Vietnam Airlines will be adding premium economy onboard its Airbus A321neo aircraft. The airline is doing so in order to upgrade services on the busy, competitive, and lucrative Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh city route from next month.
Airbus A321neos getting premium economy
Vietnam Airlines is upgrading services between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. To cater to the high demand for travel between the two cities and a competitive marketplace, the airline is adding a premium economy class on this route.
From January 10th, the airline will be offering premium economy on the route. This includes the Airbus A321neos, which will be operating some of the airline’s frequencies on the route.
Premium economy passengers on the route will get an exclusive cabin onboard the A321neos, a checked baggage allowance, as well as a complimentary carry-on allowance, and access to the Bong Sen lounge on the ground.
Passengers can also take advantage of priority check-in and boarding, which is reserved traditionally for premium cabin passengers and high-level elite members.
Vietnam Airlines took its first Airbus A321neo over two years ago. This aircraft featured business and premium economy passengers, with room eight passengers in the former class and 195 in the latter class.
Premium economy on narrowbody aircraft
Premium economy is traditionally found on widebody aircraft. Vietnam Airlines already offers it onboard widebodies, like the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787.
Vistara, in India, is another airline that offers a premium economy cabin on narrowbody Airbus A320 family of aircraft. Premium economy on the narrowbodies on these planes is in a 3-3 configuration and feature extra legroom and additional padding and seat comfort.
Vietnam Airlines does not currently offer a true premium economy product on its narrowbody aircraft, which will make the A321neos operating this route.
The carrier offers a premium economy product onboard its widebodies, including the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350. These cabins feature additional legroom and width, which means fewer passengers per row when compared to economy on the widebodies.
On the A321neos, this would mean a cabin likely in a 2-2 configuration, which would give passengers some more room, more overhead bin access, and a more intimate travel experience.
The route
Any passenger flying from Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi (HAN) to Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City has a lot of choices. This includes carriers, products, and flight schedules.
The route is one of the busiest air routes in the world and the busiest in the country. With a mix of leisure and business demand, premium economy will fit in well on this route.
Premium economy is a niche between business class and economy class. Airlines thread the needle of trying to get people to buy up from economy, but not down from business class. Vietnam Airlines’ product does that well and will likely do well on this route.
As the flag carrier of Vietnam, Vietnam Airlines is looking to remain the premier carrier on the route and offer more passengers more choice, which will lead to a lot of success on the route.
Ultimately, 2021 will be a big year for Vietnam Airlines on the route. Whether the product finds its way on more short-haul routes in Vietnam and Southeast Asia remains to be seen.
Are you excited to see Vietnam Airlines upgrade its route between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi? Let us know in the comments!