Few things shape a long-haul flight quite like the airline you choose. Whether you’re planning a trip to Southeast Asia or connecting through Hanoi, Vietnam Airlines often comes up as the flag carrier with a 4-star Skytrax rating and a SkyTeam badge, and this review cuts through the marketing to give you concrete details on safety, cabin comfort, alliance benefits, and how it stacks up against budget alternatives like AirAsia.
Founded: 1956 (as Vietnam Civil Aviation) ·
Hub: Noi Bai (HAN) & Tan Son Nhat (SGN) ·
Fleet Size: Approx. 100 aircraft ·
SkyTeam: Member since 2010 ·
Annual Passengers: Over 20 million (pre-COVID) ·
Safety: ICAO standards; no major incidents in past decade (as of 2023)
Quick snapshot
- Modern Airbus/Boeing aircraft (The Points Guy (travel media))
- Strong safety record through 2024 (Skytrax Ratings (aviation auditor))
- Economy: 30–31″ pitch (Skytrax Ratings (aviation auditor))
- Premium Economy: 38″ pitch (DUDE OI (aviation review site))
- Business: lie-flat beds on many routes (TravelCodex (travel analyst))
- SkyTeam member since 2010 (The Points Guy (travel media))
- Skytrax 4-star ranking (Skytrax Ratings (aviation auditor))
- Better seat space than AirAsia (DUDE OI (aviation review site))
- Lower cost than full-service peers like Cathay Pacific (Airline Ratings (safety evaluator))
Key facts about Vietnam Airlines at a glance:
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Vietnam Airlines (Flag Carrier of Vietnam) |
| Hub Airports | Ha Noi (HAN) & Ho Chi Minh (SGN) |
| IATA Code | VN |
| Founded | 1956 (as Vietnam Civil Aviation) |
| Alliance | SkyTeam (since 2010) |
| Fleet | ~100 (Airbus A320/21, A350, Boeing 787, ATR) |
| Safety Rating | IATA IOSA certified, no fatal incident in past 10 years |
| Awards | Skytrax 4-Star, Best Airline in Vietnam (2023) |
Is Vietnam Airlines a good airline to fly with?
Overall passenger satisfaction metrics
Passenger reviews on platforms like Kayak and Trustpilot give Vietnam Airlines a typical score around 7/10. The Skytrax Ratings (aviation auditor) certify the airline as 4-star for seats, amenities, catering, in-flight entertainment, cleanliness, and staff service. That puts it a step above most budget carriers but still below the top-tier Asian flagships.
Vietnam Airlines delivers a solid, safe product — good enough that most travelers won’t complain, and genuinely pleasant on its newer long-haul planes. The trade-off: you’re paying a premium over AirAsia for a seat that’s only moderately better.
Industry awards and recognition
Airline Ratings (safety evaluator) placed Vietnam Airlines at position 16 in its 2026 World’s Best Airlines list (Airline Ratings (safety evaluator)). That’s ahead of many European flag carriers but behind Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific.
The implication: Vietnam Airlines is a strong regional player but not (yet) competing for global top-10 bragging rights. For travellers flying within Asia and between Asia and Australia/Europe, it’s a reliable option that won’t break the bank — but don’t expect a luxury experience.
What is Vietnam Airlines economy class like?
Seat dimensions, pitch, and legroom on Airbus A321 / Boeing 787
Standard economy seats on Vietnam Airlines offer a pitch of 30–31 inches, according to the Skytrax Ratings (aviation auditor) (Skytrax Ratings (aviation auditor)). That’s the industry average — not cramped, not generous. On the Airbus A321 used for regional routes, expect seat width of about 17–18 inches. On the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, seats are slightly wider and the cabin pressure is lower, making a real difference on flights longer than six hours.
| Aircraft | Pitch | Width | Typical routes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A321neo | 30″ | 17.5″ | Domestic, East Asia |
| Airbus A350-900 | 31″ | 18″ | Long-haul (Europe, Australia) |
| Boeing 787-9 | 31″ | 17.8″ | Long-haul (Japan, USA, Europe) |
Four aircraft types, one pattern: Vietnam Airlines uses modern, Western-built planes across its fleet, which means consistent quality. The difference between the A321 and the larger wide-bodies is noticeable in seat comfort and cabin experience.
Meal service and entertainment options
On international flights, meals are included in the fare. The DUDE OI (aviation review site) notes that the food is decent — think Vietnamese pho or Western options — but not gourmet (DUDE OI (aviation review site)). In-flight entertainment screens vary: newer A350 and 787 jets have larger, high-resolution touchscreens with a good selection of movies, while older A321s may have smaller screens or no personal IFE on short hops.
What this means: Economy offers a competitive package for its price point, but premium carriers set a higher bar.
Where does Vietnam Airlines rank in the airline industry?
Skytrax global ranking (top 5 in Southeast Asia)
In the 2023 Skytrax regional ranking, Vietnam Airlines was rated 4th in Southeast Asia. Only Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, and Malaysia Airlines placed higher. The Skytrax Ratings (aviation auditor) give it four stars overall, with particular praise for staff service and cabin cleanliness (Skytrax Ratings (aviation auditor)).
Comparison to other flag carriers (e.g., Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines)
Neither Cathay Pacific nor Singapore Airlines have any direct partnership with Vietnam Airlines beyond standard SkyTeam interlining. However, travellers comparing them will notice that the Vietnamese carrier’s product — especially in premium cabins — is priced 20-40% lower than its northern neighbours. Airline Ratings (safety evaluator) put Vietnam Airlines at #16 globally, compared to Singapore Airlines at #1 (Airline Ratings (safety evaluator)). The reason: service consistency and onboard luxury features.
Why this matters: If you’re flying within Asia on a budget, Vietnam Airlines offers a better seat and meal than AirAsia at a fraction of Cathay Pacific’s price. For long-haul, the gap narrows — but the fare difference is still significant.
Which airline alliance is Vietnam Airlines a member of?
Full membership in SkyTeam (since 2010)
Vietnam Airlines joined SkyTeam in 2010, according to The Points Guy (travel media) (The Points Guy (travel media)). That means passengers can earn and redeem miles with partners like Delta Air Lines, Air France, KLM, and Korean Air. Lotus Lounge access is available for SkyTeam Elite Plus members.
Benefits for passengers
One concrete advantage: when flying Vietnam Airlines on a SkyTeam ticket, you get priority boarding, extra baggage allowance, and lounge access in most major airports. The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (government tourism body) highlighted how the airline used its alliance infrastructure during the COVID-19 pandemic to roll out consistent safety protocols across hubs (Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (government tourism body)).
The trade-off: Vietnam Airlines is not a member of Star Alliance or oneworld, which limits mileage-earning options for travellers loyal to those networks. But for anyone already in the SkyTeam ecosystem, it’s a good addition.
Is Vietnam Airlines a partner of Virgin Australia?
Interline agreements vs codeshare partnership
As of 2024, Vietnam Airlines and Virgin Australia do not operate a codeshare partnership. They may have a basic interline agreement — meaning you can book a single ticket connecting the two carriers — but you won’t earn reciprocal points or get lounge access through Virgin Australia’s Velocity program.
What this means for Australian travellers: flying from Sydney or Melbourne to Hanoi via a connecting airline is possible, but you won’t get the seamless frequent-flyer benefits that come with a full codeshare. If Virgin Australia membership is important to you, consider a Star Alliance carrier like Singapore Airlines instead.
Is Vietnam Airlines safe for passengers and what aircraft does it use?
Safety record – no major hull losses since 2010
Vietnam Airlines has not had a fatal accident involving one of its own passenger aircraft in more than a decade. The airline holds IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification and meets all ICAO standards, as noted by Skytrax Ratings (aviation auditor) (Skytrax Ratings (aviation auditor)). During the pandemic, Skytrax awarded it a 5-star COVID-19 Safety Rating, one of only nine airlines worldwide to receive that recognition at the time.
Fleet models: Airbus A321neo, Boeing 787-9, Airbus A350
The fleet consists entirely of Western-built jets. The Points Guy (travel media) describes the long-haul fleet as modern Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Airbus A350s (The Points Guy (travel media)). The regional fleet uses Airbus A320/321 models. This uniformity simplifies maintenance and parts logistics, which Airline Ratings (safety evaluator) credits as one reason for the carrier’s strong on-time performance — 85.11% in May 2023, the best in Southeast Asia that month (Airline Ratings (safety evaluator)).
| Model | Typical Seats | Range | Primary routes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A321neo | 184-240 | Short/medium haul | Domestic, East Asia |
| Airbus A350-900 | 282-311 | Long-haul | Europe, Australia |
| Boeing 787-9 | 288-290 | Long-haul | Japan, USA, Europe |
| ATR 72 | 68-72 | Short-haul | Domestic regional |
The catch: while the aircraft are new, some reviewers have reported inconsistent cabin maintenance. TravelCodex (travel analyst) said in 2017 that the A350 business class felt “very average” and left the reviewer disappointed (TravelCodex (travel analyst)). Still, that’s a cosmetic complaint rather than a safety concern.
The implication: Vietnam Airlines maintains a strong safety profile, but cabin quality can vary across individual planes.
Is Vietnam Airlines premium economy worth the cost?
Seat dimensions and perks
Premium economy on Vietnam Airlines offers a seat pitch of 38 inches — a significant jump from economy’s 30–31 inches. According to DUDE OI (aviation review site) (DUDE OI (aviation review site)), the improved legroom and recline make a real difference on flights over five hours. Meals are upgraded (served on proper tableware), and a larger personal TV screen is included.
Value vs. upgrading to business class
Premium economy fares are typically about double the economy price. Business class, which offers lie-flat beds on wide-body aircraft, can cost four to six times more. For travellers who want a noticeable step up without the full business-class price tag, premium economy is a strong middle ground. TravelCodex (travel analyst) notes that on the A330, business class had a 2-2-2 layout (not direct aisle access for everyone), which reduces its appeal — making premium economy an even better value on those planes (TravelCodex (travel analyst)).
The pattern: Premium economy bridges the gap between economy and business, offering tangible comfort improvements at a reasonable premium.
Upsides and Downsides
Upsides
- Modern, Western-built fleet with strong safety record
- SkyTeam membership provides global connectivity and lounge access
- Premium economy offers 38″ pitch at a reasonable price
- On-time performance consistently among the best in Southeast Asia
Downsides
- Economy seat pitch is average (30″) — not generous on long routes
- Not part of Star Alliance or oneworld, limiting mileage options
- Business class on older A330s has a dated layout
- No codeshare with Virgin Australia for Australian travellers
These strengths and weaknesses define Vietnam Airlines’ value proposition for different traveler types.
How to book and check in with Vietnam Airlines (step-by-step)
- Find your flight – Use the official website or a booking platform like Kayak. For the best fare, book at least 3 weeks ahead.
- Online check-in – Available 24 hours before departure. Airline Ratings (safety evaluator) notes that Vietnam Airlines’ digital check-in is straightforward and reduces airport wait times (Airline Ratings (safety evaluator)).
- Baggage – Economy international includes 2 pieces (23 kg each) on most routes. Domestic flights may have lower allowances.
- Seat selection – Reserve during booking or via “Manage Booking” on the website. Exit-row seats typically cost extra.
- Arrive early – At major hubs like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, aim for 2 hours ahead for domestic, 3 hours for international.
Following these steps ensures a smooth booking and check-in experience.
Timeline of Vietnam Airlines milestones
- 1956 – Founded as Vietnam Civil Aviation (Skytrax Ratings (aviation auditor))
- 1993 – Renamed Vietnam Airlines as a state-owned company
- 2010 – Joined SkyTeam Alliance (The Points Guy (travel media))
- 2020–2022 – Fleet expansion: added Airbus A350 and A321neo models
- 2021 – Received 5-star COVID-19 safety rating from Skytrax (Skytrax Ratings (aviation auditor))
- 2023 – Led Southeast Asia in on-time performance at 85.11% (Airline Ratings (safety evaluator))
This timeline highlights the airline’s key developments and industry milestones.
What’s confirmed and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Vietnam Airlines is a SkyTeam member since 2010 (The Points Guy (travel media)).
- Economy seat pitch is approximately 30–31 inches (Skytrax Ratings (aviation auditor)).
- It holds a 4-star Skytrax rating (Skytrax Ratings (aviation auditor)).
- No codeshare with AirAsia or Virgin Australia (as of 2024).
- On-time performance in May 2023 was 85.11%, best in Southeast Asia (Airline Ratings (safety evaluator)).
What’s unclear
- Exact status of specific codeshares with other airlines (beyond SkyTeam).
- Future full merger or privatisation plans.
- Specific customer satisfaction scores vary by region and route.
- Seating configuration on some aircraft may differ from published specs (e.g., A330 business class layout).
- Frequency of meal service on very short domestic flights is not standardized.
While many facts are established, some aspects remain subject to change or lack full public disclosure.
What travellers are saying (quotes from reviews)
“The economy seat was adequate for the 5-hour flight. Seat pitch felt about average, but the cabin crew were attentive and the meal was surprisingly good for economy.”
— iFlight reviewer (personal review)
“Vietnam Airlines is similar to other SkyTeam carriers. The main differences are the food — Vietnamese fare is excellent — and the staff, who are generally warm and helpful.”
— DUDE OI (aviation review site)
“The A350 business class was very average. I was disappointed given the hype. The seat was comfortable but the service felt rushed.”
— TravelCodex (travel analyst)
“Flight on the 787 Dreamliner was smooth. The cabin was clean, IFE had a good selection, and we arrived 20 minutes early.”
— Skytrax customer feedback (2024)
These firsthand accounts provide a balanced perspective on the airline’s real-world performance.
Summary: Should you fly Vietnam Airlines in 2025?
Vietnam Airlines sits in a sweet spot: it’s safer and more comfortable than budget carriers like AirAsia, yet more affordable than top-tier Asian flagships. Its modern fleet, strong on-time performance, and SkyTeam membership give it real advantages for travellers flying within Asia or between Asia and Australia/Europe. The economy product is adequate but not special; premium economy offers genuine value for long-haul passengers who want more space without paying business-class prices. For the traveller considering a trip to Vietnam or a stopover in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, the choice is clear: pick Vietnam Airlines for the reliability and included perks, or pick AirAsia if you only care about the lowest fare.
enews.vietnamairlines.com, southernmonitor.org, airlineratings.com, comparably.com, oag.com
Frequently asked questions
Can Vietnam Airlines frequent flyer points be used with Star Alliance?
No. Vietnam Airlines is a SkyTeam member, not Star Alliance. You can earn and redeem miles with SkyTeam partners like Delta, Air France, and KLM, but not with Star Alliance carriers like Singapore Airlines or Thai Airways.
What is the check-in policy for Vietnam Airlines online?
Online check-in opens 24 hours before departure. You can select seats, print your boarding pass, or use a mobile boarding pass on eligible routes. For international flights, you’ll still need to show travel documents at bag drop.
Does Vietnam Airlines provide meals in Economy on domestic flights?
On most domestic flights (especially longer routes like Hanoi–Ho Chi Minh City), a light meal or snack is served. On very short routes (less than 1 hour), you may only get a beverage. Check your specific flight when booking.
How do Vietnam Airlines’ baggage allowances compare to AirAsia?
Vietnam Airlines international economy typically includes 2 checked bags at 23 kg each. AirAsia charges for checked bags as an add-on. If you need to check luggage, Vietnam Airlines can save you money compared to a budget carrier’s add-on fees.
Is Vietnam Airlines business class worth the cost on long-haul routes?
On the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350, business class offers lie-flat beds and direct aisle access — it’s a solid product. On the A330, the 2-2-2 layout means some passengers have to step over others. Check the aircraft type before upgrading.
Does Vietnam Airlines fly to the United States?
Yes. Vietnam Airlines operates flights to San Francisco (SFO) and Los Angeles (LAX) from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, with a technical stop in Naha, Japan for refueling. The route uses Boeing 787-9 aircraft.
Can I use my AirPods or Bluetooth headphones on Vietnam Airlines?
Bluetooth audio is not permitted during take-off and landing. Once cruising, you may use Bluetooth headphones on some newer aircraft (A350, 787) if the IFE system supports it. On older A321s, you’ll need wired headphones provided by the airline.
What is the best seat on a Vietnam Airlines A321neo?
Rows 1 and 12 (exit-row) offer extra legroom but may have limited recline. Seats 11A and 11F are window seats with no seat in front (for the emergency exit) — excellent legroom but cold. Row 31 at the back has limited recline near the lavatories.
These FAQs address common concerns and help travelers make informed decisions.
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James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Australia Voice, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.