Vietnam flight advice

juniper_berry

I'm looking at flying to Vietnam -Ho Chi Minh from London next March and need some advice a) on when would be the best time to book b) what is a reasonably good/realistic price to pay for a 1 stop flight and c) any recommendations on airlines??

I've seen some flights with Etihad but the reviews are mixed - any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!

PompeyPete

Flying with Qatar Airways outward on 1 September and return on 29 September.

Flying from LHR to HCMC via Doha. Doha is Qatar Airway's hub. They're an excellent airline and we're looking forward to the flight.

Cost per return ticker inclusive of taxes was £434. We booked direct with the airline online, which also allowed us to select our seats on all sectors without paying a supplement.

We've used Etihad twice before. Fine in the air, but if there's a problem at Abu Dhabi (Etihad's hub), the ground staff are useless.

So far as the best time to book is concerned, I'd use the price we paid as a good yardstick.

richardw

Vietnam Airlines have new B787 aircraft on the route if you want to fly non stop.

Do you want to return before the Easter holidays start in March?

bylromarha

Try plugging your dates into Monmodo

http://www.momondo.co.uk/

£443 with Qatar leaving Lon Mon 7 March, returning Fri 25 March

slinga

richardw wrote: »

Vietnam Airlines have new B787 aircraft on the route if you want to fly non stop.

Do you want to return before the Easter holidays start in March?

We just flew Vietnam Airways Business Class from Singapore to LHR, one stop in Vietnam.
It was a great price so couldn't refuse.
Although the plane was an old 777 it was fine and when we return to Singapore in September we'll be on the new 787

Check out the prices I bet you'll take the Busioness Class.

PompeyPete

Slinga

How long was the aircraft on the ground in Hanoi (or HCMC)?

Presumably the aircraft was refuelling, so did you have to disembark?

What was the total flight time from Singapore to LHR?

juniper_berry

Thank you all for the replies we're ideally looking to go over the bank holiday to save a day or so on holiday days with work so guess this may push our prices up slightly. Will have a look at Qatar airlines and also check out momondo too!

juniper_berry

Specific dates ideally would be leaving evening 18th March returning Friday 1st April

bylromarha

That's school holidays...prices go up.

If you aren't tied to school holidays, then earlier in March will be a cheaper price.

slinga

PompeyPete wrote: »

Slinga

How long was the aircraft on the ground in Hanoi (or HCMC)?

Presumably the aircraft was refuelling, so did you have to disembark?

What was the total flight time from Singapore to LHR?

On the ground a couple of hours in the Business Class lounge which is being upgraded, hope the food will be upgraded too, but it was OK. Fast track through immigration and BC lounge in Changi and HCMC and BC lounge in Heathrow and Hanoi when returning.
I think I've said elsewhere that I don't believe you get your moneysworth in BC if you have to pay yourself but once you've started BC it's difficult to return to Economy.

It was a change of aircraft in HCMC from an Airbus 321 on the Sing/Vietnam sector to the 777 from Vietnam to LHR.
Ate to much in the BC lounge in Changi then meal on flight to Vietnam then food available in BC lounge in HCMC then two meals on sector from HCMC to LHR and of course snacks available at all times on the flights themselves.
Don't mention the booze.

Total flight time from Changi to LHR was 17 hours iirc but arrival in LHR was just the right time for us, about 7am.