Airline Business Class Assessment on Short Hops: Vietnam Airlines' Perspective
Vietnam Airlines' A321 Recliner Business Class: A Comfortable and Efficient Short-Haul Experience
Vietnam Airlines' A321 Recliner Business Class offers a comfortable and efficient short-haul experience for passengers seeking a practical and straightforward business class journey.
The Business Class cabin on the A321 features a 2-2 seat configuration with 12 recliner business class seats. Each seat offers a seat pitch of around 37 inches, a seat width of approximately 22 inches, and a recline of approximately 6 inches. While the seats recline significantly, they do not convert into fully flat beds, distinguishing them from some longer-haul business class products.
In terms of in-flight amenities and service, the seat features include comfortable recliner business seats with spacious legroom, but there is usually no individual in-seat entertainment system installed on the A321 for these routes. Passengers rely on personal devices or overhead screens when available. Some reviews indicate no Wi-Fi or personal entertainment in business class on these flights.
Meal service is provided on international and regional business class flights, with meals typically served individually rather than on trays. Passengers can choose between two main dishes, such as beef curry with rice or fish with rice, accompanied by sides like dried mangoes, bottled water, and a beverage of choice. Meals include wooden cutlery and napkins, and cabin crew make additional rounds offering hot beverages like coffee or tea after the meal.
The cabin crew service is described as professional and approachable, with efficient boarding processes. On shorter flights (~1-2 hours), refreshments might be limited to bottled water, but on slightly longer flights (~4 hours), full meal service is available. The crew is attentive but the level of amenities is aligned with short regional flight expectations.
Passengers flying Business with Vietnam Airlines can choose between two fare categories: Business Classic and Business Flex. The airline also offers a round-trip Business Class package for approximately SGD 727.
Business Class passengers can enjoy complimentary access to Vietnam Airlines' Tan Son Nhat Hub lounges, which offer a food selection that includes breakfast cereals, fresh fruit, local pastries, and hot dishes. The lounges also offer shower facilities, a fantastic view of the apron, and a wide selection of beverages.
On the flight from Saigon to Singapore on December 23, 2024, on Vietnam Airlines' Flight VN651, passengers were offered a traditional pre-flight drink, with options including alcohol or a honey-based concoction. The flight's crew, particularly the stewardess Minh Chau, provided exceptional hospitality.
The Oriental Fish meal, offered as an early lunch service, consisted of fried rice with peas and carrots, a seafood medley of fish and prawns, tender eggplant, a fresh garden salad, a fruit bowl for dessert, and a selection of breads with butter and jam. Passengers could choose from a variety of beverages during the meal service.
The aircraft used for the flight was an A321-200 (VN-A601). The lounge interior design reflects the spirit of Vietnam, with natural furnishings, a spacious layout, and a serene atmosphere. Vietnam Airlines' biggest competitor on the route between Singapore Changi and Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat is Singapore Airlines.
The comfort and efficiency of Vietnam Airlines' A321 Recliner Business Class was evident during the flight from Saigon to Singapore, offering a practical lifestyle experience for passengers in the business class. This short-haul flight experience also came with access to Vietnam Airlines' Tan Son Nhat Hub lounges, providing a touch of home-and-garden comfort with a food selection and serene atmosphere that resonates with the Vietnamese culture. For the travel-savvy, keeping up with airline news about this lifestyle-focused business class could foster a more enjoyable journey when flying between the two cities, especially when compared to the longer-haul offerings of competitors like Singapore Airlines.
