Vietnam Airlines aims for Kangaroo Route traffic with London Gatwick flights

Vietnam Airlines has plans to link Australia to London via Vietnam as of December, providing another option for cost-conscious business travellers on the Kangaroo Route.

Business class passengers on a budget already use the carrier for flights to Paris and Frankfurt, connecting on Vietnam's flights from Sydney and Melbourne.

But the potential downside for Vietnam's London aspirations is that the flights will head for London's Gatwick Airport (LGW) rather than the main hub at London Heathrow (LHR). 

That cuts down the number of useful connections on European partners, and Gatwick is further out from London than Heathrow.

On the plane, Vietnam's angled lie-flat seats aren't up to the same standard as Qantas, British Airways, Singapore Airlines or Virgin Atlantic.

With a 2-3-2 cabin configuration and 150 degree angled seats, Vietnam's business class can't really compete with Qantas' A380 SkyBed, BA's Club World flat bed, Singapore's ultra-wide beds or Virgin Australia's herringbone layout. 

But Vietnam's business class is a step above the premium economy classes that are the next option below fully flat business class seats on those airlines. So if price is the main consideration for your trip, it's a good option.

Vietnam's long-haul flights on Boeing 777 aircraft also have a premium economy option (which the airline calls Deluxe Economy), which give four inches of extra legroom and slightly wider seats.

In Sydney and Melbourne, Vietnam Airlines uses the Qantas international business lounges for its business class passengers -- and for elite members of SkyTeam airline alliance partners' frequent flyer programs flying on Vietnam Airlines flights.

John Walton

Aviation journalist and travel columnist John took his first long-haul flight when he was eight weeks old and hasn't looked back since. Well, except when facing rearwards in business class.