Vietnam Airlines plans to add premium economy class to all of its domestic flights in an effort to improve the traveler experience on its internal network. Although the Vietnamese flag airline with its headquarters in Hanoi and a member of SkyTeam has been providing these tickets on select domestic routes for nearly six years, on January 14th, it will expand this to include all of its internal flight network.
Coming soon
Vietnam Airlines just stated on its LinkedIn page that it will begin operating its expanded domestic premium economy on Tuesday. The airline says the change will “provide passengers with a more comfortable experience.”
All the features of a standard premium economy product are included in these tickets, such as priority check-in and boarding, as well as more roomy seats.
Additionally, compared to those traveling in economy class, passengers in this class will be entitled to a better and more varied onboard cuisine selection as well as more flexible ticket options. Since these fares give passengers the same amount of luggage as business class passengers, they are also ideal for people who like to pack as much as possible.
Vietnam Airlines offers two tariffs: Premium Economy Classic and Premium Economy Flex, according to the airline’s website. Although the latter offers greater freedom, as the name implies, both have the same baggage allowance of 18 kg for hand luggage and 32 kg for checked baggage. Vietnam observes that ATR 72 regional flights have lower baggage allowances of 23 kg and 7 kilogram, respectively.
Expanding the existing offering
Although all of Vietnam Airlines’ domestic flights will now sell premium economy tickets as part of next week’s expansion, the airline is not new to the idea of providing this class of travel on its internal route network. In fact, the airline started selling premium economy tickets on the Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi route in July 2019, but only on flights that used its Boeing 787s and Airbus A350s.
These tickets, which offer a fair balance between comfort and cost, cost travelers VND 500,000 ($20) more than the Economy Flex pricing when they were first introduced. Vietnam Airlines’ premium-economy Airbus A350-900s feature 36 of these seats in a 2-4-2 arrangement, while the Boeing 787-9s have 35 in a 2-3-2 configuration, per current fleet statistics provided by aeroLOPA.
At the time, Vietnam Airlines observed that, with the exception of the seat, its premium economy rates virtually give customers the business class experience.
The additional benefits of this travel class that have not yet been covered include “Lotus Lounge access, (…) welcome drinks, hot towels, hot meals, a wider selection of drinks and an upgraded entertainment system.”
A considerable domestic market
With over 100 million people living there, Vietnam is one of the most populated countries in the world. Given this, it should come as no surprise that its domestic aviation network is extensive and varied. This goes much beyond Vietnam Airlines’ primary hubs at Tan Son Nhat International (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City and Nội Bài International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi.
Currently, 19,013 domestic flights are planned to fly within Vietnam this month, according to scheduling data from aviation analytics firm Cirium.
All together, these services will provide 1,884,364,835 available seat miles (ASMs) and 3,723,916 seats. Even with these enormous numbers, they are distributed among only four airlines: Vietjet, Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo, and Vietravel.
With 10,007 scheduled flights this month, it is not surprising that Vietnam Airlines, the country’s flag carrier, offers more than half of the capacity in terms of scheduled flights.
These services will provide 920,333,215 ASMs and 1,897,372 seats, which together account for around half of the total capacity in these metrics. With 970 flights, Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi is the busiest corridor. Other popular routes include:
- Ho Chi Minh City – Da Nang (DAD) with 576 flights.
- Hanoi – Da Nang with 333 flights.
What changes has Vietnam Airlines made to its domestic flights?
Vietnam Airlines has upgraded all of its domestic flights to feature premium economy seating as the standard class, offering passengers a more comfortable flying experience.
What is included in Vietnam Airlines’ premium economy class?
Vietnam Airlines’ premium economy class includes more spacious seats, increased legroom, enhanced in-flight meals, and priority boarding services.
Why did Vietnam Airlines introduce premium economy for all domestic flights?
The airline made this move to differentiate itself in the competitive domestic market, enhance passenger comfort, and offer better value for travelers.
Are ticket prices affected by the introduction of premium economy?
While ticket prices may slightly increase due to the upgraded service, Vietnam Airlines aims to maintain competitive fares while offering a superior onboard experience.
Can passengers still book economy class seats on Vietnam Airlines domestic flights?
No, standard economy class seats have been replaced by premium economy on all domestic routes. Passengers now enjoy enhanced seating and services on all flights.
Does Vietnam Airlines offer premium economy on international flights?
Yes, Vietnam Airlines offers premium economy on select international routes. However, the recent change applies specifically to all domestic flights.
How does Vietnam Airlines’ premium economy compare with competitors?
Vietnam Airlines’ premium economy provides a superior experience compared to standard economy offered by competitors, with better seating, service, and amenities on domestic routes.
How can passengers book flights in premium economy on Vietnam Airlines?
Passengers can book flights via the Vietnam Airlines website, mobile app, or through authorized travel agents. All domestic flights automatically feature premium economy seating.
