Flying: Vietnam Airlines Economy Class Singapore to Tokyo Narita 2016

Since we had checked-in online, it was straight to the baggage drop, with only one other passenger in front of us. Check-in was quick and boarding passes were issued all the way to Narita.

Turned out that the aircraft was parked at A15, one of the further gates in T3.

Vietnam Airlines 658
Singapore (SIN) – Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)
Saturday, May 21 2016
Depart: 08:25PM
Arrive: 09:30PM
Flight time: 2hr05min
Aircraft: Airbus 321
Seat: 16A

We pushed off on time at 8:23PM, although the taxi to the runway was somewhat intermittent, perhaps due to the long queue of late evening departures and arrivals. We ended up taking off only at 8:50PM, after several stops during the taxi.

As soon as the plane levelled off, service began with beverages and supper served concurrently. I had the seafood noodles. The appetiser was quite tasty, with the herbs and lime juice giving a fresh after taste to the prawn and  vermicelli salad.

While the noodles are a little mushy, the prawns are quite succulent, albeit fairly tiny, though it should be noted that one seldom finds good noodles on airline catering, and even more so for economy class.

Meanwhile Wayne had the sweet and sour pork, which he also liked.

What I really appreciated was that the crew proactively offered JJ bread and fruits after learning that he was on a vegetarian diet.

After the meal service another round of drinks were offered and the trays were collected, following which the cabin was dimmed. 

Despite the delay in takeoff, we landed at 9:25PM, had a quick taxi and pulled over at a remote parking stand beside a fleet of ATR 72s.

Since SGN is not really that big an airport, we quickly found the transit desk and proceed to the departure gate.

Given that I really wanted to experience the Dreamliner, my heart almost sank when I saw that the aircraft had been swapped to an A330.

However, when we got to the gate, it was a beautiful Dreamliner waiting for us on the tarmac.

And it was like a dream came true, quite literally.

We were again among the last to board, and was welcomed by the in-flight service manager, who was dressed in yellow ao dai.

Vietnam Airlines 300

Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) – Tokyo Narita (NRT)

Sunday, May 22 2016

Depart: 12:35AM

Arrive: 08:00AM

Flight time: 5hr25min

Aircraft: Boeing 787

Seat: 27G

Waiting for us at the seats was a set of pillow and blanket. While a standard offering on long haul flights, regional flights of around 5 hrs are somewhat a grey area on whether such amenities should be provided as a norm.

Soon after we levelled off, menus were distributed together with headsets, followed by Japanese immigration declaration forms.

It really appears that more and more Asian carriers are providing menus even in economy class, or it could be Vietnam Airlines upping the game following the strategic equity investment from ANA.

In any case, the selection is fairly generous, with a good variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

I had the western option, which comprised the standard bacon and eggs. This time round, the pineapple was actually tasty. While the omelette is a little on the salty side, the baked tomato was well caramelised and juicy.

In the meantime, my friend had the Japanese option, but either the food was too tasty or he was too hungry, I didn't manage to get a photograph before he devoured it.

Although I downed a cup of coffee after the meal service, I quickly dozed off again, notwithstanding 007 Sceptre playing in the background. When I woke up we were already beginning the descent on approach to Narita.

At this point the stewardesses began to collect the earphones and...the menus??? And with no entertainment available and fresh awake after a quick wash-up, I started fiddling with the electronic tinted window which has drawn much hype for the 787.

I have read many complaints about the 787's tinted windows not being able to shield out light totally and were an annoyance to a good rest. However, having experienced, I am fairly satisfied with it.

Somehow I managed to fall asleep again even with the seat-back put upright and only woke up after a light bump from touching down at Narita.

Sometimes I just think that hospitality is really deep in the veins of South East Asia, it's only the level of precision at which it can be delivered. And frankly, with the other SEA carriers improving at such a fast pace, the edge SIA used to command may no longer be significant enough to deserve a large fare premium.