BACKGROUND
Vietnam Airlines operates 12 flights a day between Da Nang and Hanoi, and 84 flights a week depending on the season.
CHECK-IN
I arrived at Da Nang International airport at 1840 for a 2045 departure to Hanoi. Check-in desks are immediately in front as you enter from the drop off zone. The economy desk had a longish queue, but this moved fairly quickly. Once at the desk I was able to also check in for my onward flight to Heathrow from Hanoi, and was on my way through to security by 1855. Security and passport control are to the left of check-in – there was a short queue and I was through within ten minutes.
BOARDING
My boarding pass showed to go to gate 8, which was downstairs in the departures hall. After 20 minutes, the gate screen said to “go to gate 5”, which was back upstairs. Boarding started at 2005, and the queue quickly dwindled, so I joined at 2015. I was on board and in my seat (19C) by 2020. The flight was full, and all passengers had boarded by 2030. We pushed back early at 2040, taking off shortly after at 2050.
THE SEAT
Economy seats on Vietnam Airlines’ A321 are not all the same – there are four types of seat pitch and recline, ranging from 29-inch pitch to 31 inches and 4.45-inch recline to a 5-inch recline. Upholstered in a dark grey and green fabric, the seat was comfortable and legroom sufficient.
THE FLIGHT
At 2100, crew came around with a bottle of water and a refreshing cold tissue. The rest of the flight was uneventful and I listened to a podcast and read. The flight attendants were friendly, though it might have been a nice addition to have been offered a snack or the option to buy food or drink.
ARRIVAL
At 2130 the captain came on to tell the crew to prepare for landing. We landed at 2149, disembarking from a remote stand by 2150 and onto an air-conditioned bus.
VERDICT
A comfortable flight with good service, though a complimentary beverage or snack wouldn’t have gone amiss.
PRICE
Internet rates for an economy standard flight from Da Nang to Hanoi in July start at £52, depending on flexibility.
