Round The World and other travels
A frequent flyer's collection of trip diaries
This is: Vietnam 2010
Flight Log 4: VN850
Bangkok (BKK) - Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)
We quickly settled into our seats, comprising Row 3 on the port side. The Business Class cabin had four rows of 2+2 seats and, in both configuration and appearance, it was reminiscent of Domestic First in the USA. Although the seats were wide and chunky, they also seemed a little retro and were extraordinarily upright. We quickly agreed to recline them just a little, while keeping them exactly in line with each other ... aaah, that's more like it!
The aircraft was appallingly stuffy during boarding, so when some cold towels arrived it came as a most welcome relief. A pre-take off glass of Champagne was equally appreciated and seemed quite an opulent touch on such a short flight. The safety video was shown prior to leaving the gate some six minutes down on the schedule. At such a large airport, it was perhaps inevitable that we would fall even further behind, finally becoming airborne at three minutes past noon.
When the cabin crew were released from their seats, the first order of business was a further round of cold towels. There was a choice of hot meal and we both had chicken and rice. I thought the tray was very well presented for a flight of little more than an hour and the availability of garlic bread was another welcome and unexpected bonus. A tea and coffee service brought the meal to a close and a final round of towels, this time of the hot variety, brought the cabin service to a most satisfactory conclusion.
As we approached Ho Chi Minh City, it
became clear that weather conditions were a little short of ideal.
We touched down at the surprisingly empty-looking airport at 1314
and parked on our remote stand just four minutes later. In a further
unexpected touch, a cabin crew member was stationed at the curtain
to restrain the masses
,
while Business Class passengers were disembarked separately and
provided with our own dedicated ground transport.
Overall, an impressive introduction to Vietnam Airlines, and indeed to the country itself.
Date: Mon 15 Nov 2010
Aircraft: Airbus A321
Scheduled dep: 1140
Actual departure: 1146
Scheduled arrival: 1310
Actual arrival: 1318
Cabin: Business
Seat: 3A
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