Vietnam Airlines Premium Economy

Vietnam Airlines Premium Economy is a good option if you're wanting more legroom and an upgraded experience without paying for the business class option. Take a look at what premium economy is like on this 4 star airline and what special perk they have that cannot be beat!

Vietnam Airlines: Check In

Vietnam Airlines' Premium Economy has some of the benefits of business on the ground during check in. That means priority check-in at the business check-in counter - look for the Sky Priority signs. There is priority baggage drop-off, priority boarding, priority disembarkation and priority baggage handling. There is also the same luggage allowance for passengers flying to and from Australia and you are allowed to bring 2 bags up to 23kgs/50lbs. However there is no lounge access for those with Premium Economy tickets.

Vietnam Airlines: The Seat

Each Premium Economy cabin differs slightly depending on the aircraft. We travelled on a Boeing 787-9 and the distance between seat rows is approximately 96 cms/37inches. The recline is 15 cms/5.9inches and the seat pitch 96.5 ms/38inches. The in-seat monitor is 10.6" or 27cms. That gives plenty of room for 6 foot 2 inch tall Mr NQN to stretch out his legs.

Vietnam Airlines: The Entertainment

Like all airlines, the entertainment is the same for all classes. There are a lot of Vietnamese and Asian tv shows and movies to choose from with a small amount of Western tv shows and movies. As this was our third and fourth leg with them I had pretty much exhausted all of the tv shows and movies already.

In Flight Amenities

On the seat is a pillow and blanket and tucked into the pocket is a pair of slippers. You can ask for eye masks, noise-reducing earplugs and socks and these will be provided.

The Drinks

Before takeoff the flight attendants bring around cold, wet towels and juices. But one thing that I definitely recommend is pre-booking a boba tea. This was one of my favourite perks of flying Vietnam Airlines. When you check in, you can opt to enhance your flight with a boba milk tea. I had no idea what this was but I thought it was worth a gamble. On some flights, the boba tea is $6AUD, others it was $3. I had no idea what I would get nor do I recall even being able to choose a flavour. But when the flight attendant asked me when I wanted my boba tea I was so happy to have this as a special treat and I consider it the best $3 - $6 spent!

The tea is delicious. I think some drinks are made a few days ahead of time and sealed so sometimes the boba is soft, sometimes very chewy. But I'm being picky here and it was such a nice pick me up. Just make sure to book it at least 24 hours ahead of time.

The Bathrooms

There are two premium economy bathrooms on the left and right at the front of the premium economy section. The bathrooms are just like the business class bathrooms and have Genetre mist and hand cream in them as well as razors and toothbrushes

The Food

Premium Economy food isn't exactly like business class food where it is brought out individually. But the advantage to this smaller cabin is that you get served quickly. There are always two options, a Western and Vietnamese option and I choose the Vietnamese option which never fails. Mr NQN pre ordered the Asian vegetarian option because he likes getting served first.

On this flight we were served dinner or supper and then breakfast. There is a lotus salad with rolled egg and pork cake that was refreshing and tasty. The main is rice noodles with pork, lemongrass, mushroom and carrots that was so tasty that I ate the whole thing and there is also a soft bread roll with butter. For dessert I had fresh cut fruit and a che or Vietnamese sweet soup made with coconut and mung beans.

If you're interested, the Western option was potato salad with roasted pork pate and green olive and the main course was grilled fish with lemon sabayon sauce, potatoes, French beans, a bread roll, butter and lemon cake for dessert but we didn't try this.

The breakfast came 2 hours before we landed and with my beloved boba tea. Again I select the Vietnamese breakfast which was absolutely what I needed. It's a chicken congee with slices of chicken, ginger and spring onion, a croissant and fresh pineapple.

While you don't get the comfortable slumber that you do in business class thanks to the lie flat beds, the perks for Premium Economy definitely pay off and having the extra space to stretch out means a better sleep all round.

So tell me Dear Reader, would you pre-order the boba tea? Have you tried this premium economy option?

NQN and Mr NQN travelled to Europe as guests of Vietnam Airlines.