I recently went on a trip to Cambodia and Vietnam courtesy of Vietnam Airlines, the lone blogger with a group of travel writers/journalists.
The next day, I made my way to the airport, arriving a little after 8am where I met our chaperone for the trip, Burt of Vietnam Airlines, and the rest of my travelling companions. In addition to Burt, there were five other people in our little group - all guys, plus me.
This was my first time flying business class, and it proved thrilling and an eye-opener. I can't imagine flying like this all the time... Here's my Vietnam Airlines Review for business class.
Business class seats with pillow and blanket
There's so much leg room my (admittedly short) legs don't even touch the seat in front of me!
Feet don't touch! Shortly after this photo was taken for my Vietnam Airlines Review, I slipped my shoes off. These are my super-comfy Brooks walkers, bought on my previous trip to Sydney. Please ignore the daggy and unevenly rolled up jeans
The seats are wide and adjustable so you can relax and sleep at more reclined positions than in economy. The foot rest is automated and extends flat in the "bed" setting so you can lie down. It's not a full lie-flat bed but this is the best seat on a plane I've ever been in - no complaints here!
Adjustable seat controls
As soon as we're seated, we're given refreshing cool towelettes and offered orange juice, apple juice or champagne. We're given a Clarins amenities pack containing a toothbrush and toothpaste, earplugs, comb, a tiny tube of Clarins moisturiser, shaving set, blindfold, shoe horn and shoe-shine kit (do people really use these?). Next, we are presented with the menu so we can choose our hors d'oeuvre and main course and my eyes open wide when I see the feast that awaits. Looks like business class and gluttony go hand in hand.
Complimentary Clarins pack
Cabin crew come round with a rack of magazines and a selection of Australian and Vietnamese newspapers.
Choose your reading material
The in-flight entertainment is via a touch screen console, with over 20 Hollywood movies, plus sports documentaries and episodes of Just for Laughs. I realised recently that the only time I watch movies these days is while I'm flying - I've watched the last couple of Harry Potter and Twilight films on planes.
The music selection includes lots of best of albums (I set up a playlist with the greatest hits of Eurythmics and Kylie Minogue) but if you're really into your music, you'd be best off taking your iPod along. In your seat there's a power point and USB port which works for keeping your iPod/iPhone charged up. I see others around me whip out their iPads and laptop computers as we get settled into the flight.
In-flight entertainment - movie selection
When lunch service begins, my table is gently folded out for me (the crew have spotted a clueless business class newbie a mile away!) and a tablecloth is laid upon it. Then a tray is placed before me, with salt and pepper shakers and metal cutlery and toothpick in a rolled cloth napkin. I don't have long to wait before the amuse bouche appears. Actually, it's a trio of amuse bouches.
Amuse bouche
Next course is the hors d'oeuvre: smoked duck breast, Hungarian salami and two very plump grilled prawns, served with salad. Just as I'm wondering what the butter in the little dish is for, I am offered a selection of breads which includes white and wholemeal rolls and garlic bread. As I pick up my bread roll to butter it, I realise with surprise that it's warm.
Hors D'oeuvre: smoked duck breast, Hungarian salami and grilled prawn, served with salad
Next, zucchini parmesan soup, a creamy, well-seasoned soup topped with chopped chives and gooey parmesan cheese.
Zucchini parmesan soup
For my main course, I've chosen the wok-fried snapper in black bean sauce with fried rice with egg. The vegies are a little too floppy for my liking but the rice is very good and I'm impressed with the snapper - two thick fillets in a sticky dark sauce.
Wok-fried snapper in black bean sauce, fried rice with egg
The main course dishes are cleared away, and we are presented with fruit, cheese and crackers, free to select whatever we like.
Cheese, crackers, fruit and vegetables
Silver service fruit. The female cabin crew members look very graceful wearing the áo dài, Vietnamese national costume.
I'm getting full by now, so I choose a wedge of Brie with crackers, a little watermelon and a couple of strawberries.
My fruit, cheese and crackers
Last of all is a dessert tray with chocolates, cakes and black forest ice cream with raspberry coulis. Once again, I'm restrained in my selection, choosing just one of the chocolates to finish my meal. Coffee and tea are offered.
Dessert selection
Once we're all done, the dishes and trays cleared and our tables folded away, the lights are switched off. It's time to relax, watch a movie, or set your seat to "sleep", which is what most of us do to pass the time.
After all that eating, it may seem crazy that another meal is served two and half hours before landing, but the flight is almost 9 hours after all! Out comes the fold-out table again (I'm prepared this time and have managed it myself) and another crisp, fresh tablecloth. I've chosen the stir-fried chicken with shiitake spring onion, egg noodles with oyster sauce. It's served with salad, fruit salad and more warm bread. The chicken thigh pieces are succulent, the mushrooms juicy. Like the vegetables in my earlier meal, the Asian greens are a bit overdone but I enjoy the salty springy noodles.
More drinks, tea and coffee are offered, and a final round of the moist towelettes to freshen us up.
Second meal: stir-fried chicken with shiitake spring onion, egg noodles with oyster sauce
My Vietnam Airlines Review for the service was fantastic. The main meal was a banquet! I suppose there isn't much else to do up there! I felt utterly pampered and other than eventual boredom and wishing we'd hurry up and get there already, the almost 9-hour journey was travelled in comfort. Now that I know what I'm missing out on, every time I fly economy in future I will remember the luxury of business class and think of the passengers in the front of the aircraft with envy. Have you travelled business class before?
Vietnam Airlines Review: Flying Vietnam Airlines
Airbus A330-200 aircraft
Baggage allowance: economy class 30kg ; business class 40kg
Visit Vietnam Airlines website for more info
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