Suckin' it Up in Style: Reviewing Vietnam Airlines Regional Business Class
Detailed Assessment of Vietnam Airlines' Short-Haul Business Class Experience
Last updated: March 6, 2025
Nicholas Ling here, and today I'm spilling the beans on why Vietnam Airlines' regional Business Class is the bomb for short-haul travel. But let's call a spade a spade—this ain't a journey for the luxury-obsessed. Instead, it's a spot-on option for those chasing comfort with a side of competitiveness.
We're touching down at Tan Son Nhat International Airport—one of the busiest airports in Southeast Asia—and our destination is none other than Singapore. So buckle up, as we dive into the deets on the VN651 flight with Vietnam Airlines, specifically, their regional Business Class.
Our first glimpse: Vietnam Airlines' go-to workhorse for domestic and short-haul routes, the trusty A321. The airline flies a fleet of 62 A321s, including both A321neo and A321ceo variants.
In this leg of the adventure, we'll be riding VN-A601, a 12-year-old A321-200. Delivered to Vietnam Airlines in 2013, this bird of steel seats 16 lucky biz-class bunnies—spread out in a comfy 2-2 layout—along with 168 regular Joe's in the economy cabin.
So, how'd it go?
5 / 5
The Business Class seats on our trusty steed may not make billionaires tremble, but they get the job done like a champ for a short regional jaunt. Each of these 16 plush pods offers a hearty 45 inches of seat pitch, a nifty 10 inches of recline, and extendable foot and leg rests—leaving loads of room to sprawl out and feel at home. Speaking of home, the wide seats give fliers a cozy escape, with ample wiggle room to wiggle and wriggle comfortably throughout the flight.
A control panel on the side of the chair lets passengers adjust the various functions while cruising, with a sturdy, foldaway tray table tucked away under the armrest.
One hitch: No in-flight entertainment (IFE) screens in sight, not even in the fancy schmancy Business Class. But hey, meal service and takeoff/landing phases consume most of the flight time, so the lack of IFE isn't a deal-breaker.
5 / 5
Now let's talk crew: the real thang! I'm tellin' ya, it's like striking gold with this Business Class crew. Minh Chau, our stewardess for the flight, was an exceptional ray of sunshine. She dished out impeccable service and tossed in some savory wit in between micro-managing the meal service. In fact, she even hooked me up with an extra helping of grub to sample the alternative option.
[Fun fact: Vietnam Airlines' crew are the reason some passengers decide to fly with the airline, consistently providing top-notch service throughout the flight. But you didn't hear it from me.]
5 / 5
Our flight menu: a flavorful early lunch service shortly after reaching 10,000 feet. I went with the Oriental Fish, a long-standing favorite of mine on Vietnam Airlines. Today's scrumptious selection involved a beautifully garnished fried rice casserole brimming with peas, carrots, and a lip-smacking seafood medley of fish and prawns. The dish's delectable sauce coated the veggies and seafood to perfection.
The meal tray included a fresh garden salad, a fruit bowl for dessert, plus a selection of breads with butter and jam. To wash it down, passengers could select from various beverages, ranging from soft drinks and tropical juices to cocktails and brewskis.
Additional Booze and Caffeine
Before lift off, passengers in Business Class were offered a pre-flight drink. Choose from alcoholic bevvies or a traditional Vietnamese drink that tastes like liquid gold. Being a teetotaler, I dove head-first into the latter—and let me tell ya, it hit the spot like nothing else!
A Perfect Closing
Soaring high above the clouds, the crew served up a coffee and tea service to round off the yummy meal service. What's better than cuddling up with a warm drink, as you glide across the skies high above the clouds!
5 / 5
Due to the short flight duration, Vietnam Airlines neglected to provide in-flight entertainment via traditional screens. But fear not! Passengers can access entertainment through a mobile-based system by connecting to the LotuStar WiFi. Browse the same content typically available on seatback screens on your smart device.
Lavatory
Our lavatory on the VN A321 was clean and functional—nothing too fancy, but it gets the job done. Sporting a minimalistic design, it served its purpose on a short-haul flight without leaving much room for improvement.
Comfort
Each flyer is given a cozy blanket—just the right length and thickness—to keep you snug as a bug in this short flight.
Amenities
Due to the flight's swift duration, Business Class passengers don't receive amenity kits.
Vietnam Airlines and Singapore Airlines are trading blows on the hotly contested Singapore-Saigon route, with both airlines offering enticing options. A round-trip Business Class ticket clocks in at around SGD 727, a reasonable investment for the services enjoyed in Vietnam Airlines' Business Class.
Passengers booking Business Class with Vietnam Airlines can choose between two fare types:
- Business Classic, featuring standard perks.
- Business Flex, which offers further mileage benefits and reduced fees for cancellations, refunds, and changes.
Travelers flying Business with Vietnam Airlines can decide between these three airline options:
- Singapore Airlines, offering a comparable Business Class experience, though with a slightly higher price tag.
- Scoot, a low-cost carrier opting only for Economy Class on this route.
- VietJet Airlines, which offers the SkyBoss fare class, a Premium Economy alternative that falls short of true Business Class offerings.
Figuring out which carrier suits your fancy will help you make an informed decision for this short month-long hop across Asia.
At Tan Son Nhat's Vietnam Airlines Hub, the airline maintains two separate lounges, offering complimentary access to Business Class passengers, SkyTeam Alliance First/Business passengers, and LotusMiles Gold/Platinum/Million Miler members. I adore the simple naming convention: Lotus Lounge 1 and Lotus Lounge 2.
[Worth noting: The lounge's interior design is inspired by Vietnam's natural beauty, providing a calm and serene atmosphere perfect for rest prior to boarding. The modest food selection includes breakfast cereals, fresh fruit, local pastries, and more. The lounge also offers convenient amenities, such as shower facilities, a lovely view of the apron, and a selection of refreshing drinks.]
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- "For individuals aiming to upgrade their lifestyle during short-haul travels, Vietnam Airlines' Business Class offers a viable option, providing a blend of comfort and competitiveness."
- "While on this journey, passengers can expect to engage with the latest airline news, lifestyle tips, and travel advice, making their flight experience more enjoyable."
