about what flying with Vietnam Airlines is like, here’s an overview of my journey with them.

The Planes

·       Airbus A321

Let’s start with the Airbus A321. This is the plane you’ll likely be on for shorter trips around Vietnam or between nearby countries in Southeast and Northeast Asia. The A321 has two types of seating: Business Class and Economy Class.

I was in Economy, and I have to admit, the legroom surprised me. It was actually spacious! I’m talking about actual room to stretch, even if you’re taller than average. The seats don’t recline fully flat, but they tilt just enough to get comfortable, so no complaints there.

Entertainment options are limited on the A321. There’s no personal TV screen. Instead of the usual seatback screen, they’ve got those overhead screens that multiple rows share. So, if you’d rather not watch a movie through the seat gap, it’s best to download your own.

There is a QR code available to access the internet, but the connection is inconsistent. You might consider finding alternative ways to spend your time. And don’t forget to charge your devices before you board as there are no charging ports on the A321. Magazines are provided, but they’re mostly in Vietnamese. It’s not much use for English speakers unless you can read Vietnamese.

·       Boeing 787

Next up was the Boeing 787. This aircraft is typically used for long-haul flights, and the level of comfort makes a difference. There’s a little blanket, pillow, and some headphones waiting for you at your seat.

Let’s talk comfort. The seats on the Boeing 787 are noticeably wider, with enough legroom that I could actually stretch my legs without kicking the seat in front of me. Even when the passenger in front of me fully reclined their seat, I still had enough space to work on my laptop.

Unlike the Airbus A321, you get your own personal screen here and it’s loaded with a selection of movies, music, games, all in multiple languages, so you can actually enjoy the entertainment this time. And yes, there are USB ports and power outlets at every seat, so you can keep your devices charged.

Cabin Crew

Now to the cabin crew, I have to say they provided professional and efficient service on both flights. They were friendly, always greeting everyone with smiles, even when handling impatient passengers.

I was surprised to get wet tissues and pre-departure drinks, which are quite rare in Economy. Throughout the flight, the crew consistently checked on passengers, offering drink refills and quickly clearing trays after meals. The whole flight was far more enjoyable than I had expected.

The Food

The meals were pretty average — not terrible, but nothing to rave about either. At least the meals were warm, which is more than I can say for some other flights I’ve been on. And you could enjoy unlimited juice and alcoholic beverages at no extra charge. Options included milk, Pepsi, 7-Up, tomato juice, orange juice, white wine, red wine, coffee, tea, and mineral water.

On-Time Performance

Vietnam Airlines is generally punctual, and my flights were right on time. I didn’t experience any major delays, but I’ve heard from other passengers that weather delays can happen. You might experience a delay of up to an hour if there’s a bad weather. Luckily, that wasn’t my case. Compared to flights where I’ve waited for hours, this minor delay would have been no big deal in my eyes.

Customer Service

Personally, I had no issues when I reached out; they were prompt and handled everything smoothly. But I’ve heard some stories. Some customers have complained about super slow response times and no one picking up the phone. Worse still, some ticket issues could only be resolved by email, which wasn’t convenient. My friend also experienced a cancelled flight, and the process to reschedule was painfully slow.

Most of the time, they do transfer your bags directly, but I’ve heard about one unlucky traveller reported their luggage being left at the transfer airport, and customer service wasn’t quick to resolve it. To be safe, double-check your airline’s transfer policies and keep a close eye on your luggage during transfers.

Final Thought on Flying with Vietnam Airlines

Overall, my flight with Vietnam Airlines was more comfortable than I expected. The cabin crews were super friendly, and the flight was smooth and comfortable from takeoff to landing. For a budget airline, I felt like I got a great deal for the price I paid. I’d definitely fly with them again. If you’re looking for an affordable option without giving up on comfort or service, Vietnam Airlines is definitely worth considering for your next flight.

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